We live in a time when families are under attack like never before. It seems that the biblical family unit as God designed it in Eden is rarely modeled today. This, of course, is just as the Bible predicted: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17:26. In Noah’s day, families were under attack, too. “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Genesis 6:2. During this time when families all around were struggling, God asked Noah to build an ark and to raise a family that would demonstrate God’s plan for the family. While most of the antediluvian world refused God’s message of mercy, Noah had a united family who were saved from destruction. What a testimony—a testimony that God is calling us to exhibit to the world today! God has promised that, as in Noah’s day, there will be a family reformation again! “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5, 6. “One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached. Such a family gives evidence that the parents have been successful in following God’s directions, and that their children will serve Him in the church. Their influence grows; for as they impart, they receive to impart again.” Adventist Home, 32. More convincing than the millions of sermons that have been preached and will be preached is a family that reveals God’s working in their lives. While our homes may not be perfect, may we strive to allow God to make them that powerful testimony to the world!

Enjoying the newly completed cafeteria during the campmeeting

I received a special blessing in Brazil a couple of weeks ago as I had the privilege of sharing messages relating to how God wants to bring our homes back to His Eden ideal. SETI (an acronym for Espiritu Santo Evangelistic Training Institute) held a campmeeting with the theme of “Restoring the Family.” It was a blessing for me to be able to share principles from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy about revitalizing the marriage and seeking to have a home that models God’s design. We met with families who are striving to learn and follow God’s directions in their homes. It was also a blessing to see the newly remodeled cafeteria and dorm and the new lifestyle center that SETI has been completing. With these new facilities they will be able to touch even more people’s lives for Jesus. It was also a blessing to interact with the various students whom the Lord has brought to be trained for more effective service in His vineyard. Every year, a course is offered on the Bible and another course covers health. Some students come for both programs, while others join just the course of study that most interests them. As part of the mission training program, the students spend time reaching out to their rural agricultural community. On the Sabbath during the recent

The main campus at SETI (new facility on the right)

campmeeting, several of the students’ contacts came to the meetings and interacted with the staff, students and guests. With the nearly completed lifestyle center, the SETI team plans to broaden their outreach by ministering to those who would be blessed by staying in a residential lifestyle program. This will also enable SETI to provide a better training experience for the students enrolled in the health course. We praise God for how He is working in Brazil and for the privilege of sharing with the brethren there. If you would like to help the ongoing work of SETI, you can mark your donation: Brazil—SETI.

Yours in preparing for our heavenly home,