Interesting story

Sister Porphyria, who spent a decade (1997–2007) as a taxi driver in Athens and Piraeus, shares her story: “My shift was at night, starting at 11 PM. I was driving up Piraeus Street towards Omonia. As usual, I was talking with my sweet Jesus. Spontaneously, I said to Christ in my heart: • The first person who signals me to stop, I’ll take them without charging, as long as I can bring them closer to You. No one stopped me until I reached Piraeus and Menandrou streets. There, on the corner, a young woman stood. I stopped and looked at her. She was waiting for a client, trying to earn her living. Without thinking much, I got out of the car and approached her. • Good evening! • Good evening! she replied. • You know, I feel a lot of pain in my soul right now, and I want someone to share it with. She looked at me, puzzled, and said: • Really? And you chose me to talk to? • Yes! My heart tells me that you’ll understand me… • Do you know what I do for a living? • I can see. • And you still want to talk to me? • Yes, I want to talk to you. What if we both lose tonight’s earnings? Maybe you can help me, and I can be saved… • Let’s go, she said hesitantly. • Okay, let’s go! She glanced around and quickly got into the taxi. I was happy but also concerned—what should I tell her? I prayed inwardly, “Lord, come down and help me. What do I do now? What do I say to her?” After introducing ourselves, I said: • The jobs we’ve chosen are tough, aren’t they? This started a pleasant conversation. Initially, we talked about the challenges of being a taxi driver, and gradually, I began exploring her life. When we reached Kavouri, I said: • Shall we stop here for coffee and continue our conversation? She replied with something that moved me deeply: • Aren’t you embarrassed to go in with me? Her attire and overall appearance were different from mine. I said: • No, I’m not embarrassed! Those who brought you to this state should be ashamed. To me, you’re a sweet and tender child of God! We went inside, and everyone stared at us. I didn’t care about their looks or the bruises on her legs. That moment was sacred to me. I had to help this girl at all costs, with God’s help. I felt as though I wasn’t the one speaking—it was Someone else within me! It was the Lord driving me to assist her. She told me her life story, from childhood to the present, and how she ended up in her line of work—a painful and soul-crushing profession. It strips away your personality, dignity, and humanity, leaving you to live according to the desires of others. You become a servant of the devil, not God. Hearing this for the first time that night pierced my heart like a sword. Her confession caused me such deep pain, unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my life. I began speaking to her about Christ and the profound joy He brings when we draw close to Him. I spoke of our Holy Mother and her sweet, tender, protective love for her children. I told her about the miracles of our saints, the ones I had witnessed while driving my taxi, and many others who experienced God’s wonders. I urged her to change her life, letting my tears flow incessantly as I held her hands tenderly. Finally, exhausted from crying, I said: • It’s time to go. I paid for our coffee, and we left. When we reached the taxi, I received a touching surprise. She came close to me and said: • Can I hug you? • Of course, you can! She hugged me and then burst into sobs. Through her tears, she said: • Help me, help me! God sent you! Help me change my life; I’m tired of doing this work! I’m very young, yet I feel like I’m 100 years old. Help me start anew, to have a family and children. Please, take me to Christ and tell Him to give me the joy He has given you. I want to be as happy as you are. I promised to help her. I hosted her in my home for a month—a challenging and dangerous month for me because these women often have “protectors.” My life was threatened a few times. However, I was confident that God wouldn’t allow harm to come to me. On the contrary, He would help me save this girl because He had sent me to her path. And that’s exactly what happened. From that night on, her life completely transformed. Today, she’s married, happy, has two children, and lives close to Christ. That night was blessed; it was divine!”