The Rock HouseTeen Center is a drop in center for teens run by local musician Barry Lowe. Barry and his band, the Blacksmiths, have done a lot of ministry with us over the years, from juvenile detention centers, to cruise boats to music festivals. Now his focus is this center,, which he recently became the director of, when the prior director retired. Rose and I went to the Rock House last night and did a program for the teens.
During the height of the Jesus people movement of the 1970's, a place like the Rock House might have been called a coffee house. It's a place where young people come to shoot pool, play air hockey, buy snack foods and hear music. Last night instead of music, they got a 45 minute juggling show. When we arrived, one of the volunteers was quick to offer us a hand unloading our props. Later in the evening we learned that he has been attending the Rock House since he was 11, and now is on the volunteer staff. What a cool testimony of giving back.
As were setting up, a couple of teenage girls came into the performance room to buy snacks, and immediately bonded with Rose. One asked for a hug and began announcing Rose was her new best friend. A couple of different guys came through and gave Rose some candy, too. It's very interesting when your partner is your 15 year old daughter as well.
As the kids gathered for the start of the show, it occurred to me that these were the lonely kids in town. These were the kids who weren't going out on dates or playing in the big game on Friday night, so they came here. Thank God for Barry and his faithfulness and love of for these kids. One boy of about 15 himself was trying very hard to be dark. I heard the word 'satanist' muttered from him a few times, and when I had another kid in the audience choose a number for a mind reading trick, I heard the kid suggest 666. When I told the whole audience to stare at the center of the disc for my head swelling / shrinking optical illusion, he distinctly said ,"No, I won't." Then after the illusion was performed, and there was an audible gasp of shock, then peals of laughter, he was quick to participate when I redid the effect. Hurting kids can try to be hardened to protect themselves from more hurt, but they're still kids. He loved the effect and spoke with me briefly after the show was over.
but the best part of the evening was the time with my daughter. We performed well together we made each other laugh coming and going to the gig, and since she's recently gotten her drivers permit, she drove both ways for a total of over an hour of night time drive time.