The Chinese family didn’t take a Bible when they walked through the pavilion on their way to the dinner boat. But, they did end up in conversation with three Southern Cross volunteers from Church at Canyon Creek, Austin, Texas.

Austin Moon, Angie Moore and John Morris* stop prayer walking and chat with the family of nine waiting to board their boat. They notice the family didn’t take a Bible, so after saying “goodbye,” they pray. The three Texans spend the next 90 minutes praying this family will come back and take one.

After the dinner-cruise, the family returns for free Bibles. Morris smiles and hands the father and another family member Bibles.

“That was so cool!” Moon exclaims, rushing across the stairs and slapping Morris on the back in his excitement. “I was hoping he’d come to my side!”

Moon’s excitement is contagious as he tries to absorb everything going on around him. He doesn’t want to forget the scenes of a grandmother stumbling up the steps toward the Americans offering Bibles; a woman running full speed to accept the free gift they offer; a man asking if he can have Bibles for his family, so they can read what the Most High God says.

“There’s nothing quite like handing a Bible to men and women who come from a country where it is so hard to access a Bible,” Moon says. “This ministry is so beautiful in its simplicity.”

One group of volunteers pray while another team mans the distribution point, handing out Bibles. Some tourists grab the Bibles the first time they pass, but many men and women initially ignore the invitation for free Bibles. The prayer team asks God to change their heart and desire to read His Word.

“The best is the person who turns around and comes back for the Bible,” Moon says. “It’s exhilarating.”

Moon guesses that many people in America don’t think about how precious the Bible is. His own family has six different versions of the Bible.

Ministering with Southern Cross serves as refresher for him to get out of his comfort zone.

“I’m going to pitch this mission trip to as many people as I can when I get back,” Moon says. “It’s awesome to get to plant the seed, the Word of God, in someone’s heart.”

*Name changed