Xiuzhu waited 37 years for a Bible in her native Black Yi language. Thirty-seven years!

During all that time, Xiuzhu attended church and tried to serve God as best she could. But it was hard not having His Word in her own heart language so she could fully understand and get to know Him better.

“The hardest time of my life was when the churches were closed during the Cultural Revolution,” she recalls. “The believers could not worship God together.”

Living in a remote region of China, Xiuzhu wondered if she would ever be able to read Scripture in a language she could fully understand. “I was fearful that I would never have a Bible in my own language. But I hoped that, before I died, I would have the chance.”

Thanks to the support of friends of American Bible Society, Xiuzhu’s dream came true. She received a Bible translated into Black Yi!

“It’s a miracle!” Xiuzhu said after receiving her very own copy of God’s Word in her heart language. “I was so happy and extremely grateful when the Bible arrived. I was so moved and filled with gratitude that tears rolled down my face uncontrollably.”

Xiuzhu says the Bible translation will make an eternal difference for her people. “The Black Yi Bible is especially helpful to the less educated believers who will cherish and love it very much,” she explains.

Caring friends who support Bible translation efforts make it possible to reach people who have spent generations living without the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, even those in remote locations like Xiuzhu. Sadly, in a nation that is still overwhelmingly atheist, we do not know how long the doors will be open to share His Word.

The continued faithfulness and support of our partners will help give people in China the Scriptures in a language they can understand and relate to.