Mother Among Moms

Yesterday I had the pleasure of escorting a woman named Michelle from Dr. Emily’s abortion clinic to the Sisters of Life. She had walked over an hour to get to the abortion mill that morning because she could not afford train fare, which is now $2.25 each way. Before entering Dr. Emily’s we gave her the opportunity to have an ultrasound in our mobile clinic. As she looked at the picture of the abortion procedures, she knew that she could not do this. Michelle does not believe in abortion and has four children at home. She is not working and is completely dependent on her fiancé for financial support. He was also pressuring her to have the abortion.

She sat in the mobile clinic for over an hour talking after she decided to keep her baby. We finally headed downtown to meet with the Sisters. On the train ride to Manhattan, Michelle talked non-stop, telling me all about her life and situation. She had so many concerns and responsibilities; she is truly trapped in her situation.

We stayed at the Sisters of Life, talking for over four hours. They served her lunch and it took over an hour for her to finish her sandwich because she didn’t stop talking long enough to chew. My heart went out to this poor woman. I could tell that she had so much bottled up inside. She obviously has no person that she can really talk to and her fiancé was extremely controlling. Michelle is only 27 but already has graying hair and looks like she could actually be in her forties. She doesn’t have enough money to buy diapers for her youngest child and often has to use towels. Michelle doesn’t eat as she should because she ensures that her children eat first, followed by her fiancé, and the leftovers are what she gets.

The Sisters provided her with a bag of groceries, maternity clothes, and diapers. These things lifted Michelle’s spirits, but the greatest gift given to Michelle was hope and love. For the first time in a long time or maybe the first time in her life, she had found someone who truly cared for her and her needs. She has become so used to not having any appreciation or attention. That day she was able to see not just the Sister’s love and compassion for her, but the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

Please keep her in your prayers as she makes the beautiful sacrifices of a mother so that her baby can live. Praise the Lord, Michelle chose life!

Stories of Struggle

I never cease to be surprised by the stories of tragedy and hardship that lead women to walk through the doors of an abortion clinic. It is truly a place of sadness and death on several different levels. When Julie waved Sarah over to fence outside the back of Dr. Emily’s so that they could talk, neither of us expected what she would say.

Sarah was only 16 years old and wanted an abortion for her 19-week-old baby. She also has Aids, which is the primary reason she is seeking this abortion. Sarah ran away from home when she was 12 and began working the streets. Her prostitution led her to contract the Aids virus. This is her first pregnancy and she is now scared that her unborn child will be born with the disease.

After talking with Julie for quite a while, she still decided to go into the clinic. Dr. Emily’s would not perform the abortion, but referred her elsewhere.

However, this story is not over. Sarah has not yet had the abortion, so hope still remains. Join us in praying for Sarah and her unborn child. I have come to see that miracles do happen.

Hope.

On Monday morning, I met Martha. She was 18, pregnant and dead set on having an abortion. Her exact words were, “I just want this thing taken out,” and she wanted it done as soon as possible. Martha was what we considered to be a tough case. She had set up walls a mile thick around her heart and the last thing she wanted to hear about was the life present inside her womb. She wasn’t interested in the procedures, the health risks, or the emotional side effects. The father of the child had been killed only a month before and she had no desire to bring a child into the world without a father. Two of our most experienced counselors sat down with her, and I sat in also hoping I could say something to crack her shell and comfort Martha in her grief.

As we showed Martha the different stages of fetal development, she stared in amazement asking, “Do they really have fingers?” We placed a model of a 12-week-old baby in the palm of her hand and she yelled and threw it across the table. She wouldn’t allow herself to consider even for a second the life of her innocent baby. It seemed that nothing we could say or do was going to pierce her heart. In my mind, I had accepted that she was not going to turnaround. After an entire counseling session she was still adamant about the abortion. I thought this was one of the sad cases you have to entrust to God after doing all you could do. I began to prepare to move on, but the other counselors were persistent. They didn’t give up. They kept talking to her and loving on her and eventually she cracked.

The walls she had built around her heart came tumbling down like the walls of Jericho in a waterfall of tears. Martha could no longer deny the life of her child or the pain in her heart. Martha decided she would keep and parent her child.
We learn lessons everyday in our centers, but I learned one of the most valuable lessons so far. We can never lose Hope. We cannot lose Hope in the heart of woman, the power of the Holy Spirit, or the grace of God. I had all but sent Martha on her way because I had lost Hope. How humbling it was to realize the power of Hope within our hearts! This is a lesson that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.

I was fortunate to be able to escort Martha to get her sonogram. On the bus ride there and back, as well as the time in the waiting room, I go to know Martha even better. I rejoiced as I listened to multiple telephone conversations as she called to inform her friends and family that she was going to keep the child. Martha said things such as:

“I’m keeping my baby because I want to. I might be crazy, but I’m keeping it!”
“I’m going to have my baby, and you are either in, or you’re out.”
“I’m having my baby. It has fingers! And fingernails!”

I watched as Martha saw her child for the very first time. She stared at the sonogram pictures all the way back home. We parted with plans to see a movie together later on in the week and the joy of knowing her baby would have a life.
A few hours later, I was back at the Life House when I got a call from Martha. She was sobbing as she told me she was at the hospital. She had miscarried shortly before. The child’s heart that was beating just a few hours earlier was not any longer. I talked to her and consoled her as best I could. She felt guilty because she had wanted to abort the child and now her child was gone. I assured her that she had nothing to feel guilty about and that she had chosen to give her child a life. She gave her child a chance.

Despite how heartbreaking Martha’s story is, it was truly a blessing that she was able to turnaround and come to appreciate the gift of her child before the miscarriage. She can now be comforted by the fact that she chose life and that her first child knows she chose life.

Follow-Up: Rainy Day Miracle

I am happy to share the news that Renee has indeed decided to keep her baby! Praise the Lord! She did not go to her appointment at Doctor Emily's. Renee received a late night visit from the Sisters of Life and listened to what the Lord was laying upon her heart. The storm of prayers sent up to Heaven were heard and answered. Thank you to all those who joined in praying for this beautiful daughter of Christ and her child.

Renee's story is nothing short of miraculous. How wonderful, how beautiful are the ways the Lord works in our lives. I am blessed to have been able to witness and even share in this miracle. On this Trinity Sunday, let all glory be to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Rainy Day Miracle

Three weeks ago during my first day at our Brooklyn pregnancy center, I had the pleasure of meeting and counseling a beautiful young woman named Renee. She came in for a pregnancy test, which turned out to be positive. Renee was devastated. She is 19 years old, still in high school, living with her aunt and uncle, with no support or income to speak of. I and fellow intern, Beth, consoled her through her tears and tried to comfort her as much as possible. The reason Renee was so upset was because she thought abortion was her only choice and she already loved her child so much. She agreed to come in the following morning for a sonogram.

The next morning I watched Renee’s baby kicking and jumping inside her womb—a little boy! I also watched the smile and joy on her face as she insisted that it had to be a girl. Despite the excitement, Renee still felt as though abortion was the only option. We arranged for her to meet that afternoon with the Sisters of Life. A few days later I heard news that she had decided to keep her child and that the Sisters had made arrangements for her in Virginia. All I could do was rejoice and praise the Lord.

Renee and her child have been in my prayers since the very first day I met her. I was happy to know that she was safe and settled.

This morning I was at Doctor Emily’s in the Bronx. I was at the back entrance. Julie called me from the front to come fill in for her while she ran to use the bathroom. During the five minutes that Julie was gone, two girls walked in together and breezed by me. I thought it was Renee, but I couldn’t be sure. We called the Sisters of Life and left a message (because Friday is their day of prayer) wondering if this could possibly be Renee inside Doctor Emily’s. Sister Bridgette called us back shortly and we decided it was Renee inside. Sister Bridgette called Renee while she was inside. Renee answered but would not speak so Sister told her, “Renee, do not lose hope!”

An hour or so later, Renee came out the back of the clinic and I was waiting for her. She agreed to let me join her and a friend for lunch. I talked and pleaded and let the Holy Spirit guide the words I was speaking to her. Renee still felt that she could not care for a child and she feared that her child would have to face the same struggles that she did. She has so much love for her baby that the thought of placing her baby with adoptive parents was out of the question. We talked for a while and eventually she had to leave. We parted with a hug and a promise of prayers.

It was a MIRACLE that I had even seen Renee. I was only in the front for five minutes. Julie would not have recognized her. The Sisters would have never known she was there. Originally I was not even going to Doctor Emily’s, but was supposed to be at our Bronx center. The Sisters do not normally return phone calls on Fridays either. So many factors played into me being able to see and speak to Renee. If any one small thing had changed, we never would have known that Renee was inside. If Julie had called five minutes later, or if I had walked slower. It was only through the grace of God that our paths crossed once again.

As of now, Renee is scheduled for an abortion tomorrow morning and is planning on going through with the termination, but I think our Lord may have a little something to say about that. He has already worked one miracle and I trust that he will work another. Renee was not brought to me again for no reason. I have all hope and all faith that Renee will make the right decision. I believe that through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, God will save the life of a child and the heart of a mother. Please join me in praying for Renee and her baby boy.

Nothing is impossible for God!

Present-Day Pentecost

In the last few weeks working as an intern for EMC, I have seen the Lord doing great things. Before this summer I had no experience in this type of work. This week, another intern and myself actually ran one of our offices in the Bronx. I have seen the Holy Spirit working through myself and all those surrounding me. During my time in the pregnancy centers, on the sidewalks, and witnessing small subway conversations, it is only too clear that we rely completely on the Holy Spirit to work through us. We are merely God's instruments: acting as His hands and feet. We are thankful that He has chosen to work through us to connect with expectant mothers and save innocent lives within the womb.

I recently heard someone remark, "These are the best of times. These are the worst of times."

This has never been more true. When watching the news it often seems that there is little to hope for, but I can attest and assure we are winning the battle one heart at a time. Love and compassion will always triumph--the war has already been won for us.

On this Pentecost Sunday, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit may descend once again and overflow our hearts. That the spirit will continue to guide our words and actions to bring glory to the kingdom on earth.

The Fight of Our Forefathers

This past week I had the privilege of attending the Heartbeat International annual conference in Richmond, Virginia. Two days prior to the beginning of the conference I was lucky to be able to tour Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. Walking in the footsteps of our founding fathers, revolutionary soldiers, and American colonists inspired me to think of the start of our nation. I contemplated the sacrifices made to gain our freedom and independence. The values, morals, and dignity embodied by men such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry stuck out vividly in my mind.

As the conference began, I met and listened to speeches by amazing leaders in the pro-life movement. These people have given their lives to the cause—fighting for the lives of the defenseless unborn. Leaders such as these make difficult sacrifices each day to help bring the hope of the Lord to women who have none. They are some of the most selfless, humble, and loving people that I have ever come into contact with. As a young person, I was motivated to give everything I had to the movement, as well. These pregnancy centers are the frontlines of the movement, and I have been blessed to be a part of this mission.

Reflecting on my week in Virginia, I couldn’t help but to notice the striking parallels between the battle waging now for the right to life and the battle for American freedom. In many ways, we are still fighting the same fight that the American revolutionaries were. At great risk and great sacrifice, people around the country are rising up and devoting all their energy to gain the most basic of rights—the right to LIVE. Our founding fathers were doing the same thing: pursuing the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without the first, no others can follow. The leaders of the pro-life movement understand this, and now its time for the rest of our great nation to understand it and stand up for it. If we will not speak up, who will?


“You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation.”

New Experiences

This was my first week working for EMC. I could not believe the sheer number of desperate women that walk through our clinic doors each day. The first woman I had the privilege of counseling was a 19 year old woman named "Rachel". She came in for a pregnancy test which turned out positive. I then sat down with her and another intern to talk things out. During the conversation she began sobbing and weeping. My heart was torn open as I tried to comfort her through her distress.

Rachel is still in high school and currently living with her Aunt and Uncle. She has no other place to go and no other support after an argument with her family. She could not face the thought of bringing a child into the world under these conditions. She felt her only real option would be to abort. My job was to convince her otherwise.

I explained to her that the life inside her was a precious gift. The concerns she had were all material, and I ensured that we would work with her to find solutions through jobs and living accommodations. These obstacles were temporary and material. The life inside her womb was not replaceable. It is a gift that should be treasured. I told her that she could overcome these obstacles. She had strength within her that she didn't know she had. The Lord would work through her and provide for the child.

I could see the fear, the hurt, the pain, the wounds, and the confusion in her eyes. But I could also see the honesty, the yearning, and the love shining through too.

Rachel still lacked confidence when she left the office that day, but agreed to come in the following morning for a sonogram. I was lucky to be able to watch the sonogram with her, as Rachel's baby boy danced inside the womb. She was almost 4 months along. I watched Rachel laugh and smile as she watched her child. She insisted it was a girl, not a boy.

After the sonogram Rachel was still considering abortion. She did not want to bring a child into the world to suffer. She did not want her baby to face the struggles she had faced. I assured her once more that a difficult life was better than no life at all and that the greatest gift she could give to her child was the love she already had within her heart. No house, or toys, or big backyard would make up for that.

We then set up a meeting for Rachel to meet with the Sisters of Life. I did not know what she was going to decide. She wanted more than anything to be able to keep her baby, but she was afraid.

The following day while praying and counseling outside of Dr. Emily's I received a text message that Rachel had been into the clinic again and had decided to keep the child. She was no longer crying, but laughing. I've never been so excited and happy in my life.

It was amazing to witness the miracles that the Lord is working through EMC. I felt so blessed, so thankful, to be able to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit continue to work through me and all the other EMC interns. Praise be to God!