To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, July 2.

By Andrew McChesney

On a Sunday, Anabelle tearfully fled her home and distraughtly wandered the streets of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Her marriage was in ruins, and there was no peace at home. Constant conflict with her husband was affecting their two daughters, and she couldn’t take it anymore. Divorce seemed to be the only way out.

As Anabelle aimlessly walked up and down the streets, she suddenly remembered that she had heard somewhere that Seventh-day Adventists offer a program for spiritual healing. Her family belonged to another church, but at that moment she decided to seek help at the local Adventist church.

At the church, the pastor listened patiently as Anabelle, with tears of despair, spoke of her disappointment in marriage and described her many problems at home. When she finished, he offered to pray for her and her family.

“Only Jesus can save your marriage,” he said.

After praying, he promised to visit her home.

The next day, he arrived at the front door and offered to counsel the family. Anabelle’s husband agreed to counseling, and Anabelle called their two daughters to join them. They began their first family counseling session with prayer.

“Dear God,” Anabelle prayed, “please bring changes to our home.”

At the pastor’s instructions, the family opened their Bibles and began a Bible study.

Anabelle shed many tears during the first session. She felt powerless. She knew that she should surrender completely to God. But, as she listened to her husband speak, hot words flashed into her mind. It seemed like an impossible situation.

Later that week, the pastor returned to study the Bible and to provide more counseling. He prayed with the family and encouraged Anabelle and her husband to leave the past behind and move on. He advised them to be patient and tolerant.

“Dear God,” Anabelle prayed, “please bring changes to our home.”

When the family counseling sessions ended, one of the daughters declared that she wanted to give her heart to Jesus in baptism. The pastor invited the family to the Adventist church for Sabbath worship services. The whole family went, and the daughter joined the Pathfinder club. Later she also was baptized.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and the authorities imposed a strict quarantine for three months. When the quarantine was lifted, churches still were not allowed to reopen, and worship services continued online.

But amid COVID-19, God heard Anabelle’s prayers, and something happened at home. Both she and her husband changed a lot. Christ truly blessed their home. Eleven months after fleeing her home in despair, Anabelle was baptized together with her husband and their other daughter.

God has restored their home. Anabelle praises and thanks God for His love and mercy. She would like to encourage other families to depend on God through prayer.

“Nothing is impossible for Him,” she says. “Put God first, and do His will. God is faithful, and He is a safe haven for all families who trust in Him.”

Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open a new church in Anabelle’s hometown of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Thank you for planning a generous Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on September 24 that will help other families find spiritual healing and restored marriages.