I have to go back two weeks in order to bring us up to date. Last Saturday at American Family Planning was an extraordinary day. It began with our arriving to find, at about 7:50, a group of clients already waiting at the abortuary door. But we were also happy to see that three friends from Ann Arbor, Sandy, Barbara and Ann, were also there at the door, praying for the mothers. We didn’t even have time to put on hats and gloves before we jumped into the sidewalk counseling; and over the next hour and half we remained steadily busy, talking to a steady stream of clients coming and going. Alicia was especially in demand, because at least half of the clients were Spanish speaking–which was odd because, largely, there have not been many Hispanic customers there this winter. All in all, somewhere between 8 and 10 mothers went in for abortion appointments; when we left, only one remained.
Our friend Chris kept his vigil at American Family Planning throughout the week and reports that the abortionist did not come in at all. He did come yesterday, when we were there. Two mothers apparently went in for appointments, though Alicia was sure that she saw one of them eating in her car before she went in. Neither mother was receptive; one even threatened to “blow [my] g… d….. head off.” One more thing to offer up this Lent.
If you read back a couple of entries, you will see an entry about a woman named Jewel who was turned away from Summit abortuary. She is now housed in Guadalupe House II. She has no car and is completely new to the Ypsilanti area; if anyone , then, would be willing to visit with her or give her rides, please contact us.
We also helped Rita move into a new place. Last night we took beds to her and saw the house she is renting. The landlord has promised to give her rent reductions for any work she does, so we have made tentative plans to help her with painting.
Maria visited with us for about a half hour at La Rosita restaurant. An adult son and daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend, are all living in the same house. All are working, yet Maria is being given the bulk of the financial responsibility. She showed us a utility bill–in her name–for over $2,000. We gave her money to help with the rent, but I said nothing about the utility bill. I did ask Maria to sign an agreement that she and her little girls would come out to Ypsilanti if we were able to find her a place. She signed.
It was Maria’s daughter whom we saw at the abortion mill last week, and it was Maria who got on the phone and told her daughter to go home. Maria herself was one of our first turn-aways at American Family Planning.
