Wang TianLan’s life has never been easy. A poor, rural dirt farmer in China, TianLan has worked from sun up to dusk as far back as he can remember. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. Then his wife was diagnosed with cancer.
But despite poverty and illness, TianLan has a reason to celebrate this upcoming Christmas.
“Jesus, all you had was a manger. We should not worry,” TianLan says.
TianLan was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home. Knowing God from a young age has filled him with love, joy and peace. Today, he and his wife share the hope they have with everyone they meet.
“So many Christian friends came to our house to pray and visit each day that my neighbor asked, ‘How do you have so many relatives?’ I told them that God’s family is very big,” TianLan says with a laugh.
One of TianLan’s greatest treasures is his well-worn Bible, and his greatest wish was for others in his village to have a copy of God’s Word for their own.
Because of American Bible Society’s financial partners, we granted TianLan’s wish and provided brand new Bibles to people in his village. This Christmas—and those to follow—his friends and loved ones can read about the good news of Jesus from their very own Bibles.
“Not too many years ago, we did not have enough money in this village to buy even one Bible,” TianLan says. “Now we have hundreds of Bibles brought to us for free. Thank you!”