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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Before and After (05/14/09)
Before I met you, all I could see was dirt and dust. It was everywhere on the ground and even blowing through the air and piled up on the sides of the street.

Before I knew your name, all the names ran together. I couldn’t remember who was who because you all looked the same, and that “same” was very different than me.

Before I heard your voice, I heard a thousand other voices and the language was so different and the words spoken so quickly that I could not understand the meaning.

Before you served me hot tea, I was scared to drink or eat anything for fear of the infamous lurking Giardia that might attack my unaccustomed belly.

Before I shook your hand, I had never felt like this; like God was using me to touch a person whom He longed to save.

But, after I became your friend, I couldn’t see the dirt and dust, not even the bits smudged on your face.

After I knew your name, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I prayed for you and talked about you and asked others to pray for you.

After I heard your voice squeal in delight over my feeble attempts at your language, I became emboldened to try harder and learn more. The unfamiliar sounds separated into words and the words formed into meanings in my mind.

After I drank your tea, no one else’s would do! I love the way you put just the right amount of cinnamon and cardamom into the water before adding the tea leaves. How did I ever enjoy plain tea before?

After I shook your hand, I couldn’t let go. God is using me to love you. I have reached for your hand but God has allowed you to reach into my heart and now you will always have a place there.

Before we met our lives were worlds apart. After we became friends, our hearts have intertwined. I will not forget you. I cannot leave you without a piece of me being torn away. Funny how one so foreign to me, could become so transforming in me. I will never be the same.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Christine Dunn
05/21/09
A beautiful, and very creative way to describe your mission experience.
Sharon Kane
05/26/09
I really enjoyed reading this. You said a lot in few words. I can relate to the richness that comes into our lives through cross-cultural friendships, and how knowing people around the globe fuels the passion to reach the nations for Christ. Nicely done.