By Joshua & Loretta Reid
This play is based on a true story, is set in a small hut. Two missonaries, Jon and his wife Linda, are being guarded by some of the warriors of a remote Indian village. They are under the threat of death.
Jon: A strong, secure guy with a heart for the lost. His only dream is to make a difference with his life - and to live a life worthy of his calling. A very real and down to earth type - no barriers up.
Linda: Jon's wife. Also with a strong desire to make her life count.. Scared about what they are doing - but gives it over to Jesus, and walks in His strength.
Jon: (Almost in a daze) I can't believe we've come this far - just to die.
Linda: Everything we've worked for - ruined.
Jon: I know God has everything in His hands, but...
Linda: (Bitter) Why is He letting us die then?!
Jon: (Trying to figure it out) I don't know. Perhaps...to teach us...
Linda: (Bursts. A cry) Teach us what?! Faith?! Patience?! (Stares at him) Jon we are going to die!
Jon: (Yell) I know we're going to die!! What are we supposed to do? - Give up our faith?! Is that what you want?
Linda: (Stunned from his yell) No. No. Jon I'm so scared. I just don't understand why we have to go through with this. I'm so confused.
Jon: (Hugs her) I know. (Sighs) Look, I'm sorry I yelled.
Linda: (Soft) Really?
Jon: Of course. I guess I'm scared too. (Looks at her) But I still know now, like I've always known, that God is here with us.
Linda: But how can it be God's plan for us to die now? - After all we've been through?
Jon: That's something I don't know. But I do know that if it's God's will for us to die today - then He will bring some good out of it.
Linda: I know that too.
Jon: And if it's not God's will for us to die - then He will make a way for us to live.
Linda: (Pause) Well I sure do pray that God wants us to live.
Jon: So do I. It's not really death that scares me though -
Linda: (Cuts in) Well, we do know where we're going to.
Jon: (Smiles) That's right. (Beat) But what frustrates me most is thinking of all that work we've put into this mission.
Linda: All those years at Bible college.
Jon: And all those many more years, studing these people's language and culture.
Linda: Trying to understand how they think. Trying to see things the way they see them.
Jon: Translating vital Scriptures into their language.
Linda: All that long, hard work.
Jon: All for nothing.
(A few beats)
Jon: And now here we sit. Awaiting our execution.
Linda: Oh Jon...
Jon: They're actually preparing a ceremony. A party - to rid their village of the 'Christian plague'.
Linda: I just feel so sad for them. They will proberbly never know the truth. They'll go on living their pagan ways. (Beat) If only they'd have really listened to us!
Jon: I don't mind dying, so much. I know I'm going to heaven. But I sure wish I didn't have to go through the pain of death.
Linda: (Looks at him. See's he's hurting) Maybe we should pray.
Jon: (He looks at her, then decides he wants to pray too.) They kneel down together - eyes closed, heads bowed a bit. Silence for a few moments, then Linda speaks...)
Linda: I don't know what to pray.
Jon: (Jon starts the Lord's Prayer. Said with very real meaning - remembering that they are about to die. - Linda joins in shortly). Our Father...which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Both: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, (Beat) as we forgive those - who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, and forever - Amen.
(They open their eyes and look at each other. Suddenly there is a sound outside)
Linda: (Reacting to sound) What's that!? - That voice?
Jon: (Stands and goes to door) What? Kyaa? Yah Sadhu? Mai chalo hai? Okay, okay. Ek minite. (Turns to Linda) It's the chief. He wants to see me - to talk!! (Exits)
Linda: (Watches him leave) O Lord, please be with Jon. Please don't let him
be hurt. (She wanders over, sits down, and starts singing, softly to herself)
O The blood of Jesus x3
It washes white as snow (etc)
Jon: (Enters - Joy bursting through himself) You will never believe what's happened now. (Big smile) Unbelievable! - Totally unbelievable!!
Linda: Well tell me then. What's so unbelievable?!
Jon: Radjid - the man who was always mocking us, was entertaining the chief. He was making fun of the Bible - reading from Revelations.
Linda: That's what's so - 'unbelievanble'?
Jon: No no. Just wait. - The chief must have been listening to the words he read, very closely. Well, Radjid got to where it reads: 'To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood...'. (*See Rev 1:5)
Linda: (Jon is paused) Well - go on.
Jon: Well the chief broke down and cried! See, the chief explained to me that he had always understood the need for a blood sacrifice - in order that their sins might be forgiven.
Linda: I see.
Jon: But he had never heard before, about a god becoming the blood sacrifice! And so now he understands that they don't have to make anymore of their sacrifices...
Linda: Thank you Lord! No more of those sacrifices.
Jon: The chief realized that if they followed Jesus, that He would forgive their sins, because Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice!
Linda: His blood shed! The final sacrifice!
Jon: So I explained to him that if he's going to follow Jesus he must not have any other gods. And he says - 'Fine!'. He says if a god is willing to die for a human, then that god must be the only true God!!
Linda: Oh Jon! This is all too amazing! It's...Unbelievable!!
Jon: That's what I was trying to tell you.
Linda: Well, what now?
Jon: Come out with me. The chief, and the whole village with him - want to be baptized! We've got a lot of work before us! (And he exits)
Linda: Thank you Lord - for saving our lives, and for bringing many more lives into your kingdom today. - Amen!!!! (She exits)
END
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Copyright © Reid, J&L. 1997, all rights reserved.
This script may be used without royalty payment provided no charge is made for entrance to the performance. In return the authors would like to be told of any performance. They may be contacted at joshua@wakeupenterprises.com