Earlier this month, during my school's spring break, I had the occaision to return to one of my favorite venues: the Somerset (Maine) County Jail.  I was scheduled to start at 9:00 am, and it's a two hour drive, so I was up and out early.  It was well worth the trip.

There is a new contact person for me to connect with there.  Since there is no full time chaplain, my contact is the officer who handles all outsiders coming in: Bible studies, GED teachers, AA and NA leaders, etc.  So my contact isn't always a believer, but the minute I met Mike, I knew he was.  He didn't have a "Christian fish" tie tack, or any other overt clue to his faith; it was the Holy Spirit in me recognizing the Spirit in him.  And sure enough it was true.  In fact, as we spoke, it turns out we have some mutual friends

Sometimes I do as many as three shows at this jail, depending on how they seperate the males from females as well as the different levels of security. This time, though, I only had one show.  The women, it seems, were in lock down (no explanation given nor asked for) and the males were all combined in one service.  This allowed me to take more time without the pressure of getting one group out and the next one in as well as resetting illusions.

The show went smoothly and was a lot of fun.  I ended, as I usually do in men's prisons and jails, with an illusion built around the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus.  It was a powerful moment.  Then, with the extra time I was allowed, I was able to pray specific prayers with the men: everything from their court dates to their children and parents.  It was a sweet time that I hope we can have more often.