Send Me Away

by Joanne Miller

Summary

A woman reveals to her friend that her secret desire has always been to be a missionary.  She can only stay at home and take her mother for her chemo treatments, care for her brother’s 3 young children, and volunteer at church.  How she wishes she could make her life “count for God”.  She never seems to realize all that God is doing through her right where she is.

Characters

Kim – middle aged lady
Nan – Kim’s friend (any age)
3 children

Script

(Scene opens with Kim & Nan having coffee.)

Kim: Did you hear about Allison & Chuck?

Nan: No, what?

Kim: They’re going to be missionaries to a little village in Kenya.

Nan: Really?  How did that come about?

Kim: They joined an organization called His Hands.  Chuck has always wanted to be a missionary.  When he was a little boy I remember he used to play “missionary”.  He would pretend that he was in a thick jungle trying to witness to the people who, of course, responded enthusiastically.  He was always a big success!

Nan: (Laughing) Of course!  You must be so proud of your son!

Kim: Oh, I am and a little envious, too, I guess.

Nan: What do you mean?

Kim: That was always my dream, to be a missionary.

Nan: It was?

Kim: I used to dream of being used by God to really make a difference in people’s lives, but then Harry & I met, fell in love, and that was that.

(Matt, Mary & Ellen come running in arguing and talking over the top of each other.)

Kim: Hold it, hold it!  What is going on?

Mary: Matt locked us in the playhouse!

Matt: Did not!

Ellen: Did too!

Matt: Did not.  You “girls” (said sarcastically) just don’t know how to open the door.

(They all start to argue again.)

Kim: Stop! Stop!  Leave the door open, all of you, and stop the arguing.

(They run off still arguing.)

Ellen: Aren’t those your brother’s kids?

Kim: Oh, yeah.  Didn’t I tell you?  My sister-in-law called last week and said she couldn’t take care of them anymore.  You know my brother is still trying to “find himself”, so he can’t take care of them either.  That just leaves Harry & me.  It was that or a foster home, my sister-in-law said.

Ellen: How long do you have them?

Kim: Indefinitely.  Or at least until my brother “finds himself”!

Ellen: You’ve got to be kidding.

Kim: I wish I were.  Really though, they are great kids.  What could I do?
 
(Telephone rings.)

Kim: Hello.  Oh hi, Mom.  No, I didn’t forget.  I’ll be there Monday at 9:00 to pick you up for your chemo treatment.  No, the kids will be in school so that’s no problem.  I have Ellen here for coffee so I’ve gotta run; I’ll see you then.  Bye.

Ellen: How’s your mother doing with her treatments?

Kim: Very well actually.  The doctor says as long as she keeps taking the treatments there’s no problem, they can control the cancer.

Ellen: Great!

(Telephone rings again.)

Kim: Sorry, Ellen.  Hello.  Yes, hi Pastor.  Yes, I have a friend here for coffee.  No, I didn’t forget.  I bought the material and the paints.  I’ll do it tonight and bring it over tomorrow if that’s OK.  Good.  Bye.

Ellen: Are you making something for church?

Kim: I’m supposed to be making a peace banner.  It’s going to be hung outside in front of the church.  I’m going to put a dove, a waterfall, and rainbow on it in very light, calm colors to depict the peace of God in our lives.

(Children rush through running and screaming at each other.)

Ellen: Are you doing it in this house?

Kim: You do have a point there!  Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I’ve always dreamed of being a missionary and being used of God to really make a difference in other people’s lives.

Ellen: Well, at least your son and daughter-in-law are going to get to do it.

Kim: I’m really glad for them too.  They’re so excited.  Some days I find myself dreaming all over again of going like they are to do something for God, to really make my life count.  Do you know what I mean?

Ellen: Yeah, I do.  Kim, (With a little shiver) do you think Allison & Chuck will be living somewhere that’s wild and primitive?

(Children run through again arguing and pushing each other.)

Kim: Only if they stay here!

Lights Out
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Copyright John & Joanne Miller, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed free of charge, provided no charge is made for entrance or for programmes. In return, the
authors would like to be notified of any performance. For further information regarding performance rights, they may be
contacted at: joannesmiller65@gmail.com.