Illinois—Excitement was in the air on Sabbath afternoon, Sept. 18, as three teams from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Marion, Ill., scattered to collect food, personal care articles, and nonfood items for the Marion Ministerial Alliance (MMA).

MMA is an interdenominational, cooperative Christian ministry organized by local pastors to meet emergency needs of Marion residents. Through this ministry, an average of 60 individuals receive hot, delicious meals daily. During the first eight months of 2004, a total of 10,293 meals were provided and 1,755 families received food baskets from the Food Pantry. Other services are also provided, including financial aid, medical and transportation needs and temporary shelter. Chaplaincy work is also coordinated through this organization for the county jail and several nursing homes.

When teams returned to the church following the scavenger hut, and the points were tallied, it was decided the Pathfinder team had collected the most items and points, followed by the Young Adult class, and the Adult Sabbath School class.

A pizza feast was held for participants, and pies were enjoyed by winning team members. Whipped-cream pies were tossed at the group leaders of the two “losing” teams, all in good fun.

Items were reloaded into a 15-passenger van, filling all but the front seats. As we loaded the van, I noticed an unusual number of paper towel rolls. I was reminded that every time I retrieved items collected by team members, they had at least one roll of paper towels. I thought it a bit odd, but dismissed it as a coincidence.

The scheduled delivery to the MMA was Tues., Sept. 21. When we delivered the items to the MMA, we found the collected paper towels were no fluke or coincidence, but rather God at work. The MMA needed paper towels but had put off purchasing any, hoping God would put it in someone's heart to supply their need as He had done in the past. He did! We were awed as we saw God's hand at work through us.

Priscilla Huff, executive director of Marion Ministerial Alliance recently wrote, “Thank you for your stupendous donations of non-perishable items delivered to our Project Manna Food Pantry. I know each of you took personal interest in reaching those in crisis in our community.”

Marion Church members encourage you to discover the fun you can have as you help needy individuals in your community.

Carol Barnhurst, Marion Church correspondent, as told to Joi Avante, Illinois Conference news writer.