I just handed someone the Holy Word of God, the book that’s transformed lives, history and is a redemptive love story.

I distributed more than 25 Bibles to Chinese tourists in Southeast Asia last night in 40-minutes. Goosebumps still form on my arms just thinking about the looks of joy and hope I saw in their eyes and the unforgettable looks I might have otherwise missed.

Getting a Chinese person in a crowd to make eye contact with you can sometimes be difficult. Making eye contact makes you vulnerable. Vulnerability in Asian countries is associated with losing face and shame.

Having grown up in Asia, I’ve grown accustomed to not making eye contact with people I pass on the street. It’s just easier that way.

When I moved to America for college, it unnerved me at first when strangers on the sidewalk would look me in the eye and smile. I knew the Chinese tourists who passed me on the pier wondered about my motive for choosing to make eye contact and passing out Bibles.

What was my motive?

Love. I don’t know them, but I love them. They are children of God, future brothers and sisters in Christ. I know the love I feel for the Chinese people is not even comparable to the love our Creator has.

His love motivated me to make eye contact with the men, women and children passing by me. His love caused me to smile and ask if they’d like a Chinese Bible.

Some of the vacationing Chinese tourists came directly to me, with both hands outstretched, as is culturally appropriate when giving and receiving gifts in China. They were ready for that Bible! Their eyes shone with the light of the hope I handed them. For many, that was their first Bible.

I will never, ever forget the pure joy some eyes reflected. How many times have I missed out on that joy, because it’s just easier to avoid opening up?

Other Chinese men and women approached me for the Bible with hesitancy, not quite making full eye contact, wondering if they really wanted the free gift I offered. Was it worth it?

Other tourists ignored my eye contact and the Bible. Their hearts weren’t ready. My heart still stings a little, thinking of those who missed out on the Word of God.

One Chinese woman came to me with great excitement for the Bible. We chatted and I felt like I had met a long-lost aunt from Henan province. She is a Christian and a house church meets in her home. She took two Bibles to give away, since it’s difficult to get Bibles in China.

I am glad I chose to be vulnerable. I saw hope, joy and the light of life in the eyes of dozens of men, women and children.

I will never be the same.