“This is common. A famine for the Word of God. Even now, most Christians do not have their own Bible…When my father was taken to jail, his sewn-together Bible was confiscated and destroyed. Besides his, there was only one other Bible in the church. The owner tore out all 66 books and entrusted a few to each church member. Usually the pastor would have one or two of them bring the needed book, so as to not endanger the entire Bible. But once a year he would have all of them bring their Scriptures. My mother had been given the book of Romans.

One weekend she was very sick. Mother said, “I must go to church. If I do not go, part of God’s Word will be missing.” But she was so sick. Finally she handed me the book of Romans. She said, “Take it; guard it – nothing is more precious.” I felt in awe of being entrusted with something so important. Yet in school I was taught there was no God, that the old Christians were fools..Now the Bible is as precious to me as it was to them…

We make copies now, of the printed Bibles, so more can have them. As we copy, the words of Yesu are written on our hearts. Mother copied it carefully. She would borrow a Bible whenever she could. She’d work for hours by candlelight, praying the words aloud as she copied…Often she would rest her head on it. Sometimes she would giggle with delight. It was a labor of love. Months, even a year, went by when she had no Bible to copy. It took her eight years to finish her whole Bible. Six months before she died, Mother finished copying the final book.”

excerpt from “Safely Home,” by Randy Alcorn. Page 72, 128-129.

I’ve been reading this book to help me understand a place I get to go this summer, much like this place. More than learning about a culture though, I’m understanding a heart for God. And mostly, the treasure, real treasure, God’s word is, because in it you find God Himself.

Not everyone has the freedom we have in America to know God, but maybe they’re better for it. I think I’ll start copying my Bible, to have the words written on my heart, praying when I get my hands on it, I’d understand the privilege it is to have it and respond with this kind of sweet adoration…

Crystal Conroy – 1st year Slo Crusade Staff Member