South Asia —
The house lights dim and the audience grows quiet. A tiny squeak is heard as the curtain is pulled open. The stage lights come up, and members of the audience breathe a soft “Ooh” as they take in the brightly colored costumes and the fantastic re-creation of a Persian bazaar. The school musical, Stories of Scheherazade, has begun. For the next two hours the crowd laughs at foolish villains, enjoys young maidens’ singing, and wonders if the heroine’s stories will melt the heart of the king. As the curtain closes, a roar of applause indicates that the show is a success.
This hardly seems like a typical day of ministry, does it? Yet, this work is what God has called me to do. In addition to serving as high school counselor and teacher at a school in South Asia, I have the privilege of serving as drama director. Drama provides me with a wonderful opportunity to get to know, and minister to, students outside of the classroom.
This year more than 40 students—half of our high school student body—were involved as cast or crew in the production of Stories of Scheherazade. Even Rahim,* who despised everything about school, participated.
Change of Heart
Rahim surprised everyone when he volunteered to work on the play. As a senior, he had never been involved in a single school activity. But, because several of his friends were working backstage, he signed up to manage props. Rahim’s task was huge, and at first he showed little desire to work on it. As opening night drew closer, however, he got into gear. He spent many days traveling throughout the bazaars looking for fake fruit, daggers, swords, flowers, lanterns, and rope. Rahim worked really hard on something for the first time in his life.
Just before we went on for opening night, I stopped him and said, “Rahim, that was a lot more work than you thought it would be, wasn’t it?”
He nodded solemnly.
“Well, you really pulled it off; everything looks great!” I told him.
Rahim turned to me and smiled so big that it looked like he was beaming.
I could share a dozen stories like Rahim’s. There are many young people who have learned what it is like to be a part of something bigger than themselves and feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment in their efforts.
Worthwhile Work
Although this year’s school play required hundreds of hours of work, it became worthwhile when I knew that a student’s heart had been touched. The months of preparation created time to build deeper relationships with the students. It also opened doors of opportunity, for these drama students have come by my office to talk when they were ready to share more about what matters to them. This gave me the chance to talk to them about what matters to me as well. Drama opens a door to share my life and faith with students from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian backgrounds.
I never dreamed that my love of musical theater would open doors for ministry in the lives of young people in South Asia, but it has been one of the most enjoyable and fruitful ways that I have found for building relationships.
Using a Passion
Sharing my own passion has been a great way to connect with others in my community. Some of you may love performing and making music. Perhaps you build furniture, sew quilts, paint landscapes, teach art, or design yearbooks. You may never have thought that God could use your passion to reach people in unreached lands. But our God is very creative. He found a way to use my love of musicals, and He may just have a way to use your passion, too.
*Name changed for security purposes.
Recent Stories
3/10/10
William Hopewell is with the Lord
ABWE missionary goes to be with the Lord
3/5/10
Haiti—How we are helping
Learn how you can help in Haiti.
3/5/10
Missions and Microeconomics: The Mango, Togo School For Sewing
Togo —Not surprisingly, the greatest humanitarian and economic needs are also...
