Bridgton Alliance Chruch's four annual SPARK week just concluded with a baptismal service at a local beach. This was an especially meaningful service as my friend, Mike, was baptized today. Mike grew up on a Micmac reservation in Canada and spent much of his adult life as a homeless drug addict. Somehow he landed Bridgton, Maine, showed up at our church, and was forever changed by Jesus Christ. His story is truly what Jesus meant when He spoke of being born again. Mike, who is pushing 50, is married for the first time, he's loved by his neighbors, and is the playful big uncle to our three daughters. "Old things have passed away, behold, the new has come."
but the baptism was only one part of SPARK week. Our church does a variety of community events, including free boat rides, nursing home visit, youth rally, teams of bakers who deliver goodies to our police and fire fighters, and more. Past years we've had a free medical clinic, construction teams... Anything to get the church to use our gifts as a blessing to our little town. And part of SPARK has always been a free show on the patio of theBridgton library.
this year, the show was on Thursday evening. The weather was perfect, and a crowd slowly gathered. There were not as many people as some years, but I would estimate 20-25 people were in attendance. I love outdoor shows because there are so few venues at which we can juggle fire, and this one was no exception. Not only did I do fire devil sticks, but my daughter, Rose, our good friend, Lauren, and I all did fire torches and machetes as well. Through it all, there was a clear but gentle presentation of the gospel.
afterwards we met a family who are from Vermont. The wife is a physician who has done a bit of medical work in Kenya. Our oldest daughter, Jo, has been to Kenya when she was in high school, and plans to eventually move to East Africa, and she happens to be in tow right now. These two ladies were able to talk about this part of the world which has clearly stolen a piece of both of their hearts.