The two 10-year-old girls run around the Southern Cross distribution point, giggling as only little girls can. Caroline Blair,* volunteer from Taiwan, plays “red light, green light” with the children of Southern Cross personnel during breaks from handing out Bibles. When they see the tourists getting off the boats, however, they stop, grab Bibles to distribute and take their positions.

Twelve-year-old Jack Hedrick, First Indian Church, Ripley, Tenn., sits on the steps, watching them. He’s reached the age where he’s too cool to run around and play. Between groups of tourists, he tries to learn Mandarin words. “Nee-howdy,” he greets newcomers, proud of his “Southern” take on the traditional Chinese greeting, “Nee-how.”

Sitting on the steps next to Jack is Merti Smith, First Baptist Church, Sharon, Tenn. She’s tired. Volunteers try to convince her to go back to the hotel to rest, but the 83-year-old won’t leave her post at the distribution point. She claims the Chinese need Bibles and she can rest in heaven.

It doesn’t matter what your age is when it comes to volunteering for Southern Cross. Gregory Thomas, Southern Cross Project director, says there’s something everyone can do. Whether it’s stuffing Bible packets in the warehouse or prayer walking.

“Anyone can be part of a Southern Cross team,” he says. “We don’t have an age limit. People of all ages have an important role on a Southern Cross team.”

Some tourists smile at the site of children holding the Bibles to them with both hands. Lacking the same inhibitions that haunt many of the adults, the children often are bolder and able to break through shyness barriers.

Blair has been coming since the age of 3. She’s only missed one year, making this her sixth Southern Cross trip.

“This is my favorite time of year,” she says. “It’s fun to come and give Bibles to the Chinese people.”

Parents watch with pride as their children help provide a bridge to the gospel.

“Caroline is so patient when all the tourists want to take a picture with her” her mother says, as Caroline and Madeline pose for a picture and then give the tourist a Bible. “She doesn’t like it, but after they take her picture, she gives them a Bible, and they willingly take it.”

At the distribution site across town, 80-year-old Skip Nobles, First Baptist Church, Thomasville, Ga., uses the same tactic. When tourists exit the restaurant, he flashes a big “grandpa” smile and holds out a Bible. Young Chinese jostle to the front of the line to get a picture with Skip.

Fellow retirees from Georgia, Howard and Robbie Floyd, are constantly asked questions. It doesn’t matter if they understand the language or not, they smile and nod patiently. They hand the person a Bible and point to the book of John, trying to convey this is where the start reading. Many of the tourists accept Bibles and packets from them, bowing to the gray-haired volunteers as a sign of respect.

*name changed