(Penny and Mr. C enter the shop wearing funeral attire)

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Well, this has been a very sad day.

PENNY: Yeah, but it has also been a glorious day.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: How so, Penny?

PENNY: Well, don’t get me wrong…I am very sad about my grandmother's passing. I will really miss her. But, Maw Maw loved the Lord. She spent most of her time loving and caring for those around her. She looked to Jesus Christ for everything. And, now she is in heaven with Him! Isn’t that fantastic! She now lives eternal life with the Father that she worshiped and loved for so many years here on earth!

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Wow! Penny that is certainly some of the most appropriate insight for the day. Yes, that is true. Your grandmother is in heaven. (to camera) You see gang, as you have probably figured out…Penny and I have just returned from the funeral of her grandmother. She and Penny were very close. But, Penny can take comfort in the fact that her Maw Maw…as she called her…was a believer in Jesus Christ. And, therefore, is now in heaven. She has a new beginning!

PENNY: That’s right. Death is a difficult thing to deal with. But, one of the most important deaths resulted in life. Check out what Paul said in Romans in today’s KOM PowerVerse!

KOM PowerVerse: Romans 8: 10-11, NIV

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who live in you.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: See gang, when we believe in Jesus and accept Him into our hearts, we are promised eternal life. Oh sure, our bodies will die. Our flesh will become dust and our earthly bodies will cease to exist. But, our spirit will go to be with God in heaven. Isn’t that a wonderful promise!

PENNY: That reminds me of the story that Surfer Bob found for me the other day on AIDS in Zimbabwe.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Oh yes, I remember you telling me about that. What was the man’s name in the story?

PENNY: Zacheus. His name was Zacheus Nkomo. Many people called him Baba Nkomo…which means Father Nkomo. Like Maw Maw he has passed on and is now with the Lord in heaven. But, his final testimony lives on.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Quite literally! I think we have his words of spiritual wisdom in a feature about him and the situation of AIDS in Zimbabwe…right?

PENNY: We sure do! Here it is!

to watch the Features, click here

MR. CHRISTOPHER: The saddest thing is to think that there are many, many people in sub-Saharan Africa who are dying of HIV/AIDS without knowing anything about the salvation of Jesus Christ.

PENNY: That is sad. We‘ve got a big job ahead of us.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: We sure do. The time is now to reach out to people who are hopeless because of this horrible disease. We need to reach out to them in love, helping to comfort them in their physical pain.

PENNY: And, most importantly, we need to share the gospel with them. This will bring them hope in the knowledge that HIV/AIDS is going to bring an end to their life on earth. But, if they trust in Jesus, He will give them a new beginning.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Right! A new beginning…with no ending! Eternal life! Hey gang, if you haven’t accepted Jesus into your heart, you can today! All you have to do is pray to Jesus, ask Him to forgive you of your sin and ask Him to come into your heart. Believe and trust in Him. It is just that simple!

PENNY: Ask your pastor or Sunday School leader to pray that prayer with you. And, look to the Bible for guidance and understanding.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: If you have made that decision recently or if you are sharing with others so that they can make that decision, write to us and let us know. Write to: Kids On Mission, International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Virginia 23230. We would love to hear what you have to say. Here, listen to what this Kid On Mission had to say!

to watch the KidsMail, click here

SURFER BOB: Penny…sorry again about Maw Maw. I know that she was dear to you, amigita.

PENNY: Thanks Bob. She was dear to me. It was nice having you at the funeral via webcam. And, I must say you look very dapper!

SURFER BOB: Heh…heh…this old thing. This is just a quick little ensemble I threw together…nothing special.

PENNY: Well, your attendance was very much appreciated. It is great having the support of friends like you and Mr. Christopher.

SURFER BOB: We’re here for ya, Pennarino!

MR. CHRISTOPHER: We sure are! Now speaking of support I think I will write your grandfather a note of condolence and support. See you next time gang! Don’t forget to say a prayer for all of those that minister to the lost and dying of our world. People like the Randalls and the Boones. Show them the greatest support of all by praying for them.

PENNY: Bye gang!