PENNY: Good afternoon, Mr. C. How are you today?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Hi, Penny. Am I glad you're here! I'm very busy studying the Chinese people of the world — and there are a lot of Chinese, Penny —- more than a billion! But I can't get Surfer Bob to get his nose out of that book and help me load the programs. (sheepishly) And I'm not exactly sure how to do it myself.

PENNY: Bob, what are you doing? Bob?! SURFER BOB! I have cookies!

SURFER BOB: What? Where? Oh, hi ya there, Penny. Did you say "Cookies"? I'm guessin' it won't hurt to take a little study break, now will it? Heh heh.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: A study BREAK? I've been trying to get you to help me START studying for about an hour now.

SURFER BOB: Now, Christopher, that really ain't no way to be talkin' to yer very own future MIT graduate.

PENNY: MIT? You mean the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge?

SURFER BOB: The one and only! I'm fixin' to start an Internet course in massive technical hot-wired circuitry.

PENNY: That's the degree?

SURFER BOB: Not a really hot degree, more like lukewarm, if ya know what I mean. I don't think it will be too tough — I have a sort of knack for that kinda stuff, ya know.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: What's with the greenery, Bob?

SURFER BOB: Well, ya see, Christopher, MIT is an ivy-league school, so I wanted to be sure an' fit in. Ya know, blend. It's sort of a fashion statement.

PENNY: I'm not sure it's the statement you want to be making, Bob.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Hey, Bob — since you're a future MIT student, maybe you can help me research the international students there — specifically, the Chinese.

PENNY: I know we're studying about the Chinese of the world, but how do international students fit into that?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Well, Penny, the Chinese put a very strong emphasis on education. Some of their nation's future leaders come to the United States to study in our best universities. That gives us an opportunity to become their friends, show them hospitality in our homes — and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.

PENNY: Wow! What a terrific opportunity! I know that it can be very difficult to share a Christian witness in China itself — and how sad since so many people there have never even heard that Jesus loves them.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: You're right, Penny. The numbers can be overwhelming. Check out this Factoid.

click here to go to the Factoid

PENNY: Wow! That's a lot! ninety-five percent. (Thinking hard) That literally is millions of Chinese who live every day without knowing Jesus. A guy in my English class, Mike, is Chinese. So is Mrs. Lee, a lady in my neighborhood. I wonder if they're Christians?

SURFER BOB: Lemme tell ya, Penny, they're all over the world — in Paris, in Peru, in Portland — tons of Chinese people who don't even know they want to know about Jesus.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: I'm not sure what you just said, Bob, but it's good that you're concerned. Southern Baptists are concerned! That's why we're making a very special effort to pray specifically for the Chinese people of the world. We want to know God's plan for sharing His love with the Chinese. We want them to know God and to be able to worship Him.

SURFER BOB: Hey, Christopher. You'll be glad to know I wrangled up some info about some Chinese dudes. One of 'em is even a student at the University of Southern Florida. Check this out:

to watch the Features, click here

PENNY: It's almost overwhelming to think about the Chinese all over the world who need to hear about Christ's love for them.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Penny, that's why we can — and must — pray faithfully for the Chinese. (to camera) You can begin praying right now for the Chinese. Pray that they will have a desire to know God. Pray that Southern Baptists will have a desire to share God's love with the Chinese.

PENNY: Bob, I guess you can be a sort of "student missionary" while you're taking MIT classes, too.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Yeah, Bob, back to this college thing — no offense, but I have to wonder what your application looked like.

SURFER BOB: Application? Watta ya mean, application?

PENNY: You can't just start going to an ivy-league school, Bob-o. You have to fill out an application, write essays, do interviews.

SURFER BOB: Rats! I knew this here college stuff was too easy. You know, I think all that studyin' woulda made my brain too big anyway. It woulda been hard to balance on my surfboard.

PENNY: Sure, Bob.

SURFER BOB: And Christopher mighta got jealous when I had more smarts than him.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Yeah, right.

SURFER BOB: But that doesn't mean I won't be prayin' for the Chinese just the same. Hey, Pennorita, why don't ya show our KOMsters jest how it's done?

PENNY: Sure! Let's pray: Dear God, You are an awesome and wonderful God. Thank You for loving us so much You sent Your Son to pay for our sins. Please show us Your plan for how we can share Your love with Chinese people who do not know You. Please call out more people to share Your love, and make a way for them to tell others about how they can know Jesus Christ, too. In His Name, Amen.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Thank you, Penny.

SURFER BOB: Well, dudes, this here garb will be too hard to surf in, that's for sure.

PENNY: Why don't you go get changed, Bob? And we'll check the mail bag.

to watch the KidsMail, click here

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Thanks for another great letter gang! Be sure to write us with YOUR questions at: Kids On Mission, International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.