Blended, bonus, and step are a few of the words associated with a blended family. These families are not the same as first-time marriages where two people get married, grow together for a few years, and then eventually have children. Blended/bonus families usually become instant families right from the beginning. Every blended family is created out of some loss or misfortune.

It was a Thursday evening service of camp meeting on the Southwestern Ohio District when Floyd made his way to the altar and surrendered his life to the Lord. What a night of celebration! Floyd was a man who had battled alcohol for decades, leading to numerous other problems as well; but the prevenient grace of God had already been working in Floyd’s life for many years.

I'm Marcial Banda Rafael and have been a pastor for 24 years. Currently I am a district superintendent and coordinator of NDI in the South America Region. I am married to Zoila Cieza Garcia, and our two children, Mateo and Mariagrazia, are gifts from God.