As I listened to Dr. King with my missionary colleagues, Sr. Ann Okwegi and Sr. Racheal Ulor of the Messengers of Justice (MOJ), I was reminded that respect for human life must continue from beginning to end. Dr. King powerfully recounted how her grandfather dissuaded her from having a second abortion by affirming the rights and dignity of her unborn child against the lies of Planned Parenthood.
Like Alveda King’s grandfather, HEAL affirms the rights and dignity of poor and marginalized orphans, widows, and rural villagers. In our providing for basic needs and educating the minds and hearts of 300 children in the spirituality of Self-Emptying (cf. Phil 2:6-11), we manifest the principle of choosing life.
And, although the law in Nigeria protects the unborn child, abortion still happens in secret. Sr. Ann shared with Dr. King how girls who get pregnant by immature young men often have their abortions paid for or forced upon them. So, while the law may support the choosing of life, it doesn’t guarantee it.
On this Thanksgiving Day, let us give thanks to God for the life he chose to give each one of us that we may continue to choose it for ourselves and those we love among our family, friends, and even enemies!
Happy Thanksgiving!