5 /5 Jenifer Canter: This Church is wonderful and full of God loving Christians! My story: While driving home to Mariposa from Merced on a stormy Thursday night, I almost hit a little dog on the Hwy 140 overpass. I stopped the car and took him in. I was hesitant to take him to the shelter bc after 3days he could be put down so I resolved to find his family. I posted his photo and my number all over FB and he and I drove back to Merced each day to search for someone who might recognize him. It was 5pm on Sunday evening and I was despairing bc I would have to go to work the next day and I could not keep the little dog at my home bc I have 3 big dogs who are not friendly to others, the little dog had been staying with my grandmother but she couldnt house him any longer. I was at a loss of what to do and speaking out loud to God for guidance when a driver came up close behind me. I had to pull off for him to pass and I headed down to the end of the rd cul de sac to turn around. There on the right hand side I heard joyous singing and saw that a church seemed to be in service. I approached and two young women kindly invited me in. I explained that I had this dog and just wanted to ask the congregation if anybody recognized him. They informed me that service went till 7pm but that their pastor was an animal lover and that I should speak with him. As the girls and I spoke, a kind woman with a small child came to my aid and listen to my story which I was now telling thru small sobs and as the woman and I spoke a man came and patiently listened to my story. The man, Salvador allowed me to leave the dog in his care saying that he would speak to his congregation about keeping the dog until we were able to find its owner. I left the church with a heart full of thanks, thanks to the church for being so kind and open and thanks to our Lord for bringing me to the place I needed to be.
Salvador did all that he could but he wasnt able to find a family who could house the dog for the week while I was at work in Mariposa. He said they would keep him at the church thru the night but that I would need to pick the dog up the next day, Monday. I told him that I understood and that I would be there at 5:45pm. I drove that drive from the mountains to the valley with a heavy heart. Praying to our Lord for guidance. Why was this little dog put in my care and please help me find his mommy? When I arrived at the church I was met by a happy sight. The little dog was off the leash and was running around, playing, and jumping on four males in the open yard. I was saddened bc I would have to take him from this happy scene and exchange it for a cold waiting cell at the animal shelter. As I approached, one of the teens, Daniel greeted me and asked if this was my dog. I said no, but that I was there to take him and as I began to tell my story the youth pastor, Nathan, came to give me witness. As I was speaking to Nathan I saw Daniel pull out his cell phone and I heard him say, "I have him right here, Grandma." As he hung up the phone I asked in hopeful disbelieving if he knew this dog. He said yes, that the dog belonged to his grandmother who had been missing him since the storm on Thursday. God is great! There is no such thing as coincidence and this church is beautiful!
