My story of hope, inspiration, and challenge begins when I embarked on my first summer of literature evangelism in San Francisco, California. It was an unlikely way to spend my summer, but through a number of closed doors and God's divine intervention, I went knowing it was what God wanted me to do.

I was 15 years old and incredibly money-driven. No doubt, I did want to tell others of the love of Jesus and His plan for their life, but more than that, I wanted to set a record for sales.

It didn't take long for me to realize that God had different plans for me that summer. For the first seven days, I sold nothing! Week after week, I struggled from door to door in the hot California sun only to receive rejection after rejection. Every week, I called my father to book a plane ticket back to Michigan, because I was starting to think that I had misinterpreted the call of God. But every week there was always a small experience, letter in the mail, or special encouragement from other literature evangelists in my group that kept me going.

But, at the culmination of the fifth week, I had become so burned out with the most underwhelming sales record in my group that I was consequently asked to leave.

On the ride back to the airport, I was so mad that God would bring me out to California—3,000 miles from home—just to "fail" me; and that, despite every effort, I didn't make any money. In fact, the day I left I broke even!

Suddenly, a thought ran through my head. I remembered that I had a copy of the book, The Great Controversy, with me, and I wanted God to give me the opportunity to reach someone even without the pay. Upon my arrival at the terminal, I realized I had seven hours to wait. Then, two hours later, a man walked in and sat down at the same gate. He was in his mid-50s. Suddenly, I felt a surge of confidence to go and talk to this gentleman. To make a long story short, our conversation lasted five hours. He curiously took The Great Controversy from me, knowing that it was a religious book, while not even believing in God!

My perspective of that summer had instantly changed. I believe the gentleman in the airport might have been my true purpose for going to California. I hope one day we'll meet again in a terminal for the flight bound for Heaven.

Dushime Gashugi (19) is a freshman at the University of Chicago. He is majoring in mathematics and economics. Dushime is a member of the Hyde Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. He will receive a $100 scholarship since his article was selected for publication.