In a country of 1.4 billion people, there are only 50 million Bibles printed in China. Of those 50 million, none can be purchased in Christian bookstores, but only at registered government locations. With over 100 million Christians in China, way over 50 million of them lack Bibles.The friends we've partnered with in China have a vision of every Christian in China owning a Bible. As of now they have sent Bibles to every province in China. It is not illegal to take Bibles into China (except children's material, because it is illegal to share the gospel with anyone under 18); however, the government extremely regulates and restricts Bibles from going in.
So how do the Bibles get to every province in China? That's where we come into the picture. Our job this week was to help bring the Word through Chinese customs. Let me describe this process:
First we get to a border. Then we make our way towards China immigration and customs. In Chinese immigration, I wait for the officials to make sure my passport photo and me match up (there were several times they didn't think my picture was me!). By this point my stomach has the knotted, nervous/excited feeling as we approach the moment of truth: Chinese customs. The biggest obstacle is the scanner with a guard posted, making sure all bags go on the belt. Behind a desk right next to the scanner are usually at least 5 customs officials watching/monitoring the screen. When a bag or suitcase of Bibles goes through, a big black box appears moving across the screen. As I pick up my bag from the other side of the scanner, I wait for the dreaded words, "Passport!" or in my case, "Lady, lady!"
That's right, my first 3 trips through, I was definitely caught and detained. One of those times I was so persistent in trying to ignore the customs officer that he had to chase me down, leaving no one watching the screen and allowing another person to get through with Bibles (a term we have deemed BBI - Bibles Batted In :)).
Let me explain the detaining process because I have gotten to know it well. First I hand over my passport and then wait for them to enter something in the computer about me being detained. While that happens, I unload (or they unload) my BIbles. This is when I pray they don't see the ones hidden. After taking "all" my BIbles, they give me a slip with a holding fee I have to pay when I come back through immigration. The customs official usually hands me one Bible to keep for good measure. After I sign the slip I get my passport back and go meet the rest of my group. My first three trips I only got 3, 4, and 5 Bibles in, respectively. On the return trip we have to travel back through Chinese immigration and wait for a while to get our Bibles back.
Now after three trips with this long detaining process, I was getting frustrated that I wasn't getting through like some of the others. I had tried some of the same tricks of piling my bags with tons of others, or trying to watch for the exact moment when the guard and customs people were distracted. In fact, on trip 2, I had the perfect disguise as I walked through customs with about 8 other Caucasian ladies carrying bags almost exactly like mine. I thought my trick had worked as customs pulled all of them over. However, as I was making my sneaky getaway the officer that became known as "Sarge" chased me down.
Finally, at the end of trip 3 and day 2, I gave it over to God. I had been praying every time I had crossed the border, but deep down was relying on my own sneakiness or right timing to get me through. I finally said "OK God, I can only make it through if you allow it and it's your will." I acknowledged that He knew and saw the bigger picture. Whether I got through or not, He had a plan and would use it for His glory.
Day 3 I woke up and read Psalm 102. God spoke to me through verses 13 and 14: "You will have compassion on Zion (Sarah), for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones (Bibles) are dear to your servants (the Chinese Christians)." I knew God was going to do some miracles that day in getting me through Chinese customs.
On our morning trip I made it up to immigration. While waiting to get through, I see that Kim is already detained (she was in the group 30 minutes ahead of me). I start thinking, "Great, security is tight today," but remember it's God's will and His way. I pause a moment before customs, pray, and wait until I feel like God is saying go. A few seconds later I walk towards the scanner. Right before I put my bag on, I see no one is watching the monitor. However, the moment I set my bag down the customs lady turns around to stare at it. Too late to pull my bag off without being obvious to the guard standing right there, I just let it go and pray. The very second my bag goes into the machine, I hear a loud commotion and lots of yelling. The guards and customs officers started chasing some man down the hall and around the corner - leaving no one to see my bag go through the scanner. God's perfect timing! Of 9 of us that went through that morning, I was the only one who wasn't detained. God's hand was definitely on getting me through the impossible customs.
But wait...there's more! On our second trip of the day I was even more amazed. As I approaached the scanner with a large group of people, I decided to try sneakiness again, and pretend like I put my bag on, but secretly slide between the pole and the far side of the scanner to "pick up" my bag from the other side. The guard, who I thought wasn't watching, caught me red handed and made me come back to put my bag through. As I placed my bag on the scanner I saw the guard specifically point me out to the customs officials. I knew I was caught! As I went to pick up my bag from the other side, I didn't make eye contact and kept waiting to hear the dreaded words. However, somehow I kept walking. Still waiting for someone to chase me down, I'm amazed as I turn the corner and not a word. God had somehow miraculously blinded the officials' eyes to the Bibles in my bag! They were definitely looking for them, because Sean got stopped not long after me. Sitting in China with a bag full of BIbles, I was amazed by God's power and His faithfulness to me that day. I had even again tried things my own sneaky way, yet God had closed that door and said, "No, let me do it my more miraculous way." He used my shortcoming to glorify Himself even more. Our God is an awesome God!
We only have one more day of Bible-crossing, and then Tuesday we will head out to India. Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming! Love ya, love your show!
Sarah
.jpg)
