Married couple Zhang Rong Ying and Liu Chaun Zhong are rural farmers who received two Bibles at a Bible distribution at their church recently. In 1995, Liu was living a life which featured drinking, violence, and financial troubles. By chance he heard about a church in his neighbourhood where others had been helped. One Sunday he decided to sneak into the back of the church. For the first time in his life, Liu heard about Jesus Christ, salvation and about having a new life in Christ. He began to go to church regularly. One day during a church service, he made the decision to give his life to Christ. “Throughout the whole of my life, I had been struggling with anxiety. Now, Jesus had taken that anxiety away,” said Liu. He told his wife, Zhang, about what had happened, and she quickly followed suit, joining the church, and becoming a Christian. Then their parents, siblings, children and grandchildren all became Christians as well!

Such was the case recently at a distribution of large-print Bibles in Yichuan County, Shaanxi Province. The majority of believers in rural areas are poor, middle-aged, or elderly people. Most are subsistence farmers. They are grateful to receive a free Bible. Many of them are transitioning into a new season of their lives as their children have left home. They are also beginning to experience the physical problems of old age, such as poor eyesight and reduced strength. When they receive a Bible, it helps them to navigate these challenges as it provides them with the spiritual food, strength, and hope they need. “My eyes are dim, and I can’t see the small words. I really need a Bible with big words to guide me through my life,” says 59-year-old Xie Jinhua, who came to faith 28 years ago. “No matter what my circumstances are, God’s Word is the light on my path and the strength in my heart. It gives me hope and joy,” says Zhang Fengzhen, 54-years-old.