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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: JOY (10/28/21)
In our small tropical village, everyone knew each other and we lived according to strict parental rules. Five houses away from our home lived my only friend. Joy was noisy, boisterous and tempestuous whereas I was introverted, shy and a ‘see and not heard’ girl. We went to church together and often laughed and shared jokes. Our friendship lasted well into my teenage years when my friend suddenly changed. In one day she was no longer smiling or joking. My heart was sore.


“What’s wrong, Joy?” I asked.
In response, she ran off and bolted into her grandparents’ home.


Months later I found out that she had been abused and was now pregnant. Still a teenager she gave birth to a daughter while I went off to university. I have always been sad about this.


She was a joyful girl named Joy but the abuse changed her life.


Our world is plagued by millions of children who are abused. In many cases, they are sold into the sex trade by their parents. These children lose their joy and no longer innocent or happy, their souls are wounded. For them and for my friend Joy, the only hope for healing is in Jesus.
He can, through our human hands, heal them. Our kindness and protection in safe shelters can begin the long process of healing with God’s help.


The Holy Spirit gives us love, joy and peace and with His help abused children heal.


Decades later, I heard that Joy, my old friend moved to another country and with God’s help she was renewed. She was now happily married and lived a quiet life with her family.


273 words.
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This article has been read 386 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Marlene MCPherson
11/04/21
To make this piece more effective the author could recount an incident that brings out her personality, before the abuse took place. The theme is captured and the end is good, because she regained her "joy".
Philippa Geaney
11/05/21
Heartfelt story. This broken world certainly needs a Saviour.
Thank you.
Tammy Ortung 
11/07/21
What a tragic tale—yet just one of the many examples of how hope can be found in God, despite our tragic circumstances. Thank you for sharing.

I agree with Marlene, digging deeper into who Joy was before the incident … and maybe a little about how this affected you as her longtime friend, could have added more depth to this piece.