Maxine Dennis from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, found 3ABN on a visit to Scotland some years ago, and loved the spiritual food she received. But when she heard our camp meeting would focus on the three angels’ messages, she felt a strong desire to attend. However, she didn’t have the funds to come, so with fasting, she took her request to the Lord and miraculously, the funds came in!
As we spoke with her, we realized that life hasn’t been easy for Maxine. As a single mother living on benefits, she struggled to get an education and find a happy relationship. Then one day, a friend introduced her to the Seventh-day Adventist faith and when she attended for the first time, the topic was the Prodigal Son. “I wept through Sabbath School and church, but came back faithfully and was baptized in 1997,” she says. “During that time, I also earned a degree in fashion and textile design and began teaching college, but those successes seemed hollow. So when I discovered 3ABN Dare to Dream network, I found a new joy. The three angels’ messages have given me the drive and passion to help finish the work.”
Maxine wanted to volunteer while she was here, even as she looked forward to hearing the sermons on the three angels’ messages. But when she began working in our camp meeting kitchen, the realization that we had over 1,200 visitors to feed kept her working with her team every day.
“Maxine was like a breath of fresh air with her positive attitude,” says camp meeting chef Melody Prettyman-Caviness. “We laughed so hard as she taught us the King’s English and we taught her some ‘Southern!’ I kept encouraging her to attend the meetings for a few hours, but she wouldn’t leave her post.”
“Psalm 133:1 kept coming to mind,” Maxine says. “ ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!’ We were caring for the needs of others, and that spirit of service was an experience I needed. Those we fed were so grateful, and I got a chance to encourage others to volunteer next time. It’s a blessing to serve—in fact we were saved to serve! Most of my friends knew I was going on a little mission trip, but they didn’t know where. I just told them I was going to minister to someone—and now I see that they ministered to me!”
Might she be back next fall?
“Oh yes,” she says. “I’m planning on it!”