he summer of 2001 in Maine taught me that the only giving up I needed to do was the giving up of myself. It was only when I stopped asking God to merely help me and started asking Him to work through me that I truly understood what total dependence meant.--Lahai Allen.

I spent two summers selling Adventist books, and the experience was unforgettable. The Lord helped me cope with heat, dogs, and a reluctant partner who would get sick on Monday mornings but strangely recover by Friday afternoon. I earned just enough for a scholarship at Avondale College, but I learned far more--faith, perseverance, and determination.--William G. Johnsson.

I went to my first home to show the books; it was awkward at best, and knew this would be "the endless summer." In spite of all the practical training I had received and the convincing stories that I had memorized, I just wasn't able to sell the books--at least not until I knew what was in them! I was trying to sell something that I hadn't really experienced.

Immediately I began reading The Desire of Ages, then moved on to Patriarchs and Prophets, and worked my way through the whole Conflict Series. I knew the most compelling pictures and turned to those as I spoke of Christ's love for humanity, Christ's battle for our hearts, or the joy of seeing loved ones again at the resurrection. The more intimate I became with the subject, the more my sales increased. By the end of the summer I was no longer selling books, but selling Christ and getting money for the books.--Jackie Ordelheide Smith.

Selling books door-to-door wasn't a strength of mine. I didn't make a penny my first day on the job--a discouraging plight. However, once I learned to FROG--fully rely on God--rather than do things on my own, all things worked together for good. The experiences He gave me were lasting lessons worth much more than book sales.--Melinda Jamieson.

Hitting The Streets

800+ students are canvassing this summer in the NAD.

Students make on average about $2,500 in 8 to 10 weeks, and many Adventist schools will offer matching scholarships up to $2,000.

About 500 to 2,000 people sign up for Bible studies from one program (one program consists of 12 to 25 students).

About 150,000 books are sold in one summer.

If you are interested in getting involved with student literature evangelism, call the Michigan Conference at 517-316-1500.

Thirsting for Truth

hile I was canvassing in Brockton, Massachusetts, a small-business owner named John invited me into his home. A drawing of a young man hung above the fireplace directly facing me. When I asked who it was, John began to explain that it was a drawing of his father. He had grown up in the house and had moved back two years ago to take care of his mother, who was widowed and in poor health. She had just passed away several months before.

John decided to get three books that day, including The Great Controversy. He confided in me that he sometimes sensed the spirits of his parents in the house! He said that he would probably begin by reading the chapter "Can Our Dead Speak to Us?"

There are thousands, even millions, of other people like John who are thirsting for the words of truth and life. Literature evangelism is a ministry specifically designed to meet that longing in the twenty-first century. Ellen White wrote: "As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. . . . Until in heaven is spoken the word, 'It is finished,' there will always be places for labor, and hearts to receive the message" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 478).
_________________________
Donald McKinnie, Jr., currently a literature evangelist in Massachusetts