An OA story for you, fresh off of your Doable Evangelism seminar (in Burlingame, CA).

Where I live, there are people asking for money on every corner, but rarely after dark. As I was pulling out of the Target parking lot at 9:45pm, I caught a glimpse of a person at the corner with a cardboard sign. Normally, I would keep driving (as I am 22, female and alone at night). There was something different about this woman. I noticed her. I had to go back.

U-Turn. I pulled up to her, slowed down and read her sign: “Leaving abuser. $16 short for bus.” I leaned out my window and handed her a $5 bill. She said thank you. I could not bring myself to leave. As we made eye contact, tears rolled down my face. I apologized for not having more. When I asked if there was anything else I could do, she said, “Pray.” She didn’t want me to take her to a shelter. I drove away with a heavy heart. Then I remembered the $20 bill in my wallet. My parents gave it to me as I was leaving their house. They wanted to take care of me, but who was taking care of the woman on the corner?

U-Turn #2 “But wait,” I thought to myself, “everything the woman said didn’t quite match up. Or maybe it matched up too well. Maybe she was lying. She sure did make up a good story. I can’t give her money.”

U-Turn #3 As I pulled up outside my apartment, I thought, “Is the possibility that she is lying worth the risk that she might not be safe tonight? Do I need $20 so badly that I am willing to risk her life?”

U-Turn #4 I pulled back up to the corner where she was before, but I didn’t see her. As I was turning to leave, there she was, walking right next to my car. I slammed on my brakes. I gave her the money. We talked. Hopefully, she is on her way to Nevada right now. Hopefully she will be safe tonight. Hopefully he won’t find her.

Diane, wherever you are, be safe. Please. Be safe.

–Erin