God’s Work
2025/11/22
I didn’t want to go to Goodwill and drop off the bin of toys (because it was disorganized). I eventually did. When I got out of the car, the employee said “Are you Orthodox??” I said yes and he said “I’ve been looking into Orthodoxy. There’s a church nearby (St Rebekah) but the times don’t really work with my work schedule.” I told him on Monday we have a liturgy at 6-8am (before work) and he’s welcome to come. He came. That’s on 11/24/2025 - the Feast of the Great Martyr St. Aba Mina. His name is Jael.
2025/12/03 Update
I met with Jael in the Church and he told me that a few days after he attended liturgy on St Mina's feast, one of the congregants came to Goodwill to drop things off. And she asked him "do you speak Arabic?" - "no" - "did you go to St Rebekah a few days ago??" he said yes and she said "you should keep going there." - He was taken aback by the love showed by her. He was surprised that he would be remembered... after all, he didn't remember anyone from that day.
He also told me that before I went to him at Goodwill, someone else from the congregation had gone by and had dropped off a picture of St Rebekah. Instead of sending it to the warehouse, Jael took it and hung it in the office at Goodwill.
Clearly, the Lord (through the prayers of St Rebekah) has been guiding him and making his path clear to St Rebekah COC.
2025/11/23
At Gyu-Kaku with Lisa, and the waitress said “You’re dressed different” so I said “I’m a priest in the Orthodox Church” - her demeanor softened and she smiled. “I’ve been having a really rough day and when I saw you come in, it felt like God was sending me a sign and telling me it’s okay and I am with you”
At the end of the meal she asked if she could hug me and we did. I left her with my phone number and told her Jesus loves you, call or text me if you need anything - even just to talk. Her name is Thao.
2025/12/02
Driving late to my parents' house. At the traffic light on Balcombe a youth is run off the road. He pulls into the lot behind Sedanos and I go to check on him. He's very shaken up and disoriented. Never had a close call like that before. I gave him a hug and helped him catch his breath.
He said it's good luck and I said "I call it God's grace" he asked and mentioned a few times that I'm a priest. He's Hindu... But knows what priests are? Interesting. He works at Five Below. We called his parents and they came to get him. They asked what church I'm from and I told them. As I was leaving he asked my name.
May the Lord be glorified.
2025/12/03
Went to liturgy in St Mary & Archangel Michael today. There was a guy named Drew who couldn't find the church (it was downstairs that day). I was the first one he met.... it was an Arabic liturgy with two visiting priests from Egypt. I prayed in English, naturally. I believe the Lord arranged for me to be there on the day he went (or for him to go on the day I went).