Cardboard boxes sit half-opened in the back of the truck. An elementary aged Chinese boy sneaks away from his grandparents in the long line of tourists to take a peak.

The sign leaning against the boxes states the books inside are free. He glances around to see if anyone will help him. The volunteers, however, scurry around setting up their distribution spot for the night. No one sees the little boy, so he reaches his pudgy arms into the box and grabs a Bible and red packet of literature.

The satisfied smile on his round face is quickly wiped away when his grandfather grabs him by the arm and demands that he give it back. The boy refuses to let go of the Bible, engaging in a tug-of-war. Through clenched teeth, he tells the older man that the book is his now because it’s free.

“No one gets anything for free,” the older Chinese man says sharply, wrestling the Bible and packet from the hands of the young boy. “People don’t do things for free. They expect something in return.”

The man hands the items back to the volunteers. They explain that the gifts are free. The man shakes his head, herding the boy into the restaurant, chiding him along the way.

Volunteers from First Baptist Church, Thomasville, Ga. watch the scuffle, aghast. Nina Hubbard, a six-time Southern Cross Project veteran, knows what to do. She bows her head and prays.

“God, bring that boy back and let him get a Bible,” she prays. She also prays for the man, asking God to change his heart and bring him back.

The moment she says “Amen,” the boy, followed by his grandmother, emerges triumphantly from the restaurant. He walks to Hubbard and holds out his hands to receive a Bible. Dumbstruck, she hands it to him. His face beams as he walks back into the restaurant, holding the packet as if it were more precious than gold.

“That was awesome. I’ve got chill bumps – I mean, glory bumps – just thinking about it,” Hubbard says. “That was a quick answer to prayer.”

Before Hubbard can even finish her thought, the grandfather emerges from the restaurant and approaches the volunteer team.

“I want one,” he says, beckoning to the Bibles.

Stunned, another Southern Cross volunteer hands him the Bible.

The grandfather slowly walks through the parking lot, reading the Bible on the way to his tour bus. A Taiwanese volunteer falls in step with him, explaining the ultimate free gift – eternal life through Christ. He listens intently, holding the Bible in his wrinkled hands and looking at the pages as she talks.

“Okay,” he says, his face crinkling into a smile. “I will read it.

“Thank you for this free gift.”