Setting: An outdoor area. The stage can be bare and the scene can be "implied" or you can fill the stage with rocks and logs to make it appear more like a wooded area.

Optional: There are places in the skit that songs can be inserted if you'd like.  If you need help coming up with some ideas for songs, go to the website:  negrospirituals.com for a long list of possibilities.

If you choose not to use music, simply continue on with the skit as written.

As the skit opens, Preacher sits with a Bible in his hands.  He and some of the others, Nettie, Martha, Cora & Casey, are passionately singing a hymn or song together.. This could be any song of your choosing: Amazing Grace, Kum Ba Yah, Jesus Loves Me etc..  As they are singing, Louise frantically paces back in forth, watching off to the side.

After a few moments, Louise is hopeful, as she hears footsteps approaching.  The others hear it too and stop singing.

Louise:

(she calls out) Shayla, is that you, child?

Jackson and Rosa enter

Rosa:

No ma'am.  It's only us.

Louise:

Oh.  (disappointed) I thought you were my daughter. 

Jackson:

She's not here yet?

Louise:

No sa' and I'm 'ginnin to get worried.  I'm a'feared somethin' terrible has happened to her.

Jackson:

(looking around) I don't see Marvin either.  Maybe they're together.

Louise:

Their plantations are miles apart. Why would they be together?

Jackson:

Don't rightly know ma'am but I wanted to say somethin' to git that worried look off your face.

Louise:

(smiles) You're a good man, Jackson.

Rosa:

(smiles proudly) That's why I married him.  

Cora:

(looks off to the side) Look, somebody's comin.  Is that her?

Louise:

(calling) Shayla?

Marvin enters limping & having difficulty walking. Nettie and Martha assist Marvin.

Nettie:

Marvin, what on earth happened this time?

Marvin:

I was late getting' to the fields this mornin' and Massa done kicked me until I could hardly walk.

Martha:

Then what are you doin' here?  It's nearly a 2-mile walk from your quarters!

They help Marvin sit down.  He winces a bit as he talks

Marvin:

I wouldn't miss church for nothin' in the world, Miss Martha.  You know it's my only savin' grace. 

Preacher:

(walks over to Marvin and lays a hand on his shoulder) Be strong my brother.  One day when we see our Lord Jesus face to face, and we will be set free.

Marvin:

I know it to be true, Preacher!

Shayla runs in

Shayla:

(calls out) Mama!

Louise:

(relieved) Shayla, my baby!

They hug tightly

Louise:

I was so worried!  Ever since Massa sold you, I fear each day I will never see you again.

Shayla:

I ran all the way, Mama.  I got here as fast as I could.  Mistress told me I had to do extra chores tonight.  She said maybe I learn some manners by doin' more work.

Louise:

You're lucky she didn't do more to you. I'm just glad you're here. 

Shayla:

I don't know why we come here, Mama.  What did God ever do for us?

Louise:

Child, don't you blaspheme our Lord! He's our only hope.

Shayla:

Hope?  We don't have no hope, Mama.  I only come here to see you.

Rosa:

You're wrong, Shayla.  We do have a hope and his name is Jesus.

Marvin:

Amen!

Preacher:

There is only one thing that keeps us strong, child: one thing that helps us cope with bein' separated from our families; one thing that can help us survive the physical and emotional cruelty cast upon us daily; one thing that keeps us sane.

Jackson:

Tell her, Preacher.

Preacher:

That one thing is the power greater than that which inflicts pain on the weary.  That one thing is our hope in Jesus Christ. 

Martha:

Hallelujah!  That is why I sing!

Nettie:

That is why I clap my hands and shout for joy!

Marvin:

That's why I walk 2 miles even when I'm hurtin' on the outside.

Shayla:

But we're slaves.  We're in bondage! How can we rejoice?

Louise:

Child, Moses' people were in bondage too.  They were slaves, just like us.  But God delivered them and one day I know God will deliver us too.

Cora:

And until then, I wanna sing praises!