The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor was an event that America will never forget. But what happened on December 7, 2002, may be even more memorable to the families of the Eau Claire Seventh-day Adventist Church.

During a school board meeting last fall, it was discovered that the school faced an $8,000 deficit. When the church board was not able to help with the shortfall, the entire church was made aware of the situation. An anonymous donor came forward with a promise to match all funds raised. Letters were sent, families were called, and prayers ascended to heaven.

On December 7, an offering was taken during the intermission of the school Christmas program. At the end of the program, Ron Greeley asked the school principal, Jim Gray, to come to the front where he was presented with the total amount raised, $12,160. This amount did not include the pledged matching funds.

The benefactor who had promised to match the funds raised wasn't prepared for the generosity of the other church members. He had expected to match around $4,000 from a small savings account that could spare that much. Even if he cleaned out that account, he would still be thousands short of his pledge.

At first he considered just donating the $4,000 he had planned to give, but then he decided to make good on his promise and trust God to make up the difference. He emptied his bank account and then prayed for a miracle.

Before the end of the week, unexpected funds arrived at his home, which not only finished off his pledge, but also replenished his bank account.

Thanks to the generosity of the church family, and the faithfulness of God, the Eau Claire Church School ended the 2002–2003 school year with a $16,000 reserve. But even more importantly, the church family has grown in faith through this experience. They saw God's hand work in a miraculous way, and they will never be the same.

Renee Coffee teaches half-time at Gobles Jr. Academy and works half-time in the Michigan Conference education department.