Misdialed call connects woman who had scheduled an abortion to pro-life help

Indianapolis, Ind., Mar 10, 2010 / 04:23 am

An Indiana woman who inadvertently dialed a pro-life group instead of a Planned Parenthood clinic about her appointment for an abortion instead found the support she needed to decide to bring her child to term.

The story was recounted in a March 9 report from David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life.

A young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana, named as “Erin,” had sent her children to school and childcare at a friend’s house when she noticed she was late for her abortion appointment at Planned Parenthood.

Though she thought she was calling Planned Parenthood to see if she could still have the abortion, she misdialed the number and instead called the cell phone of 40 Days for Life Indianapolis.

Joseph, the man who answered her call, tried to calm the woman. He took her name and number and said that a counselor would call her back.

The counselor, Elizabeth, called back and begged her not to hang up. She told Erin she had not reached Planned Parenthood and asked if she was a Christian.

When Erin said she was, Elizabeth told her God’s grace was at work in the “wrong number,” 40 Days for Life reports.

Erin explained that desperation had led her to the abortion center. She already had four children and their father was in jail. She had lost her job, her electricity was about to be shut off and she lacked rent money.

Elizabeth spread news about Erin’s situation to other pro-lifers. One volunteer offered to pay her electric bill, while ten others pooled their cash to pay her rent.

A local group is now working with Erin to help her find a job.

“She has a lot of potential,” Eileen said, “but needs support since her mother and sister are still encouraging her to abort the baby.”

Erin has reportedly reacted with “joy and disbelief” at the strangers’ help. She has called Planned Parenthood to cancel her appointment and to request a refund.

“God does work in mysterious ways. There are no coincidences … and in this case, no wrong numbers!” 40 Days for Life director David Bereit said in a statement.

The 40 Days for Life campaign is dedicated to prayerful pro-life witness and advocacy outside abortion clinics. Its website is http://www.40DaysForLife.com.