GLADYS AYLWARD
MISSIONARY TO CHINA

Synopsis: This is the story of Gladys Aylward...a woman who was rejected for service by man,
but sent by God to bring the good news of redemption to the people of China.
This is a semi-autobiographical account of Miss Aylward's life and some liberties
have been taken with the facts in order to create this script.

NUMBER OF CHARACTERS: AS MANY AS YOU WANT

MATTHEW 28:19

GLADYS - DRESSED IN A LONG SKIRT AND BLOUSE FOR THE FIRST PART OF SCRIPT. 

MODERATOR - DRESSED IN A SUIT, CARRYING A STOP WATCH.

STUDENTS - (FEMALES) DRESSED IN A LONG DARK SKIRT AND WHITE BLOUSE.   (MALES) DRESSED IN SLACKS, DRESS SHIRT AND TIE.

DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS - DRESSED IN A SUIT.

KATARINA - DRESSED IN LONG SKIRT, COAT, SCARF.  SHOULD LOOK LIKE A RUSSIAN PEASANT.

MRS. JEANNIE LAWSON - DRESSED IN A LONG SKIRT AND BLOUSE.

CHINESE PEOPLE - DRESSED IN BLACK PANTS, WHITE SOCKS, SANDALS, ANYONE WITH LONG HAIR SHOULD HAVE THEIR HAIR IN A SINGLE BRAID.

NARRATOR - DRESSED AS THE CHINESE PEOPLE ARE DRESSED.

PROPS: FOLDING CHAIRS OR DESKS, STOP WATCH, PAPER, PENCILS, 2 SUITCASES, 1 SHAWL, 1 BIBLE,  MATS OR SLEEPING BAGS, 1 TALL STOOL, 1 BOWL, 1 CLIPBOARD, GAUZE FOR BANDAGES, 1 DOLL, I BABY BLANKET.

SCRIPT

Scene I.

Scene opens with a classroom of students (as many as you want) taking an exam.  A moderator stands at the front of the class holding a stop watch.  He paces back and forth slowly and occasionally looks at the watch.  He stops center stage, looks at the watch and clicks the stop watch.

Moderator - Ladies and gentlemen,  time is up.  Please put your pencils down.

Students stop writing and look up.

Moderator - Please bring your papers up and hand them to me as you leave. 

Students walk up to the moderator and hand him their papers.  Students walk off stage in twos or threes, talking quietly.  Gladys has remained in her seat.

Moderator - (walks up to Gladys)  Is there a problem Miss Aylward?

Gladys - (hands him her paper) - Yes, I think there is.

Moderator - (briefly looks through test and shakes his head)  I'm sorry Miss Aylward.  (looks at Gladys)  You must already know that you did not pass this test.  You missed quite a few answers.

Head of Missions - (walks into the classroom, smiles, and greets Gladys and the moderator)

Moderator - Miss Aylward, have you met the met Head of Missions, Mr. Smith?

Gladys - Yes, sir.  We've met.

Head of Missions - So Gladys, how did you do on the test?  (takes the test from the moderator and looks through it.  His smile fades.)

Moderator - I think I will leave you two alone to talk. (walks off stage)

Head of Missions - (sits down next to Gladys)  Miss Aylward, as head of missions to China, I must tell you that since you did not pass this test, you do not qualify to become a missionary to China.  I'm sorry.  I know how eager you were to serve there.

Head of Missions - (stands up, looks at Gladys)  There are other ways of serving the Lord though.  We could use a maid if you are interested.  You would be responsible for cleaning this very building.  We could not pay you, but you would be serving the Lord.

Gladys - (stands up, gathers her things) No sir.  Thank you for the opportunity, but God has called me to go to China, and that's exactly what I plan to do.

Head of Mission -  But Miss Aylward, the Board of Missions cannot support you if you choose to go to China.  What will you do for money?

Gladys - I will find a way.  Good day, sir.  (Gladys walks off stage and the lights fade to black)

Scene II.

2 chairs are placed next to each other.  Gladys walks on stage carrying a suitcase.  She places the suitcase next to one of the chairs and sits down.
Voice from offstage yells "ALL ABOARD!  TRAN-SIBERIAN RAILWAY NOW DEPARTING!"

Katarina hurries on stage carrying a suitcase.  Sits down in chair next to Gladys and puts suitcase on floor next her.

Katarina - Oh I almost missed the train!

Katarina - (holds out her hand) Hello, my name is Katarina.  I am on my way to Moscow to visit my family.

Gladys - (smiles, shakes her hand) My name is Gladys.  I'm traveling to China.

Katarina - China?

Gladys (pulls her shawl more closely around her shoulders) - Yes...all the way to China.

Katarina - Do you mind if I ask why you want to go to China?  It's such a long way to travel.

Gladys - I am going to be a missionary there.

Katarina - (thinks for a minute) But, you're from England aren't you?

Gladys - Yes.  I was born in London.

Katarina - Wouldn't it have been faster to go by boat?  If you sailed from England, you would get there in half the time...and avoid the cold Russian winter!  Brrr.

Gladys - (laughs) You're right.  It would have taken less time, but I could not afford to travel by sea.  So, here I am in the middle of Russia traveling to China...but I'm getting closer!

Katarina (laughs and nods) - Yes, you have come quite a distance.  But why is the price of travel an issue for you?  Don't Mission Organizations usually pay the costs?

Gladys - Yes, that's usually true.  But you see, I am not part of a mission organization. 

Katarina - So how did you get enough money to travel so far?

Gladys - I worked, and I saved, and eventually I had enough money to pay my way.

Katarina - That's amazing!  (folds her arms, settles back in her chair and smiles)

Gladys - It is amazing. (smiles, folds her arms, settles back in her chair)  God is amazing.

fade to black

Scene III.

The scene opens with Gladys and Mrs. Lawson standing in the middle of a room.  Mats are scattered around the floor.  Mrs. Lawson is holding a rolled up mat under her arm. 

Gladys - (stands with her hands folded at her waist)  Thank you, Mrs. Lawson.

Mrs. Lawson - (turns to Gladys after straightening a mat) For what, my dear?

Gladys - For giving me the chance to work with you as a missionary.

Mrs. Lawson - I told you in my letter, that if you could find a way to get to China, I could use your help.  And as you can see, I can really use some help!

Gladys - (looks around)  Please tell me again what this room will be used for.

Mrs. Lawson - Oh dear.  We have been so busy since you arrived this morning that I have not had a chance to explain how our Inn works.

Mrs. Lawson - You see, Gladys, we provide travelers with a good meal and a place to sleep at a price they can afford.

Gladys - (looks around the room) Yes, but where will they sleep.

Mrs. Lawson - (unrolls mat, puts it on the floor and gestures toward the mats) Right here in this room.

Gladys - (looks shocked) Everyone sleeps in the same room?

Mrs. Lawson - (laughs) Yes, Gladys.  That is the custom in this country.  Besides...if they didn't all sleep in the same room, some of our guests would miss the entertainment!

Gladys - What kind of entertainment?

Mrs. Lawson - You!

Gladys - Me?

Mrs. Lawson - Yes, you Gladys.

Gladys - (looks embarrassed)  But Mrs. Lawson, I don't know anything about entertaining.  Even when I sing, I sound like a frog!

Mrs. Lawson - (laughs and pats Gladys on the arm) Don't worry Gladys.  I assure you, you will be able to provide wonderful entertainment.

Gladys - How?

Mrs. Lawson - (finishes arranging mats in  a semi-circle around the stool.)  By telling stories, of course.

Gladys - But I don't know any stories.  Really, Mrs. Lawson, I came to China to be a missionary...not to tell stories.

Gladys - (wrings her hands) Besides..what kind of stories could I tell?

Mrs. Lawson - (stands next to Gladys) Ahhh...that's easy part.   (She taps the Bible Gladys is holding)  You can start with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Gladys - (looks down at the Bible and back up at Mrs. Lawson) I will read to them from the Bible?

Mrs. Lawson - Yes, my dear.  You will read to them from the Bible.  The Chinese love to hear stories.  Can you think of any better stories to tell them?

Gladys - (smiles) No, Mrs. Lawson.  I can think of no better stories.  So this is how we will preach the Gospel.

Mrs. Lawson - Yes, Gladys.  First we feed their stomachs.   And then, as they fall asleep each night, we feed their souls by sharing God's love with them.

Gladys and Mrs. Lawson both turn and look stage left. 

Mrs. Lawson - You better take your place Gladys.  (points to the stool)  It looks like the entertainment is about to begin!

Gladys walks over to the stool, sits down and opens her Bible.   Mrs. Lawson walks off stage right.

Travelers walk on stage in small groups and each bows slightly to Gladys.  Gladys bows her head to each group.

Travelers each sit down on a mat and wait for Gladys to begin reading.

Gladys - (looks around the room, smiles and opens her Bible to   Luke chapter 2: 4 - 11.  As she reads, the travelers gradually lie down one by one and go to sleep.

Lights fade to black as Gladys finishes verse 11.

Scene IV.

Gladys and Mrs. Lawson are standing in the middle of the Inn.   The mats are in place on the floor and Mrs. Lawson is holding a letter.  Two chairs are placed side by side in the middle of the mats.

Gladys - Did you say "FOOT INSPECTOR"?

Mrs. Lawson - (looks at letter) That's what the letter says.

Gladys - But I don't understand...what is a foot inspector?

Mrs. Lawson - For centuries, women in this country have had their feet bound from the time they are infants.  It keeps their feet from growing.

Gladys - Yes, I have seen women with very small feet. 

Mrs. Lawson - It is an extremely painful process and causes great pain to these women throughout their entire lives.  Every step they take hurts.

Gladys - Then why do they do it?

Mrs. Laswon - Because some people think that the way they walk is graceful.

Gladys - Well, that's ridiculous.

Mrs. Lawson - Yes it is.  That's why the government has made a law that bans wrapping feet.

Gladys - That's wonderful!  But what does that have to do with us.

Mrs. Lawson - (smiles) Not "us"...YOU!

Gladys - (looks skeptical) What does this have to do with me?

Mrs. Lawson - Sit down my dear, and let me explain.

(Gladys and Mrs. Lawson sit down)

Mrs. Lawson - You know the Inn is not brining in enough money to support all of our efforts as missionaries.

Gladys - I know.  I have prayed night and day for an answer to our financial problems.

Mrs. Laswon - (holds up the letter)  Well, Gladys.   (taps the letter) Here is the answer to your prayers.

Gladys - (shakes her head and looks very confused) I still don't see how feet can be the answer we have prayed for.

Mrs. Lawson - The Lord certainly does work in mysterious ways.   Gladys, my dear.  You have a new job.

Gladys - Really?  Doing what?

Mrs. Laswon - The government is going to pay you a very generous wage.

Gladys - That's wonderful!  It is the answer to our prayers!  We will have the money we need to continue our work!

Mrs. Lawson - (smiles, and waits)

Gladys - But I still don't see what all of this has to do with feet?

Mrs. Laswon - (reaches our her hand and shakes Gladys' hand.)   Congratulations, my dear.  You are the new FOOT INSPECTOR!

Gladys - (looks at audience in puzzlement)  Foot inspector?   (Gladys looks at audience)  Me?

fade to black.

Scene V.

Gladys walks on stage.  Women are sitting cross legged on the floor.  The women's feet are all wrapped in gauze bandages.  Men are standing on one side of the stage in a group.  A chair should be placed center stage.

Gladys - (holds the letter up for all to see) Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, the government has outlawed the practice of the wrapping of feet.

Man  #1- We don't care what the government says.  We will not allow our women to unwrap their feet.

Gladys - You don't have a choice.  The government says that these women's feet must be unbound and no female child will have her feet bound.

Gladys - (looks around the room)  I am here to inspect the feet of these females.  Any foot that is bound shall be unbound immediately.

Woman #1 - We cannot break with tradition.

Woman #2 - My husband will not let me unbind my feet.

Gladys - (looks at the men in the room)  Will you defy the law?

The men hang their heads in shame.

Gladys - (looks at the women in the room)  I can see that you all have your feet bound.  Which one of you will have the courage to let me unbind her feet?

No one answers.

Gladys - Which one of you will have the courage to set an example for the other women?  Do you want your daughters to suffer the way you have suffered?

Woman #3 - (moves forward taking small steps and sits down in the chair that has been placed center stage.  She is carrying a doll wrapped in a baby blanket)  I will go first.  I don't want my daughter (looks down at the baby in her arms) to suffer the pain of having her feet bound.  You may unwrap my feet.

Gladys bends down and begins to unwrap her feet.  The other women move forward slowly to wait in line to have their feet unwrapped.

The men are angry and begin to threaten Gladys.  They begin to move towards her.

Gladys - (stands and faces the men)  You will not harm me because I am sent here by someone more powerful than your government.

Man #2 - (snorts) Ha!  Who could be more powerful than our government? (he laughs)

Gladys - My God is more powerful and he will not allow you to harm me, or these women.  Now go away while I finish the job I have come here to do.

The men hesitate, and gradually walk offstage while Gladys continues to unbind the feet of the woman sitting in the chair.

Woman #1 - Tell us about your God...a God that would care about the pain of a woman.

fade to black.

EPILOGUE

Narrator - Gladys AYLWARD served for many years as a missionary in China.  She fed the hungry.  She clothed the poor.  She preached the Gospel to all who would listen.  Through the years Miss Aylward adopted many abandoned Chinese children.  When World War II broke out, she saved these children and many others, by walking for more than 100 miles to bring them to safety.  At the time she delivered the children to safety, Gladys was suffering from typhoid fever, pneumonia, malnutrition, and exhaustion.  The doctors were amazed that she had survived the trip.  Gladys only smiled.  She knew that she had not yet completed her work as a missionary.

Gladys Aylward continued to serve the Lord until her death on January 3, 1970.

(fade to black)

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