So Send I You

Written for the 1996 National Assembly of the Canadian Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Reflecting on the need for a strong missionary emphasis in the church.

Szmple of script:

Simpson is standing at upstage center. While stage is still in total darkness, Simpson’s voice is heard:

Simpson: I, Albert Benjamin Simpson, was awakened one night, trembling with a strange and solemn sense of God’s overshadowing power. Lights slowly come up as Simpson continues: On my soul was burning the remembrance of a strange dream. In my dream I had been sitting in a vast auditorium. Millions of people were there, sitting around me, wringing their hands in mute anguish, and on their faces was an expression that I can never forget.

As I awoke with that vision on my mind, I did tremble with the Holy Spirit, and I threw myself on my knees, and every fibre of my being answered, “Yes, Lord, I will go”.

Lights go down slowly until at line “Yes, Lord” stage is in total darkness.

Soloist: So send I you, by grace made strong to triumph O’er hosts of hell, o’er darkness, death and sin,

Chris: Lord, it’s starting out to be a brutal day! Brutal!

Spot comes up gradually until at “brutal day”, spot is full up.

What next? My car is dead, that’s what! Dead! Me, all alone on His mission field, and now without a car! How do I get around? Makes me wonder about my future here! Why Africa, Lord? Why did You lead me here?

I wonder what they’re doing at home right now? It’s, let’s see, eleven hours, makes it evening, ‘bout 10:30, I guess. 10:30, in Canada, in Regina. Regina! Home! I can see it! Cool evening breeze. Sun’s gone down now. And here? Early morning, but already the heat is overpowering, like a hundred million blast furnaces! I shouldn’t feel this way, but Lord, it truly is turning into a brutal day.

Spot gradually goes down until at “turning into” spot is full off

Soloist: My name to bear, and in that name to conquer. So I send you, My victory to win.

Lois: This has not been a good day for me, Lord!

Spot comes up slowly until at “good day”, spot is full up.

Nothing seemed to go right. First there was scheduling problems with the prenatal classes I am teaching. And then, as frequently happens here in Peru, we were without electricity for a good part of the day.

If only Duane had been here. I felt so alone. And, I missed my kids. My kids in Quito, in school. And me, alone, by myself, here in Arequippa. The separation, it’s been four months now. It’s hard. They’re my babies. They act so grown up, but they’re my babies. Yes, I admit it! I was lonesome. I, Lois Thiessen, I, who has always prided myself on being in control.

But I wasn’t in control today, Lord. I needed my kids today. Sometimes I wonder, even with all my training, my preparation and my prayer, was I really equipped for the harsh realities of being a missionary? Oh, no! Not my best day!

Spot down gradually until at “Oh, no” spot is full off

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Reflecting on the need for a strong missionary emphasis in the church.
Written and performed for the 1996 National Assembly of the Canadian Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.
Adapt script to local location.

Cast: 8

• A.B. Simpson
• Lois Thiessen, female missionary
• Chris, male missionary
• Nicole, 10 year old girl
• Lorraine, retiring missionary
• Eileen, middle aged woman
• Mabel Francis, missionary from early 1900’s
• Female soloist

Bible Reference: John 20:21

Set: blank

Sound: wireless mics

Song:

• Solo a capella: “So Send I You”, E. Margaret Clarkson, John W. Peterson
  Hymns of the Christian Life, Copyright Christian Publications Page 467
• Coda to be used only at very end

Lighting:

• With the exception of Nicole, spotlights will be very narrow, highlighting the actor’s head and upper body, with only hint of lower body evident.
• None of the actors will move, therefore spots will be very location specific. Nicole’s spot will illuminate an area approximately 6’ around her. In the final scene Nicole will move somewhat, however only within the 6’ illuminated area.

SFX: none

Props: large rag doll

Costumes:

• All actors, with the exception of A. B. Simpson and Mabel Francis, will be dressed in normal attire. Simpson and Francis will be in early 1900’s costumes

Special Instructions:

• All actors except Soloist will perform from stage level, spaced as much as possible so spotlight will be on individual actor when speaking.
• Soloist will be on a small acting area, raised approx. three feet above stage level.

Time: 9

Sample of script:

Simpson standing at upstagecenter. Stage is in total darkness, Simpson speaks:

Simpson: I, Albert Benjamin Simpson, was awakened one night, trembling with a strange and solemn sense of God’s overshadowing power.
Lights slowly come up as Simpson continues:
On my soul was burning the remembrance of a strange dream. In my dream I had been sitting in a vast auditorium. Millions of people were there, sitting around me, wringing their hands in mute anguish, and on their faces was an expression that I can never forget.

As I awoke with that vision on my mind, I did tremble with the Holy Spirit, and I threw myself on my knees, and every fibre of my being answered, “Yes, Lord, I will go”.

Lights go down slowly until at line “Yes, Lord” stage is in total darkness for a few seconds then up on Soloist.

Soloist: So send I you, by grace made strong to triumph
O’er hosts of hell, o’er darkness, death and sin,

spot down on Soloist

Chris: Lord, it’s starting out to be a brutal day! Brutal!

Spot comes up gradually until at “brutal day”, spot is full up.

What next? My car is dead, that’s what! Dead! Me, all alone on His mission field, and now without a car! How do I get around? Makes me wonder about my future here! Why Africa, Lord? Why did You lead me here?

I wonder what they’re doing at home right now? It’s, let’s see, eleven hours, makes it evening, ‘bout 10:30, I guess. 10:30, in Canada, in Regina. Regina! Home! I can see it! Cool evening breeze. Sun’s gone down now. And here? Early morning, but already the heat is overpowering, like a hundred million blast furnaces! I shouldn’t feel this way, but Lord, it truly is turning into a brutal day.

Spot gradually down until at “turning into” spot is full off, up on Soloist

Soloist: My name to bear, and in that name to conquer.
So I send you, My victory to win.

spot down on Soloist, Spot comes up slowly until at “good day”, spot is full up.

Lois: This has not been a good day for me, Lord!

Nothing seemed to go right. First there was scheduling problems with the prenatal classes I am teaching. And then, as frequently happens here in Peru, we were without electricity for a good part of the day.

If only Duane had been here. I felt so alone. And, I missed my kids. My kids in Quito, in school. And me, alone, by myself, here in Arequippa. The separation, it’s been four months now. It’s hard. They’re my babies. They act so grown up, but they’re my babies. Yes, I admit it! I was lonesome. I, Lois Thiessen, I, who has always prided myself on being in control.

But I wasn’t in control today, Lord. I needed my kids today. Sometimes I wonder, even with all my training, my preparation and my prayer, was I really equipped for the harsh realities of being a missionary? Oh, no! Not my best day!

Spot down gradually until at “Oh, no” spot is full off