Precious Baby Gabriela
Scheduled to die Feb 19, 2003 ~ born Oct 10, 2003
Thanks be to God, Creator of us all

On February 19, 2003, during our second presence at one of Planned Parenthood’s numerous killing centers, Gabriela's mother chose birth for her. The mother, a young Spanish-speaking woman, had felt helpless before she encountered us on the sidewalk attempting to speak to her and to offer help. It was difficult to communicate with her, but because of our Christ-like demeanor (we maintain a prayerful and peaceful presence and strictly prohibit all forms of demonstration) she was able to see that we were there with love and that we desired to help her.

She had prayed that someone would help her because she truly wanted to have her baby, but before her encounter with us she did not know to whom she could turn for help. So going on the "advice" of the child’s father who had abandoned her and their child, she had made an appointment to terminate the life of her child that day. On her way to the killing center she turned her prayer for help into a prayer for forgiveness for what she was about to do - which she believed was a necessary evil. Through the grace of God she found out before it was too late that it was not necessary after all, and God snatched her and her child away from "Planned Victimization" - from those who had told her that her unborn child was a blob of tissue.

It wasn’t long before she cheerfully and confidently found herself being escorted to a pregnancy help center. (Various organizations provide the assistance that sidewalk counselors offer to these mothers. At the forefront of these resources are local pregnancy help centers and Gabriel Projects.)

I wish you could have seen the joy on this young mother’s face or could have heard the joy in her voice as she related to us that she truly wanted to have her baby and how grateful she was for all the help being offered to her in answer to her prayers. As I drove her home that afternoon, I told her she would sleep like a baby that night - without pressure and fear - unlike what the previous night must have been for her. With a sweet smile and peace-filled heart, she concurred.

I hope this story conveys the message that Sidewalk Counseling is an important part of the pro-life movement. Our presence is one of contradiction to Planned Parenthood and all of the other child-killing organizations.

Earlier that same day a nasty woman told us that we were doing a disservice to the women who came there. She was speaking out of ignorance. If anyone tells you that Sidewalk Counselors do a disservice to women, share the fact that you know otherwise.

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. (Mt 25:40,45)

Children Deserve Birth Advocate