North American Division News Blurbs

2009 Summer Youth

Connie Beckworth received a phone call from Mr. D. Stevens of Thomaston, GA, who was canvassed by Adam Dunka (Columbus, GA group). Mr. Stevens was very impressed with Adam. This is the second person who has called affirming Adam. While it is not unusual to get one or two calls a week from customers, this is believed to be the first time we received two calls regarding the same student. The following email was sent as a follow-up to the phone conversation:

Hello Connie, and thanks for returning my call the other day. I just wanted to formally inquire about the possibility of becoming a sponsor for Adam Dunka, the boy who came by my house the other night for donations. Please let me know, if this is something that I could do.

Last night, by coincidence, he came by my house again. His group was scouting my neighborhood again. He told me that he'd misplaced his wallet and was afraid he'd lost my number which I had previously given him. I had asked him to keep in touch once he was in school in Florida. The fact that he came by again so unexpectedly helped to solidify in my mind that offering my support while he is in school is the right thing for me to do. We had a good conversation last evening, and he again impressed me with his faith in the Lord.

He is a remarkable young man and I believe God has His hand in Adam’s life. To think that I could play a part in assisting him, as he strives to find his way, would be a blessing in my life. Please let me know how I may be able to continue my support for him as a sponsor. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

D. Stevens
Thomaston, GA

I live in Phenix City, Alabama, near Columbus, Georgia. I wish to extend my thanks to your organization and to a young man from the Czech Republic for what I consider to have been a very pleasant experience this evening.

While working in my study, I heard my doorbell ring. I normally will not open the door to strangers, but Adam (I apologize, I can’t read his last name, but it looks like Duuta or Durta) looked like an upright young man. [Adam Dunka].

I knew before I opened the door he was selling something. As he went into his introduction I interrupted and told him he couldn’t solicit in our neighborhood. Adam looked at me and then patiently explained what he was doing and why. I realized at that moment that I wasn’t acting much like a good Christian and so I let him go on. He was extremely polite and I could not help but want to hear him out.

As he stood there talking to me, I noted the beads of sweat on his brow and, due to the heat, that his shirt was soaked. I also saw an empty soda can in one of the pouches on his bag and thought to myself that he had to be thirsty from walking on pavement in the 90 degree heat. As he spoke, I had already made up my mind that he would not leave without a donation, regardless of whether he had something I might be interested in or not.

I picked out a book that looked like it was exactly something I have been meaning to read and told him I would like to get it. He seemed surprised. I didn’t ask, but from the looks of his bag, it didn’t look like he had done very well in our neighborhood. I invited him in to cool off while I went to get my donation. I asked him if he would like some water and he replied very politely how that would be great.

We talked a bit more about how he wanted to study here in America and hoped to become a nurse. I marveled at his command of the English language and thought he must have studied for years. But he told me that he had learned most of his English over the past three months!

I think it’s important to pass this on to you because Adam is obviously very committed to his goals. I don’t know him at all, but if first impressions are lasting ones I doubt I will ever forget him. I wish him luck and hope that somehow he does get his scholarship. He has something to offer and it is obvious he has some very good Christian values.

Please pass this on to whomever is working with Adam. He represented your organization and himself in a very positive manner.

R. Brewer, Phenix, Alabama

Please pray for our 200+ students who are out in the field each day this summer, as they share their faith and witness to hundreds-of-thousands of people and leave indelible impressions on those with whom they come in contact.

Thank you,

Rocky Davis, Youth Publishing Director

Southern Union

Publishing Ministry

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