The Latina and the Drunk: A Dangerous Block and a Sudden Confrontation
- awake and arise
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
By Daniel Ferris
A Dangerous Block and a Sudden Confrontation
Imagine being outnumbered nine to one in one of the rougher neighborhoods in New York City. You aren’t a police officer, you aren’t armed, and you’re facing a group of drunk men—each with a bottle—and a young girl screaming for help. In that split second, I didn't have a plan. Not until the Lord inspired me on exactly what to do.
The Math of the Street
My companion and I were serving as missionaries in the Bronx. In New York, things can get dangerous fast. We were walking through a Spanish-speaking neighborhood when three older teenagers—two girls and a young man—passed us while we were speaking with someone in the street. A minute later, we turned and went in the same direction that the teens had gone.
At the end of the block, as we rounded the corner, we came upon a strange situation. Outside a bodega, a small Latin store, about nine men were sitting against the wall, drinking from bottles. One of them had grabbed one of the girls who had passed us. He was groping her and trying to force a kiss, while she fought and screamed. His hands were all over her. The most chilling part? The other men weren't stopping him. They were laughing and pointing.
In New York, people often look the other way when a crime happens. I did not even consider not trying to help. But I also knew the math: two missionaries versus nine angry men with glass bottles. All they had to do was break the bottles and attack us. One wrong move and we’d be the next morning's headline in the New York Times.
The Moment That Changed Everything. Miracle: An Unexpected Authority
As I surveyed the situation, it came to me in a moment of inspiration exactly how to handle it. Think about it for a second, what would you do? How could you rescue the girl without anyone, including the girl, being harmed? It is a tricky situation, and remember, we are missionaries.
I walked right up to the girl as she screamed and struggled. I looked at the girl and asked calmly, "Do you know this man?" Through her screams, she made it clear she didn’t. I then spoke calmly to the attacker and said firmly, "Okay, buddy, let’s see some ID." I gestured for him to hand it over.
He froze. He looked at me, still holding the girl, and asked me in slurred speech: "Are you a cop?"
I didn't answer his question. Instead, I leaned in until my face was just inches from his. With every ounce of strength in my lungs, I roared:
"I said I want to see your ID, and I want to see it NOW!"
The sheer volume and the "authority" of that stance shocked him; his eyes widened. He let go. The girl bolted and never looked back. The man was disoriented and started fumbling through his clothes until he pulled out his ID and held it to me. I didn't touch it. I didn't even look at it. I just pointed at him and said, "Now, don’t lose it." Then, we turned and walked away.
Reflections of Faith: Guided in the Desperate Moments
It is hard to describe the feeling of knowing exactly what to do in a dangerous moment. If I had handled that with fear or hesitation, or with anger and violence, the outcome could have been tragic. I believe the Lord knew exactly how to save that girl with the least amount of danger to us. It was a miracle for the girl that God sent two missionaries, and an awesome moment of inspiration for us.
As we read in the Scriptures:
"The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways." — Deuteronomy 28:7
This biblical promise of protection and authority over fear manifested perfectly on that street corner. And the Book of Mormon reinforces this truth about how the Lord provides deliverance in times of sudden peril:
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them." — 1 Nephi 3:7
I spent almost two years in New York, and I loved it—but without daily guidance from the Lord, I don't know how I would have made it through. Finding God was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I promise you that He is real and will answer your prayers.
What About You? Have You Faced a Crisis with Faith?
God provides inspiration exactly when we need it most. If we pray and seek His help, He will bless us. Sometimes He grants us the words to say; other times, He gives us the courage to stand firm when the math is against us. Daniel Ferris shares this testimony to remind you that the Lord will prepare a way for you in your darkest or most desperate moments.
We want to hear from you! Have you ever experienced a moment where sudden inspiration or divine protection helped you through a dangerous situation? Share your story with us in the comments or send us an email (awakeandarise.danielferris@gmail.com). Your testimony could be the light someone else needs today.
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