My students and two fellow teachers were present at the abortuary Friday morning. Since most of my students had never before been to an abortuary, I had intended to stay only long enough for a rosary. However, once there, we found it difficult to leave, as cars continued to pull in well after 9:00, when all appointments are expected to be in. Sidewalk counselors did have opportunities for extended conversations on a couple of occasions, and altogether about three women left within the first half hour.
When we finally broke away, we went to Detroit’s south side and set up ladders around two sides of M.C.’s house. I’ve asked my son to summarize what we did there:
When we got there, we got out the ladders and we put glazing around the sides of the windows to keep out the cold air. Then Senora Fachinni and some of the other students went out to buy some mulch to cover the flower beds. Meanwhile we cut the grass and Mr. Mabee trimmed the trees. We repainted the windows and scraped off the bad paint.
Then it was out to our favorite Mexican restaurant for a late lunch. While there, we received a call from a woman to whom we had spoken at the abortion mill. She had left the mill and wanted to make an appointment for an ultrasound. And so the students experienced the joy of a life saved.
