EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers Internship

Regala vida

2012-01-30T22:40:00.000-05:00

Tan pequeña como la imagen de la fotografía. Tan inocente. Tan querida. Tan amada. Hace más de una treintena de años fui una niña más en el mundo. Nunca fui "una opción". Siempre fuí una niña. No siempre se tiene la oportunidad de decir a los padres "gracias por darme la vida". El día a día, con las prisas, las urgencias y lo que consideramos importante deja de lado el hecho de agradecer estar respirando. Simplemente eso: respirar. Y ello supone un todo maravilloso: vivir. Y aún más: esto es posible gracias a mis padres.

Con este post quiero agradecer a todos los padres -mamás y papás- del mundo, los de ayer, los de hoy, los de ahora que dan a sus bebés, a sus hijos, la oportunidad de vivir esta vida. Es un regalo maravilloso, inimitable y exclusivo que tenemos que aprender a valorar. Muchas veces no somos conscientes del milagro de la vida y es hora de "despertar" (si es que estabas "durmiendo" -ahogado por tus problemas o lo que crees que son problemas-).

No te conformes con vivir la vida que crees que tienes o la vida que las cartas de la "Fortuna" te ha dado. Aprende a vivir -esfuérzate- y explica, ayuda, aconseja a las personas que estén perdidas, aturdidas y confusas a encontrar "su camino". Tú puedes ser la linterna que alumbra el túnel de sus vidas, y son ellas/ellos los que tienen que coger la linterna que les das como testigo y tratar de ver luz al final del túnel.

Como tus padres hicieron contigo y hacen y harán, regala vida.

Día intenso en el Bronx

2012-01-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

Hoy hemos tenido un día intenso en la oficina del Bronx, no han parado de entrar chicas, a cada una tienes que dedicarles un buen rato, porque acuden a nosotros atemorizadas, confundidas, llenas de preguntas...

Cada una tiene su historia, sus problemas y quieren soluciones, normalmente buscan la solución "aparentemente" más fácil, vienen con este discurso, no tengo más opción, tengo que hacerlo, no puedo elegir, tengo muchos planes, ahora no me viene bien, es lo mejor para mi...

A la pregunta ¿qué es lo que estás buscando al venir aquí? Responden...Que me ayudes, quiero acabar con esto...y yo les digo, ok tu vienes buscando ayuda verdad?yo quiero que decidas lo mejor para ti y mi trabajo es darte las armas para que puedas hacer la mejor elección, pero no me pidas que te ayude mandándote a un sitio donde van a robarte parte de tu alma, no, no me pidas eso, no me digas que esa es tu única salida, la más fácil, no te creo, romper tu vida no es la solución más fácil, es la más destructiva, la más cobarde y esta vida está hecha para los valientes, no me pidas que te guie hacia la autodestrucción, no quiero ser responsable de semejante barbaridad, yo puedo apoyarte, darte información, asesorate, escucharte, comprenderte...El resto lo tienes que hacer tu, tu eliges hacia donde quieres llevar tu vida.

If Holy Spirit Leads You, DO IT

2012-01-30T03:00:00.000-05:00

I have known this girl since I was 8 years old.

She is the brunette on the left. Her name is Noelle.

We have gone to summer camp together every year since the age of 8 to Mountain Top Youth Camp in central North Carolina.

Camp was the only time we got to see each other. Every year we both look forward to catching up and attempting to be in the same cabin and team.

2 falls ago, there was a weekend event held at Mountain Top for young adults and college students called Extreme Weekend. I was just returning from backpacking all over Europe with 2 best friends. I fought hard to try and get back to NC from Frankfurt, Germany to be able to go to Extreme Weekend. It was very important to me. I made it.

The second day I was there, I felt the holy spirit leading me to say something about the work I am doing with EMC in NYC. So I asked one of the leaders if I could share for 5 minutes the exciting missions the Lord had me doing. I got the approval. I was able to share with over one hundred 20 year olds the harvest God had me in.

Among them, was Noelle. The holy spirit was moving in her as well. After the meeting that night, her and I talked under the gazebo. She turns to me and asks, "Abigail, did you know I got pregnant when I was 16, and made an adoption plan?" My response was, "Noelle, I had no idea".

We continued talking about this. I told her, "Noelle, do you have any idea what the Lord could do through you in New York City with these girls ?" A year later, I am proud to tell you she is finally here in NYC all the way from NC working with us. She is counseling girls at our crisis pregnancy centers. She literally knows what they are going through.

Moral of the story is, when the holy spirit tells you to do something, DO IT.

Super-mamá!

2012-01-29T22:00:00.002-05:00

El viernes tuve la gran suerte de conocer a una "super-mamá"!
Llegó a la oficina de Queens algo confusa, el miedo se estaba apoderando de ella, poco a poco me fue contando su historia y mis ojos se abrían cada vez más, solo pude decirle GUAU!!!

Ella ya tiene 4 hijos, su pareja le engañó y decidió coger al toro por los cuernos, cambiar de ciudad y empezar de cero, ya que pensaba que ese señor, su ex-pareja, no es un buen ejemplo para sus hijos, que valiente pensé yo..que fuerte!

Pero de repente se enteró de que estaba embarazada otra vez y sintió que no podía más, que tenía que quitarse el "problema" de encima como fuera, lo que no sabía es que ese "problema" ya tiene corazón, ya le oye su voz, ya siente...Sus ojos se llenaron de lágrimas al darse cuenta de lo que se había planteado hacer, se sintió mala persona, yo le dije que no se machacara que el miedo le había jugado una mala pasada, que somos humanos y no somos de hierro, que ella era una gran persona, una gran madre y un gran ejemplo para todos nosotros, que me sentía afortunada de tenerle frente a mi, que en definitiva es una Super-mamá, el mejor ejemplo para sus hijos!

Una imagen vale más que mil palabras

2012-01-29T21:45:00.002-05:00

Se cumple el dicho de "una imagen vale mil palabras". A veces, las palabras no son suficientes. Las explicaciones sobran. Los argumentos se quedan cortos. Los discursos caducan. Pero una imagen puede cambiarnos la vida para siempre. Cuando una mujer está embarazada, por lo que me cuentan las chicas que vienen al Centro de El Bronx, siempre está imaginando cómo será su bebé. Y siempre, por lo que me han revelado, la primera ecografía de su bebé es como un gran milagro. Por primera vez ven a su hijo o hija (a veces, ni siquiera saben el si es niño o niña) y se sorprenden del milagro de la vida. Hoy en día las ecografías no son como hace 20 años. Hoy podemos ver al bebé en 3D. No sólo saber si está bien o mal posicionado, si se chupa el dedo o se mueve mucho en le viente de su madre. La madre puede ver las facciones de su bebé, casi como si le mirara cara a cara. La sonrisa de las madres y los padres cuando reciben en sus manos la primera ecografía de su bebé no tiene precio. O mejor dicho, tiene un precio incalculable. El valor inmesurable de la vida.

Los guijarros del camino

2012-01-29T21:21:00.000-05:00

La experiencia no siempre es un grado. Muchas veces las personas caemos una y otra vez en la misma "piedra". Cometemos el mismo error, sin aprender del anterior. No avanzamos. Nos estancamos en algún punto y recurrimos sin remedio. Por ello es tan importante tomar nota de la experiencia y, sobre todo, de los guijarros que van apareciendo en nuestro camino. Aprender a aprender. La vida es una gran lección en todos los aspectos. No siempre somos conscientes de ello.

Muchas de las chicas que han venido a lo largo de estos meses al Centro de El Bronx habían estado embarazadas antes. En algunos casos, tuvieron a sus bebés. Otras abortaron. Y ahora, nuevamente, están embarazadas. Viven su maternidad como un problema. Un gran problema por miles de motivos. Cientos de razones. Su embarazo es una "gran piedra" en el camino de sus vidas. Y con tal percepción deciden que abortar es la solución, la eliminación de la "piedra" que llevan a cuestas.

Pero el problema no termina en una sala de quirófano donde se practican abortos. El problema es que, tarde o temprano, cerca o lejos, lo más probable es que vuelvan a quedarse embarazadas. Cinco semanas después, cinco meses más tarde o en los próximos cinco años. Y, nuevamente, la idea del aborto planee sobre sus cabezas.

¿Cómo parar esto?, ¿de qué manera? Sólo hay una manera 100% segura de no volverse a quedar embarazadas o contraer una Enfermedad de Transmisión Sexual (ETS). Abstinencia.

Ya no eres una niña...

2012-01-29T07:43:00.001-05:00

Os voy a contar uno de los casos, de los que yo he atendido, más delicado, el miércoles en Queens, llegó una chica, pidiendo un test de embarazo, le pedí que rellenara la hoja con sus datos y pude observar como se lo tomaba a risa, hacía bromas con su amiga, no era consciente de donde estaba, actuaba como una niña...

Le pedí que por favor me acompañara a una de nuestras salas, empezó a sentirse nerviosa, nos sentamos y leí sus datos, me quedé helada al ver que solo tenía 13 años!!!madre mia si tendría que estar jugando con muñecos o con sus amigas en un parque tomándose unas gominolas, en vez de jugar a ser mayor, que educación están recibiendo???

Al principio no sabía como hablarle, es una niña pero ha jugado a ser mayor y se ha quemado...que podía decirle!!yo estoy acostumbrada a tratar con niñas de esa edad, les entreno a baloncesto, están en eso, no en andar con chicos, por unos instantes me sentí perdida, me daba pena ver como esta ya no niña, había dejado atrás su infancia para pasar a ser adulta...Finalmente decidí tratarle como tal ya que a partir de ahora su vida va a cambiar y tiene que ser consciente de que todo lo que hacemos tiene sus consecuencias, así que bienvenida al mundo adulto...

Una vez más comprobé que no sabía nada sobre los riesgos y consecuencias de realizarse un aborto y ni mucho menos que lo que lleva dentro ES UNA VIDA y es así, en ese momento se derrumbó, cayó en la cuenta de lo que su vida iba a cambiar, aprendió que efectivamente cada acción tiene una reacción, apostó por la vida, por ser consecuente, por ser mayor, en definitiva se dió cuenta de que ya no es una niña...

What an Amazing Surprise!

2012-01-29T02:45:00.000-05:00

About two weeks ago I received a client at our Queens center looking for an abortion; we spoke for about an hour and half of about her pregnancy. I explain the risk of abortion and about all of her options. She insisted that she needed to have the abortion because, like many, she wasn't finally stable and just couldn't do it. Like I always do, I asked God to guide me and to please put in my heart the correct words. She left after everything was said and done, afraid she would have an abortion I told her that if she wanted she could return if she needed anything else and to return for a free ultrasound and to use that time for herself, that way she could think of everything and see if abortion was truly the best option for her.
Today she returned with her sister and cousin and after speaking with her for a little longer, she went into our sonogram room. When she came, she headed straight for the restroom but her sister gave me the great news that she was in fact going to keep her baby, they were more than happy and as they looked at the sonogram picture they were already saying how the baby already looked like family members. Once she came out of the restroom, I could tell that she had this glow about her, she felt relieved and grateful. She said how happy and Thankful she was for everything. I asked her if she was glad she had came in to see us and smile and said very.

As I open the door for them the feeling I had about this case just brought such an amazing feeling that is hard to explain. I am Thankful with God because now her baby will have the gift to see the light of day! And none of this would be possible without God's guidance and Love!!!!

Mommy, Meet Your Baby!

2012-01-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

Everytime I witness a mother seeing her new baby for the first time I get emotional. Depending on the clients situation the reaction is always different for her. Sometimes the women are nervous, sometimes they are excited, and sometimes they cry too. It can be such a bonding moment between the mother and her baby, and one I feel plays a very important role in the prolife movement.

Often times a woman doesnt realize that what's growing inside of her actually LOOKS like a tiny human being. And sometimes it isnt until she sees her baby on the screen in front of her that she decides she wants to be a mother. It doesnt mean every doubt, fear, or burden is erased. It just means that all of the fears and burdens suddenly seem worth it.

The moment a mommy feels an emotional bond with her baby is so incredibly precious and being able to see that almost everyday is such a gratifying and awesome experience. And the reason that baby looks like tiny human being is because thats EXACTLY what it is.

Pro-Lifers encouraged to spread word about new film

2012-01-28T15:47:00.003-05:00

In an article in Life Site News titled, "Pro-life movie 'Doonby' is big on heart, low on preaching", pro-lifers are encouraged to view and spread word to others to view this movie with a unique view on the culture of life. The emphasis of the movie is that each individual life is beautiful in its own way. The makers of the movie are reluctant to "preach" so much as to swayed its viewers to see the value of each human life.

Though it is a low-budget film, and some of the actors are said to "less-than-perfect" in their acting skills, the overall of the movie is profitable to the human person. "Sam Doonby", acted by John Schneider, is a drifter who moves to a quiet town in Texas and quickly lands a job as a bar tender. He moves his way into the lives and hearts of those he encounters throughout the movie. It is different than most pro-life movies in the sense that the actual word "abortion" is not even mentioned until the final scenes of the movie. However, the movie is said to still have a profound message concerning the dignity of human life from the "womb to the tomb".

At Nation's Capital Fighting For Life

2012-01-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

This is my group.

Among us, we have people from New York,

Dominican Republic, North Carolina, and the list goes on.

Here, we are at our nation's capital, for a fight.

We are trying to fight against the injustice of abortion.

Literally in this picture, we are standing between the 2 sides : pro life and pro choice.

We are on the pro life side next to little boys who held signs claiming they were adopted. Also on the sign, they

stated how thankful they are that their mother chose an adoption plan rather than murder.

In this picture, we are literally between those 2 pro life boys, and the pro choicers. We were off to a good start !

The Miracle of Life!!!!

2012-01-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we all expect to find the miracles in the big things, for God to come down and show himself to us and remind us that HE has always been there. I forget as well how Magnificent and Grant HE is and how HE will remind us day after day of HIS Beauty. Working at EMC, time after time I am remind that I have to look in the smallest places to find the biggest miracles; and this week wasn't the exception. While in our Brooklyn Office, I was asked by the Director if I wanted to see an Ultrasound, and I of course agreed; Thinking it would be like any other Ultrasound that I've been a part of. This time I felt my heart beating faster and I got this feeling that this time somethings was different. At times we don't see the miracle that is in front of us, we only see it with our eyes but not our hearts and This time God wanted to remind me that HE is there and Watching over me! I left the room very emotional after seeing something so precious and perfect, which is God's creation!!!! God shows us his greatest miracles in his smallest creations and like myself we all need to be reminded from time to time. I am so grateful that I can be a part of this and to be able to presence the miracle of life!

I'm Doing My Part. Are You ?

2012-01-26T15:51:00.000-05:00

If you think it's inhumane to allow abortions in this

country, read on.

If you think it's wrong to put a woman through an

abortion, listen close.

If you agree with Jesus when he said, " I came so

that you may have life and have it more abundantly",

give me your attention.

If you want to help this country put a stop to abortion, do your part.

We as a body, must come together to fight this war. We are an army. Attend events like I did , such as the

March for Life in DC.

If you have to work and can't take a day off like that, no problem: go to an abortion clinic in your area and

pray for an hour when you get off work. Go to a crisis pregnancy center and as how you can help. Donate

money to a cpc. Pray in the morning, the evening, as much as you can that our country will abolish abortion.

Back to Make Things Right

2012-01-25T15:17:00.000-05:00

In a special article in Life Site News titled, "Today, I returned to the abortion clinic where I aborted my babies 12 years ago", by Kelly Clinger, a story of repentance and spiritual awakening manifests itself in a girl out to save women from making the same costly decision she made in her early 20's. Her attempt of sparing the women from depression, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and life-lasting regrets is most admirable and points to a profound truth that God is Love!

Kelly Clinger is a performer and was a backup singer for Brittany Spears. She also had two abortions in her early 20's that changed her life forever. While the "old" Kelly is gone forever she is thankful for the new creation she is in God. She went back to the same abortion clinic she had her abortions done to help other women chose life. Kelly is also grieved by the lack of response of the "religious" to the abortion problem in America alone. Over 3,000 babies are aborted a day.

The caller

2012-01-24T20:47:00.002-05:00

Today in the queens office,when I received a call from a lady saying " i need an abortion" so I asked her if she lived in queens she said yes then asked " when was the first day of her last period" she answered with " I don't know but i know that am 22weeks can you please help me" I answer "yes I want to help you,can you come in right now?" she seem so happy over the phone she answer " thank you I'll be on my way am close to the office" as soon as I hang up the phone I text a few co workers to pray for me as I was going to have a girl very far in her pregnancy wanting a abortion. About 20 Min's. Had passed when she walked in the office. I asked her to fill out the intake form. We pass to the main consulting room, I'll never forget her first words to me " thank you for helping me I just passed $258.79 for a sonogram and found out am 22 weeks and 2 days" I asked her if they had showed her how the baby looked like and I'd they had told her what the sex of the baby" her response was shocking " no they said that it to soon that part is not yet develop,they didn't show me anything" I asked "how much are they charging you" she answered " $1,700 plus tax that a lot of money I don't have and while I was there I saw an ad. on the newspaper that said free abortion alternative and now am here" I asked "what was the reason for wanting a abortion, and if she knew all side affect" she looked at me with watery eyes hold them back " you wouldn't understand" I moved closer to her I looked at her straight in the eye " well make me understand I want to know".she paused looked at the ground " i have nobody here, i just came into this country about a year ago.Am here because i have to help my mom and brother back in Paraguay. that why i cant have this because it going to stop all the plans i have for my future. i looked at her smile and said " having a baby isn't going to stop your plans they might delay them but not stop them". she smile but with tears in them i shake her head. i saw that for the first time she thought it was a baby and not a thing. i asked her if she wanted a sonogram she shake her head nervously. i told her the sonogram was going to be free she had a look that what she was hearing was impossible, i took her by the hand and went to the sonogram room, the sonogram tech. put the screen towards her and said" this is your baby boy and listen to his heart " tears starting coming down but with a smile i look at her and ask her why was she crying and her answer was just surprising " i always wanted my first child to be a boy" and smile looked at me " it my baby i cant believe it ! it a real baby, my baby" i smile at her and said " yes this is your baby boy "

EMC helps the needy!

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

With the tough economy adding to already difficult situations we are very happy to provide some material assistance to some of our former and current clients. Here are just a few pictures from some visits I made dropping a few things off! More stories about these heroic young families later!

If she could only see!!!!

2012-01-21T19:27:00.000-05:00

Everyday we get clients coming in to all of our centers feeling like abortion is their only alternative; feeling lost and confused. I ask them why they want an abortion and many times they can't give me a concrete answer, at times they get so emotional that their tears come out. I make sure I let them know that I don't see them like a complete stranger, that I see them as someone I truly care about and that I am there for them. Which is true, while I'm sitting in front of them, I make sure It is all about her and what is best for her, whatever it may be, that is for her to decide.
I tell them that I wish they could see what an amazing miracle they have inside, that being pregnant is not a decease and that Instead of feeling like their whole world is about to end they should be happy for the miracle they have in them. A lot of times, our clients leave the centers happy and relieved because they are keeping their babies, when just about an hour before they had came in "completely sure" abortion was their best and only option. Every time a client decides to keep their baby, I feel like I've done something great and it is a very rewarding emotion. Now, If only every pregnant could see what an amazing miracle they have in them, I'm sure their wouldn't be any abortions in this world.

Lady Liberty

2012-01-21T19:19:00.000-05:00

The shoe size of the Statue of Liberty, based on the standard formula for sizing a foot is 879. I found this to be a pretty interesting but pointless fact. In 2008, according to the New York State Department of Health, there were 82,475 women killed by induced abortions in New York City in 2008. I found this to be an appalling and significantly serious fact.

One thing the directors of EMC point out to us is that it is important to help the clients first. If we can make the client see that we are concerned for her health and safety first then we can make her understand that this is truly about HER and the baby, not just the baby. Abortion has so many life threatening side effects as well as emotional repercussions that the clients may endure their whole lives. It's numbers such as these that make this even more evident. Abortion isn't just a "quick fix". It isn't something to be taken lightly. The fact is that women are risking their own lives because they feel as if abortion is their only option.

Who doesn't like to know interesting facts about the area in which they live? But let us not turn a blind eye to the most important facts that are right in front of us and happening everyday. It's time to take a stand, for "LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

Vamos a hablar...

2012-01-21T17:17:00.000-05:00

Ayer por fin, tuve mi primer caso sola!!! Estaba nerviosa, que responsabilidad!!

Ella era una chica de 20 años que no estaba segura de si estaba embarazada o no y tampoco sabía lo que quería hacer, su novio apoyaría lo que ella decidiera.
Venía de haber pasado por un aborto, el cual le dejó marcada psicológicamente. En un principio cuando yo le pregunté a ver si había tenido complicaciones con el aborto, me contestó firmemente que no, que nada, todo ok.

A continuación le hice la pregunta estrella, ¿Conoces las consecuencias de abortar? Para no variar, cosa que no deja de sorprenderme, me dijo no...
En ese momento fue cuando le dije, ese dolor,ese mal estar que tu sientes al acordarte del aborto es una de las muchas consecuencias, se llama síndrome post-aborto, se sorprendió, me dijo really?
A partir de ahí le fuí explicando los riesgos, que en su caso se multiplican por 2, ya que desgraciadamente no es primeriza en esto... Le pregunté a ver que pensaba, estaba asustada, pero le dije, esto es lo que te planteas hacer...Y le puse el video D&E, esta chica si quería ver, quería saber, que bueno!!
Ella todavía no sabía el resultado del test cuando ya tenía claro que lo iba a tener!!!No quería mirar el test, lo hice yo por ella y finalmente dió negativo!

Uno se siente bien cuando llega a las personas, cuando le escuchan y les haces pensar, obviamente no pretendo convencer a nadie, quiero lo mejor para ellas, la decisión no la tengo que tomar yo, no es mi vida la que está en juego, me conformo con que le den más de una vuelta, con que piensen, que sean conscientes de lo que un aborto implica, que sepan la VERDAD.

No quiero mirar, no quiero!! ¿?

2012-01-21T16:54:00.001-05:00

Esta semana he tenido la oportunidad de conocer el centro del Bronx, allí junto con Paula antendimos a una chica que tenía muy claro que quería abortar, ella estaba segura de su decisión, nos decía que lo había pensado mucho y que lo tenía claro, que ya tenia un niño de 18 meses y que no iba a ser bueno para el que ella tuviera otro....

Nosotras le hicimos la pregunta de siempre...¿sabes las consecuencias que tiene un aborto? Ella contestó...bueno si...Eso no era verdad, en cuanto empezamos a decirle, la realidad es que no tenía ni idea, en realidad no quería saber, no quería mirar, nos intentaba hacer creer que eso no le importaba con su pose de mujer fria e indiferente, personalmente le dije que no me creía que ella hubiera pensado realmente sobre su decisión, que no me creía que esa era su única salida NO eso nunca es verdad, siempre podemos elegir, pero hay que hacerlo con la mayor información que puedas tener, están arriesgando su vida!! las consecuencias pueden ser fatales, como es posible que solo QUIERAN ver una salida???

Es triste pero esta historia, este caso, se repite a menudo, mujeres que prefieren no saber lo que están haciendo, las consecuencias, lo que significa, prefieren mirar hacia otro lado y tratar al bebe que llevan en su vientre como si fuera un objeto en lugar de una vida, no se..quizás crean que así se están haciendo menos daño...

Rethinking Birth Control

2012-01-20T18:57:00.000-05:00

In an article titled, "American Evangelicals beginning to rethink birth control, argues author of new book", by Patrick Baklinski, dependence on God and His providence concerning family size is discussed. While opposition to birth control is seemed primarily as a "Catholic issue", evangelicals are starting to see the ramification of playing "pick and choose" when it comes to bringing new life into this world.

Seeing how all life is sacred and we are made in the image and likeness of God, it is quite bold to determine for ourselves who gets to live and who doesn't. Dr. Allan Carlson wrote a new book titled, "Godly Seed: American Evangelicals Confront Birth Control, 1873-1973", and it has tough facts and questions on how the division of Christianity has left room for damaging beliefs to seep in.

Hanging on to Hope

2012-01-20T18:31:00.000-05:00

I recently came across a story in LifeSiteNews about a mother and father who would not give up on their unborn child. Early on in the pregnancy the mother received the horrible news that her baby would not have a chance of life outside of the womb. The problem was due to a low amount of amniotic fluid. This condition is known as "Potter's Syndrome" and it was due to the fact that the baby's kidneys did not develop properly. In a normal pregnancy, the baby swallows the amniotic fluid, urinates it out, and keeps replenishing the supply. When there isn't enough fluid, the baby's lungs also do not develop properly.

Through suggestions that it may be best to terminate the pregnancy from numerous doctors, the mother and father kept hanging on hope and prayer. Their fundamental belief was that God is the only One with the power to create and He is also the only One with the power to declare when life ends, not us.

Trish, the mother, held out to the very end and birthed the child but unfortunately the child died shortly after. Although incredibly grieved at the short amount of time spent with there child they were grateful to have not chose to end their baby's life.

The parents admit themselves in the article that the baby had touched their lives. This gives value to the unborn everywhere. While our culture tells us that the unborn is an option or a blob of tissue we see here that clearly the baby has a power to do good even before the baby is actually born. Since then they have had three more beautiful children.

Give Love a Chance - Baby Saved from Abortion

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

In a previous post I spoke about how this woman who you see smiling left the abortion mill thinking she would keep her baby, but it was only after she spoke to us that she was truly excited to keep her baby.

Her situation is quite difficult - although her boyfriend is a hard worker and wanted her to keep the baby from the beginning she was unsure and feeling quite negative. She currently lives in a shelter with her one year old son and was not planning on another child - to say the least.

She is a churchgoing woman and so she always had moral reservations about abortion, but as we spoke she realized that her morals were in fact more important than any sort of plan that she may have had, and that even though plans must be adjusted, life does not end.

While she was getting our ultrasound on our mini-bus she became overjoyed. She took pictures of the 16 week baby and immediately sent them to her boyfriend. Her boyfriend, who I had the chance to talk to on the phone, was also excited. We probably spoke for about 45 minutes, exchanged contacts, and promised to keep in touch.

The most memorable moment for me however was when, without any sort of prying she told me that she was, "Gonna give love a chance," which was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard from a woman in such a situation.

Many times people will ask me what sort of things I say to the (abortion minded) women - well once you've become acquainted with a few life-choosers, they'll often provide you with the perfect thing to say to others.

Support On Demand

2012-01-19T15:04:00.000-05:00

I had a client in Manhattan this week who is in her second trimester and wants an abortion. She has never had one before and knew very little about the process.

She already has 3 children and loves each one of them in a special way.

She sat in my office for an hour just pouring out all her problems. She obviously had no one in her life to just simply listen to her. She had to leave right after the talking because she had to go to work.

She is a hard working mother of 3 who has no help from her family.

She left not wanting the abortion. However, the lack of support from the father and her family is bringing her to the decision of aborting her 15 week child.

Please pray for this case. I will follow up with her in a few days .

Abortion Clinic Loses Client to Pro-Lifers

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

A very special type of save happened recently at Dr. Emily when I noticed a girl leaving the clinic. Luckily it was at a time of day when I realized she probably did not have an abortion.

She did, however, have an appointment for one. By the time she came out however, she was pretty sure she did not want one.

This is why any sort of pro-life presence and outreach (where women are reasonably approached) is so important at the abortion mills - I didn't necessarily have to convince her to keep her baby in this case, I just had to confirm her in her decision to keep.

I think that it is often assumed by pro-lifers and pro-choicers that every single woman walking into a clinic is completely decided on what they are going to do - this is not true. Many women will leave on there own (likely with the help of other peoples' prayers), but then what do they do?

So instead of leaving alone and still uncertain, the fact I was able to talk to her, offer her an ultrasound (she was 16 weeks!), and commit to continuing support, allowed her to leave very happy and positive. I believe anyone can do what I did as long as they have a little knowledge about their local pro-life crises pregnancy center.

Of course there is some developed craft in learning how to approach women and talk to them, but people need to realize that many want to be talked to - especially in places like New York City where abortion is so easy to obtain that many do not thoroughly consider all of the options before making a decision.

I will write more about our specific conversation and how truly heroic this young woman is in a later post, I just wanted for this post to make clear that sidewalk counseling isn't necessarily as adversarial as some think, and to encourage others to think about making to the abortion clinic in a peaceful and prayerful presence.

Forty days for life is coming up - why not come us and help us out at Dr. Emily?

Just one pill

2012-01-18T18:54:00.000-05:00

The RU-486, more commonly known as the "Abortion Pill", consists of two pills. The first pill which is the one that kills the baby, works by blocking the hormone progesterone in the females body which in turn stop the baby from getting its nutrients. The second pill expels the baby and lining out of the body.

The building our Brooklyn center is in actually has two abortion facilities also located there, including a planned parenthood. This however brings us many woman who may have been planning on an abortion but by divine intervention brings them to us instead.

Today the director of the center caught a woman in the elevator leaving planned parenthood. She convinced her to come up and talk to us and we gave her an ultrasound. After seeing the ultrasound and talking awhile we could tell she started to soften and become emotional. She had already taken the first pill, the pill that kills the baby. She said to our director "If i had only met you an hour earlier". This decision was made to fix her temporary situation and now her life is forever changed. All it took was ONE PILL, one action that she can never undo.

If All She Wants Is More Space ?

2012-01-17T15:09:00.000-05:00

I had a client come in Manhattan this week who is in her second trimester.

She has 2 kids and works a full time job.

The father, also her boyfriend, is there. He is very supportive.

She said that she wants an abortion because there is no space for her, the new baby, and her other 2 kids.

She feels overwhelmed waking up in the morning with one child in her bed while the other one sleeps in a corner of the room. All of her belongings are in a pile that takes up a big portion of the room.

She cried when I answered her question of what the baby might look like based on how many weeks she is. I showed her the baby model. At one point she said she couldn't go through with it.

Her and her boyfriend actually came back, without making an appointment, to our office and told me she still wanted the abortion. She finally agreed to go get a sonogram done in Queens. Please pray for this case.

If all she wants is more space?

Up to her?

2012-01-17T14:48:00.001-05:00

Hoy ha venido al Centro EMC Bronx, una joven. Sabrina (nombre ficticio). Embarazada. 7 semanas y media. Quería abortar. Su razón principal para recurrir al aborto es porque no se siente preparada, no vive un buen momento económico y su novio también está de acuerdo en que ella aborte.

"Up to you", le ha dicho su novio. Qué fácil es dejar el peso de una decisión irreparable a una persona, cuando es responsabilidad de dos, del padre y de la madre. Qué fácil es decir "sí, vamos, aborta, es la solución más fácil, rápida y segura". No es una decisión fácil, ni rápida y, mucho menos, segura. Abortar es deletéreo. Lo veo todos los días. Muchas chicas que vienen al centro del Bronx han abortado antes. Todas me dicen lo mismo: "Ha sido la peor decisión de mi vida".

Sabrina no ha abortado nunca. Éste es su segundo embarazo. No quiere a su bebé. Le hemos hablado de la adopción como alternativa al aborto, pero la ha rechazado. Ha rechazado toda la información que le hemos facilitado sobre qué es el aborto y qué supone, a corto y largo plazo, sus consecuencias físicas, emocionales y psíquicas. Delante de ella había un "muro" imaginario. Estaba como metida en una armadura, dura y fría. Distante. Como si la situación no fuera con ella. Finalmente, le hemos aconsejado que se tome un tiempo de reflexión antes de tomar una decisión equivocada sin vuelta atrás, que llevará a cuestas toda su vida. Digo esto porque es lo que veo todos los días. Se ha marchado con la mirada baja y con el tono de voz casi imperceptible.

No sé qué será de Sabrina. Tal vez se tome esos minutos de reflexión que le hemos propuesto. Tal vez recapacite recordando la información que le hemos ofrecido. Tal vez. O tal vez no. Nosotros no podemos decidir por ellas.

Este post va dedicado a todas aquellas mujeres anónimas que ahora están embarazadas y ven como única solución a su "problema" (embarazo) el aborto. No. No es así. Les animo a que vengan a Expectant Mother Care para informarles, asesorarles, y apoyarles. Estamos para ayudarles a no cometer un error sin billete de vuelta.

Una decisión a tiempo

2012-01-16T23:57:00.001-05:00

No siempre podemos tomar decisiones con tiempo. Más que nada porque vamos "acelerados" por la vida, en nuestro día a día. Tenemos que buscar un rato, unos minutos, para pensar qué es lo que estamos haciendo, por qué estamos haciendo lo que hacemos y para qué. Tomamos muchas decisiones al día. Cientos. Sin darnos cuenta siempre estamos elegiendo. Un camino u otro. Por suerte las cosas no son blancas o negras, hay matices. Pero hay decisiones que sí implican una ida y vuelta o algo irreversible. Como la muerte. No tiene matices. Vives o mueres. Eso es lo que hay.

Hoy ha venido al centro Sofía (nombre ficticio). Está embarazada de 4 meses. Se hizo un test de embarazo el pasado octubre 2011 y dió positivo. Hoy le hemos hecho otro test, como siempre hacemos, gratuíto, para confirmar si estaba o no en cinta. Positivo. Quería abortar. Pero su mirada parecía pedirnos auxilio, sin saber muy bien por qué ni de qué. Nos estaba gritando un sofocado S.O.S. Sofia tiene una niña de 3 años y no quería tener el bebé que lleva en su vientre. Su razón principal es que no se sentía preparada. Tras la información que ofrecemos en el centro del Bronx y el asesoramiento hemos visto como su cara iba mutando. Su mirada esquiva se ha transformado en una mirada sonriente. Se ha dado cuenta que la decisión que iba a tomar era irreversible. Y lo sabe bien porque hace años tuvo un aborto. Y recordar el calvario que sufrió le ha hecho "despertar". Mañana se hará un sonograma para ver qué tal va todo y qué tal está su bebé. Ha dicho sí a la vida. Por suerte, esta vez, la decisón ha llegado a tiempo.

Live On The Radio: Pro Life Youth

2012-01-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, a few pro life friends and myself were asked to make an appearance on a radio station in Queens.

Father Peter Pilsner hosts the radio show at certain times on the weekends. He asked us to share some thoughts we had about the youth in this country on the issue of being pro life.

We all took turns in saying what we thought and discussed the work we were doing.

All of us work in each borough, whether it's Queens,Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Manhattan.

One of the questions was "why do you think so many young people are pro life right now?" My response to that was the influence adults,teachers,and youth leaders have on these young people. Young people can see right through things. They know when there is an injustice.

So when positive role models step into their lives, it's huge. They recognize right away that it's wrong to terminate a life just because the mother and or father don't want the baby. They recognize right away that they can have something to do to stop it. And they do. But initially , it all starts with the influence of superiors.

Two friends sticking together

2012-01-14T17:35:00.000-05:00

   About two days ago we received 2 clients; one was 14 and the other was 15. They both came in to our Brooklyn office looking for another alternative aside from abortion. The Brooklyn director asked me to talk to both of them while she took cared of another client. Both of them seemed sad and confused, both Freshmen's in high school. One of them had previously been pregnant but had been forced by her mom to have an abortion; and after going through that the first time she didn't want to do it again.
   I asked them what their dreams were and what they liked to do, both of them were dreaming big but coming from the life they had, their dreams to them seemed impossible. They both just wanted to feel loved and wanted some inspiration and as our Director is used to doing and is great at, she became that friend that they both needed. Both of them had each other and still felt alone and confused.
   Talking to them I noticed that as we all do, they also wanted to feel loved but unfortunately were looking in the wrong places; I made sure they left that day knowing how amazing they are and how one day they will be professionals changing the world. They both cried because they felt their lives were over but as I told them, the sun always rises; that is God's way of letting us know that we get the blessing of getting a fresh beginning!!!

UN RAYO DE LUZ DENTRO DE TODA LA OSCURIDAD

2012-01-13T23:02:00.001-05:00

Esta es mi primera semana aquí en Nueva York, absolutamente todo es nuevo para mi, recién estoy teniendo mis primeras experiencias.

Hoy ha sido un día muy especial, podría decir el más esperanzador de toda la semana, como todos los días a las 9:00 de la mañana he llegado al centro de Queens y las mujeres han empezado a llegar, cada una con su historia, alguna realmente estremecedora, se me encoje el alma al escucharles como ven en un embarazo el mayor problema del mundo hasta el punto de ver como única “solución” el aborto, todas quieren saber si están embarazadas y cuando descubren que así es, se les cae el mundo encima.

Pero hoy no todos los casos han sido así, NO HOY NO, hoy ha habido un rayo de luz en el centro de Queens, por primera vez en la semana he visto como una futura mamá lloraba de emoción al ver que el test salía positivo!

Que sensación, que felicidad!!!

Solo puedo decir que esa mujer ha llenado de luz Queens, muchas gracias.

Cruzando el charco para una bonita misión!

2012-01-13T22:26:00.000-05:00

Hola a todo el mundo!!!

Soy Make, tengo 28 años y vengo de el norte de España, más concretamente de Bilbao, hasta Nueva York con el fin de poder colaborar en está misión tan importante que realiza EMC (Expectant Mother Care), dejándose la piel cada día por todas esas mamás que acuden a pedir ayuda a los diferentes centros que hay por toda la ciudad.

Lo primero de todo quería agradecer a las personas que forman parte de esta institución todo lo que hacen y, por supuesto, el darme la oportunidad de ser una más dentro de EMC.

En segundo lugar quería deciros a todos que vengo con mucha ilusión y que voy a poner toda la carne en el asador cada día, quiero aprender, conocer y ayudar!

Not everyone is doing it!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-13T21:43:00.001-05:00

While in our Queens office we've gotten clients who believe they are pregnant but whose pregnancy test come out negative; Aside from their relief and our happiness for them we use that chance to have a heart to heart conversation about abstinence.
To my shock, all of our clients that I talk to tell me that they have sexual relationship outside of marriage because that is what's "normal" and because "everyone is doing it". These are teenagers who have not been told otherwise!. I talk to them about what abstinence is and how sex at a young age will change your their life!

Most of our clients have never or rarely been told how amazing they are and how God created each and everyone of us for a purpose. They tell me that all they want is to be loved and to feel accepted! I inform them of how only they can decide what will happen in their life, who they will be and what they choose to do or not do! and tell them that what they can do is the skies the limit! And of course, how not everyone is doing it and that make them realize that they rather be one in a million than one of the million!

I Want To Be A Part Of It!

2012-01-13T21:34:00.000-05:00

My name is Noelle Arvanitis, I'm 25 and originally from Winston-Salem, NC. However I have lived the past year of my life in Ocala, FL. This is my very first time in NY! I cannot describe how awesome it feels to be a part of the hustle and bustle of New York. So what brought a southern girl like me all the way to the big city you ask? When I was 17 I faced an unplanned, crisis pregnancy. I felt so alone and so scared, wondering what my community would think, how would I finish high school, and most importantly HOW COULD I BE A MOTHER?! I felt anger towards God for letting this happen to me, of ALL people WHY me? Little did I know how He would turn this potentially destructive situation into a completely constructive life lesson and blessing.

I made an adoption plan and on November 26th 2003 my daughter, Olivia Noelle was born. That little girl, who is now 8 years old, has blessed so many lives. She is the reason I'm here, the reason God has given me to have such a passion and heart for women. For the women who are scared beyond belief but BRAVE enough to carry their baby for 9 months just so their child can have an entire lifetime.

El mejor regalo de Navidad

2012-01-13T20:55:00.002-05:00

Suena el teléfono en el centro de EMC Bronx. Es para mí. Soprendida, cojo el auricular. Una voz joven, serena y delicada me llama por mi nombre y me pregunta si me acuerdo de ella. Al principio, algo desconcertada, confieso que no sé quién es. "Soy Lilu (nombre ficticio), ¿te acuerdas de mí?". "Oh, claro que me acuerdo de ti..., ¿cómo estás, qué tal has pasado las Navidades?", digo.

Sí, era Lilu. Me ha llamado esta semana por un gran motivo: sigue adelante con su embarazo. Recuerdo bien a Lilu. Casada desde hace 9 años. Embarazada por segunda vez. Con un hijo lejos de ella, en su país de origen, Puerto Rico. Confusa y desamparada puesto que su marido no quería tener el bebé que habían concebido juntos. Vino hace mes y medio al centro del Bronx, antes de la Navidad. Estuvimos charlando más de una hora. Le dije que viniera otro día con su marido y que los tres hablaríamos de la situación a la que se enfrentaba esta mujer anónima. Lilu no quería abortar, pero dada la opinión de su marido -abortar-, parecía la única opción viable. ¿Cómo que la única opción? A veces es cuestión de tiempo, de dejar un espacio a la reflexión sobre hacia donde debemos dirigir nuestros pasos, y aprender a escuchar al corazón. Lilu habló con su marido sobre su maternidad. Por fin, el marido comprendió qué es la maternidad, todo lo que ello implica y todo lo que ello conlleva. Lilu le echó coraje. Quiere ser otra vez mamá. Con alegría y paz.

La semana que viene Lilu y su marido vendrán al centro del Bronx. Ella quiere que le informemos a él tal como le informamos a ella sobre qué es el aborto y todo lo que ello supone. Lo haremos. Sin duda. Los hombres tienen que saber, al igual que las mujeres, que abortar no puede ser la única opción, pero sí es la más demoledora.

'Bella' Movie Saves Over 400 Babies From Abortion!

2012-01-13T20:10:00.001-05:00

"“What the movie does is touch the women where we can’t,” said Tracy Reynolds, program director of Bella HERO in an interview today with LifeSiteNews. “It really shows her what her opportunity would be either to be a ‘mom’ or to ‘choose adoption’ and give that child a home.”

Reynolds compared the film to a “mega ultrasound” which allows a troubled pregnant mother to really see the possibilities in choosing life."

Click HERE to read stories of women who changed their mind on having an abortion because of watching this movie! What a beautiful outreach tool this popular movie gives us. We use this movie occasionally in our offices as well. Even the workers often enjoy watching it. I'm sure you've already seen it, but on the off chance you haven't, it's a must for sure.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/445-babies-saved-from-abortion-by-free-bella-movie-popcorn

NYC Churches Unite to Protest Discrimination

2012-01-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

Thursday morning I stood with two other fellow interns and representatives from churches all over NYC in the chilly rain outside Morris High School in the Bronx. We were there in solidarity to protest a local Christian church being kicked out of a space in a public building they had been using for worship.

Obviously such a move brought together Christians from all over who have either experienced the same discrimination or were worried it could happen to them as well.

There was a pretty good turnout of people and many were being arrested for crossing the street to protest in front of the school entrance. They were there for hours and there was public prayer, along with praise & worship songs sung. We met a pastor and Greg was interviewed by a Manhattan reporter. Everyone was very positive and in good spirits. It was getting pretty cold with the drizzle but the people were resilient.

Drinking While Pregnant

2012-01-12T15:22:00.000-05:00

I had a beautiful married couple come in our Manhattan office. They have a wonderful relationship.

They are newly weds.

As I started the consultation, I found out that she has missed a period and has not yet taken a pregnancy test.

Our services provide free pregnancy tests for the girls.
So I gave her a test. It came out positive. We continued the consultation.

The husband was so in tune to what was going on . He kept asking all different types of questions about the baby, the 2 of them getting jobs, etc.

The biggest concern the 2 of them had was due to the fact that she didn't know she was pregnant, she drank a lot of alcohol during the first 3 weeks. When we were discussing the side effects, she was very upset and began to cry.

They were actually considering getting an abortion because they were afraid their baby was going to have a birth defect. We discussed that neither one of them believes in abortion nor wants to get one. So why would they do one now?

It's a risk you have to be willing to take I told them, but it's a healthy risk. The UNhealthy risk would be going in for an abortion. They have decided to keep the baby.

Young People Are Hungry For A Fight

2012-01-12T12:39:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about going to the March for Life this year !

There is so much passion in each one of these events every year, and it keeps on growing.

The specific thing I am anxious to see this year is the growth of the youth.

Everytime I go, there are so many teenagers and college aged youth actively participating in this cause.

This naturally excites me. Lately I have been inspired to do more outreach within the community in which I live in the Bronx, to encourage young people to stand up for what's right. They are hungry for it. They desire to fight for something greater than themselves.

These young people simply need adults and superiors in their lives leading them in the right direction. They will follow. I will keep this website posted on the March to come this Monday . GO PRO LIFE !

Visiting Friends Save Lives

2012-01-11T20:32:00.000-05:00

Over the New Year I was blessed to have some friends visit from back home in Michigan. They were interested in the work we do here and came to see it in action. They wanted to learn about the counseling, pro-life work on the frontlines, and see the sights in NYC. They came eager, energetic, and hopeful. They were open to anything and simply wanted to help out. But this isn't just any good work that we are doing; when we go to work lives get saved. Just as actually as if they had pushed someone out of the way of a stray taxi on the busy streets of NYC, they went to help at our centers and they came away having saved the life of at least one child.
A vacation that changes lives, a trip that yields a whole lot more than good pictures (and there were some pretty good pictures!). It was such a joy to have them here and they have made a difference that will last a lifetime (at least one more than expected, in fact).

Once Again, Defund Planned Parenthood

2012-01-05T12:52:00.000-05:00

There has been so much change within the existence of Planned Parenthood,
just within this past year.

There was a pro life group called Live Action that did some undercover work.

A guy and a girl posed as an underage pimp and prostitute at Planned Parenthoods in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York.

It totally blind sided PP. They had no idea these were undercover investigators. Therefore, they showed and did exactly what PP's do around
the country.

They promoted underage sex trafficking and prostitution. They promoted this by volunteering their establishment and property to help the acts take place. Unbelievable.

This caught the eye of the media. It raised attention to where our (the American people) tax dollars are going. Are we really paying places like Planned Parenthood to control, promote, and encourage acts like underage prostitution ?

This raises a really good question. After the zeal and passion at the March for Life gets on fire and underway this year, we will soon see the shift in which this organization is going to go. Personally, we should DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

Baby Saved In New Jersey !

2012-01-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

We have a center in Jersey City where I go to counsel girls. It's quite a distance coming from N.Y.C 's transit system. But it's well worth the effort, and here's why:

Last month I had a client come in who is pregnant. She was seeking to get an abortion. She brought her 2 sisters in with her for support. She already has children, and now is expecting another.

Her boyfriend is very supportive. He works over 50 hours a week to support her and the children. She has never had an abortion before, but thinks she can't handle the extra stress of finances.

At one point during the consultation I asked her, "what is your heart telling you ?" She responded, "I don't really want to get the abortion, but I think I need to."

Next, I showed her what babies look like when they are at 6 , 7, and 8 weeks developed. It's something she can look up online, but I had the models there in front of me. As soon as I showed her the baby models, tears appeared in her eyes. I saw her opinion and thoughts starting to shift. She left my office that day still undecided.

I followed up with her over Christmas to find that she is going to keep her baby ! She informed us that she needs diapers for her 4 month old so we are bringing her bunches of them next week.

Lost Motherhood

2011-12-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

One of the more noticeable language isms in NYC, at least in the areas we work in, is the term 'Mami' (sp?) used to refer to any young woman. It's kinda like saying "hey you" or "girl" to get someone's attention or when talking to a stranger. It took me a while to get used to because I didn't understand why everyone was calling each other "Mommy". It was especially striking because I was working with so many abortion minded people and coming to understand what a lost sense of motherhood most of these women have who were being called "Mommy" on a regular basis.
Then it kinda struck me. Almost like a desperate cry for help, it felt like all of broken, deprived parents going about the city were expressing their sense of lost motherhood. As if there was a great loss of mothers in their city because of the great loss of children.
Now, I know that's not what anyone is thinking, but it's incredibly ironic that both the tragedy of abortion and the common usage of "mami" and "papi" exist so prominently within the same population.

N.Y.C. Really Is The Abortion Capital Of The Country

2011-12-29T12:49:00.000-05:00

My job as a crisis pregnancy counselor is to show up at our centers to counsel women who are pregnant. I have scheduled times when I need to be there.

Another big part of my job is answering the phones. I have all different kinds of calls coming in. The main ones are girls calling for an abortion.

Seeing as how populated N.Y.C. is, you can imagine how busy my phone rings on a day to day basis. However, I actually have girls that call all the way from Connecticut and Pennsylvania who want abortions.

They tell me that they have insurance within their state, but abortion is not very popular there, so it's hard to find a place to get it done.

Whenever they go online to google abortions, all kinds of abortion clinic locations are listed. So not only am I dealing with clientele from this state, but from 2 other states as well ! This really is the abortion capital of the country.

40 Days for Life Coming Soon

2011-12-28T20:20:00.000-05:00

Our bi-annual tradition of hosting the 40 Days for Life in NYC continues this spring! Mark your calendars to join us or pray from where you are to support those who will be keeping vigil outside Dr. Emily's abortion clinic in the South Bronx. If you are able to make a weekly commitment, it would be a huge blessing to all those women and the community. For more information and to spread the word, visit our site at: www.40daysforlife.com/nyc.

Just Life in NYC

2011-12-23T13:49:00.000-05:00

This isn't directly related to pro-life work, but the reality of where these women come from and what kind of baby daddys they have makes it pretty relevant i think:
I was out getting some lunch one day (we were trying to clean and board up the house against a rat, so I couldn’t use the stove) and I decided to try and find a pizzaria in an area I hadn’t checked out before. I found a nice place (it had cheese fries!) and while I was waiting for my order, I leaned against the wall and listened in on the conversation that was going on around me. A group of black guys were hanging out (seemed like one of their normal gathering places) and started talking about their plans for the weekend. There was some discussion of whether any of them would be arrested and then when the best time to be arrested would be. It used to be Friday night was bad, but now there is apparently court on Saturdays, so that would actually be the best time. Saturday night is bad though obviously, because then you have to wait for Monday to get out. One said when he was arrested they had written “crack dealer” on his report. He was laughing, how did they come up with that? Another said he never knows when he’ll get arrested, could be for just walking down the street. Cop stops you and you say “wha’d I do?” and he thinks you look like a thug, just because you’re black. That’s normal life for them. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never thought to plan my weekend around when the best time to get arrested is. I came away from that pizzaria with a lot more than I expected (and not just because I found cheese fries).

Believe It or Not

2011-12-21T13:34:00.000-05:00

Have I lived a pretty sheltered life up until this point? Yes. But what kinds of things was I unaware of and am now discovering? Some pretty shocking and horrible ones. I think I appreciate my upbringing a little more the more I learn I was not exposed to so early on. Sometimes my fellow interns bring home new and crazier stories every day. After all we’ve heard, we still all stand there with our mouths open, shaking our heads and at a loss for words. Helps that we are in NYC too. Sometimes the stories don’t even involve our work.

A few months ago one of the workers came home and was in a fairly worked up state. She was all excited and in some state of disbelief. It took a little bit to understand what she was trying to explain. She said that one of her girls (that’s how we refer to our clients) had carried her baby to term but it had died before she gave birth. Those are such incredibly rough moments. Like a double heartbreak. But that wasn’t the shocking part of the story. When it happened, the mother was so upset, she said she didn’t want to see the baby. As soon as she got home and was able to sort things out though, she began arranging a funeral and went back promptly to request her baby’s body. She was told she couldn’t have it. She persisted, but they refused. Someone with her overheard the medical personnel say to another that there was no way they could give the body back because the eyes had already been removed and sold (or “donated”) to research.

Even us guys benefit from this!

2011-12-20T12:16:00.002-05:00

About a week ago I received a client; 17 years old, very intelligent and she seemed sure of what she wanted to do. With her came her boyfriend, seemed like a nice kid but confused and not sure what was going on. As soon as they walk in, he starts to cry, walks out and I follow him. I talk to him for a bit and ask him to follow me to one of our counseling room.
He opens up about what is going on in his life and tells me that he rarely opens up to anyone much less someone he just met, I tell him that I will always be there for whatever he needs. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and did not seem fine. After a few hours of talking he agrees to come back for another visit. He came back this past Monday, and after keeping in contact with him and after long hours of just giving him the much needed attention and care, he is now doing much better and we even helped him find a job! He called me last night to tell me how happy he was and how he was going to put everything on his part to have a better life for himself. He is looking forward to start over and I will be there as long as he needs me too!

In regards to our female client, we can't do much as she won't allow us to help her but we will continue to try and we won't give up.

The big picture!

2011-12-19T18:16:00.002-05:00

The Magic Sonogram Bus

2011-12-19T10:39:00.000-05:00

For the past few months I've been working exclusively on administrative/fundraising endeavors so it's been an unusual experience to be so far removed from the frontlines work. At the same time I still run into those who are working on the sidewalk and in the centers on a regular basis. While I'm sitting at the desk, a fellow worker may walk in at some point throughout the day and give me an update on what happened that morning. "We had two saves today" was what one told me after a morning outside Dr. Emily's. Two saves....that's two lives saved in one morning. It's not about the numbers, it's about the impact of two children being saved from death in one morning. It's the best kind of news that I could receive while I'm working away at the computer.
Multiple times a week I'll receive these kinds of updates. Our mobile sonogram bus is a miracle worker. So many children are walking around today because of that miracle of modern technology. And since I work where it is parked at the end of the day, I get to hear so many of the great stories it has to tell.

Top 5 Most Influential Pro-Life Celebrities of 2011

2011-12-18T13:28:00.001-05:00

It doesn't feel like we have a lot of support from the more influential areas of pop culture sometimes, but here is a great article about how, in fact, we have more than we may have realized. Some of the most well known celebrities of today are openly, and some even actively, pro-life. Maybe society is trying hard to make us look "un-cool", but here are some hot shots who know that standing up for the lives of the unborn is worth the risk.

http://liveaction.org/blog/top-five-most-influential-pro-life-celebrities-of-2011/

Me!!!!!

2011-12-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

My name is Luis Mondragon, I am 25 years old. Born in Guerrero, Mexico but moved to Sanger, California when I was 8. After I graduated high school I moved to Chicago, Illinois where I currently study and work not only professionally but also with the Pastoral Youth. I am a member of a community called Sembradores which was started by Rev. Nestor Torres. Father Nestor is a Colombian priest that was brought over to work with the youth of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He always tells us that God needs an army and that we are called to be that soldier that HE needs; and once a soldier has been trained and knows enough to go into battle he must do so, that is why I'm here. I wanted to do my missionary work and after looking at some options this is where I felt my heart closest to as my mom was a single parent and I Thank her for not choosing or ever considering this route as I probably wouldn't have been here since my dad left before I was born.
Babies don't have a voice and we must be that for them, specially unborn as in there they don't even have a cry that can be heard. We are not only called to do so by our Faith but also by our humanity. We must respect and protect all of God's creation, specially his greatest and most beautiful of all, his children.

Don't Argue With A Nun. You'll Lose

2011-12-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

It was just another day at Dr. Emily abortion clinic in the Bronx, NY.

We stand outside of the entrance to try to talk to girls going in. We lovingly tell them they have other options other than abortion, with which we would like to help them with.

One of the pro aborts who frequently stands outside of Dr. Emily is Elizabeth. She is on the right in this picture, with the orange vest.

I have spoken with her briefly in the past. She is very adamant about the woman having a "choice". That opinion overrides any argument you present to her in explaining the importance of life. Anything you have to say that regards taking away a "woman's right", she doesn't want to hear it.

Not only does she not want to hear it, but she doesn't want you standing near the one place that holds her beliefs highest. This is what's going on in this picture.

Elizabeth abruptly yelled at one of the sisters to move away from the entrance. The sister was within her legal right in where she was standing. Elizabeth simply wanted to threaten her so that she could get rid of her.

I was there. I heard the response the sister gave back to Elizabeth. She did not raise her voice. She did not say anything ugly. She did, stand her ground. She did, attempt to talk to Elizabeth like a human being and not a protester.

The sister ended up staying where she was and continued to pray. Elizabeth moved to a different part of the sidewalk.

Improving Sidewalk Counseling Tactics

2011-12-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

As we sidewalk counsel girls going into the abortion clinic, we have noticed the places that get us stopped.

They are generally right in front of the clinic where the pro abort , escorts are.

They rudely interrupt our conversation with the girl by raising their voices and saying things like, "they are just here to harass you . Don't listen to them" among other non sense.

It is very frustrating to feel like you might be getting through, to then have everything get cut off because of these escorts in the front of the entrance.

We have decided to take action in this dilemma. We now have alternate routes.

Some of us will go to the areas on the sidewalk that are between the front entrance and the back entrance, while we still have others that stay at the front and back entrances themselves. This gives us almost a whole minute more to talk to the girl going in, if we are able to spot her right away. A minute in sidewalk counseling is like an entire period in school. It's just enough time to go over a whole new lesson plan.

These are also the places where a girl is getting off the bus or the train.I have noticed a huge difference just within this one change, in getting through to the girls.

This is a picture of one of the friars sidewalk counseling with this new tactic.

Widower

2011-12-15T19:06:00.000-05:00

Today I had a lady come in fills out the intake form when I callher to come in and take a sit she tells me right off the bat she wants anabortion she has made up her mind that this is something she want to do. So I say“ok well still take a sit and we will discuss the procures that take place inhaving an abortion and the potential complication that could happened” she takea sit and I ask her “what the reason why she wants to have an abortion” atfirst she was very guarded with what she wanted to say and took a long pausebefore answering. I lean over and asked her tell me I want to hear why I see somuch pain in your eyes. All of a sudden tears start coming down her face I askedif I can hug her and she just looks at me and put her arms around tells me myhusband just passed away I cant I already have 4 kids with him I cant it just toomuch for me right now I cant I wont not right now. So I told her to let it outcry sometime I good to cry and she just cries like there was no tomorrow. Aftershe calms down and I tell her that sometimes there could be complications thatcan be fatal and she says “no way I cant what about the other kids I cant thyalready lost one parent am not going to leave them with no parent” am keepingmy baby. So she goes to the sonogram room and find out she 9 weeks and thesmile on her face when she herd the baby heart beat the tear that came down weren’ttears of fear, hate nor anger but tears of joy.

Adoption in progress

2011-12-15T18:36:00.001-05:00

A few days a go I was in the queens office when I lady walksin after reading her intake form she tells me that she pregnant and doesn’t wantit. wants to know how far along she is because she had gone to choices and theyhad told her she cant no longer have an abortion due to the fact she was morethan 23 weeks, so choice refers to another abortion clinic in another statethan does allow abortion after 23 weeks so she calls that clinic to find outhow much it would cost her to have a late term abortion. The clinic says itwould cost her $5,000 for which she says she can’t afford. So she goggle ouroffice to see what alternative she has. I told her we can help and find out exactlyhow far along she is what her alternative are for her, we find out she 31 weeksand having a baby girl and that she can give the baby up for adoption and thatdifferent type of adoption she can do the open and close adoption, she said I cantkeep it I have a kid already and I just cant have it I would prefer to give thebaby to someone who wants a baby and can afford it. So now we are working tofind a family for her baby girl.

Unofficial EMC Internship Promo Video

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-05:00

Abby and I were having some fun and put together a little "promo video" (as we like to call it) or memoir of the experience of being an intern for EMC. It's like a tribute to all the interns of past and present as well as some insight into what brings us here in the first place. New York has been, I think for all of us, a place of adventure and a non-stop series of new experiences. On top of that, and more importantly, our time with EMC has been eye-opening and life-changing for all of us in many ways. We have pretty much concluded that there is no other work quite like this one and we want to share what we've learned with everyone else who is fighting the good fight or perhaps is being led by God to begin.

Again, this is non official, it's just for fun. Hope you enjoy!

5 Pro-Abort Female Celebrities (You May Be Surprised)

2011-12-11T13:35:00.000-05:00

Who's your favorite actress? Do you know what her stance is on life issues? Unfortunately, one of my favs made the following list of outspoken pro-abortion celebrities. Guess I'm going to have to be more careful what movies I support. I don't know about you, but for me, to know that a highly successful and beautiful actress is using her popularity to support and encourage the spread of abortion makes her a whole lot less attractive. Maybe it won't be so hard to boycott after all.

http://liveaction.org/blog/5-female-celebrities-im-boycotting-and-why/

Stories from Seasoned Warriors

2011-12-09T12:21:00.000-05:00

As I am working exclusively in fund raising now, I am able to see a different perspective on pro-life work in NYC. At the offices and clinic we see the up front and immediate world of the pro-life vs. pro-abort struggle. While visiting the veterans of this work at their homes, we get to hear the stories of how efforts have changed and evolved since the first moments of abortion becoming legal in New York.

These people are truly warriors and heroes. They have been put in jail, ridiculed, put their money and their homes at the disposal of the needs of pregnant women, and many have even adopted children, some of whom were in danger of being aborted. They have been hard at work from day one and continue to be involved in whatever area of the city they live. Trips to the March for Life every year, fundraisers for local pregnancy centers, praying outside abortion clinics (and they report all those have closed in succession over time), spreading awareness for life...the list really does go on and on. As I've mentioned before, it's so uplifting and encouraging to hear about their struggles and victories and to know of their support and prayers. In the future I will try to recount specific experiences they've shared.

Like It Or Not, Money Is Important

2011-12-08T13:42:00.000-05:00

Crisis pregnancy centers cannot exist without money. Money interferes in some way, some how.

For example, this is a picture of myself and 2 other EMC interns in front of a sonogram machine at a CPC in Massachusetts.

The director of the CPC was telling us that pro-lifers have heard the cause of what they were doing, and from there, decided to donate money to buy this expensive machine.

This is just one of the many expenses a CPC comes across. Take the existence of Expectant Mother Care (EMC) for example. We have over 10 offices within 4 of the boroughs of New York Cities. As most people know, office space or any space for that matter in NYC is highly expensive.

Just for the counselors and sonogram technicians to have an area to do their work costs thousands of dollars per month. Like it or not, money is important.

Scripture says "the love of money is the root of all evil". However, if people who have an abundant amount of money, who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and who know and love the Lord , have the opportunity to take a potential evil product, and use it for not only good, but greatness.

It is a great work we are doing here. Think. We are literally saving lives. When we show up to work, our clients carry another life inside of them. What we do on a day to day basis is make or break for that child's life! It's extraordinary what the Lord allows us to do. But we cannot do it without the help of your donations. God uses you and He uses us. We are a team.

Wishing Everyone Could Have Parents Like Mine

2011-12-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

I am blessed beyond measure to have been raised by the parents that I have. Not only did they teach me how to be like Christ, but they lived the life themselves.

Both of my parents are strong Protestants,who were born and raised in the state of North Carolina. They have been members of different churches over the years, all the way from non-denominational to Presbyterian to Baptist.

Make no mistake, there are different philosophies on the doctrine of these denominations. However, throughout all of their studies, one thing remains the same: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Because of this teaching, they taught me that it was Jesus himself who came to die for what we, as people, deserved to die for. Our problems are so great, Jesus came to take the place for them. He didn't promote death, he promoted life.

For this reason, they taught me to believe that abortion is wrong. They visited me here in NYC, to pray with me outside of one of the many abortion clinics in the Bronx.

I continue to pray, that my generation strives to follow in the footsteps of someone like my mom, and someone like my dad. Thanks be to God for their obedience to Him.

The wisher

2011-12-03T10:34:00.001-05:00

I was at the queens office when a lady walks in saying she wants a abortion after a while of talking she had told me she was praying for one day have a baby but when she was ready. So I say well it looks like your prayers have been answer,but she said she wasn't ready to be a mom yet there are things she wanted to have before having a baby.after showing her the video and talking she left still undecied on what she wanted to do. She told me she was going to go to church pray on what she should do .So a couple of hours later she call me and as soon as I answer she starts to cry. I asked what was wrong why was she crying so hard after a couple of mins she says "am going to keep it" I told that was great and what had changed so mind specially so fast. She had left the office only a couple of hours. She said she ask god to give her a sign she should keep the baby, so I ask what was the sign she asked for she said that it was if she call the center and I picked up it was god telling her to keep the baby. I ask why would you ask for that. She reply by saying " I saw you where busy with other girls who where coming in the center, therefor the chances of you picking up a call was going to be small but you did thank you"

The Reailizer

2011-12-03T10:33:00.001-05:00

I was at the queens office when a lady came in for a pregancy test. We started talking and found out she has had 4 abortions and altho she already had 3 kids,she didn't want to have another baby considering she was over 50 and her youngest was already 15 years old . After a long conversation and showing her how abortions are perfome, she said "if someone would have told me that how they are being perfome,and that they are baby from day 1 I would have never done that" she started to cry realizing she had not 3 kids but 7 kids. Altho she was not pregnant she realized that what she did was wrong

LUMINA Part 2

2011-12-02T14:55:00.000-05:00

A while back I wrote about one of the organizations that, though completely separate from ours, is essential to our work. They are a group focused on ministering to post-abortive women. To get a glimpse of the powerful work they are involved in along with the life changing impact of abortion and post-abortion healing, check out this video from a great group of local filmmakers, Grassroots Films in Brooklyn.

Please share so we can support their beautiful work and reach more women who are living with brokenness and regret from a past abortion!

Good V Evil

2011-12-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

I was able to visit a crisis pregnancy center with 2 of my colleagues in Massachusetts recently. It was a refreshing experience.

They are also a non-profit organization. They base most of their hopeful success on prayer. They even had a room specifically dedicated to be kept for people who wanted to sit down and pray.

Fortunately, there is a Planned Parenthood right across the street from them.

I say this is fortunate because just in case a girl decides at the last second she does not want to go through with the abortion at PP, there is a safe haven within the support and help of this crisis pregnancy center.

We can only do our part. Your part could be standing outside of the abortion clinics praying, it could be working a 9 to 5 to make money to give to these CPC's, or it could be volunteering at one of these CPC's to see how you can help.

Gracias

2011-11-30T20:17:00.001-05:00

Me voy a España ya y sólo me queda agradecer a toda la genteque trabaja para la organización y a todas las clientas que he conocido por todolo que me han enseñado.

Realmente las expectativas que tenía cuando llegué han sidosuperadas con creces. Esta experiencia me ha ayudado a madurar y a valorarrealmente todo lo que tengo. Me ha hecho sentirme muy afortunada por todo y meha enseñado a ser más agradecida.

Me despido de EMC con un “gracias” por haberme dado estaoportunidad.

Experiencia vivida

2011-11-30T20:16:00.001-05:00

Hoy, cuando apenas quedan unos días para que vuelva a Españaecho la vista atrás. Hace tres meses llegué aquí sin saber muy bien cómo iba ahacer. Sólo sabía que quería salvar bebes y que el aborto me parecía algo muycruel y tremendamente injusto. Hoy puedo decir que jamás habría imaginado lagrandeza de la labor que hacen las asociaciones próvida como EMC.

Una asociación próvida no es una máquina de salvar bebés,sino como una gran mamá. Un verdadero próvida lucha por salvar al bebé pero suprincipal labor es escuchar comprender ayudar y amar a su mamá, al médicoabortista, al portero de la clínica abortista,a su dueño millonario, etc.

Animo a quien tenga la oportunidad a que “venga y verá”

Recogiendo la cosecha

2011-11-30T20:15:00.003-05:00

Últimamente hemos estado llamando a las chicas que vinierona nuestra oficina en los primeros meses del año y muchas de ellas ya han tenidoa sus bebes. Con este trabajo, he podido ratificar lo importante que es nuestralabor y cómo las mujeres se han sentido acompañadas y apoyadas en EMC.

Hoy una de las chicas me ha contado que ella perdió asu bebé y cómo fue de difícil para ella superarlo después de que en unprincipio había pensado en abortar. Ella me agradeció nuestro trabajo y me dijoque en nuestra oficina fue cuando se empezó a sentir querida y que hoy, graciasa nosotros, ha aprendido que no le merece cualquier hombre. Me dijo que graciasa nosotros ha aprendido a valorarse como mujer.

Algunos hombres buenos

2011-11-30T20:15:00.001-05:00

A lo largo de todos mis post sólo he hablado de mujeresheroicas que tienen que luchar solas. ¿Qué pasa con los hombres? La inmensamayoría de los que vienen a nuestras oficinas no son el ideal de hombre deninguna mujer. Beben demasiado o toman drogas, son egoístas, manipuladores,abusadores, groseros, infieles y no valoran a las mujeres.

Pero lo cierto es que también hay algunos hombres buenos.Hace poco llegó a nuestra oficina de Queens uno de ellos. Él tenía 18 años, notenía trabajo, no sabía nada de ser papá, pero sin embargo su novia estabaembarazada. Desde el momento en el que su novia le dijo que estaba embarazada, élse convirtió con sus actos en un verdadero padre de familia, buscando trabajo,procurando que la madre de sus hijos tuviera lo que necesitaba e inclusoasumiendo el comunicarles esta noticia poco esperada a la familia de ella.

Este post es una felicitación a esos pocos hombresvalientes. Gracias de parte de vuestras familias.

Check Out The Baby Board !

2011-11-29T19:01:00.000-05:00

A big part of working at a CPC is where you decide to locate the building. This particular one is in Massachusetts where there is a Planned Parenthood right across the street.

This CPC has had very effective attempts to deter girls away from getting an abortion. They have been given many opportunities to let a woman know that she can keep her baby.

A woman can keep her baby and also be given help from their center.

This is a picture of the "baby board". These are consolidated pictures taken from all different times of the year, where a woman chose LIFE over DEATH.

This CPC was able to save all these babies. What it took was money, volunteers, and most importantly prayer. " If God is for us, who can be against us?"

World Youth Alliance

2011-11-20T13:42:00.000-05:00

World Youth Alliance

I just had the pleasure of attending a local conference on life and love. One of the presentations was by the former president and founder of World Youth Alliance, Anna Halpine. She spoke on all the incredible movements that are going on around the world, in a number of different countries, in support of the dignity of human life. They have some great programs they're working on in order to counter legislation proposed in some countries that will promote more widespread use of contraceptives and abortion.

We know how those two things contribute to the disintegration of relationships, the family, and society, so it is important not only to fight them, but to find effective ways of educating women on how to naturally and safely monitor their health and fertility. This is what WYA is working on and it's quite inspirational to see.

Sonogram Bus and Choosing Life

2011-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Few things surprise me at the abortion clinic anymore because I have been there so often, however this recent story was certainly exciting.

Dr. Emily abortion facility has two driveways leading to the back parking lot but they still love to call the police whenever we 'block' one of the entrances - which is usually one of us standing on the sidewalk and talking to one of their potential victims while not blocking any vehicle's or pedestrian's entry.

This particular day I was speaking to a girl on the bus who had been destined for an abortion. The bus was microscopically overlapping their man-made yellow line which shows where the driveway 'begins.' Everything was going well until a police officer asked me to move the bus - I begged for just 15 minutes and I could tell he realized how ridiculous his request was since anybody could see that the driveway was not being blocked and anyone could get either in or out. However, I had to improvise and move the bus.

The girl I was with was very understanding and agreed to actually stay on the bus while I moved it! I eventually found a spot in a White Castle parking lot and continued to counsel, console, and comfort her.

She ended up getting her sonogram and after we were done talking she was determined to keep her baby. Amazing! Thank God for this girl's patience and willingness to trust me, because this was one crazy situation.

Greedy Abortion Facilities

2011-11-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I'm grateful for the greediness that prevails in the abortion industry and especially at Dr. Emily Clinic in the Bronx.

If that sounds outrageous, just hang with me. You see many of my saves personally have begun by the abortion clinic's refusal to commit an abortion due to a woman's inability to pay - their insurance doesn't work there. Of course, if abortion really was a medical necessity the provider would be compelled to perform it - but since it is not, they can simply say 'no' and send the girls home - or rather - to me.

And I'm glad to be waiting outside the clinic equipped to offer free help to any woman with the backing of EMC, and many women fortunately gladly accept this. I've seen their frustration at the refusal of the clinic turned to joy when they choose life with us, I've seen this refusal understood to be a sign that maybe they should keep their baby, and I've also seen this make the most determined and hardest hearts crack and decide to listen to what we have to say.

For all of this I'm grateful that the abortion industry is as greedy as it is.

A Perfect Opportunity To Tell The Truth

2011-11-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

I had a client this week who came in for a pregnancy test. She was very young. She is just starting college. I asked her what she wanted to do if she indeed was pregnant. She basically was undecided.

I asked her if she knew what an abortion is. She replied, "Not really". I told her the 2 most common induced abortions. I told her the abortion facts that she could simply look up online if she wanted to, so that she knew I was not making it up.

After the consultation, she was completely turned off by the idea of abortion. She asked me, "How is that legal?" She really could not believe that our country and president would approve the act of abortion. I told her that many people choose to be ignorant on this particular subject matter. Because if they knew what was going on, they would be appalled at the thought of abortion.

As she was leaving, she said, " I'm really glad I got to meet with you today. I really , just, didn't know about all this".

I am just so thankful I was able to have the opportunity to meet with such a young girl who has little knowledge on the subject matter, and educate her on the facts. I had the opportunity to give her the truth.

Una bella escultura

2011-11-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

¿Por qué todo me pasa a mí? ¿Por qué está vida es tan dura conmigo y no para de darme golpes? Estás preguntas son las que se hacen muchas de las mujeres que vienen a nuestros centros. Han tenido una vida difícil desde pequeñas. No difícil como tú y yo alcanzamos a imaginar, sino difícil de verdad.

Yo les digo a esas mujeres que esos golpes que les da la vida son iguales que los golpes que recibe un trozo de piedra hasta convertirse en una bella escultura. Depende de cómo nos tomemos esos golpes nos podemos llegar a convertir en el David de Miguel Ángel o en un trocito de piedras. Sabemos perfectamente que reacción a los golpes nos lleva a ser unas bellas personas o un trocito de piedras. Sólo nos queda saber en qué nos queremos convertir.

Un billete de $100

2011-11-15T19:22:00.000-05:00

¿Cuánta gente lleva un billete de $100 en la cartera? ¿Cuántos hombres se han llevado lo más valioso que tienes? ¿Cuántos hombres se han llevado tu intimidad?

El billete de $100 no lo lleva mucha gente, pero uno de $1 lo lleva cualquiera. Tú, mujer, eres muy valiosa. No merece tenerte cualquier hombre. De hecho eres tan valiosa que solo te merece aquel que te ame de verdad, que sepa respetarte, que sepa esperarte, que quiera estar contigo toda la vida. Aquel hombre que ame tus virtudes y tus defectos y no sólo tu cuerpo. Ese hombre es real y el tuyo te está esperando en algún lado.

Not So Different After All?

2011-11-15T13:17:00.000-05:00

It's usually a pretty interesting conversation starter when someone asks us what we do in NYC. I'm not sure anyone has ever expected the answer we give them. Some people get confused, others quiet, others excited. Most people have never heard of work like this before, or at least not largely staffed by a small band of young, long-term "interns".

As we know, the subject of abortion is usually polarizing. So, while a large portion of our society is relativistic and tries to politely not step on your toes, even when they think you are dead wrong, we still get a lot of cautiously suspicious and even quietly hostile responses. People may consider themselves too accepting to argue with you about your beliefs, but you can still tell when you are being scratched off someone's credibility list when you staunchly support something they consider ridiculous.

Some of the common reactions are a careful 'That's interesting..." followed by a "So, you are trying to convince the women to keep their babies?". To which we always have to clarify that we are primarily trying to educate and the education "persuades", if you will, by itself. Once you know what abortion is, you can hardly in your right mind support it; and once the women know what abortion is, they often realize they are in for a whole lot more than they were led to believe.

So, we absolutely believe an abortion isn't going to help any woman, any day. The wary listeners who are worried about our work often need to defend their position with "But it's really the woman's choice, in the end..." to which I can wholly agree; there is really no doubting that. That seems to surprise them. Maybe, if they were as informed as we are on what abortion is and seen all the girls in person affected by it as we have, they would realize that in their heart they do not believe something so different from us after all.

A Followup With A Client

2011-11-14T16:15:00.000-05:00

I did a follow up with one of our clients Victoria. She recently had her baby in June, M'Kayla Abigail Torres.

She is now living in a home at Good Counsel for women pregnant or with a baby. She is located in upstate NY.

She has definitely had to make some living adjustments there, but is still doing the best with what she has. For me personally, Victoria is an inspiration.

She birthed and kept her baby in an abortion promoting society. She completely moved out of her town to give her baby a better life. She changed her address, her friends, her town, and her life for her daughter.

She has done the most selfless act: Given up her life for another.

I am pleased to also inform you that she recently got accepted for a job. Today is her first day. She plans on saving her money for her and M'Kayla. Praise God for this wonderful victory !

Una madre a la que no le gustan los niños

2011-11-14T08:55:00.005-05:00

El viernes pasado acudió una cliente a el centro EMC del Bronx. Estaba embarazada. Quería comprobarlo por segunda vez. Le hicimos el test de maternidad. Dió, efectivamente, positivo. La mujer se deshizo en lágrimas. No podía parar. Le pregunté cuál era el motivo de su llanto. Me dijo que llevaba 11 años casada y que no le gustaban los niños. Sencillamente, no le gustaban los niños. En estos 11 años de matrimonio había seguido el método natural de control de natalidad. Esta vez había fallado. Y ahora esperaba un bebé. Trate de consolarla, de dar la vuelta "a la tortilla" y transformar ese dolor en algo más parecido a la alegría.

Es complicado hablar con una madre a la que no le gustan los niños. Tal vez es su miedo a enfrentarse a lo desconocido, la maternidad. Ella me dijo que veía a sus amigas y que sus vidas habían cambiado totalmente y ahora, desde que tuvieron a sus hijos, son "menos libres". Sí, efectivamente, un niño, un bebé te cambia la vida, eso es indudable. Pero, ¿para bien o para mal? La vida es un regalo. Un regalo de los buenos. Así que, desde mi punto de vista, dar a luz una vida es algo no sólo positivo, sino único, CON LETRAS MAYÚSCULAS.

Llegado a un punto de la conversación con esta madre, fui consciente de que no sería capaz de ayudarla a superar el miedo o la parálisis ante su actual maternidad. Tal vez yo no era la persona adecuada para asesorarla. Y tome una decisión. Hablé con una de las hermanas de Sisters of Life quien podría darle otro punto de vista o perspectiva de la situación. Ella tomó la información que le facilité. Concertamos una cita. Después, antes de marcharse, me dio un abrazo espontáneo. Sin predecirlo, sin imaginarlo. La abracé también y pensé: un abrazo, es, muchas veces el inicio de algo positivo.

Una vida atormentada

2011-11-14T08:49:00.000-05:00

No es fácil cargar los problemas a la espalda. No es fácil que cada día que amanece caigas en la cuenta de cuántas cosas no has hecho como querías o como te hubiera gustado. Algunos errores se pueden superar. Con la conquista del dolor, con la aceptación, con la esperanza, muchos de los problemas pueden encontrar una salida, una luz, una solución, aunque sea temporal.

Pero hay decisiones irreversibles. No hay posibilidad de dar marcha atrás. No se puede rebobinar la historia de nuestra vida. La muerte no da segundas oportunidades. La muerte se enfrenta a la vida y, tarde o temprano, acaba ganando la batalla. Abortar el desarrollo de un bebe en el vientre de su madre es acabar con una vida. Una vida que depende de la madre y que, sin ella, no es viable.

Muchas de las mujeres con quienes hablo todos los días a las cuales les practicaron un aborto, mujeres madres que abortaron, no olvidan. Repito: no olvidan esa terrible experiencia física y psíquica. Sus testimonios coinciden, aunque distantes en el tiempo o en las circunstancias. Todas ellas llevan el dolor emocional a cuestas, como una losa pesada. Ellas, madres, abortaron con mejor o peor suerte. Pero, todas ellas me cuentan que están atormentadas. Pensaron que sería fácil, tal vez al comienzo del embarazo o en avanzado estado de gestación. Una clínica abortiva, unos miles de dólares, con intervención o con pastillas. Su objetivo era acabar con su embarazo por motivos varios.

Pero la realidad, el día a día, demuestra que las madres que abortaron su bebé siguen teniendo presente la terrible experiencia, meses, años, décadas después. ¿Cómo acallar el tormento de un error irreparable? Nada fácil. Algunas lloran, sin quererlo. Sus lágrimas son las gotas del mar de la angustia que las azota desde entonces. No hay consuelo suficiente. No hay paz. El dolor de la pérdida voluntaria de su bebé no encuentra sustituto. Mujeres que han tenido hijos después. La sonrisa de su segundo hijo (el primero padeció un aborto) no puede llenar el vacío del primogénito nunca nacido. Esto es real. Esto es así. Lo compruebo cada día. Y las mujeres, las madres, me lo cuentan hundidas en una tormenta psicológica que no han superado. En EMC tenemos un programa para que las mujeres que han abortado, decisión irreparable, puedan restaurar, de la mejor manera posible, aquello que hicieron en el pasado.

Wait, How Many Lives Have Been Saved??

2011-11-11T23:13:00.000-05:00

I've been doing a lot of fundraising related work recently and a part of what I have to write over and over again is the phrase "over 200 babies are being saved every month...". I knew the statistics, that EMC has saved about 30,000 babies or more since starting 25 years ago, but after writing that phrase so many times, suddenly it really struck me: we've saved 30,000 human beings.

I come from a tiny village of 1,000 people. Sounds incredible to people used to New York City. In this city, maybe 30,000 isn't such an impressive number, but where I come from, that number of people could populate 3,000 of my towns. Now, that's impressive.

What if one little baby in one of those little towns was aborted? Like..me?

We aren't about the numbers. We are about the people.

Continue the Presence

2011-11-10T20:01:00.000-05:00

So the 40 Days for Life campaign has officially ended but I want to urge people from around the country to continue the presence!

This year we were able to coordinate vigils complete with candles and peaceful prayer and it really was a blessing for me to participate in each one. God knows this prayerful effort when the abortion mill is closed can work wonders for the women inside when it is open - I have seen it, it's that intangible thing that can make a woman choose life when nothing else extraordinary is done.

I want to thank EMC for organizing the events here in New York and all the wonderful people who participated. Lets increase the amount of people for next the 40 days campaign and hope that many will come out even during the "off season!"

She Laughs, But God Is Serious

2011-11-10T15:31:00.000-05:00

"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans" reminds me of a story in the Bible about Sarah. She was old in age; she was 'too old' to get pregnant.

God tells her husband that she is going to be with child. After she overhears the conversation, she laughs.She laughs, but God is serious. She assumes first and foremost that it's impossible. After those thoughts, she feels that it is a mistake and should not happen.

This reminds me of my client who is in her mid 40's. She has already had an abortion before and is pregnant again, wanting another abortion. She too, like Sarah, thinks it's a mistake.

Her and I talked for over 2 hours. I also met with her boyfriend who wants her to keep the baby. She left abortion bound. After she left, I thought to myself, 'what is she going to do in 20 to 30 years? She has no family to take care of her. Her parents have passed, she has no siblings, she has no children, and no husband.'

It is in her better interest to keep this baby. I hope she realizes this.

I hope and pray that she comes back to us.

Blessed Friendships

2011-11-09T23:05:00.000-05:00

People come to EMC for the work and if they stay, that is generally likewise their motivation. It teaches and changes everyone. There are a lot of sacrifices involved, one of the greatest sometimes being our life in community, but in exchange for all the difficulties, God gives so many of us a very great and unexpected blessing: good friendships.

We have lived and worked with people from all around the country and around the world. Most people who come probably don't realize they may be meeting people from Spain, England, Africa, Ireland, Mexico, or some other country. Though we may vary in ages from about 17 to 70 and we all come from different backgrounds, our fraternity is strengthened by our faith and our work. Friendships are formed that I never would have expected or hoped for.

Another sign that we are truly doing God's work here.

"Abortion Is Illegal Right?"

2011-11-08T13:50:00.002-05:00

I stood outside of this abortion clinic in Queens with some of my other colleagues. We prayed all 4 mysteries of the rosary.

I also went to an abortion clinic in the Bronx this past week to pray as well. As I was praying, I couldn't help but notice a young man who had walked out of the clinic, and was standing against a street sign.

I waited a while, then decided to go for it. I approached him to say, " Hey , is your girl in there?" "Yeah", was his response.

He told me she already has a 5 year old daughter, and doesn't really want to get the abortion, but she feels like she cannot support the baby like she wants to. She is 6 weeks, he said.

I just tried to focus more on the part where he said "she doesn't really want to do it". Which lead him to randomly ask me, "So, is it legal, for her?" My response was, "What do you mean? The abortion at 6 months? No." He said, "No for her- at 6 weeks- like....it's illegal right?"

I said, " No ! Abortion is legal in this country up to 24.6 weeks in term". He said, "O for real?"

It's so interesting. He literally thought he had found a shady, back alley place that was going to perform an abortion on his girlfriend illegally. He just assumed it was illegal in general. He looked shocked when I told him abortion was legal in this country. He looked shocked and disappointed.

Carolina

2011-11-05T14:35:00.001-04:00

My name is Carolina Fernandez, am a New Yorker. Am so excited to be part of this pro-life organization. The way I got involved was on day I was walking on street, and I saw this people with a huge T.V showing how abortion is killing babies they were giving out brochures that said “she a girl, not an option” from that moment I saw that I knew I wanted to involved some how, so I asked if I can volunteer, and they told me there internship program, so I went to there office and started working for them, and so far it has been a wonderful experience.

For me pro-life is accepting that we are humans from the day of conception, we all stared out this way. So what the difference from someone who is alive and one that aborted, they also have right to live. I want to let every one know about this. Most people don’t know how abortion really works, and this organization is doing such a good job telling people going into the street giving awareness and helping girls in the office am so proud to be part of this life charging organization.

No es un capricho, es una vida

2011-11-04T19:00:00.004-04:00

Ayer llegó una clienta a la oficina. Ella tenía depresión y quería abortar. Yo desde el primer momento supe que iba a ser un caso difícil. Así que me encomendé a la Virgen y le dije: "Por favor salva la vida de esta mamá y de su hijo y necesito que me hagas caso porque esto no es un capricho, es una vida"

Empecé a hablar con ella y me contó que estaba sumida en su depresión. Me contó que llevaba mucho tiempo sin comer y sin asearse. Y yo, sin perder la confianza en que la Virgen me ayudaría, seguí hablando con la clienta. Después de tres horas me dijo las palabras que le hicieron liberarse del enorme peso que tenía "voy a tener a mi hijo". Acto seguido le ofrecí comida y me la aceptó y me prometió que iba a empezar a comer y a cuidarse.

Este post es para agradecer a la mejor madre. A la Madre de todos. Y para pedirle que nos siga ayudando en nuestra labor.

¡Gracias Mamá!

The Thinker

2011-11-04T18:59:00.000-04:00

I got to do my first consulting it was such a wonderful experience. This girl came in wanting to have an abortion after we did the pregnancy test which was positive. We went to get a sonogram and an ultra sound and found out she was 18 weeks pregnant, and found out the sex of the baby which was a boy. After that we went to the consulting room. I explain how far in her pregnancy was and how develop her baby was. I asked her if after knowing the sex of the baby and how develop it was if she still wanted to have an abortion. she had her mind set at yes so I show her the video and how abortions looks like and she stared crying and said she was confused she had done so much damaged to her self by drink and taking pain killer she was afraid her kid was going to come out wrong and didn’t want to have it angrily she left the office , couples of days later I did a follow up call to see how she was doing , when she answered she told me she had big news she was going to keep her baby she said she went home thought about what I said and she couldn’t get the imaged of how abortion looks like and decided to keep it no matter how it came out she even told me she already had names picked out and her family was going to be supporting her and even gave her baby cloths.

Happy Birthday to A Lost Child

2011-11-04T16:07:00.005-04:00

There are a lot of things you want to say to someone who is planning an abortion. Things to say to the mother and to the father. You want them to understand what an abortion is and how many risks they are exposing the woman to. You want them to realize the value and realness of the life that is at stake, not to believe all the crazy, unscientific lies they may have heard. And especially, often most difficult of all, you want them to step outside the present moment of fear and panic to think about what their future will be like after they have carried out that decision. Here is a video that expresses exactly that, from the Father's perspective. He didn't realize what they were doing at the time...and now he has that loss forever.

It's a beautiful song, I hope you enjoy and share.

"What I thought was a dream...was as real as it seemed."

Meet M'Kayla

2011-11-03T16:37:00.000-04:00

This is the update for a precious baby that EMC was able to help.

Her name is M'Kayla Abigail Torres. Her mother is Victoria.

Victoria came to us this year in hopes to find help with her pregnancy. It was her first baby. The experience of abortion has been in her past, but this time she chose life.

I have not seen this kind of joy before in my life. The day that I first saw M'Kayla, I was able to spend time with Victoria too.

She was dealing with a lot of domestic struggle at the time. Every day when she would wake up, problems were already waiting for her. But even so, she still had the eternal joyous smile of hope across her face that made it inspiring to just know her.

She tells me, "Abby I'm blessed to know you ". Then I tell her, "Victoria, I am blessed to know YOU".

M'Kayla is my god daughter and I couldn't be happier about the situation !

Abortion=Suffering

2011-11-03T11:52:00.000-04:00

As a new Catholic, it was a growing experience for me. I was able to concentrate my thoughts towards praying all 4 decades of the rosary in one sitting outside of an abortion clinic in Queens.

The one that I relate to the most, is the sorrowful mystery. Thinking about what Jesus took care of, and did for me at the cross reminds me of suffering. And suffering reminds me of abortion.

I think about the pain coming in and out of everyone involved.

The mother undergoing severe pain in her body from the clamping of the tenaculum on her cervix so that the dilators can do their job in tearing it down to get to the baby. The doctor watching the human fetus being torn apart piece by piece. And ofcourse the precious baby feeling every tug and every pull from the doctor's forceps or suction cannula.

The baby loses his life. The woman loses her motherhood. The doctor loses his conscience.

But at least she still gets to have a "choice".

New Pro-Life Video Site Launched

2011-11-02T14:02:00.000-04:00

There are so many facets of pro-life work here and around the world. So many videos swimming around the Internet, YouTube, Facebook, etc. With all these avenues it can be really hard to know what to look at or how to find it. That's why a friend of EMC recently created a website that has many of the top pro-life related videos that you are probably looking for all in one spot.

Everything from National news to personal testimonies can be found on this site, which will probably be kept updated regularly. Check it out and share the site, or even just the videos, with those you know who want or need to know what's going on.

Life is a Right.com

Do you know of other good, helpful pro-life videos? Please, let us know. God bless your work!

¿Dónde están los genios de hoy?

2011-11-01T17:51:00.001-04:00

Tenemos muchos genios en la antigüedad que nos han ayudado a superarnos como humanos. Algunos de ellos eran matemáticos, músicos, otros grandes filósofos, teólogos, físicos, etc. Hoy en día parece que los genios han desaparecido. ¿Dónde están?

Me planteo si esos genios que deberíamos tener hoy no le quitaron la voz antes de nacer. Me planteo si no fueron abortados. Mozart por ejemplo se quedó ciego siendo muy pequeñito, ¿qué hubiera pasado si su madre lo hubiera podido saber antes de tenerlo y no lo hubiera querido tener? ¿Dónde estaría hoy su música? Einstein era el 5 de 6 hermanos, ¿qué hubiera pasado si su madre hubiera decidido que ya eran demasiados hijos?

Y el niño que está en tu vientre, ¿qué llegará a ser si se lo permites? ¿Será el genio que hoy nos falta?

Un bebé para abrir los ojos

2011-11-01T17:40:00.001-04:00

Ayer una chica llego a una de nuestras oficinas. Nos contó de su vida, de lo complicada que había sido siempre y nos dijo que el padre de su bebé la maltrataba y que por eso se separó de él. Nos contó, con los ojos vidriosos, que ella está muy enamorada de él y que jamás le hubiera dejado si no fuera por su bebé. Su bebé le abrió los ojos. Un día tras una brutal paliza estaba en el suelo llorando sin poder levantarse. Su bebé, de siete meses, también estaba en el suelo y no dejó que su padre le cogiera en brazos. Él gateó hasta donde estaba su madre y con sus diminutas manos secó sus lágrimas. Su hijo le hizo darse cuenta de lo que era el amor de verdad.

Una crítica constructiva

2011-11-01T17:21:00.000-04:00

¿Cómo sacar algo bueno de una fuerte crítica?
Hace poco, en el telediario, salió una fuerte crítica contra las asociaciones pro-vida. Entre las cosas que decían se escondía una oportunidad para mejorar. Hablaban de que desde las asociaciones pro-vida se habla de la muerte y es cierto, parece que hablando de las malas consecuencias nos escucharán más, reaccionarán antes, pero esto es un gran error. No hay nada que tenga más fuerza que el bien y el bien en este caso es la vida. Así pues, me propuse hablar exclusivamente de la vida, de la maravilla de ser mamá, del gozo que experimenta la mujer embarazada y del milagro que es a pesar de todos los problemas. Al ponerlo en práctica el resultado fue asombroso. Hoy escribo este post para agradecer a esa periodista por su trabajo, porque con su crítica nos ayudó, contra su voluntad, a crecer en nuestra labor.

A Pregnant Woman Needs Help, Not an Abortion

2011-10-30T12:15:00.000-04:00

I was talking to a friend the other day who is pro choice. He works on Wall Street, so intelligence is no doubt evident among his background. He was explaining to me the difficulty he has in understanding the pro life side.

Then he told me that he got a lot of help from his "big brother" from his fraternity in college who happened to be pro life. He asked his big brother, "how does someone like you , who is so smart- maybe the smartest guy I know-, stand against abortion and say the woman doesn't have a choice?"

His big brother responded with a story: There are 2 men and a young boy stranded on the boat in the middle of the sea. They have no food but lots of water. The water lasts them for many weeks, but they still have no food. They are getting to the point of dying from starvation.

The 2 men talk to each other about what they should do. Finally, their conclusion was to kill the boy and eat him in order to survive. A few days after they did this, they were rescued.
They were taken to court. They were on trial for the murder of the young boy. The trial lasted for a long time and the final verdict was guilty.

Both men were guilty for the murder of the little boy and here's why: Who are they to decide which one should have died? Who are they to have that power over the life and death of another human being?

The story has ended, but my point has been clear. Who are we to say a woman can choose over the life and death of her child? Who is she that can demand the final verdict in the life of another human being?

And that's why I stand outside of abortion clinics in NYC with my sign (this one's in spanish because I was in Jackson Heights, Queens) that reads "A pregnant woman needs help, not an abortion".

Stay positive. You're Having a Baby !

2011-10-28T19:07:00.002-04:00

A beautiful married couple came into our office in Manhattan. She is in her first trimester, and wants to see her baby.

I set her up with an appointment to get a sonogram the following Saturday. Her husband was with her when she came to see me.

The 2 of them shared concerns on the health of the baby. She was not taking all the precautions that she could have been during the first month of the pregnancy.

They had questions, and we are hoping together, to find answers.

Our sonogram technician will be assisting them with knowing the state of the baby. Our doctor will be assisting them with physical questions they have. And our prenatal care system will be assisting them to walk into a healthier state, both mind and body towards this pregnancy.

After I set them up with these things, I told both of them it is critical to stay positive in thought. They seemed very hopeful. Please continue to pray for them. Thank you .

Happy Turnaround Comes to See Us

2011-10-28T18:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes EMC is so blessed as to have a turnaround come back to visit us. This was such the case when a very special turnaround came back to see us, albeit at an unfortunate location - we were at an abortion clinic, but then again, at least she knew where to find us.

The details of her case are too sensitive to disclose but it will be enough to suffice that she was in a very difficult situation and where she was living was unacceptable. So we contacted another great pro-life organization that runs a network of maternity homes, Good Counsel Homes, and we were able to place her there with some help from us.

By no means is her life perfect now, but she was very happy to see us on her free time one Saturday morning and we were able to catch up some on her life. Moments like these make me very happy to be a part of EMC and working for the pro-life cause full-time.

Helping Women in Any Way We Can

2011-10-27T16:17:00.000-04:00

It takes a lot of time and attention to focus on the needs of abortion minded women who walk through our doors every day, but we aren't solely interested in keeping women from the pain of abortion, we also want to help them find healing for pain other abortions may have caused. We are about a lot of things, but the pain of abortion cannot be overestimated (try as society might to sweep it under the rug). So, along with our host of resources for struggling pregnant women, I have also been becoming more familiar with the local organizations that work specifically in post-abortion healing. There are so many women that we know who have been hurt by abortions. Maybe we don't know that's why they are wounded and maybe they don't make that connection in themselves either right away, but we know people who are hurt need healing and people who have been through the pain of abortion are hurt.

So, I have been learning more about ministries such as Lumina, which have a very beautiful and loving approach to women looking for help and healing. These ministries are vital and I try to encourage women to look into them. Maybe simply writing their name on a paper and giving it to them, knowing they can go home and do a Google search anytime when they feel ready to seek help. It's their choice to make the move or not, but with our support we pray they can find the healing and hope that will make them feel whole again.