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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Writing a Letter (handwritten correspondence) (10/21/10)
The chariot wheels clattered as they spun over the rocky path. Cold frosty breath swirled from the nostrils of the tired horses. The way was dark and the night cold as the pilgrim traveled this ancient road. He was a seeker wrestling with the meaning of his own existence. He had tasted the exotic but, in spite of its intoxication, there was emptiness deep within his heart. Trappings of power masked the silent spaces in his soul.

He sought to find answers that would deliver him from the sea of darkness that engulfed his heart. He was turned away by the religious leaders in Jerusalem despite his authority as an Ethiopian ambassador. He was a eunuch. His journey had been long and arduous, a foreigner in an alien land. Bitter disillusionment was like burning acid. His life and career at the court of the Ethiopian queen had come at a terrible cost. What did it matter that he had not chosen to be deprived of his manhood in order to gain position? It was done to save his life from death.

Human oppression, even though masked by riches and wealth, is still a prison. The scroll beside him was an invitation that beckoned the eunuch to seek something that would set him free. Was there no-one who could teach him what his heart thirsted to know?

As night turned into day he commanded the driver to pull the chariot over. They needed to rest in the shade from the heat of the desert sun. Sleep eluded the Ethiopian as his gaze was drawn to the opened scroll. He whispered quietly as he read the words of the Jewish prophet Isaiah.

Startled by a voice asking him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He looked up to find a Hebrew man beside the chariot. “How can I, unless someone teaches me?” he replied, inviting the man to sit beside him on the chariot seat.

Phillip opened his mouth, and beginning with the scriptures in Isaiah, told this seeking pilgrim about Jesus. Rejoicing flooded the eunuch’s heart as freedom filled his soul. The pilgrim’s journey was complete.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Lollie Hofer 
10/29/10
Good retelling of a Bible story. Great job of showing the Ethopian's hunger and desperation for God.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/30/10
This is a good story with a great message. Nicely done.
Jan Ackerson
11/01/10
Very good writing!

Since you had more words left over, I'd have loved to read some of the eunuch's back story.

Your first few paragraphs were superb, and my favorite part of this entry.
Noel Mitaxa 
11/04/10
Very descriptive and credible portrayal of this unnamed biblical figure. I agree that it finishes a little up in the air (instead of in the water - but us Baptists like to take every opportunity!) yet you have thrown some strong light into the story.
Nancy Sullivan 
11/10/10
Your word pictures are wonderful. Great job of sharing this Bible story.