By LH Goh
A 3,200-kilometre journey awaited us. Winding roads, border bureaucracy, and customs delays. Yet through faith, perseverance, and God’s divine grace, precious Bibles found their way into eager hands.
This mission was born out of a simple yet urgent calling: to deliver 1,800 Bibles in an East Asian language to a diaspora community in Malaysia, believers whose homeland restricts access to God’s Word. For nearly a year, our team had prayed and planned for this journey, trusting that what seemed impossible would be made possible by Him.
On 27 September 2025, six of us set out in three vehicles, my husband and I, our nephew Soon and his wife Lisa, and two dear friends, Soy and Ming. We knew the path ahead would be challenging: winding mountain roads, landslide-prone areas, and regions occasionally shaken by bomb blasts.
The 75 boxes of Bibles, weighing about 1.2 tonnes, were more than a logistical challenge; they represented a spiritual test of faithfulness to the task God had entrusted to us.
The First Trip: Unexpected obstacles and a miracle
We set out bright and early that Saturday morning. After five hours on the road, we arrived at the Thai–Malaysian border and completed all the necessary travel documentation. By midday, we had reached the border town and collected the first batch of 650 Bibles.
However, later that evening, as we crossed back through the Malaysian checkpoint, two of our vehicles were stopped for inspection. One was ordered to return all the boxes of Bibles, neatly packed in the car’s trunk, back to Thailand, and the driver’s passport was held. The other vehicle was subjected to a thorough search, and 300 copies of the Bible were confiscated by Border Control.
As we waited for our turn, our hearts sank when we saw our friends detained in the next lane.
My husband grew visibly anxious when I stepped out to open the car boot and display our luggage for inspection. The Bibles were clearly visible, but somehow, the officers overlooked them. It felt as though God had veiled their eyes. At that moment, all I could do was pray, and He answered.
Why God allowed us to pass while our friends were stopped is hard to understand. His ways are higher than ours, and His plans often unfold in ways we cannot immediately grasp. Yet even in the tension and uncertainty, we saw His hand at work – protecting, guiding, and ultimately fulfilling His purpose.
Hours of interrogation and a divine intervention
Our two sisters, whose car was searched, went through hours of questioning by both customs officers and the police. Despite the pressure and uncertainty, they showed remarkable courage while responding to the authorities and physically unloading the heavy boxes of Bibles.
The next morning, senior police officials arrived from headquarters to cross-investigate the matter. After further questioning, they authorised the release of 294 Bibles; to this day, six remain unaccounted for. It was a timely and miraculous intervention.
In their own words, Soy and Ming shared: “We experienced a profound peace that surpassed all understanding – one we might never have known had we not stepped out in obedience to the call of God. In the face of numerous officers and relentless questioning, we remained calm and steady, anchored by the unmistakable presence of God. In the stillness of that storm, our prayers were answered: God made a way for the Bibles to be released and brought openly into Malaysia, in broad daylight, to those they were meant for.”
The Second Trip: Treacherous roads lined with God’s peace
With the remaining 1,150 Bibles sitting in a farm shed in Thailand, a local pastor inquired with several transport agencies to bring the copies into Malaysia, but none were available.
On the third day, four of us – Soon, Lisa, my husband and I set off again on our second journey, convinced that we could not leave the Bibles behind in temporary storage.
This time, we chose a different border crossing further north, which meant an extra six-hour drive through remote, winding roads. A 75-kilometre stretch was particularly arduous, carved through steep terrain and shrouded in the looming threat of landslides, made even more real by pounding monsoon rains that drenched every curve and crevice.
Nevertheless, the route was breathtakingly scenic with pockets of quiet beauty that reminded us of God’s presence even in isolation.
Upon reaching the border town, the Lord providentially arranged a local logistics company to formalise the commercial importation of our Bibles, including duty exemption for religious books. By the next day, the remaining 1,150 copies of Bibles had been safely transported to Kuala Lumpur, completing what started as a daunting task with a triumphant finish.
Step out in obedience, and He will make a way
This trailblazing journey reminded us that sometimes, our role is simply to step out in faith and God will open the door. In a nutshell, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
To share our experience of God’s faithful providence, AVB published three videos on Instagram sharing God’s faithfulness, that He never leaves us alone when we step out boldly to do His bidding. The videos have since garnered nearly 300,000 views to date, touching hearts far beyond our immediate circle.
Today, the Bibles we carried are being read by believers – men and women who can finally hold God’s Word in their heart language, something made nearly impossible by the laws of their homeland. Indeed, His Word endures forever.
In moments of uncertainty, when plans are halted and our hearts are anxious, God reminds us that He is in control. We may face detours, delays, and even opposition, but His timing is perfect and His provision is sure. All we need to do is step forward in faith, and He will always make a way.
