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The auctioneer’s staccato words bounced off Elaine's ears as she fixed her gaze on the tattered and worn suitcase. Water stains blended with scratches leading to coffee marks connected to dents. Would anyone guess the depth of value that tattered item possessed?
***
Her palms sweated so profusely she almost lost her grip on the precious suitcase. Licking her dry lips, she nervously tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
“Please, God, hide this suitcase. Send your angels of protection and let this case of hope pass.”
“You hold up line! Pass, go, go!” The impatient guard waved her through customs without so much as a second glance.
***
That had been the first of many miracles covering that suitcase. It had also been the first stain. In her hurry to comply with the guard scowling at her, she had spilled her coffee down the front of the case. A wistful smile graced her face. That faded and scratched leather was all the scrapbook she had ever needed.
***
A shaking pair of hands passed a new Bible to each set of eager hands. Eyes were wet with quiet thanks as the little black books were hidden in jackets and skirts. People fled within seconds of receiving their precious gift.
Her heart nearly stopped when she saw little An with Li on her hip. An’s parents had been arrested the night before and no one knew what had become of the little girl or her brother. Thank God they were all right. Genji rushed over as soon as An had her Bible and Elaine knew the children would be safe and cared for.
***
The bidding closed with the auctioneer’s, “SOold, to number 7 over there!” Elaine was not surprised that very little monetary value had been placed on the case. She scanned the crowd trying to find the new owner. Were they aware of the price in blood it had cost?
***
It was the second blow that cut her lip. Never would she give them names.
“Oh God,” her fading mind cried out, “please hold my lips. May your strength be made perfect in my weakness.”
“We know you not alone! Tell us who you work with and we go easy.” In the midst of pain her prayer was answered as conscientiousness left her body.
***
To this day she still had no idea, other than the mercy of God, why they let her go. A sigh escaped her thinning lips as she slowly watched her possessions auctioned off. Her new home at Sunnybrook Retirement Community was far too small for so many tokens of sentiment. Still, she wondered if selling the suitcase had been a mistake.
A neatly dressed young man approached her. His step was slow but light. His gaze held hers and a twinkle lit up his slanted eyes. In his hands he carried the suitcase, reverently, gently.
He stopped with a bow in front of her. With trembling fingers he reached into his jacket and began to pull something from the inside pocket. Tears streamed down his dark face as he whispered in broken English, “My name Li. Thank you, Miss Nary.”
Tears poured down Elaine’s face as she beheld that precious babe last seen on his sister’s hip. The now grown Li placed his worn, tattered, and well loved Bible in her hands as he firmly said, “I now bring Bible to my people.”
Praise erupted from Elaine’s lips. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you that this young man knows the worth of that suitcase he now carries.”
To Li she said as she bowed, “As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’* You bring me much honor, Li. May God and all his angels bless you as you go in peace.”
*Romans 10:15 NIV
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