Two of the Guadalupe Partners last Friday took a young Hispanic woman for an ultrasound and counseling. The baby was very young, so the ultrasound was unrevealing; nevertheless, the woman remains in contact with us and is resolved in her decision to protect and nurture her child. On Saturday we formed a little caravan around the city. My 270, 000 miles automobile led the way, hauling a trailer full of furniture. We took a couch to one mother, a bed to another, a dresser to a third, groceries to a fourth. A fifth mother received some uniform clothing so her older kids could start attending school.
One of the bigger projects of the week involves a sixth mother, whom I will call Julie. Julie lives in a state of virtual sexual bondage; we tried a year ago to remove her from the reach of the man, but unfortunately an emotional dependency can develop even in the most twisted circumstances. She was back in the same house, by her own volition, about three days after she had moved out. Now she is determined to leave, and wants to remove herself to a distance of more than 600 miles. She has called us for help.
I think we have received only one donation since August 10. We are running on reserves, and will probably be dry in about two more weeks.
