End Bible Poverty

One morning in Mexico (in 2016) we gathered for worship and prayer. Then one of the leaders began to share the vision to personally hand a bible to every household in Mazatlan, (part of the “end bible poverty” project, begun my Loren Cunningham the founder of YWAM.)

To us here in Australia, most houses might have at least one bible if not five. A number of different translations, perhaps with fonts of different sizes and study notes on the side.

I have read of three significant men in my life regarding the handing out of bibles, risking their lives in foreign places where the bible was illegal. Hudson Taylor to China. Brother Andrew to Germany and Brother Yun (the heavenly man), in China. They risked their lives time and time again for the sake of handing a bible to those who would otherwise never hear the word of God, or see it, or touch it with their own hands. Brother Yun prayed and fasted eating only one bowl of rice for 100 days and then a man came and knocked on his door and handed him a bible. Though he could barely read he studied it and memorised it.

The bible, the world’s best selling book, the living word of God.

I have heard of those who memorised scripture for fear of having their bible confiscated. As a child I wondered how much I could memorise. Sunday school and girls brigade stood me in good stead. Yet I cannot seem to fully grasp how blessed I am to have a number of copies in my possession.

This leads me back to the story of our adventure one sunny winter’s day, to hand out bibles in Mazatlan.

After a lively time of worship, one of our leaders took over the mic and in Spanish (with a translator to explain to us gringos), he shared the vision to put a bible into the hands of every household in the area. He unfolded a map and showed us the markings of where they had already been and where we still needed to go.

We had a time of prayer together and broke into small teams, loaded up back packs and headed out.

Up and down the cobbled streets of old town we walked. Following our map and praying as we went. The idea of rocking up to someone’s house and knocking felt a little scary but compared to Hudson Taylor this was nothing… and yet something!

We arrived at the street designated to us and split up. One half of the team on one side and the other half across the road. Translators on both teams. Holding our breath we knocked on the door.

“Buenos Dias! Good morning. Como Estes? How are you going? We are here from the local mission base down the road, YWAM. We’ve come to give you a bible.”

A hand emerged through the bars of the door, an elderly wizened face filled with wonder and thankfulness.

“Gracias. Muchas Gracias. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

With tears in her eyes she received the Spanish translation of the bible. The word of God for all mankind.

We knocked on many doors handing out the word, some doors we closed but no-one who was home turned us away.

One particular family invited us in.

“Bienvenido entra, welcome, come in!”

They told us their story of the man who had been in a motorbike accident. He had badly hurt his back and was unable to walk properly. He was always in pain. We offered to pray. We shared of God’s love. Gathering around and laying hands on him we asked God for a miracle, healing in Jesus name. And a miracle he received. All the pain disappeared and he was able to bend down, walk and sit. Healed! We gave them a bible, the stories of the man Jesus, who had come to give us eternal life. We shared the gospel and lead the family to the Lord. There was great rejoicing.

As we walked home up the cobbled street, our hearts were soaring. One day, one decision to step out, one family now in possession of the most powerful and precious book in the world.

“Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”a quote from Charles Studd. An English missionary to China in the 1920-30’s, and a great cricketer too.

Read more of Brother Yun’s story at villagebible.church or read his book the Heavenly man. Kate