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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: South America (02/05/09)
”And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after his kind, and, the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12


The sounds of anguish fill the air, caught by the howling wind and carried to the very gates of Heaven. Prayers from God’s children swell to become an endless chorus of petitions. Songs of praise and worship reach the ear of God.

The whole world is under attack via Columbia, South America.


Gabriel: So much misery, sickness, death, and despair from a tree created for good by God.

Michael: We are messengers to minister to man, not teachers. It is not for us to judge. God sent me to the Incas with warnings about the Coca tree. They chose to
use the tree for evil. When the Spanish arrived in the land, God sent me with
a message to them. They, too, chose evil over good.

Gabriel: Remember the tree of good and evil in the Garden of Eden? God left the choice up to Adam and Eve. They chose evil then, too.

Michael: God said His creation was good. Yet, man has rejected the good and sought out the evil. The Coca tree is full of good, but man seeks the
darkness rather than light.

Gabriel: With greed as his seduction, the Bishop of Cuzco tithed coca, taking for himself one-tenth of the crop. If he had only known the cost to man.

Michael: The price of evil is great. When you were sent to John Styth Pembeton with a message from God, good could have prevailed. He chose, instead
to use the coca leaves in a recipe for Coca-Cola. It was not the greater
good.

Gabriel: There were some who declared chewing it a work of Lucifer. But, evil won out and they were soon legalizing it and collecting taxes on the harvest.

Michael: Look at the lives ruined. Cocaine has become a recreational drug and is fueling Columbian rebels and drug lords. Men and women are slaves to cocaine. They are breaking God’s laws, killing, stealing and selling their bodies for this evil. Parents are weeping over ruined lives of their children.
Even Christians are struggling to fight the influence of cocaine.

Gabriel: Men seek answers from the Amazon Rainforest for remedies to cancer. The Amazon Basin is teeming with health-restoring medicines. But, the greed
of man is the motivation to seek. God wants men to desire fellowship with Him

Michael: God answers prayers. We see His love played out everyday, His grace offered freely to man, His heart saddened by man’s choice to sin. We see the
abundant life God desires for His children since the beginning. We angels
watch and marvel at God’s plan for the salvation of man.

Gabriel: I wonder if one day God will reveal to man the cure for disease in the Coca tree? Will their hearts be broken to look back through time and see all the pain caused by the evil choice? Will they ever see how perfect God is in His creation?

Michael: Maybe so, Gabriel. Maybe, so.
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This article has been read 1748 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Karlene Jacobsen 
02/13/09
Interesting dialogue between the arch angels. It is a sad thing that people take what could be a good thing and are seduced into choosing the evil route.
Gregory Kane
02/15/09
an interesting way to retell the history of the coca bush. Presumably much the same argument could be made for the poppy
Jan Ackerson
02/17/09
This is excellent!

My only suggestion would be to give the title a second consideration, for two reasons: 1) you're a very strong writer, and you don't need to use a well-known phrase for your title, and 2) it's a bit "flip", and doesn't really match the tone of the entry.

I enjoyed this very much, and look forward to reading more of your pieces in future challenges.
Eliza Evans 
02/18/09
I think you took some risks with this piece and I think that is excellent. Very strong writing.

I would like to point out that this piece is primarily a " Tell " and it is difficult to really engage a reader through Tell alone. That is my opinion, anyway.

The first paragraph after the bible verse is more of a " Show " and is lovely and lyrical, - stirring emotions and visual imagery.


Keep writing! :) I am looking forward to more! :)
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/18/09
This was a very creative way to approach the topic. I've a feeling you'll be moving up.
Shirley McClay
02/18/09
Very creative take on the topic! You gave us lots to think about... and I agree that the first art was poetic and lovely. Looking forward to more of your writing.
Bryan Ridenour
02/18/09
Great writing and I like the fact that you used angels as your MC's. I believe that there is such a spiritual warfare going on in the world today and I am sure that they(angels) are grieved at the way we have turned our backs on God.
Ruth Ann Moore
02/19/09
Beautifully done Mona. I liked your perspective and the message held within.
Deborah Porter 
02/20/09
Hi Mona. Just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know your entry "Don't Blame the Messenger," actually did very well in the South America Challenge. Although you didn't receive an award, you made it into the Highest Rankings for Level 1, placing 15th in Level 1. Competition in this level is always very intense, so well done.

If you'd like to check the highest rankings for yourself, you can find them here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24421

The highest rankings are posted every Thursday evening on the Message Boards.

You definitely deserve a pat on the back. Well done. With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)