In 2019, the Cruz Family lost their home. Brother Cruz Sr. shared, “I sent my son, my daughter-in-law, and my two grand-daughters away to Virginia. I told them before they left, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll catch up.” I ended up being homeless and I lost everything I owned.”

“One night while homeless, I said to the Lord “If you want me, come get me. Otherwise, I am jumping in front of a bus at 9pm.” At 8:30pm that night, a man came up to me and asked me about what I was doing. I shared with him my plan. As we were talking he told me things that comforted me and told me he would miss me.”

“After talking so long, I looked up and saw that the 9pm bus had just zoomed by. I took this as an answer to my prayers and asked the Lord: “Tell me where to go and I’ll do it.” He led me to the Anaheim, California 4th ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

“After a while of going to the church, the members said they wanted to help me. The bishop asked what could they do and I asked for a one-way ticket to Jonesville, VA. My first missionaries and the bishop said goodbye and sent me off from Santa Ana, CA to Jonesville, VA. When I got to Jonesville, I met back up with my family and said “I told you I would catch up”. I kept going to church in the Powell Valley Ward and got baptized December 27, 2019.”

Brother Cruz Sr’s powerful testimony has had a huge impact on the rest of his family. Teaching Mia has been a special experience. As she read the Children’s Book of Mormon we had gospel discussions about the scripture stories found in its pages. Brother Cruz Sr. would tell his grand-daughters how much the gospel meant to him and how much it changed his life.

Mia was baptized by her grandfather on April 21, 2024. Now every first Sunday of the month during Fast and Testimony Meeting, Brother Cruz Sr brings his two granddaughters up to the pulpit with him to all bear their testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

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