In January, 1970, I started my Seminary life at Andrews University as a humble foreign student. Of course, I did not have enough money to continue studying. With borrowed money, I came to the US. By the beginning of summer vacation, I would be broke. Even during the first semester, I had to work three hours a day, Monday through Friday, and eight hours on Sunday. To maintain decent grades was a real pain and a continuous struggle. How would it be for a new school year beginning in September? There was no money, that was quite sure.
I began to pray: that was only thing I could do at that time. The school campus jobs would not be the answer because of low wage. I had to save enough money to cover tuition for the new year, living expense, and church school's tuition for my second grade daughter. In September she was supposed to come to the US with her mom and two brothers. I continued praying hard, asking for wisdom to decide on a right job for summer vacation. Finally, I decided to participate in student canvassing in New York Conference. The New York Conference was trying to recruit student canvassers with attractive incentive-free lodging and free meals. I contacted the Conference Publishing Department Director and arranged for the summer work-canvassing for one and half month.
Right after the the General Conference Session that was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, I rushed to Syracuse to start canvassing. First of all, I had to buy a used car at the price of $400 and drove down to the city of Binghamton: I unpacked at a church member's house. The following day, I went out selling our church books and periodicals. I had knocked on many houses, struggling the whole day without many sales. The whole week I had delivered $100 worth of precious materials. With this kind of of sale, the prospect looked very dismal. Both physically and mentally, I was exhausted, completely drained. I really needed a quiet time to be with Jesus for receiving power to work. My spiritual battery desperately needed recharge. So I went to New York Conference camp meeting in order to be refreshed. It was so good to be among God's people. The messages from God-sent preachers uplifted my heart and nourished my soul. I was ready to continue the good work already having been started. I reeducated myself for the rest of assigned summer work.
After the camp meeting, I joined a group of students, and we stayed at the same house. All of us were very close each other, praying together and encouraging each other. Every morning, we went out to the same area and covered that area in a systematic way. Some of the high school seniors rode with me, and I dropped them off at different places where they were supposed to work. When evening came, I took a round and picked them up. Then we went back to our place and shared experiences. The lord blessed me to sell more than $150 everyday. Among forty student canvassers, I was by far the best as far as sale was concerned. My total amount of sale was $6,000, resulting $4,200 scholarship fund in my school account.
I, firmly, believe my merciful God had seen my need and blessed me to deliver so many truth-filled literature that summer. For His marvelous work, I return all the glory to Him. When I suffered the most, the outcome from it was the sweetest.
