Published: February 18, 2011
“Drive away from here”
Family Planning Associates, Miramar Road, San Diego, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011
News from the Trenches
There were about 12 to 15 prayer warriors this morning, including a Catholic priest, plus two sidewalk counselors. Only God knows whose hearts will be touched by the Holy Spirit. What began as a morning filled with tears of sadness, ended with tears of joy.
The first group Anne spoke with was a couple sitting in their parked car. As soon as she approached them she could see the man was crying, with tears streaming down his face. She shared with them the doctor's horrible record and placed a picture of a 6-week-old baby in front of them to show them what their baby might look like. Anne spoke with the young woman, determined that she needed to know what she was losing, and that, though this might seem like a fix to a difficult situation, it would only make matters worse.
Anne was not in a good location to talk with this couple, and had to leave because of the security guard. After sometime, they started to go in, and she handed the young woman a Rosary, and told her she was loved and so was her baby. She handed the young man a holy card of Our Lady of Guadalupe and told him to keep praying. A while later, she was able to talk with this man who was so saddened. He said that though the woman wanted to start a family someday, she did not want the baby because he was out of work and was trying to get his life in order. Anne told him not to blame himself, and offered him information on Rachel’s Hope. Please pray for this young man, “S.”
Roger spoke with two Caucasian women in their early 20s. He handed them a flyer and started telling them how the abortionist had been on probation for a total of nine years, and they interrupted, saying curtly, "We don't care." They handed back the flyer and drove into the lot, and walked quickly upstairs into FPA.
A short while later he talked to another two Caucasian women in their early 20ss who listened only briefly about the litigation history of the abortionist, then said, "OK, thank you" as they drove off, throwing the flyer out the window.
Roger then talked to a Hispanic couple in their mid-20s. The woman seemed too well dressed for coming to have an abortion, but she admitted they were considering one. They said they were referred here for medical reasons. He gave them a card to COLFS and advised them to get a second opinion, as doctors sometimes make referrals for abortions that are not necessary. They seemed not to be interested or concerned, and drove in and went up into the mill.
Anne spoke with an African-American couple who said they were just there for an ultrasound. However, the woman remained inside FPA for more than two hours. Anne also spoke with two more African-American women who were determined to get upstairs. One girl was only 16, and she acted concerned when Anne spoke to her about the abortionist, but quickly went upstairs to have the abortion. She did not want to discuss adoption as an option. The other girl quickly walked away when Anne tried to show her what her baby would look like.
Roger spoke with a Caucasian couple in their late 20s. He explained the litigation and probation history of the abortionist, and how they would not be told of all the risks and side effects of an abortion, especially the emotional trauma that would occur. The woman said they only came for a pregnancy test because their regular doctor was on vacation. He showed them a picture of a 6-week-old pre-born baby, as well as a rubber model of a 12-week-old pre-born baby, and told that, if they were considering an abortion, that they should be aware of how well developed pre-born babies were at this early stage. He told them that their unborn baby would be very dear to them, they just don't know it yet. The man nodded in agreement, saying that they have a son, and understand the love a parent has for a child.
Roger told them that FPA would probably try to talk them into an abortion, since that is what they do on Saturdays. He told them they should not patronize this place, because it would help keep the doors open for them to kill more babies. He advised them to see COLFS for a more competent exam by a doctor who cares about them. They thanked him, and parked for about 10 minutes before driving away.
Later in the morning, Roger spoke with two Hispanic women, one about 30 and the other in her mid-30s. He gave them a flyer on the doctor's history and told them of several women who had returned to FPA with bad side effects, including a woman who had a serious infection from fetal parts left inside her. The driver seemed shocked. He asked which one of the women was there for an abortion, and the older woman, who was driving, said she was. He showed her a picture of what her baby looks like at six weeks, and her eyes grew wide with surprise. He asked her if she had any children, and she replied that she had two. He told her she would love the child inside of her as much as her other children. He then gave her a rubber model of a 12-week-old pre-born. She held it, looking at it closely. He asked her if she was considering an abortion for financial reasons, and she nodded yes. He told her that money and jobs come and go, but family is the only thing she can rely on. He said, "Some day even your husband or boyfriend might be gone, and it will be your children who will be there for you. They are the ones that will pray for you on your grave when you are gone." She said somberly, "Yes, I know."
Roger told her to picture herself three or four years from now, with her newest child playing with her other children. He told her that if she went through with the abortion, there would always be a dark secret she would have to hide from her children, about how she killed their younger brother or sister. The woman was nodding in agreement, and her eyes were misty. Roger said, "I know you don't really want to do this. This may seem like a quick and easy solution to your problem, but it is only the start of a bigger problem. This will haunt you the rest of your life." He asked her if she was Catholic, and she said she was. Roger offered her a blue or pink Rosary, and she smiled, taking the pink one out of the bag and holding it. He told her, "Go home and hug your children, and thank God that you did not go through with this today." The woman nodded in agreement and said she would. Roger said, "Now drive away from here. Don't go in the parking lot. The devil is up there and he wants to draw you in. Leave now, I will be praying for you." He pointed out the prayer warriors and told her that they were all praying for her. She said she would leave, and drove forward, which is necessary before turning around. Roger watched in shock and disbelief as she slowed in front of FPA and found a parking space. A few minutes later, she and her friend walked up into the mill.
A Catholic priest arrived about five minutes later, and Roger asked him to pray for the woman, as they sometimes change their minds after going in. Her friend came out about 20 minutes later, but the woman remained inside. The priest remained past the time we normally leave, which is usually about 10:30 a.m. Roger, Anne, and most of the prayer warriors stayed later than normal because of this.
About 10:50, Roger walked through the parking lot to the other side of FPA's lot to tell Anne he was getting the car to pack up, and she lamented that there had been no saves that morning. As they were speaking, she spotted a couple ready to go upstairs. Roger left and Anne approached the couple. They both were startled and stopped as they heard about the horrible record of the doctor. The young woman looked ill, and left to get sick as Anne was talking with them. When she came back, Anne asked her how far along she was. She said, "8 weeks." Anne said she was experiencing morning sickness, and that was a good sign of a strong baby. The woman said they already had two children and never imagined they would come here, but she could not keep the baby. Anne said, “So you are a mommy!”
Anne told the woman how her own children were very close in age, and even though it was a hard time for a few years, it was all worth it. They went back to talking about the doctor and his record. Anne said she was worried about her, and implored them not to go upstairs. She gave them a COLFS card and told them they could get a free ultrasound there. They both left without going upstairs, but still seemed abortion intent. As they were leaving, Anne told the young man he needed to protect his wife. Anne had the feeling they would be calling COLFS, because they said this was the only day they could get an abortion, as he was being deployed.
When Anne called COLFS crisis line a short while later, the counselor said they did call, but would not come to COLFS because they wanted the abortion. Anne got their number and called them back. She told the husband that she felt bad that she sent them away, but was unable to help them out. He said his wife had already made up her mind. He handed his wife the phone, and Anne talked to this young mother openly about what she was about to do. Anne knelt down in front of some little flowers growing and thought of God’s work and how His creation is so beautiful and how this mother has a baby that God loves so much. She told this mother that she wanted to speak to her, heart-to-heart, as a sister.
Anne told her she must rise above the world at this moment and realize what she is about to do. She told her this baby needed her just as much as her other children. The woman said she knew the baby had a spine and a heartbeat, but she still did not want it. Anne asked her to really think about what she was saying. The woman told Anne she was separating from her husband and that she did not want three children. Anne told her this would make matters worse, and that her life would never be the same again. She told her when you do what is right, then things always work out for the better. They talked a little more and then she said “OK” and handed the phone to her husband. He told Anne they could not get to COLFS because they had a babysitter waiting. He finally told Anne they were going home.
Relived by this news, Anne was still skeptical that they may come back to FPA. She waited for a little while, and then left praying and thinking over all they had said. Just as Anne was about to enter her neighborhood, she received a call from the man. He said they were calling to thank her, and that they were going to try and work out their marriage. Anne told them she had never met anyone who regretted giving birth to her baby, but had met so many who regretted the abortion. He agreed. He said that his wife would remain in San Diego until the baby was born, and then move back to Kansas. Anne cried as they talked and she told them they were a beautiful couple, and she was so proud that they were doing the right thing. They promised to stay in touch and she told them she wanted to see their baby someday. They agreed it would happen. Please, please keep “M” and “C” in your prayers.
-- Anne and Roger
I prayed and picketed at abortion mills in New York years ago and I know how frustrating it can be to see these young girls entering the murder chamber to have their baby killed. We prayed and pleaded and sometimes a girl or even their boy friend would have a change of heart and keep their baby. I also have seen young girls who were mentally challenged being dragged into the murder clinic by their attendants. That always caused me so much grief! We continue to pray and offer reparation for these murders of the unborn and ask God to baptize them in the blood they have shed.May the Divine Mercy be in their souls!
Deacon John
