Chinese Christians, Starved for God's Word, Receive Bibles—for Many; their First

Aimee Herd : Mar 22, 2013
Staff – Mission Network News

". . . like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." 1 Peter 2:2-3 NASB

EDITOR'S NOTE: Back in 1997 I had the great privilege of joining with a Bible League group on a Bible-smuggling trip to Vietnam. While some of our group had their luggage confiscated and Bibles removed by customs officials there, others—myself included—managed to sneak through a couple of bags full. Later, as we gave them out, I witnessed first-hand the incalculable value that those Vietnamese Christians held for God's Word. The same is true of Chinese Believers, as mentioned in the following report. May we all "tremble" at His Word. –Aimee Herd, BCN.

(China)—Earlier this month, the group Bibles for China distributed some 20,000 complete Bibles in Mandarin to Chinese Believers hungry for God's Word.

According to the Mission Network News report, some of the Bible recipients had been following the Lord Jesus for 40 years in the rural areas of China, without any access to Scriptures whatsoever.

The group notes that still "about half of China's 100 million Believers don't have a Bible."

Bibles for China buys the Bibles which are reportedly "complete" and "printed legally in China" and gives them without charge to Chinese Christians who don't have one.

The report says that the crowds of those wanting a Bible were "overflowing" at each church where they were to be distributed. And, as they received God's Word, many shared their stories with the team handing them out.

One recipient was 91, and had waited 50 years for this—his first Bible.

"He was so grateful to have a Bible," described a team member, "that out of his minimal resources [he] gave our team a small bottle of honey he had processed.

"We would have given the gift back . . . but we would never insult him in that way, as he also wanted to experience the blessing of giving a gift that honored the Lord."

A very poignant video, posted on YouTube, vividly records the jubilation of Chinese Believers receiving their first Bible. In the video (original source unknown), the suitcase of Bibles is put on the floor and the Chinese Christians, starved for the Word, swarm around it. Many of them hold their new Bible to their heart and kiss it with tears rolling down their cheeks; others hurriedly pull off the plastic wrapper to open it—for many, their first look at Scripture.

Watch the video by clicking on the following link; you'll be glad you did: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yhvranRtlKk