We were still on our way to American Family Planning this morning when I received a text message from Patrick at Summit. It read, “Pray for us. 17 in already.” When I later saw that American Family Planning was adequately covered, Alicia and I went over to join the forces at Summit. Mike was engaged in a long conversation with the young boyfriend of one of the mothers. Generally I don’t have much hope that these guys will do anything, but he and his girlfriend eventually did leave–with the baby still safe. I talked to a woman named Nicole. I was sure she was going to come back out–yet when she didn’t, before I left I put a note on her windshield. Sure enough, later in the day she did call to assure us that she hadn’t gone through with the abortion, and to timidly ask our help with a bill and with groceries.
Meanwhile, Alicia had gone back over to American Family Planning and eventually brought a Spanish-speaking mother whom she had met there over to breakfast with us at Rosita’s. Donna, too, brought a woman from AFP to our breakfast.
Finally, later in the afternoon Alicia received a call from a young woman named Mary. Mary cried over the phone, “Help me, please help me. Come pick me up.” Alicia told her she would consult with me then call her back. I had another Partner, Natalia call her–but when she did, the mother picked up the phone and did little more than express hostility towards us. I then remembered who they were. They had come to Summit later in the morning, an older woman leading the way down the sidewalk, a quiet teenager following along behind with her head bowed. But she did take the envelope from me, and apparently she kept it. I pray she will have the courage to try again to reach us.
