THE GIDEON BIBLE

I can still recall the day I received a Bible for the very first time! A Gideon worker gave it to me during a school assembly in Ladysmith, KZN. I was 13 years old, in grade 8 and came from a fully-fledged Hindu home. I immediately slipped the Bible into the inner pocket of my blazer and felt strangely comforted just having this little Bible. Although I did not read it until 8 years later, I knew that this was a special treasure. I kept this Bible until I was married and opened it after my first child was born. Using the beginning as a guide, I would open it at the appropriate Scripture, read it and immediately experience God's comfort, peace and strength. Whenever I opened the Bible at random, it would always open at Acts 2:38-39: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call." The first Psalm I read was Ps. 121. I now carried the Bible in my handbag and took it with me everywhere I went! Although my life was uprooted and I was relocated many times, the Bible did not get misplaced. I took it to work every day and when I fell ill and was hospitalized for weeks I took it with me. Every evening I would read to all the other patients. I was in a private clinic and the patients were White, Black, Coloured, Greek, Portu-guese, Italian and Jewish. Every one in the ward would listen when I read to one of the other patients. One evening I did not go to read to them; the next day they were angry and upset! The Portuguese lady even cried when she told me that she waited... People really need Jesus Christ more than we realize! My friend, Vanessa from Dundee also kept her Bible in her handbag. One day she was mugged and her handbag stolen. She was badly shaken and crying uncontrollably because her small Bible was now gone... To comfort her, I gave her my Gideon Bible. By then I had my Bible for 11 years and my heart ached to have it back but Vanessa was only 19 years old and a new believer. Ten years later, now 34, my daughter was in grade 8 and came home with a Gideon Bible one day. I wanted it but could see that she would not part with it. The following year the Lord gave me a job at a Secondary School. I started in February 2001. The same month the Gideons from the Florida Camp came to the school and I finally got another Bible! In January 2002, someone took it from my drawer. I don't mind, because the Good News is for everyone! Now I am almost 36 years old and once again I received a small, precious blue Bible. I received it for the first time as a grade 8 pupil; now as a grade 8 educator! I have been a Christian for many years now. The Bible played a vital role in my salvation and in my walk with Jesus Christ. Reading the Bible carried me through the most difficult times in my life - even now. I thank God for all the Gideon workers. You do a remarkable work in handing out Bibles and must never stop! You are sowing seed that will yield a great harvest. Exactly how great, you will only find out one day in heaven where your reward, the crown of life, awaits you together with the praise and approval of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). May God bless you and the work of your hands! Sponsored by: WPK