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MR.
CHRISTOPHER: We read in the Gospel of John that
Christ was led to Pilate and questioned.
PENNY:
Oh yeah! I remember the passage. He faced Pilate and
His accusers all alone. And, then He was crucified.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: That’s right, Penny. But,
Jesus said some things to Pilate which are extremely
meaningful and powerful to us even today. Read Chapter
18 verse 36 for me.
PENNY:
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were,
my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the
Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: See, in this passage Christ
was talking about the fact that our struggle is
not of flesh
and blood. It’s not a battle of kings, armies
or presidents. It is a spiritual battle.
PENNY:
Yeah … and listen to this: Christ goes on to
say, in Chapter 37, “You are right in saying
I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and
for this
I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone
on the side of truth listens to me.”
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: And, the truth is that Christ came
to save us from our sin that we might live with Him
in heaven, for eternity.
SURFER
BOB: Yo Christopher … Pennarino! What
does all of this talk about kings and kingdoms
have to do
with this here research we’re doin’ on
the country of Laos?
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Well Bob, as with all of our research
it is always a good idea to keep a Biblical perspective.
Laos is a country that is strictly controlled by its
government. Open Christian work in Laos is not allowed.
And, often times, Christians living there are persecuted.
SURFER
BOB: Whew nelly! Thanks for that heads up. I
think that I have figured out how ta surf on in ta Laos
now that I have some background infer-MA-shun.
PENNY:
Oh great, no telling what’s next.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: As I was saying before I was
interrupted, the struggles that we face as Christians
are spiritual
ones.
PENNY:
Yeah, but in Laos … it sounds like it
is a physical one, too.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: It is at that. Keep in mind,
though, that no one except Jesus Christ has any
power over our
spiritual life. We can be beaten, put in prison or
even killed … but no man can separate us
from our faith in the Father and the eternal kingdom
to come.
PENNY:
So, even though Christians in Laos face persecution,
they are on the side of truth … the truth
is Jesus Christ will save them … the truth
will literally set them free.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Exactly! Now before we go much
further, let me change gears and see if you … (to
camera) … and
YOU have the answer to this "Kids On Mission KidQuiz.”
PENNY:
Wow … that’s pretty tough. But, I think
that I know the answer. Is it, Vietnam and Cambodia?
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Bravo, Penny! Yep, Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia were all controlled by French
colonialists
back in the mid-1800s on up through the 1900s.
PENNY:
And, according to my information, Burma, or
current day Myanmar, was controlled by the British,
and Thailand
remained free of colonial control.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Right again, Penny! Good work!
SURFER
BOB: Hey, if you two are done jawin’, I
was able to ride in disguise on in ta Laos and round
up a whole slew of QUALITY info!
PENNY:
Uh Bob … or should I say GROUCHO BOB … I
think that the government of Laos is restrictive of
Christian
mission work; they probably don’t care about
internet surfing cowboys.
SURFER
BOB: Ya never know Penny. And, besides sometimes
I have to travel around incognito anyway to avoid
the
paparazis and the fans … they can be real rough
on a celebrity of my popularity.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Oh, I’m sure that everyone
wants to get a picture of you, Bob. In fact, the
postman
came by today to see if he could get a poster size
to hang up in the post office.
SURFER
BOB: Hardee, har, har, Christopher. Now do ya
want ta see what I’ve got or don’t ya?
PENNY:
Go for it Celebrity Bob.
SURFER
BOB: Comin’ right at ya amigitos!
SURFER
BOB: Alright, I’m ready ta go back ta Laos!
PENNY:
Hey what have you got in the backpack, Bob?
SURFER
BOB: Oh, just a few things. I want ta fit
in when I head on back ta Laos … you know
sort of blend with the other tourists. The backpack’s
a disguise more than anything.
PENNY:
So … whatcha got in there!
SURFER
BOB: Well, let’s see. I’ve got:
this here menu from my favorite TexMex restaurant,
I’ve
got a steerin’ wheel from my old El Camino, I’ve
got a tub of crisco, a stapler, a pair of earmuffs …
PENNY:
Surfer Bob, you are bizarre. Why in the world would
you need any of those things in Laos?
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Wait … let’s see
if I can tell you. He needs the menu to remind
him of his
favorite Mexican dishes. He needs the steering wheel
in case he happens to catch a ride in a ’78
El Camino and the steering wheel falls off. He
needs the
Crisco in order to fry up chicken…if he gets
the chance to cook. He needs the stapler in case he
needs
to repair his boots or clothes. And, he’s taking
the WINTER earmuffs in the event that he rides down
the Mekhong River on one of those powerboats we saw
in the feature.
SURFER
BOB: Yee doggies, Christopher! How did you know
all of that!?!?!?
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: I guess I’m just starting
to think like you, Bob.
PENNY:
Whoaaaa … now that’s scary!
SURFER
BOB: Oh … oh … oh, and looky
here! I also have ONE of my FAVORITE things … a
letter from a Kid On Mission! Listen here!
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Hey gang! Before we go … I
think that it is really important for us to remember
to pray
for those who live under persecution … especially
our fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
PENNY:
Prayer is one of the most important ways that we can
help in the global mission effort.
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: It sure is! So, pray with me
now …
Dear Father … please be with those who live under
persecution from governments and those around them.
I pray that they will know that although they might
be oppressed and in bondage … they can be FREE
in Jesus Christ. Be with Christians in places like
Indonesia,
India and elsewhere that are abused because of their
faith in Jesus. And, help us to never forget those
that
are imprisoned and even killed because they trust in
You. In your name we pray … Amen.
PENNY:
Amen. Thanks for being with us today, gang! See you
next time!
MR.
CHRISTOPHER: Bye!
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