Sible Tharp offers a Bible and packet of discipleship materials to Chinese tourists as they pass. Her husband, William, stands beside her, holding a bright red sign inviting tourists to take the free gift.

William and Sible are long term Southern Cross volunteers from First Baptist Church, Las Cruces, N.M. They arrived in Southeast Asia a week and a half before short term teams came. They will stay a few weeks after the short term teams leave to wrap up the distribution work. It’s their fourth year giving Bibles and they love it — it’s written all over their faces.

She smiles at the crowds passing and watches for people she’s already given a Bible to at other distribution points around town. As some pass and recognize her, she smiles broadly to encourage them. They smile and wave to her. She grins back.

A young boy, holding his father’s hand, waves shyly.

“I gave him a Bible yesterday,” she said. “He got off the bus to check into the hotel with his parents. They didn’t want him to take it for a moment, but then he convinced them to let him take one of the packets. When they came out of the hotel later from checking in, he was still carrying that Bible. He didn’t want to leave it in the hotel room.”

As crowds pass, Sible and William offer more and more Bibles. Some accept them, others refuse. Others run back to receive the Bible after seeing other tourists get one. Crowds ebb and flow, going from bus to restaurant, restaurant to bus, passing by the volunteers lining the way.

More packets are staged and ready to be handed out. At the moment, the walkway is clear, with no tourists passing through.

Soon, more will come – and the volunteers are ready and waiting.