Adrenaline Up!
As told to Sue H.
This was my third trip to China, but my first time smuggling Bibles. Now as we prepared to go through customs, my palms were sweaty, my heart was racing, and my mind was flooded with all the possible scenarios that could unfold in the next few minutes. If we were stopped and searched our visas could be confiscated, we could be arrested, we could actually be banned from returning to China. I had 50 mini New Testaments in my backpack, 500 in my suitcase, and if either were opened, nothing would prevent them from being seen.
Customs are a chaotic process and security is already heightened in preparation for the Olympics. People to either side of us were stopped and searched and I found myself praying as Brother Andrew* did, “God you are able to make the blind eyes see, now make the seeing eyes blind.”
We flew into a small airport, close to the final destination of this precious and eagerly anticipated cargo. In these smaller airports, it’s not unusual for Americans to be assigned a “tail,” someone who observes your movements, watches what you’re up to. Had we already been given our tail? Would they have reason to alert security? How do I not look suspicious or nervous? How do I stop my palms from sweating?
My respect deepened for the teams that have been doing this on a regular basis since the inception of Alpha Relief. I had been on a plane for 15 hours, but the absolute relief of no longer being on a plane faded; at least my bags won’t be searched on the plane. It’s our turn now…we neither one are stopped, we walk right through, and I am almost giddy with relief. The adrenaline rush stays with me for the rest of the day, and I am honored to have been part of this adventure!
Note: Our travelers must remain nameless as they are Alpha Relief representatives who will make many more trips in the future.
*Brother Andrew is quite possibly the most famous Bible smuggler ever, who was getting the scriptures into countries prohibiting them since before our first time smuggler was born.
I smuggled Bibles from Hong Kong in 1995 it was the most interesting and ‘best vacation’ of my life. I used to go swimming in the afternoons after smuggling Bibles in the mornings. I only got ’scared’ a few times and those were ‘going thru customs’ and ‘meeting someone who asked too many questions on the subway’ one time? I was ‘caught’ 7 times out of 17 total trips, but alls they ever did was ‘take away the Bibles’ and ‘make let you pick them up’ when you came back in the afternoon – paid $1 for all they ‘confiscated’. I noticed 1 time while going thru ‘customs’ that the ‘Chinese officials’ were socializing and ‘not looking at their ‘X-ray machines’ – I got thru without being followed or stopped. I only took in about 350 Bibles or so, but seeing ‘God answer’ my prayers plus the swimming pool in the afternoons was ‘exillerating’?
Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Praise God that he made a way to get those bible’s into China.
I am so thankful for my Bible and the ability to read it openly. I praise all who risk so much to bring God’s Word to those in closed countries!!! God bless you!
I also had an experience smuggling bibles into China from Hong Kong.It was won of the most rewarding experiences of my life. When I later met some secret House Church members they all had smuggled bibles. Thank God for all the brothers and sisters who have spent thier free time risking thier necks for our family in China.