ASIA – The sign proclaiming “free books” is too good to walk past. The Chinese man and his daughter stop to flip through the book.
When the father realizes it’s a Bible, he instructs his daughter to wipe her hands clean before touching it. She opens it and reads a verse aloud, then obediently gives it to her father. He reluctantly hands it back to the American, who is also on vacation in Southeast Asia, and explains in broken English that he is not allowed to have a Bible in China.
“No! No! You take it. It’s legal for Chinese tourists to take a Bible home,” the American missions volunteer explains even though he’s not sure the man understands English. “It’s our gift to you.”
Not sure what to say, the father clutches the Bible close to his heart. He is a fourth-generation Chinese Christian but this is the first Bible anyone in his family has owned. He, nor his family, will ever forget this American volunteering with the Southern Cross Project, a Chinese Bible distribution ministry in Asia.
The goal of Southern Cross is to get as many Bibles as possible into the hands of Chinese tourists, allowing them to own a Bible and take the Good News back to China.
Bibles are difficult to obtain in China. Bibles published outside of China are not welcome for distribution within the country. However, the Chinese are allowed to bring a Bible home with them from a trip abroad.
With the help of mission volunteers, Southern Cross distributes Bibles to Chinese tourists from three top vacation spots in Asia. More than 50 volunteers from five states will introduce God’s written Word to thousands during the two-week Chinese New Years celebrations.
Follow their daily ministry and adventures right here on mReport starting Jan. 30.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve Loggins, mReport. mReport said: He is a fourth-generation Chinese Christian, but this is the 1st Bible anyone in his family has owned. How did he get it? http://ow.ly/3Ko4E [...]
My daughter and I have been as volunteers with the Southern Cross Project. We are raising money to go again and praying for the opportunity and God’s timing. My daughter was just 12 when she went the first time. It is an awesome experience to be able to put God’s Word into the hands of the Chinese people and know that one Bible packet will reach 10 Chinese. I praise God for all He is doing in Southeast Asia!
Thanks for sharing this story. It is indeed heartwarming to hear this.
From another SCP distribution spot in SouthEast Asia, I am also glad to be able to involve in bible distributions during this Chinese New Year season.