Project Pearl: The 1 Million Smuggled Bibles That Changed China

by Brother David

From the coauthor of The Heavenly Man comes another incredible true story of God's power manifested in China. Project Pearl is the powerful account of the delivery, in June 1981, of one million Bibles into China by a tugboat and barge manned by twenty dedicated missionaries.

Genres: Christian

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2008

Reviews

[Poiema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that sat on my shelf for at least a decade, gathering dust. Sometimes I think Providence determines the timing of when I read a particular book; in this case I was almost inexpressibly stimulated and moved by this powerful true story. It is the memoir of a former Marine, who conceived a project so bold and daring that most people considered it impossible. His mission? To print 1 million Chinese Bibles and smuggle them via tugboat and barge to a beach on the coast of China.

The necessity? Mao Tsedung had expunged nearly all the Bibles in China. At the time of this mission (1981), there were only a few dozen known copies of the Bible that had survived. Christianity survived and thrived in spite of the adverse circumstances, but the believers were desperate for scriptures--- the sustaining bread of life.

The challenge? To assemble a team of co-workers and to grow faith by 1st taking small excursions into China carrying suitcases full of Bibles disguised to look like Mao's red book. It was very obvious that the faith to do a HUGE project was something that had to be nurtured and grown. The preparations were fascinating and included hundreds of hours of prayer, divine appointments, and the support of all manner of people from every walk of life. Blind women in China served as message couriers, because authorities didn't suspect them and couldn't read Braille even if the messages were intercepted. Hippies spontaneously stepped in when help was needed to load the 232 tons of Bibles. Educated and uneducated, from many nations and backgrounds contributed to the unlikely success of Project Pearl. Most amazing to me was the fact that none of the 20 crew members had any experience at all going to sea, with the single exception of the Captain, Bill Tinsley.

The execution and ultimate success of the mission was suspenseful and thrilling from beginning to end. I found myself moved to tears at times by the setbacks, the sacrifices, the dangers, and the final victory. The letters of thanks that trickled in afterwards from the Chinese Christians were especially moving and one could feel their heartfelt emotion at having attained a most precious possession.

So many missionary stories I have read come from annals of history that feel far removed. This one is from MY generation and I actually knew (by name only) a few of the players in this venture. I came to Calvary Chapel in 1981, the same year that Project Pearl happened. Pastor Chuck Smith played a supportive role in the work, and I remember him often speaking of the Chinese house pastors, Papa and Mama Kwang--- who played equally important roles in organizing a secret network of 20,000 Chinese believers to receive and distribute the Bibles. Keith Ritter was also a friend-of-a -friend and was one of the crew members on board the tugboat.

The result? In the words of Brother David,
" The church has experienced incredible revival throughout China during this generation. It is surely the greatest revival in the history of Christianity." What a thrill to read about it, to relive with the participants this incredible venture of faith. This is an outstanding and faith stimulating read--- probably my top read EVER in this genre.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and inspiring story!

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what an encouraging book for many reasons! I loved hearing this story of a mission that seems suicidal and impossible in the world's eyes but just further proves that NOTHING is impossible with God! The delivery of 1 million Bibles to China in 1981 is just incredible. I love the perseverance of all those involved in the mission, most notably Brother David, the project's leader. I was disgusted by the attacks of mission organizations against Project Pearl, claiming that a "smuggling" operation against the laws of China was wrong on many accounts. Brother David rightly dismisses this as untrue and even unbiblical, arguing that God's law always surpasses the law of a respective country. Powerful book that ends with Brother David's urging that we spend time in Scripture and prayer fervently, because a Servant's heart stems from a right relationship with God.

[John Pasquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want to put this book down! It was SO intriguing to be taken along their journey, to train with them, to see their anticipation, and then to experience with them the joy of delivering 1 million Bibles to China! What a thrill! How amazing!

Admittedly, a part of me wished that I could have been one of those men who had a part in such a tremendous and country-changing mission!

[David Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book! One of the best accounts of mission work I’ve read which focuses on the 2nd half of the 20th Century. May God be praised for His great provision and awesome intervention to enable 1 million Bibles to be delivered into China in 1981. An inspiring story.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story line itself if straightforward, God using men and women to deliver one million Bibles into communist China, with the sovereignty of God proving superior to the resistance (or even assistance) of man and Satan. What was remarkable, though not in hindsight, was that there are now in place, all over the world, and most importantly including anti-Christian countries, men and women who are the true Church, withstanding suffering and death for the name and glory of Christ, of which the Church in the West knows very little. God is not hindered by cruel governments opposed to Christ and the Bible. The gates of hell will not prevail against his Church. Easy to say, but amazing when actually seen in action. God reserves to himself 7000 who will not bow their knee to Baal. Not only does this sovereign election and protection include persons inside ostensibly God fearing nations, but who are apostate in fact, it also includes countries where every effort is made to stamp out Christianity. In other words, Diocletian, Stalin and Mao could never end the Church. A final lessen to draw from this book is that if we obey God, without question, then he will come to us and abide with us and will use us in his plans. But the price is high.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story -- but not that well-written. Still worth it for the great story!