This month we are featuring stories about Adventist families around the world, sponsored by the church's Family Ministries Department. 

When Hengky Sie was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a teacher told him he was now part of a large global family. Hengky didn't understand what that meant at the time, but later came to realize that his Adventist brothers and sisters lived all over the world.

Hengky grew up in a non-Christian family, born and raised in Indonesia. He first learned about Adventists while attending one of the church's high schools in Balikpapan, Indonesia.

During his time at school, Hengky chose to join the church. He also realized he wanted marry someone who shared his beliefs and would help him raise their future children as Adventists. Building a Christian family became an important goal for Henky.

After graduation, Hengky continued his education at the Indonesia Adventist University. While on a school holiday, he volunteered to be a student literature evangelist. Although he didn't know it at the time, he met his future wife, Mery Tjandrayanti that summer.

A year later, they renewed their acquaintance when Mery decided to attend his college. Several more years passed and they were married.

Four children later, Hengky and Mery were busy caring for their family and taking on leadership roles in their church. Hengky still believed that having a strong Christian family was very important, and he accepted an offer to hold a seminar on family worship.

On the trip to the seminar, the family car broke down. After the Sies returned home, they were told their car wasn't worth repairing. They needed a new vehicle, but the money wasn't there.

The family prayed to God, telling Him their trouble and asking for His guidance. The Sies knew they needed a larger car, with plenty of room for their children and the neighbors they often took to church. Mery also wanted space to fit the big containers of food she took for guest potlucks.

They decided to apply for a loan. At first, the application process went smoothly. Shortly before they were supposed to be approved, the bank called to say they couldn't give them the amount the Sies needed.

Discouraged, the family gathered in prayer again. Weeks passed. One day at work, Hengky's company announced that they were giving all corporate officers an allowance for a company car. The allowance was double the amount the Sies had applied for at the bank, and Hengky would be given the car to keep after four years.

Overjoyed, the family thanked God for His blessings, and for saying no to their first prayer because He knew something better was just around the corner.

Today, the Sies look back on the miracle of the car as proof that God cares about their every concern. Shawnee and Shannon, the two oldest Sie children, are involved in their parent's ministry, both playing the violin during Hengky and Mery's sermons or outreach programs. They both plan to enter the medical field.

The Sies are thankful that God has called them all to ministry, and are happy to serve because they have the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ. They want the world to know that the creator of the universe is leading the Adventist movement to prepare His people for His second coming. 

Visit the Family Ministries website for more stories, resources and tools.