The Light Shines

Hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ creates a hunger for more knowledge of His saving grace. New Christians need copies of the Bible in their own language, as well as other discipleship materials, to grow in love and knowledge of Him. Since its establishment, VBB has helped distribute over 600,000 Bibles worldwide. We are hoping that we will increase this number every year.

We are not talking about large shipments, but rather about small and risky border crossings into countries that are hostile to the Gospel. The Bibles are packed in duffel bags along with seeds and clothes. Sometimes the Bibles are the only things in the bags. Each team member carries two 70 pound duffel bags full of Bibles. We try to avoid x-ray machines, praying that God will provide a distraction and that we will be able to walk through undetected.

We have seen God open many borders and it is truly amazing as He provides distractions in order that we can get through Customs. One time a team was carrying a large load of Bibles and they prayed for a miracle. The man in front of them approached the x-ray machine and was told to put his bag through it. He misunderstood and thought they wanted him to walk through it.

The guards all broke out laughing as this man walked through the x-ray machine – the customs agents were laughing so hard they were crying. As a result, the team passed with a large load of Bibles. The team thanked the Lord as the believe God sent an angel to distract the guards.

Another team with a large shipment also prayed as they entered customs. The electrical power went out when they entered the building and the customs man let them go through. As they left the building the power came back on and they were able to safely deliver the Bibles to the believers.

The cost involved is that of being willing to suffer harassment from the customs officials. Sometimes we have been detained for several hours and once we were under house arrest for six days. If caught distributing literature inside the country it can be a more serious offence, and the risk is much higher.

Since most countries don't want problems with the USA, they would probably detain us and verbally warn us but would let us go. After doing this type of ministry for over 17 years, I still get nervous going through Customs, but have learned to trust the Lord and His will. For me, there is no greater joy than to deliver a large load of Bibles to the Christians in these countries. There is no greater gift than the Word of God as it is the truth.

Delivering Bibles to Muslim countries is more difficult as the risks are greater. Distributing literature in Muslim countries can bring harassment and even threats on your life.

However, while recently transporting Bibles to a North African country, we were stopped by customs and they took most of the Bibles. But in the end, God softened their hearts and they gave us many books back. The two customs men then asked if they could each have a copy.

One Pastor who we have been supplying Bibles to has spent 22 years in prison for his faith in Jesus Christ. He is currently ninety years old. He is still committed to Jesus Christ and refuses to compromise and join the government Church.

While meeting with him, he told us that there are over 100 million Christians in his country. Official reports say that 35,000 people come to faith in Jesus Christ daily and are baptized. He said "The government cannot stop us now, as we are now 9% Christian." We asked what those of us in America could do to help the Christians in China. He said first of all, pray for us! He said there is a lot of persecution, and many leaders are in prison for their faith.

The second thing he asked us is to bring him Bibles. He said "Bring us Bibles, we don't need your money, but we do need you to bring us Bibles as we cannot get them in China."

He said the last load of Bibles that we delivered to him were sent all over China. People come from remote areas to get Bibles and teaching materials. We believe this pastor when he requests Bibles, as he has proven his commitment to Jesus Christ. There is a lot of communist propaganda being disseminated around the world saying that there is no persecution in China, that the Christians have plenty of Bibles and don't need the help of other Christians. This is not true. Christians are persecuted in China; house churches are closed down and Bibles are difficult to find.

Another one of our contacts in China reports that Pastors are waiting for study Bibles as most of them do not have one. If a Pastor could find a study Bible on the black market, it would cost one year's salary to buy it. There is a definite need for scriptures in China and Communist and Muslim countries around the world.