The Words of the LeRoy Family
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The Words of the LeRoy Family |
Favorite movie and favorite book.
My favorite movie is "Joan of Arc" with Leelee Sobieski made in 1999. For a favorite book, I was fascinated by Mark Twain's book: "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by Sieur Louis de Conte" who is identified as Joan's page and secretary.
Most admired person:
After Rev. Sun Myung Moon, Hyung Jin Nim, and now especially In Jin Nim; I think it is Ronald Reagan who was not afraid to declare his faith and bring God back in the oval office. I also love John Wayne!
Biggest influence in my life:
My three wonderful children, whom I love dearly, have had, and are still having a great and positive influence on my life. My wife's dedication to our community is also something admirable.
Hobby:
My hobby is marketing communication and graphic design. I believe strongly in visual communication. A picture does speak a thousand words. But I also like gardening and I have considered studying landscape architecture.
Favorite quote:
"Chance favors the prepared mind". I don't believe in pure miracles. There is always "a reason behind the season."
Nicest place visited?
Externally, it may be the Niagara Falls which I visited with my parents in the summer 2008. But in 2006, I was blessed to be able to go back to my original hometown in Congo Brazzaville, West-Africa and went to pray in a church called "Sainte Anne du Congo". It is where I was baptized over 45 years ago.
Why?
For the Niagara Falls, it is because I love Nature and I am a "water sign". For Africa, it is my birth-place. Even though I was raised up in France, my parents separated quite early in my life so I never really felt home at home. But when I landed in Africa during the 3rd World Tour sponsored by UPF, I really felt that I had come full circle and was finally at home with my people.
How did you come to your faith?
Raised up Catholic but with divorced parents, I always had many questions about life that nobody could answer. In March 1984 in France, for my 20th birthday, I remember making a clear statement, as if God was right in front of me. I said: "Dear God, I truly do not understand. You have given us the Bible and sent great teachers throughout history, but people are still fighting. There must be something else, some kind of "Principles" that could help people love and understand each other better…" And you know what? Exactly six month later I discovered the Divine Principle and "True" Parents while traveling in the Bay Area.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like people to know that it is worth persevering through challenges and difficulties. I realized that God truly exists and that He knows and love each one of us very much and in a very personal way. Yes we need True Parents. Yes we need Jesus. But the purpose of their coming is to help us re-connect to God. My Faith transformed my life and I hope that more people will be able to gain that kind of Faith that can and does move mountains.
What do most people not know about you that may be a surprise?
I am actually very shy!
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I would like to work closely with the True Children.
If you were suddenly given $1m what would you do with it?
I would make a down-payment to purchase a bigger Church and a property that we could use such as our own campsite.
What do you like most about BAFC [Bay Area Family Church]?
I call it the "Heartquarters" of the American Church. In the East-Coast they have the Headquarters, but this Movement needs more love and a new energy. We have a great community in the Bay Area and many wonderful brothers and sisters. Let us all truly support In Jin Nim and create Lovin' Life West!
What suggestion do you have for improvement?
I think we still need some kind of revival. We could all do much better. First, let's really and sincerely pray for each other. I would also like to encourage everyone to also find ways to volunteer more, therefore tithing some time, either weekly or monthly. Let's get to know each other better and bridge the gap between the different Blessing generations.