God Works in Mysterious Ways

One chilly morning in September, I stopped to get gas at a Chevron station, and after filling up, I thought to get a cup of hot coffee inside the store to warm up. To make a long story short, I locked myself out, forgetting the keys and my cell phone inside the van. I had no choice but to get help from the clerks inside, and that’s how I met Leandra, one of the clerks on duty. She helped me call for a locksmith and while waiting, and we ended up talking about her family and children and how they are doing in school.

Many weeks passed by and something always kept telling me to re-contact her, stopping by her station and saying hello once in a while. (By the way, their gas prices are some of the lowest in town). In November, Leandra’s family was able to come and attend the FEEF Dining Etiquette dinner and met everyone there and received a Thanksgiving turkey. A few weeks later, we had a chance to meet again and Leandra brought the children Carlos (12), Elizabeth (8), and her older 25-year-old son, who gave a wonderful prayer over dinner. She shared about her life and expressed how she wanted to be more involved with the church and raise her children within the faith community, but one challenge was doing that with her husband’s participation.

On Monday, December 12, her husband agreed to come with the family and we arranged to have dinner at our home. Rev. and Mrs. John Arias’s family and Baltazar came to support and embrace their family. Little Joyanna had a great time with Elizabeth playing in the living room while the parents talked over dinner. The evening ended with the girls singing the ABC’s and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” karaoke-style. After Leandra’s family left, we prayed and Rev. Arias shared what they had talked about, including the importance of including God in their family life and studying Divine Principle. Heaven was able to work and inspire them to agree to plan to start coming to church from this Sunday’s Spanish Service.

With everyone’s prayers and support centered on Rev. and Mrs. Doo and Rev. Arias, we can help bring one more family closer to Heavenly Parents and True Parents. Truly, to be able to reach one family at a time, takes our whole Unificationist village’s love and support. …

Thank you to all brothers and sisters for your hard work!

It is humbling to have this great blessing and responsibility to participate in Heavenly Parent’s and True Parents’ great work of restoration.

This is an abridged version of a story first posted on the Las Vegas Family Church website at cafedaum.net/lvfc.