News from the Trenches: "we were blessed with 3 saves at Family Planning Associates"

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr

She Reached Over and Squeezed Roger's Hand

Family Planning Associates, San Diego – Jan. 23

It was two days after Bishop Brom celebrated a Mass in San Diego for the protection of the unborn, the day after pro-lifers held a public prayer rally on Harbor Drive, and while 35,000 people were still marching for life in San Francisco on Saturday morning, that we were blessed with 3 saves at Family Planning Associates on Mirmar Road. We had two sidewalk counselors and 16 prayer warriors throughout the morning, including four children.

Today, we had the police called on us, which was the first time in a long time. Knowing we were not breaking any laws, they didn't stay long. The guard was new and had no idea what he was doing, when his own supervisor came out and drove up to Terry, asking her if his guard was causing trouble for her again. He told her he would take care of it and not to worry. After a brief, congenial conversation, Terry thanked him and he left. We know that when we have (four) children come out as prayer warriors and the police show up, it may be a sign the battle is on, and Our Lady is going to win in a big way.

It started out a tough morning, with many people refusing to stop or roll down their car windows. Roger spoke with a Hispanic couple in their early 20s. The couple had a one-and-a-half-year-old child, who was not with them at the time. When asked, the woman said she was there for an abortion because of many reasons, financial being one of them. Roger told them about Culture of Life Family Services and that they could get pre-natal care for free if money was an issue. After relating that the new baby would be as dear to her as her other child and that each baby is a unique person, they seemed to soften. They said they would talk about it, and seemed to be leaning toward leaving. They parked, but after about 15 minutes they were seen going into the mill. We prayed that they would change their minds and come out, which often happens once you have planted the seeds of doubt. We kept an eye out for them, but after about 10 minutes it became busy at the front entrance as another wave of cars came in, and we lost track of whether or not they stayed.

Terry spoke with two young women, telling them the story of the abortionist's license suspensions and malpractice lawsuits, and about many of the young women she has spoken to in the past who had problems at Family Planning Associates, and those who had chosen to go to Culture of Life. She also spoke to them about the challenges/pressures they might be facing, but that abortion was not the answer to any problem. She told them that abortion begins a problem they could never anticipate or erase, and then encouraged them to call Culture of Life, where they would be provided with free medical care (if necessary) and any other assistance they needed. They too, parked and went up to the mill. After several minutes they came back down, sat in their car for a long time and then drove out.

Roger spoke with a Hispanic couple F. and J., while Terry pulled another car into the lot right in front of them, so as not to block the driveway. F. and J. told Roger they already had two children under 6. When asked, F. said she was scheduled for an abortion, and the reason was because he (her partner, we're not sure if it was her boyfriend or husband) was going to be deported in March. Roger told them there would always be tough times, jobs and money would come and go, but family is all you can hold on to. He told them that five years from now they would be watching their children playing together and shudder to think how close they came to losing their child. He told them to turn around and leave, and that he would tell Dr. Delgado to expect them Monday morning. They said they would talk, and drove in and parked behind some cars, out of sight.

While this was happening, Terry spoke to the couple in car she had stopped about the horrors of abortion, the horrendous medical record of the abortionist and the alternatives available to them, ones they could live with - no matter what their present problems were. She encouraged them to call Culture of Life and to turn away from this place of danger and death. Instead they pulled in and parked, and went up to the front door of the mill. They stood outside on the balcony talking for several minutes. All of a sudden, the guard appeared, opened the doors to Family Planning Associates and told them to go in. They did not. Instead, they continued to talk and moved closer to the elevator. Eventually, they came down and walked over to their car on the farthest side of the parking lot, away from the mill. With his head down, the young man opened the door for his young Vietnamese girlfriend and they sat in their car for some time. We prayed intently for F. and J. as they remained out of sight, and for the couple Terry spoke with, as they struggled with a life-or-death decision. Our eyes busy with the street, the front door to the mill, and the car with the couple that still did not move, we continued to pray anxiously.

After about 20 minutes, F. and J.'s car, seemingly from out of nowhere, suddenly appeared at the exit driveway. Roger said to the couple "God bless you for making the right decision. I will pray for you". Roger said he would call Culture of Life Family Services to expect them, but the woman said, "You don't need to, I am going to keep the baby." She then she reached over and squeezed Roger's hand, and with tears in her eyes, said, "God bless you for being here!" After what felt like eternity, the couple Terry spoke with slowly drove out the driveway, passing us on Miramar Road and did not return.

From http://www.calcatholic.com/