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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
Nabila walks down the African road
singing praises to her God.
He is so faithful.
He is so good.

Nabila rises before the sun.
It takes two hours to get to town.
At least she has a job.
Praise the Lord!

Her brother, Chidi, is sleeping sound.
Her sister, Noni, glances round.
“Be good at school,” Nabila says.
Then she prays:

“Great Father in Heaven we don’t deserve
all You give us in Your word.
For health and strength and daily bread
we bless Your name.”

Nabila walks down the African road
singing praises to her God.
He is so faithful.
He is so good.

There are no adults left alive
in their village. All have died
from the AIDS disease.
Nabila, 14, is the elder.

She leaves the village every day
to wash the floors and earn her wage.
One whole dollar.
Praise the Lord!

The money ensures there will be school
for Chidi and Noni but not for her.
She will work
till they are grown.

Nabila walks down the African road
singing praises to her God.
He is so faithful.
He is so good.

Today she gets to go to market.
With hard earned money she’ll buy grits.
Maize for another week.
Praise the Lord!

In another month or so
she will get to buy new clothes!
This only happens once a year.
Praise the Lord!

School fees come and they go.
She is faithful with the few
dollars she has.
Noble Nabila.

Nabila walks down the African road
singing praises to her God.
He is so faithful.
He is so good.

---------------------------------------
Based on a true story as told by Jim Cantelon in his book, "When God Stood Up"
Nabila - noble
Chidi - God exists
Noni - gift of God
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This article has been read 1566 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
julie wood
03/08/07
This poem and character portrayal really brought Nabila to life! Her faith in God and selflessness in the face of suffering are indeed noble.

This account reminded me of my church pastor, who recently visited Kenya and is starting a ministry in a town there for the AIDS victims. This poem made the people there seem more real to me by getting inside the mind and heart of a single individual. Beautiful job!
Marilee Alvey
03/11/07
This is a creative poem with a dynamite message. Nabila as the elder? Wow. Now, that's moving. Good job.
Leigh MacKelvey
03/12/07
Nabila sure puts some of us to shame with her faith, thankfulness and praise. Liked the stlye and fow of this poem.
Sharlyn Guthrie
03/14/07
This a sobering piece, yet the thankful attitude of Nabila's heart is amazing. I feel humbled!
Jan Ackerson
03/14/07
Heartbreaking--a 14-year-old elder--and yet she sings praises to God! Wonderful poem, wonderful message: some of us whine when we have the flu, or are a bit short on cash for the week.
Loren T. Lowery
03/14/07
I enjoyed the poem and its message. Although I'm not sure if you meant the meter to match the amble of one walking, when I read it, that is the pace it took for me. Good job.
Brenda Buikema
03/14/07
Wonderfully written poem. Sure makes me feel guilty for shopping for clothes today!
Joanne Sher 
03/14/07
So touching and convicting! Nabila's thankfulness puts me absolutely to shame! Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
Sara Harricharan
03/15/07
VERY GOOD! This was amazingly heartfelt and flowed easily at the same time. I really liked how you repeated the phrases:

He is so faithful.
He is so good.

That really added to it, the line that packs the punch is when we discover that Nabila is only 14, but her spirit and attitude is one that we should mirror.

I especially like the names you chose for all of them, very creative and fitting! Awesome writing!
Julie Arduini
03/16/07
This is one of those that I'll keep thinking about long after I shut down the computer. Well done, what an amazing picture of faith and praise. Excellent.
Sally Hanan
03/19/07
Hi Terry, I wanted to let you know that I was one of the judges last week, and while this one did not get top scores in every category, it has left me with an indelible memory of Nabila walking down the road to work. This is the kind of writing needed eveywhere - the kind that sticks in the mind and won't let go because it is so inspirational. Thanks for writing it :)