GUNFIRE

The first shot sounded like a firecracker. However, when five more explosions came within the next two seconds, I knew we were in the middle of gunfire.

The only problem was that I did not know where the shooter was. Fifteen feet away a group of teenagers scattered and began running in different directions. Where were we? In Beirut, Belfast, the Gaza Strip; I've known people who have come from these war-torn areas and experienced the terror of gunfire. No, we were engaged in our 5th school distribution. We had 26 schools to cover during the spring, and this was number five. We had canceled this school the previous week because of an all-day rainstorm.

During the past month we had made several uneventful Sidewalk School distributions at local junior and senior high schools. We had four brand new men involved in these distributions. There were the usual minor adjustments that come with school distributions, but nothing serious. I finished lunch at the Tastee Freeze across the street from the school as I awaited the arrival of our team. A new man arrived, and we transferred two cases of Hospital Testaments to his car for a later distribution.

Then I pulled my Dodge van onto the street, opened the side door, and began to unload scriptures for the school distribution. I was disappointed that only four men had arrived for this large and friendly school. Suddenly, six shots rang out from an automatic revolver. The shooter was standing at the corner of the Tastee Freeze firing at a group of students 30 feet away and directly across the street.

Two girls ran and jumped into my van landing on the boxes of scriptures. Several boys ran into the park. One unlucky young man was hit by the gunfire and jumped into a nearby car. The police arrived within minutes. The shooting victim was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were not life threatening.

We only gave 200 New Testaments away that day, February 26, 1996, at the High School. The main gates near the shooting were locked and the students diverted to another exit. However, two days later we returned and placed another 700 scriptures for a total placement of 900 scriptures.

We just cannot be casual about the opportunities we have to work for Christ each and every day. Every child should have the opportunity to have his or her own New Testament.

It may be the difference between life and death.

Speaking of which, here are some good news stories:

OTIS TOWNSEND received a New Testament when he was 10 years old. His family did not attend church, but Otis started reading his testament every chance he had. He was invited to a Vacation Bible School and started attending Sunday School and came home one day to tell his mother he was “saved.” His mother and brother went to check out the church and they too were “saved.” Soon Otis’ 4 brothers and his father were “saved.” Otis died when he was 12 years old from stomach cancer, but many thousands of people have been introduced to Jesus  because of his testimony.

SHANNON PARKER had run away from home and dropped out of school. She used alcohol and drugs. In January 1995 Gideons went to Verdugo Hills High School and gave almost 2,000 testaments to the students. One girl gave her testament to Shannon and made her promise to read it. In June 1995 we received a letter from Shannon stating that she was back home and attending school and that she had been sober for 4 months 3 ½ days. She thanked us for restoring her faith in Jesus. In September 1998 a local newspaper reported a fatal automobile accident. Shannon Parker and her six month old baby had perished. I’m glad Shannon received a testament, aren’t you.

MEAGAN wrote from Early, Texas, “Thank you for the Bibles. They are great. I’m almost finished reading mine. I loved the Christmas story. Thanks again.” 

SANDRA LUCIA met Jesus when she was in the 5^th grade in Porto do Rosa, Brazil after reading a Gideon New Testament she received at school. She gave the testament to another friend and he also received Jesus as his Savior.