China (MNN) — Some faithful believers have followed Christ for 50 years in China without access to God's Word. In fact, about half of China's 100 million believers don't have a Bible, says Bibles for China.
That's why they're buying and distributing Bibles–complete Bibles printed legally in China–free of charge to rural Chinese believers. A distribution team returned last week from the Communist nation, where they gave out 20,000 copies of God's Word in Mandarin.
"The team is tired physically but overjoyed and energized in our spirits," says President Wendell Rovenstine in a recent Bibles for China e-mail update.
"We fully believe Isaiah 55:10-11, 'As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'"
Pray that the Bibles will help people draw closer to the Lord.
According to e-mails sent while the team was in China, the crowds of people were "overflowing" at each rural church. Many believers shared their stories with the team, describing how they had known Christ for years but never had their own copy of God's Word until now.
A 91-year-old man received his first Bible from the team after 50 years of being a believer.
"He was overwhelmed to think we had come so far to give him a Bible!" wrote Rovenstein in an e-mail. "He was so grateful to have a Bible, 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."
More distribution trips are planned for May and November. For $5 USD, you can double their impact here.
Each Bible costs $5 to print, store, and distribute to a Chinese Christian. Right now, an anonymous donor is matching every $5 donated to Bibles for China, effectively doubling the impact of each donation. Pray that more people would give at this opportune time.
