English and Art: A Script/play of a Stop-motion Animated Interview
THE INTERVIEWER: CAMERON TOWNSEND
By: Gail Buenaventura
CAST:
Mr. Townsend / Uncle Cam: The star of the show... an old missionary who answers the questions about his life.
Interviewer / Alison Smith: A young bright host who interrogates Mr. Townsend (hehehe).
SETTING:
A TV show live online from New York City, US, called "The Interviewer."
INITIUM/ LE DÈBUT/ DER ANFANG/ Η αρχη
(The Beginning)
The curtain rises, lights flash, music plays, and a voice booms out saying, " WELCOME TO THE INTERVIEWER!! THE TV SHOW WHERE YOU GET TO KNOW WHO, WHERE, WHY, AND WHAT OF THE FAMOUS!! " The music stops. Alison Smith walks in and greets everyone with a smile.
Interviewer / Alison Smith: Hello everyone! Welcome to the Interviewer! This is Alison Smith now reporting live from New York City. And today we'd like to welcome an amazing missionary who has accomplished so much on bilingual education and serving the Lord... He was born on July 9, 1896. He served as an American missionary under the Central American Mission and the Bible home of Los Angeles. His goal was to preach the Bible and give good education to people all over the world in their own language, especially in rural countries. In doing so, this amazing guy has founded the Wycliffe Bible Translators, the SIL, and the JAARS. He has also, along with his foundations, received many awards including the Nobel Peace Prize, UNESCO, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Everyone! Pls welcome! (drum roll plays) Mr. Cameron Townsend!!
Mr. Townsend enters, waving his hand and smiling at everyone.
Cam: Hello everybody! Thank you! Shimopanotli.
Interviewer: So Mr. Townsend, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Cam: I'm William Cameron Townsend and I aim to share the good news in every language. For the greatest missionary is the Bible in its mother tongue; it needs a furlough and is never considered a foreigner. And you can call me Uncle Cam.
Interviewer: Wow! Thanks, Mr. Tow... er...Uncle Cam! And now our audience has some questions for you. Our first question is, "What pushed you to achieve all those goals in life?"
Cam: Well when I was a young boy I almost died when I drowned because I didn't know how to swim. This experience has made me realized that I should make my life more worth it for Jesus.
Interviewer: Wow! Ok, thanks, Uncle Cam. Do you know that I almost drowned once but I never thought of it that way. So here is our 2nd question, "How did you start your career as a missionary?"
Cam: At college, I joined the Student Volunteer Organization where students became missionaries to China and other parts of the world. I was especially inspired and encouraged to join when I read this biography of Hudson Taylor. Then I started selling Bibles in Guatemala where a local Indian asked me if I had a Bible in their language. When I said I didn't he replied, "if your God is so great, why can't he speak our language?" Those words were shocking to me so I resolved to learn their language and I started translating the New Testament to it.
Interviewer: That must've been pretty hard.
Cam: Yes it was quite a struggle at first. But God has blessed me with friends who helped me on my translation journey.
Interviewer: Ok and Uncle Cam, how many languages have you learned?
Cam: Sorry miss, it was a great deal so much that I can't remember. But what I do remember is that no language is worth learning if you cannot understand God's Word, the Bible.
Interviewer: That was pretty inspiring, thank you. And now I'd like to ask if you what advice would you give to the youth all over the world who wants to become a missionary linguist like you?
Cam: Well everybody, the greatest need is where the greatest darkness is. So as it was said in Matthew 28: 19 & 20, Go ye therefore to the world & make disciples to all the nations. And most importantly remember that you want to do this for Jesus, you do this to glorify Him and Him only.
Interviewer: Wow1 Thank you for your very encouraging message Uncle Cam, and also for your time. Everyone, give Uncle Cam a big clap!
The tumultuous round of applause & cheering resonates between the bare walls of the tiny studio. And even online, the sound of clicking the clap emoji also is thunderous. Everyone attending this large hearing (physically and even online) secretly wishes that they could cover their ears with plastic smiles plastered on their faces. In the midst of this great din, Uncle Cam (who is almost going deaf) desperately tries to say (hoping that the crowd calms down):
Cam: Thank you, everybody!! To God be all the glory!
And yet, even as the curtain closes and the booming voice is back, saying, "THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THE INTERVIEWER!," the sound is not yet diminished.
FINIS/ LA FIN/ DAS ENDE/ το τέλος
(The End)
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