While in Mexico City for a personal pilgrimage, I wanted to meet our local leaders. Lourdes, one of our Program Leaders, kindly offered to take me to lunch with her husband and co-leader, Hugo, and their sweet baby girl. After lunch, we went to the local Marie Stopes abortion facility to pray together outside. Hugo was able to speak to several individuals that were either coming from or going into the facility. There were two encounters that really tugged on my heartstrings.
During our time on the sidewalk, a car pulled up to drop off a couple. Hugo approached them as they headed towards the facility and was able to engage them in conversation. The couple kept looking at one another and looking down. I could see them thinking and the apprehension on their faces. After talking to Hugo, they walked across the street to converse together. The girl’s face was cold and flat, yet she appeared to be intently listening to her companion. He seemed torn about keeping their appointment.
Shortly thereafter, a young woman in her early 20s came out of the abortion facility wearing baggy sweatpants, and she walked slowly across the street to where a young man was waiting for her. She looked guarded, like she was holding back emotion. They casually embraced and began walking and talking together, slowly moving towards the street corner.
I felt compelled to talk to the girl and asked Hugo if we could approach them together. The two were open to listening to Hugo. I stood by and could not understand much of what was being said, but I could read the girl’s body language. Her eyes looked teary as she tried to keep her composure. At a certain point I asked Hugo if he would translate for me. I told the girl I cared about her, and that I was concerned about her. I wanted to make sure that she was okay. Then I looked at the young man and inquired about whether he was her relative, friend, or boyfriend. He shook his head no, shrugged his shoulders, and looking down, he said, “I am no one.”
I am not sure exactly what he meant by those lonely words. All I knew is that my heart was breaking for that girl. I looked at her with deep sincerity as Hugo translated my message. The girl politely said she was fine and they did not need anything, and so we departed.
In our last moments there, Hugo ran across the street one more time to the other couple, who was still there, and he offered his phone number before we packed up to leave.
As we drove away, my heart was aching. We prayed intently for these two couples and that God’s will be done. Oftentimes we don’t know the end of the stories in which we play a part on the sidewalk. We simply move forward in faith that a loving and merciful Christ will continue to walk with those we meet and for whom we still pray.
By SAFL Assistant Director of Programs Elizabeth Harris