Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Trees (12/05/05)
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TITLE: The Trees Will Clap Their Hands | Previous Challenge Entry
By Angeline oppenheimer
12/10/05 -
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Sitting on a Guava branch, legs dangling, back snugged on the smooth trunk, I was having one splendid afternoon. As matter of fact, most afternoons were spent up here, cradling a book, transported into the “White” world, where the people speak the language fluently and live with an abundance, I only dreamed off. Having learned the magic of alphabet from British-trained teachers and then how words can paint pictures in your head, I love reading, As all the books I borrowed from school were in English, I was thrown into a world where kids have golden hair and eyes like sapphire, emerald or even topaz.. They‘re different from my charcoal hair and tan skin and different is interesting.. I love the landscape, the lifestyle, the way they speak, and most times, I’m roaming with them through the undulating plains, climbing their tree-houses, having a water-melon party, struggling with them in their challenges and wishing to be part of that, if only privy.
Years after I’m too old to climb trees and have to be content with reading under my favorite shady tree, the fascination for the White people continued. However, never in my wildest dreams did I think I could ever be part of their lives. I graduated from college and when most of my friends were getting hitched, I remained pretty unattached. All the men around me were too “square” or too proper or too together that it seemed hard to uncover any surprising facets. My heart yearned for something out there….though I didn’t know what or how to attain it.
God must have smiled from Heaven. A Father’s heart…and now to orchestrate the events that will lead to the fulfillment of hidden dream. It took another hot day when sleep was difficult even though my body begged for some rest. My restless heart decided to shop, a favorite pastime in Singapore. Coming out from the cool comfort of the mall, I turned to cross the road when I chanced upon a Caucasian guy trying to dodge street touts selling copy watches. His sudden move, like that of an ambling oversized , dare I say, Orang Utan, seemed decidedly funny. I smiled. To myself. He caught my smile and came right up beside me and said, “I bet that never happens to you.”
As it turned out, I met the first “White” man in my life. The first one that walked out of the pages of the book. He is Jewish…like Jesus. A chosen people, forbearers of my faith. My fascination became the hook for him. We started talking and then I couldn’t get rid of him. It took three years before I decided to make the big move but not before big objections.
“Why can’t you find a good Chinese man here? There’re plenty around, “ my mom was in disbelief when told about our decision to marry.
“A good Chinese man is hard to find.” I told her.
“Well, you don’t really know him. What is he turns out to be a creep or a maniac? It will be too late when you’re 12,000 miles away.”
“Mom, look at me, I’m a grown woman. I think I know a creep when I see one.”
My assurances to my mom was a front. Inside me, tremors of uncertainty radiated and fears flared again and again. What if he’s a fraud? A conniving pimp looking for women for prostitution ?(I’ve heard of that). Or a desperate man in need of an Asian wife to be his workhorse, to serve his twisted need? Well, thoughts can get dark when you’re afraid. In the midst of all my questionings, I remember Abraham and his call to leave everything he had to follow God, making his abode among the trees in Mamre. Dare I step out in faith, crossing oceans and cultures? Leaving everything I owned (not that I’ve much) and everyone I love to follow a foreigner? And then, a clear encouragement came from His Word, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” …Isaiah 55:12.
We were married on July 4th as America celebrated with us in fireworks, and picnics and barbecues. Joyous, loud and yes like an Amen from God himself.
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