SITTING DUCKS
"When I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God, whose word I praise,
in God I will trust;  I will not be afraid.  What can mortal
man do to me?"  Psalm 56:3,4

      On each of my three trips to China I was blessed by the new group of friends I met.  I am still amazed that God would let me be a part of such a wonderful adventure.

      The weekend went by quickly at the training ranch.  We were blessed at Lancaster Vineyard Church on Sunday morning and the congregation sent us off with prayer and wishes for success.

      Riding to LAX in the van, watching the mountains disappear in the late afternoon sunshine as we approached the city, I prayed for our trip, wondering what exciting things would happen.  What memories would I return with this time?

      Soon I was seated on the airline, settling in for the long flight to Hong Kong and our mission in China.

      Our team of couriers spent a few days in Hong Kong before flying to Beijing with our Bibles.  Before leaving we had a prayer meeting, asking God for His blessing on our mission.  I prayed that God would take away my fears.  I never seem to be totally free of fear.

      Once again I stood in the long line going through customs at Beijing Airport.  I was silently praising God as we went through customs without being searched.  I reminded myself that many people back home were keeping us covered in prayer.

      That evening, the plans for delivering the Bibles was rehearsed and we went off to bed.  Tossing and turning in my bed, unable to sleep, I couldn't stop thinking about the plan for delivering the Bibles.  As I pictured the scene in my mind, I was sure it would not succeed.  So I decided to have a talk with God about the situation.

      I whispered, "Now God, any amateur detective could figure out that we are up to something.  We will be just like a row of sitting ducks waiting to be pounced on.  There is no way this is going to work.  Now, God, You sent me here to help bring these Bibles to the believers who are hungry for Your Word.  I would like to know what You are going to do about it? Are You going to blind their eyes to our movements?"  The Lord answered me by saying, "Didn't I tell you that I will be with you in China?  Do not fret, My child, all is well."

      I felt a peace settle over me and went to sleep believing that everything would turn out right.  The next day my fears returned and I did some heavy-duty praying, you can be sure.

      Sure enough, the Lord did take care of everything jus as He told me.   The delivery went just like clockwork!   Afterward, we went for a walk down the block to pray and thank God.  We rejoiced because we had put 510 Bibles into the hands of believers.