Description
Something needs to be done in missions around the world.
Yup, somebody for sure needs to do something . . . Not me, but somebody for sure oughta!
Sorry, but that’s not my ministry, . . . I am much too busy, . . . that’s not my giftedness. . . . But for sure somebody oughta do that!
Who are the “somebodies” who oughta do something?
An easily staged monologue written for Alliance Women’s Ministry in 1999, updated 2023
Reference to Cambodia can be changed to any other needy country.
Cast: 1 f (monolog) Middle age or younger
Bible Reference: Proverbs 16:23
Set:
- table, kitchen effects
Sound: wireless mics if available
Song: none
Lighting: standard
SFX: none
Props:
- kitchen effects, scrap food, prayer page
Costumes:
- ¾ length winter coat and semi-dress clothing
Special Instructions: none
Time: 7
Sample of script:
Actor comes onstage, shivering. Speaks to imaginary person in the audience.
Wow! It’s super cold out there! Would you believe my remote starter wouldn’t work and I had to run out and start the car, myself? Today of all days! I mean, it has to be like minus 30 out there . . . at least! (Remove jacket) I should have worn my full-length parka, but no, I opted for the ¾ length instead. (pauses, looks into audience, smiles) Well it looked better with my outfit!
Oh, that husband of mine!! Bill must have been making pizzas with the kids again – just look at this kitchen! . . . Food scraps, dirty dishes, everywhere!!
(cleans up leftovers)
(Mimes hearing a question from audience)
Where was I you ask? Oh, I was at the church at our monthly ladies’ missions meeting. What a great evening! . .
(moving downstage, mimes inviting audience closer, ready to gossip)
Delores made these great little chocolate drops, which, by the way, I do not believe were low-fat! And Ruby was wearing a new hat – not the style I would have chosen, but the color was definitely her!
And you remember Evelyn – well, her daughter, Debbie, is expecting another baby. That will make 5 for her and Tom! Imagine!
(Mimes question from audience)
What was the theme of the meeting? What do you mean by theme?
Oh, what was it about? Well, (pauses, thinks) there were some announcements, a game and a fellowship time. Oh yes, our president gave a little talk.
(gets excited, ready to share more gossip)
Wait until I tell you about what Jana was wearing!
(pauses, annoyed with another question)
The talk? Well, I couldn’t possibly remember it word for word. Wait a minute, (takes paper from pocket), they gave us this prayer page to take home.
(examines) Oh, yes, here it is “A Time for Mercy – Cambodia”.
(paper back in pocket)
Yes, we really do have to remember them in prayer, now don’t we. Somebody oughta do something about that!
(ready to gossip again)
But enough about those unpleasant things. Back to Jana’s outfit!
(pauses, annoyed with another question)
What about the women of Cambodia? Well, um…, well (pulls out paper again) let’s see. There’s a few facts on this page here.
(begins to read)
“Cambodia – Full of idol worshipping, 10.8 million people all crowded into an area the size of Rhode Island” Oh my, well somebody really oughta do something for them shouldn’t they?
(pauses again to look at audience)
What, you want to hear more? Well okay. (reads paper again) “A land where even the small minority who have access to safe drinking water have a treacherous walk to get it, while carefully stepping around land mines awaiting their next victim. Many women and children are at risk of being maimed or killed by these mines because they are the ones walking through the fields. Children often must work to help support the meagre income of their widowed mothers.”
(pausing for a moment to think)