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.
Stacks of books and Christian tracts piled high on the table wobble as Paul Cox leans over to greet a fellow Southern Cross Project volunteer veteran. They lament over how the warehouse is the “boring” job on this trip, but quickly add that it is one of the most important.
Without someone manually stuffing the Bible packets with Mandarin Bibles, the Jesus Film, various Christian tracts and CDs, there would be nothing to hand out at the distribution sites. Everything piled on the table eventually ends up in a small red bag and put in a box. Each box holds 25 packets.
Volunteers are an invaluable part of the outreach ministries going on during the World Cup. One volunteer shared what so many have experienced: “The World Cup has broadened my horizons and tested my faith and witness.”
Their prayer requests reveal their hearts. PRAY…
…for wisdom, strength, courage and focus in working with children.
…that the World Cup will impact and not distract people from hearing the Gospel.
…for the ability to learn the language so that people will fully understand the love of Christ.
…to know how to best relate to people.
…to know the best way to lead when in a leadership position.
…that God will be honored.
…for focus on the Lord and the task.
JOHANNESBURG — “I will never be the same,” said João Batista. “I will go back [to Brazil] a different person. This has changed my life.”
A Brazilian volunteer mission group, 200-strong, has come to South Africa to minister during the World Cup. Representing 25 denominations, they come under the coordination of the Brazilian Baptist International Mission Board. They are here to share the Gospel through soccer and health clinics; puppets and plays; and arts, crafts and sewing classes.
Players on the soccer pitch face continuous physical obstacles as they work together to score a goal. Brazilian volunteers in South Africa are facing spiritual obstacles as they strive to lead people to Christ. Intercede for these faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who could easily become discouraged. Pray that the volunteers will have good health, safety and abundant opportunities to share their faith.
Watch Brazillian volunteer Michell Castro with Connection Africa 2010 share prayer requests from Troyeville Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa.
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — It’s his first soccer game. Seventeen-year-old Robert Morris, seated with his mom and two sisters, smiles with excitement at the idea he’s really at the World Cup. He’s at the Korea vs. Greece game at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
“It’s surreal — it hasn’t sunk in that I’m actually at the World Cup,” Robert says.
Volunteers from Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, are following in the footsteps of Mother Theresa in Kolkata this week. They are volunteering in two of Mother Theresa’s 12 homes. In the mornings, the Kingsland team volunteers at a home for adults who cannot take care of themselves. In the afternoons, they volunteer at the [...]
Passion for bubbles and fun runs deep, as this Southeast Asian boy shows while running and waving the fly-swatter he is using as a bubble-wand during a visit a volunteer team from Tennessee made to the children's home where he lives. More Photos View more Southern Cross photos on Flickr.
Bible Calculator
The availability of Bibles in China has improved recently, however, it is still hard to obtain one in the country. Voices of the Martyrs estimates there’s only one Bible for every 222 people.
How many Bibles would China allow in your hometown?
You can be involved in getting Bibles to China without even traveling to Asia. Each packet of Bibles costs about $3.45. The packets include a Bible, the Jesus Film, various tracts and Christian DVDs. Your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program helps to support workers to coordinate this project. Funding for Bibles and distribution materials comes from other sources.
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.
