June 5, 2011
by John Ryan
On Saturday morning, May 29th I joined a small remnant of Christians on the sidewalk in front of Planned Barrenhood in St. Louis. Arriving at 6:30, I was able to speak to almost all of the parents and even grandparents who arrived that day to have their children/grandchildren killed. An abortion mill is an AWFUL place. It was heartbreaking and quite frankly infuriating to watch all those parents AND GRANDPARENTS going into that mill at 7, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 and coming out 2 hours later minus one family members. Some took our literature, a few exchanged words, but we knew of no one who changed their minds that day. Later, as they came out, some of the mothers were extremely pale. One was white as a ghost. She could barely walk. The father of her baby had to support her every step of the way as she shuffled across the parking lot. Another mother broke out in tears. A couple of the fathers were defiant to the end cursing those of us who were there to try to prevent this horror. This day was a particularly difficult one and had me wondering if my efforts even made a difference.
At 2:00 a woman suddenly appeared in front of me walking off the parking lot and on to the sidewalk. She caught me by surprise. Usually by that time the only people coming out are employees. She asked where the bus stop was. Without thinking I asked her if she had an abortion. She said no, it is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:45 in the morning. She showed me the appointment slip. It was chilling. Three human beings on that sidewalk, and one who's death is scheduled for the following Wednesday.
There is nothing extraordinary about "sidewalk counseling". It's conversation with the goal of saving a child's life and her parents from a lifetime of regret. But knowing that a child's life hung in the balance certainly weighed heavily on the conversation. Nonetheless it is a conversation. Something we all know how to do. One person reaching out to another person in need.
Fortunately I was able to engage her in conversation. She said her name was Shane'. I asked how old her baby was. She said 7 weeks old but cringed when I asked if she looked at the ultrasound (abortionists in Missouri are required by law to offer one) stating she didn't want to see "it". She said they made her pay $130 that day (to avoid coercion it's a class B felony for and abortionist to charge a mother within the first 24 hours of the initial appointment). Her dilemma she noted is that she still had to come up with $185 for the abortion (It seems $315 is the bounty for a 7 week old child these days.). I told her we would help with whatever she REALLY needs. I gave her a brochure for Thrive of St. Louis (a Christian counseling agency supporting mothers and children). Not wanting to lose our connection I asked if I could have her number and have Mary Maschmeier of Defenders of the Unborn speak with her. She gave me the number and I put it in my cell. I called Mary who agreed to call her. Shane' called a couple other times over the weekend. Anxious to connect with Mary, still seeking the abortion. They spoke on Sunday and Shane' finally agreed to meet with Mary the day after Memorial Day. Mary cautioned me that Shane' remained very much abortion-minded. I sent texts to everyone in my cell phone and e-mailed my Knights of Columbus Council and ACTS brothers asking all to FLOOD Heaven with prayers and fasting that God will intervene, use Mary as His instrument and turn Shane's heart.
Mary met with Shane' that Tuesday morning (the Feast of the Visitation) at a Steak and Shake in north St. Louis county. Shane' said she lived with her aunt who told her she would kick her out if she didn't have the abortion. She worried out loud that she didn't know how to raise a child. Mary reassured and supported her. At one point Mary showed Shane' developmental pictures of pre-born children, pointing out the 8 week old child in particular. She also showed her pictures of aborted children. She asked if Shane' believed in God and Shane' volunteered "Thou shalt not kill"? She told Shane' that we would be there for her. Later Shane' said she was afraid of the pain of childbirth- finally an indication she was now thinking about her child's birth. It was a tense conversation. Mary offered Shane' whatever help she REALLY needed just as I promised her but insisted she call Planned Barrenhood right then and there to cancel the abortion. By the grace of God, she did!
And so the next morning, just 45 minutes before Shane's baby's previously scheduled execution, there was a meeting with a pro-life doctor who agreed to come in before hours to see Shane'. Mary called afterwards and described the meeting. She said she remained in the waiting room. Finally, Shane' came out, and proudly showed Mary a picture of her baby and confirmed she was going to "have my baby". As Mary described that joyous moment the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I could breathe again. Mary had already arranged with Our Lady's Inn to provide shelter and support for Shane' (It's noteworthy that Our Lady's Inn, a local home for pregnant moms, was conceived in the back of a University City paddy wagon during a pro-life Rescue in the early 80's)
The first step in rescuing such children and their parents from abortion is to be there. The Holy Spirit does the rest. All Christians and those of good will belong on the front lines. If in doubt, ask yourself what would have happened if Shane' came out to an empty sidewalk that Saturday? Then come and do your part to fill that sidewalk with the loving presence of Christ.
Yes an abortion mill is an awful place. But even more awful is that those coming to have their children killed continue to outnumber those of us who know better: the Catholics and other Christians of Missouri. Those of us who would claim that abortion is murder. If each person reading this decided to go to that awful place for a couple of hours at least once a month, what a difference we could make. Witnessing. Praying. And who knows, perhaps engaging in a conversation on the sidewalk with a young mother (or father, or grandparent) that just might save another child and her parents from the horror of abortion. If not US...who? If not NOW...when?
