Learning to grow...

The past few weeks I have had my own office in Jerome, and it has for sure been something different. I felt a little like a baby bird being pushed out of its nest. Working in all of our offices have for sure taught me so much, it has been and still is very helpful to have Linda or Kathy always there either in the office or the phone. I have learned so much from these women within past few months and I can’t say how thankful I am. I feel as if they are my New York mother’s whenever I need help I know I can count on them. Working in Jerome has taught me so much but the biggest thing it has taught me is that our work is truly God’s work and that we are just instruments of his work. It is never us that changes the girls minds but rather God through us. Thank you lady’s for giving me the push that I needed to be able to do this work and discover truly what it is about!

Little quote: I've often heard when a baby bird is big enough to fly, but she's afraid to try,the mother bird will find a time that's best to give that baby bird a shove, right out of the nest.I'm like that little bird up in a tree.Won't you be a mother bird to me,and push me out of the nest?
Let me try my wings.with a little help from you I think that I can do new things. - Dottie Burman

Thank you both for being my New York mothers.

Rosie

Mother Know's Best!

The other day I had a girl and her mother come into my office, I normally don't allow the parents to come into the session but this mother insisted on coming in!! So I start talking to her about an abortion, the risks and harms. As I'm talking her mother starts say that everything I'm saying is true. The mother had worked at one of the abortion clinics that we pray outside of. She told her daughter everything about how she had an abortion when she was younger and to this day regrets it!!! It was so amazing to see this mother open up to her daughter like that. When we were done that mother turned to me and said "Thank you, also please say thank you to everyone who prays outside that abortion clinic

Rosie

Emily's with the A Team

On the first day after Minneapolis pro-life meeting, the A Team (the five of us who were in that trip) went to Emily's. It was a sunny day, and it was so tiring, but the experience was fantastic!

After hours waiting at the door, a girl showed up. She was on the phone. I tried to catch her attention by signs. I tried everything, but she refused to come. When I had lost nearly all my hope, the girl came. Her name is Shelby. She was not pregnant. It was his cousin who were inside the clinic. We talked a lot about abortion, our points of view... She was pro-life, but she stated that it was her cousin's choice and it wasn't up to her.

It's a shame that the girl had the abortion, but I have faith that some day Shelby will talk to her about that.

Pro-life meeting

Last week five of us went to Minneapolis to attend a pro-life meeting. There were the most important pro-life leader from all over the US, including Joseph and Ann Scheidler.

We learned a lot. They gave us so many tips on how to do sidewalk counseling! But it wasn't all about techniques and strategies. They talked about the expectant mothers, the babies, about how to ask God to help us and to pray for their souls.

After this conferences, we are going to try to use all this tricks at Doctor Emily's, in the Bronx.

Birth control

          Muchas chicas acuden a nuestras oficinas sin saber si realmente están embarazadas. Como uno de nuestros reclamos más solicitados es que ofrecemos tests de embarazos gratis, la mayoría de las mujeres vienen buscándolo.

            Es emocionante porque algunas de ellas se enteran de que están esperando un bebé con nosotros, mientras que otras ya se han hecho un test antes y vienen simplemente para constatarlo.

            Entre las que dan positivo, la reacción suele ser de sorpresa. La principal razón es que se están sometiendo a un control de natalidad. Por tanto, el embarazo se convierte en algo inesperado y, en ocasiones, en algo no deseado.

            Después, nosotros tratamos de hablarles de los inconvenientes de los anticonceptivos y de que no son fiables como se suele creer. A raíz de ello, y si la conversación lo permite, sacamos a colación la abstinencia  el verdadero amor.

Jerome

 

            Mi primera experiencia en Jerome fue muy intensa. A lo largo del día, acudieron cuatro chicas, de las cuales una me llamó especialmente la atención.  Estaba embarazada y llegó pensando en un aborto, ya que estaba atravesando una difícil situación familiar. Los padres se habían separado y su relación con ellos no era muy buena. Hablando con ella, llegué a la conclusión de que la complicada escena familiar era la que le había llevado en gran parte a decantarse por la pesadilla del aborto.

            Tras pasar con ella un rato y explicarse que las cosas siempre ocurren por una razón , conseguimos darle una perspectiva sobrenatural a su embarazo. Finalmente, se mostró dispuesta a ir a una casa de acogida para jóvenes que están esperando un bebé y tener allí a su hijo. Todo un ejemplo de valentía.

                       

Spanish

  Since I´ve been here, I´ve realized that spanish language sounds more familiarto hispanic women. It´s easier to connect woth them in spanish, specially in this type of delicate and emotional situations.


  They have fear, they are scared about the future because they think that they are alone in this world. And when a kind person is willing to listen to them and they can express themshelves in spanish (their mother tongue language), they can feel us as a family or a friend.


  So, maybe, most of the time, not being a perfect english speaker is a inconvenient for us, but in some cases, knowing spanish can give us more capability to hep these poor women.

My first turn arround

That girl arrived with that sad but angry  face at the office. She was confused. She though she was going to have an abortion.  We started talking. She just didnt want the baby. She told me about her idea of a perfect future with out this little person that was coming.  This wasnt in her  life plan.  But sometimes unexpected things come to our lifes and most of them are consecuences of our acts that we hope not to come true. But they happen and we have to learn how to face them and be happy.  I made her realize about this because this is how life goes on. She was still angry. She could not believe that she was in a place where somebody can help her and give solutions to her problems. She leaved the office because she though that this could not be happening. Next day she called me, she is keeping that beautiful baby. :)

Bronx office

Llevo ya dos semanas en Nueva York trabajando con el EMC. Estoy muy contenta con nuestra labor y día a día se van viendo los frutos de nuestro trabajo. En la oficina hemos ayudado en solo 1semana a muchas mujeres en situaciones muy difíciles y con un bebe en camino. Es reconfortante saber que estas ayudando a salvar vidas. Aunque a veces es muy difícil, si perseveras, alcanzas.  Estamos aquí día a día todos poniendo de nuestra parte y haciendo un gran esfuerzo, junto con las madres, a ofrecerle a esos bebes un mejor futuro.

pro-life meetings

This week I have been in the pro-life meetings in Minneapolis. In the meetings, they talked about sidewalk counseling.

A lot of important pro-life groups were there and talk about how to do sidewalk counseling, it was amazing the stories people told.

A woman told a story about how God and work can make someone change their mind, not only the women who go to have an abortion, also the minds of the security guards.

She told us that in the abortion clinique the guard was always very mean to them and angry, they started praying for him and trying to change his mind, and after seven months the guard told them that their were right and that he was quite his job because he couldn't do that anymore.

One person at a time!

This is the lesson of the last days. One person at a time, is what counselling really should be. Generalized slogans, witty plots of ideas, and insightful movies don’t do justice to the needs of the girl in front of me.

We have to learn to listen. What is listening? Well, I believe it is the non-judgemental appreciation of the other person. You can listen even when someone is silent or sobbing because you can allow yourself to be present and to accept this moment. The danger is to look out of the window, to grab the phone or making unnecessary comments to generalize a personal moment in life.


Easier said then done, I know but nonetheless possible! We have to listen to the girls but also try to communicate with people currently finding themselves attracted to a “pro-choice way of life”. Yes, we even have to find ways to communicate with abortionist to make them see that we are not monsters nor self-righteous people but friends of life. Maybe deep down they are friends of life too; they just haven’t discovered it yet. I believe they are and I am always fascinated when one abortionist quits his or her job to become one of the greatest defenders of life. Aren’t such stories a tremendous witness to the love of God and his power of almighty forgiveness?

They are as well as we are called for conversion of heart, to be closer to God, so that each day of our lives we stand up and share the hope that is within us. Let us do this all together one person at a time. I humbly suggest we start with our own self and probably are surprised how much change of attitude around us is possible if we change our attitude to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dr. Emily´s

         En mi primer día en Dr. Emily´s, la experiencia fue bastante dura. Muchas chicas entraron a realizarse un aborto, pero ninguna de ellas entró a los ultrasonidos gratuitos que ofrecemos. Lo más doloroso fue la cara de las chicas, sobre todo las de aquellas que no querían pararse a hablar, o que no deseaban coger los folletos y  continuaban su camino mirando hacia el suelo, con la cara inexpresiva casi sin vida.

            Durante el tiempo de espera, estuve reflexionando sobre la lucha interna por la que atraviesan todas las madres que deciden acudir a una clínica abortista. A pesar de que la desesperación por sus circunstancias o la ausencia de apoyo por parte de sus familias o parejas puede llevarles a esta situación, la ayuda que les nosotros estamos dispuestos a proporcionarles puede revertir esa situación y evitar toda la amargura que conlleva un aborto. Estas razones me impulsan a tratar de comprender lo mejor posible a cada chica poniéndome en su lugar, para poder atenderle lo mejor posible.

National Right to Life Convention

          La semana pasada asistí a la National Right to Life en Washintong. Fue una gran ocasión para conocer de primera mano a los principales líderes prolife de USA. A lo largo de la conferencia, a la que asistieron cristianos de diversas confesiones, se trataron una gran conjunto de temas: el papel de Planned Parenthood en la industria del aborto, la organización de los diferentes movimientos prolife en USA, pero especialmente el papel de la política en el aborto a raíz de la reciente aprobación del Obama Care.

Si bien no estaba totalmente familiarizado con todos los pormenores del Obama Care, ahora puedo afirmar que su aprobación supone un cambio radical en la política estadounidense. Hasta ahora, ningún presidente americano había intervenido en temas morales que causaran controversia entre la población. El Obama Care vulnera la libertad de los diversos hospitales que pertenecen a la Iglesia y marca un peligroso precedente en lo referente a la legislación americana.

            

Desde México hasta el Bronx

   El pasado viernes atendí a una mujer de 32 años con un embarazo de nueve semanas. Ante la ausencia de un padre y de una situación económica suficiente para mantenerse, se había visto obligada a emigrar a Estados Unidos doce años atrás para conseguir allí un trabajo y así poder enviar dinero a sus dos hijos, que se quedaron al cargo de sus abuela. De esta manera, se vio sola en un nuevo y extraño país con una familia que no podía ver, pero que debía alimentar.


   A medida que el tiempo pasó, y sobretodo con la llegada de la adolescencia, su ausencia hizo que sus dos hijos empezaran a rechazarle. El hecho de que su madre se quedara embarazada y formara una nueva familia en Estados Unidos acentuó todavía más ese odio. Por ello, cuando esta mujer vino a nuestra oficina, solo un pensamiento ocupaba su cabeza: un nuevo hijo haría que sus hijos le repudiaran definitivamente.


   Esta historia me ha hecho reflexionar a lo largo de este fin de semana. Solemos ver todo tipo de testimonios difíciles encarnados en estas valientes mujeres. Un punto en común en algunos de ellos es la inmigración. Si un aborto siempre es complicadísimo, en ocasiones, el horror de la inmigración no hace sino añadirle más drama.

A turn around

Yesterday in the Queen's office came a 20 year old girl with her sister decided to have an abortion. She was really nervous because when she entered in the counseling room I realized her legs were trembling a lot.

I explained to her the surgical abortion’s procedure and its consequences or complications, and while I was talking I could see her face of distress.  Afterwards I put the video Choice Blues about the surgical procedure and within 2 min she started to cry saying: “I can’t do that”.

In the sonogram we couldn’t see very well the baby because she was about 6 and a half weeks but the heartbeat. The girl didn’t stop crying and her sister told her: “Don’t do that, I will help you with the baby not matter what it costs”. It was a really emotional situation because both sisters realized that it was a baby and not a mass of cells.

When the 20 year old mother was leaving I gave her a big hug making her see that we were there for everything she needs.

Henry Ford

           During our trip, we also visited Detroit, known as the motor city for the headquartes of two of the principal authomovilistic companies in the world: Ford and General Motors.

         One of the main places you must visit in Detroit is the Henry Ford Museum. In its expositions, there was a wide range of different cars from the beggining of the XX century until now. This fact made me realize about the huge importance that the Henry Ford´s figure had in the American industrial history.

         Ford, son of  a humble family, started to work at the Edison illuminating company and, when he was young, he began to feel great admiration for his founder, Thomas Alva Edison. Indeed, there was a part in the museum dedicated to him. It can not be strange that, during his career, Ford always practised the Edison´s premise: "an invention is 98% effort and work and 2% creativity".

Mujeres difíciles

         Aunque ya llevo aquí casi un mes, todavía no puedo evitar que me afecte la actitud impasiva y obstinada de aquellas mujeres que se marchan de nuestras oficinas deseando un aborto. A pesar de lo mucho que les advertimos de sus riesgos y de que les mostramos vídeos muy duros, algunas de ellas se despiden de nosotros pensando que un aborto sigue siendo la mejor solución.

         No podemos juzgarles. De primeras, somos unos extraños para ellas. En mi opinión, la principal razón que les lleva a tomar esa difícil decisión es el hecho de que centran su atención en el pasado y pierden de vista el futuro. Las circunstancias del ahora difuminan la esperanza del mañana, y ello es lo que les empuja a adentrarse en la oscuridad y sufrimiento del aborto. Estas mujeres no son malas, sino que viven situaciones complicadas.

A great girl

Today I'm going to talk about a personal experience at 149 st. office that happened to me a few weeks ago.
Some time in June, a girl called Angelica came into the office because she wanted to have an abortion. When I explained to her the reasons why she has not to have it, show her the videos and try hard to change her decision she left the office saying she was going to have it.
Maybe two weeks later, Angelica came to the office again saying that she had thought about what we told her the first time she came and she had decided to keep the baby, but a few days before her circumstances changed and now she again wanted to have it.
The fact that our words have helped to change her mind gave me strength to talk to her again, but finally I  didn't know for sure what she was going to do.
I phoned her every two days since her las visit, and she always said she was undecided.
But finally last monday, when she asked the phone like she was doing for weeks, she told me she had realized all her problems were not as big and valuable as the life inside of her.
Next week she's visiting us in the office, so maybe I can take a picture and show you!
  

Mucho por hacer

Despues de llevar 4 semanas en New York. Me he dado cuenta que me queda la mitad de mi estancia en

los Estados Unidos, 4 semanas mas, antes de mi regreso a Espana. 

Por un lado me entristece saber que voy a echar mucho de menos vivir en New York, ser voluntario en una de las actividades mas gratificantes y maravillosas que jamas podria yo haberme imaginado, "counseling, sidewalk counseling and saving lives".

Pero por otro lado me enorgullece saber que me quedan aun cuatro semanas mas para asesorar y ayudar a las mujeres mas desoladas y salvar el mayor numero de vidas posibles.

Todavia me queda mucho por aprender y por supuesto por hacer, y ademas cada dia que pasa gracias al espiritu santo tengo mas ganas de trabajar y ayudar.

No os podeis imaginar lo maravilloso que es poder cambiar vidas incluso salvarlas. Aunque muchas veces no salga todo como no te lo esperabas, siempre se tienen fuerzas para seguir adelante, y seguir luchando por la vida y por los mas inocentes, los "unborn babies".

New to the Lifehouse

My name is Eduardo Lopez. I'm from Madrid, but people don't believe me when I tell them, because they say I look like german or so. I've come here because some friends came last summer and had a wonderful time full of interesting experiences.

I'd never been to the US, so my first day was a bit shocking! I didn't expect it to be so different! Heavy cars, the highest skyscrapers I'd ever seen... I'm delighted to be here and to have the opportunity to help expectant mothers and save child's lifes. Thank EMC for giving me this chance!

No way

Last week I went for my fourth time to the Bronx office to do some counseling. But this time was completely different.

This time I was supposed to counsel by my self.

It was 9.30 in the morning when one young girl, about 16 years old came to ask for help.

At the first time I was afraid, my legs were shaking, but I stopped for a second and I thought to my self, why I came here? Am I going to lose lives just because of my fear? No way.

So I talked to the beautiful young girl about the gift of life, about the bad effects of abortion. I showed to her a video of a real abortion, and I analyze her situation.

After having the best talked I could ever had thank God, she left the office saying she was not going to abort and to become a mum.

turns arounds in prenatal day

El prenatal day en brooklyn, creo que es un dia en el que se aprende mucho, porque a lo mejor no hacemos 

muchos counselings, pero las mujeres que vienen tienen una historia que contar la cual te ayuda a 

enriquecerte.

Es muy bonito, ver a las mujeres que vienen con sus hijos y todos quieren saber el sexo del nino y verlas salir 

con la emocion de saber si es nino o nina.

Este mismo dia en el que muchas mujeres disfrutan de su felicidad, otras vienen porque quieren abortar y al 

ver a todas las mujeres contentas porque van a tener un bebe les hace ver la cosas de una manera distinta. 

Una chica vino el otro dia con su madre la cual la obligaba a abortar y ella no queria, le dijimos que nosotras 

podiamos ayudarla, y nos lo agradecio mucho, ya que dijo que ella realmente queria tenerlo y que intentaria 

llamarnos para que la ayudaramos a quedarse con el nino.

LIFE is good

Hello my name is Marcus. Last week I came all the way from Germany to see how pro life work is done in the big apple.

Previously I volunteered in London during the 40daysforlife event and it was there that I first saw Chris Slattery who invites young people to stay and volunteer in New York.

So I am here and what can I say. Well New York is big and the need for counselling young women is huge. Yet huge is also the zeal of the people involved in this work and I was straight away involved being on my feet outside an abortion clinic or seated on a clinic sofa next to a girl who might be pregnant.

Yes some pregnancy test are positive others negative. My first impression is that all are welcomed and that all may benefit. Life is good, and whatever circumstance might occur in our lives the need to be listen to is great. Life is good if we are able to share it our burdens and our joys. Many things are possible for the one who has hope. Hope in life, hope in forgiveness and hope in a new start.

My wish is to express that hope that I have been given, and to share it with others, pregnant or not. I will let you know how this mission is going on. Please pray for this work and so become part of our project.

Today at emilys

Today i woke up a little bit sad because it was raining. I woke up and i took the subway with my friends to emilys. It was a difficult morning and we were with the umbrella waiting for the women to come. I don´t know if it is because the rain but fewer women came. 

We tried to talk to them, but in the front door it is very difficult, so i tried to stay not vey close to the door. It was difficult to to this job because you didn´t know which women were going inside the clinic. However, we talk to some women. I hope that they thinked about what they were doing

Last counceling

Yesterday it was a good day. We had few women coming to the office, but i had a nice experience. When we were on the point of closing the office a woman came in. She was from Dominique Republic, and she was happy. It seemed strange to us because it is very rare that women como with a smile on their faces. I started to talk to her, and i was fully surprised when she said that she wanted to have the baby. She was there just to make the free sonogram, but she wanted the baby. I was very happy after talking to her. It is nice when a woman is so sure to keep her baby.