PENNY: (Whispering to Surfer Bob on the computer screen) YOU ask him!

SURFER BOB: No way, Joséa, YOU ask ‘em!

PENNY: I’m not going to ask him.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: (turns to look at them) What is it that you two would like to ask me?

PENNY: (Points to computer) I think Bob had a question for you, Mr. C.

SURFER BOB: (mumbles under breath) Women! Always find a way outta things! (then louder) Christopher, we’re jest sittin’ here watchin’ you look at that thar egg thing-a-ma-jig, and we’re wonderin’, well, did you fall down and hit yer head or somethin’?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Wha…?

PENNY: (gives Bob a “look”) Bob! (then hurries to explain) Mr. Christopher, we’re just curious, you see …

MR. CHRISTOPHER: And if you’re curious, I’m curious! (laughs)

PENNY: Seriously, Mr. C – is everything all right? You keep inspecting that egg carton like it holds the long-lost answer to nuclear physics or something.

SURFER BOB: Yeah, Christopher, it sorta looks like yer about one taco short of a combination plate.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: (picks up egg carton) This? (laughs again) No, no, it’s nothing like that. I’m just trying to think of a way the kids at my church can do a “Great Chicken Quest.”

PENNY and SURFER BOB: A “Great Chicken Quest”?!?

SURFER BOB: This sounds a little off the wall for normal ol’ me. Whatcha talkin’ about?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: You? Normal? We won’t even go there, Bob. … Now about this carton, well, way back in the late 1800s, about the time the Southern Baptists named their annual foreign missions offering after the legendary missionary Lottie Moon, a lot of people raised their own chickens. And they would name one chicken “Lottie Moon.”

SURFER BOB: Whoa. And that was supposed to be an honor? Here, chicky, chicky, here chicky, chicky.

PENNY: I hope there’s more to this story, Mr. C., because honestly, I’m a little lost here, too.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Oh, yes, there’s more! As the “Lottie Moon” chicken would lay eggs, the owners would sell the eggs, then save that money specifically to give it to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. It was a way Southern Baptists could save a little bit of money all year long to give to support missionaries.

PENNY: That’s a very clever idea! I keep a jar on my dresser, and any time I find loose change on the floor, in the sofa cushions or in the dryer, I put it in the jar. I add that to my Lottie Moon offering each year.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: That’s another good idea, too, Penny!

SURFER BOB: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! … Hold it right thar, you two. What’re you talking about? You mean to tell me that I can give money to the Lottie Moon CHRISTMAS Offering any time of the year?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: That’s right, Bob!

SURFER BOB: What if it were jest $2 in, uh, February?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Yes! You can do that!

SURFER BOB: How about $13 in, say, July?

PENNY: Yes, Bob-o. You can give to Lottie Moon all year.

SURFER BOB: Let’s say it’s $4.57 in September?

MR. CHRISTOPHER AND PENNY: YES!!!

PENNY: Any amount, ANY time of the year!

SURFER BOB: Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle … I’s always thinkin’ I had to remember to give jest at Christmas time.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Unfortunately, Bob, that’s what a lot of Southern Baptists think about their Lottie Moon gifts – once a year, never to be thought of again for 364 days. But the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports Southern Baptist missionaries every day of the year. Southern Baptists can give to the offering year-round, too.

PENNY: And we’ve learned that God can use even the smallest gifts to make an eternal difference. Check this out:

to try the KidsQuiz, click here

SURFER BOB: Jest like I was a-sayin’ – those missionary dudes around the world are countin’ on little ol’ you and little ol’ me to help them share the love of Jesus.

PENNY: Well, let’s take a look and see just how Southern Baptists are on mission with God to share His love …

MR. CHRISTOPHER: … and what the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has to do with it!

to watch the Features, click here

PENNY: I’m always amazed to learn how God can use whatever little we can give to His glory. And I always wish I could give more.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Yes, that’s why I’m starting now to help the children in my church begin their savings. A little collected over time grows and grows.

PENNY: That’s true!

SURFER BOB: Hey! I’ve got one gnarly idea! (zooms off, then back on. Surfboard has a few cups on it, with a sign that says, Lemonade, 10 cents). I’m gonna have me a lemonade stand fer all the weary travelers on this Internet highway. I’ll give every single cent to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so more of them thar missionaries can tell about Jesus.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: That sounds like a pretty good idea, Bob! Now if I could just decide what to do for my “Great Chicken Quest”!

PENNY: Mr. C., you keep thinking about that, I’m going to check the mail bag!

to watch the KidsMail, click here

SURFER BOB: I love those letters! Don’t forget to send your notes to us at Kids On Mission, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA, 23230.

MR. CHRISTOPHER: These Kids on Mission really inspire me! I’ve got it! I’ll cut each of these egg cartons into thirds, then the kids can label each cup for different coins … pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

PENNY: Great idea, Mr. C! Aren’t we a clever bunch of Einsteins today?

SURFER BOB: Ein-whatsas? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

MR. CHRISTOPHER: You know, Bob, the brilliant man named Albert Einstein? Penny was saying we’re being smart, like … Oh, never mind!

PENNY: ‘Bye!

MR. CHRISTOPHER: Goodbye!

SURFER BOB: (in background) Fresh squeezed lemonade, 10 cents! Get yer juice right here, folks! Makes your taste buds water, Mmmm! Doggies, it’s good! Lemonade, 10 cents! ….