Every year for several years now (covid years excepted) the Kezar Falls, Maine, Assembly of God has held a family fun day at a local fair grounds.  For several of those years, I have been invited to close the event with an hour long program.  I was invited back again this year.

This year's event was held on a crisp autumn day.  It was in full swing by the time Sue and I arrived, including: hay rides, free clothing, free food, a prayer tent, face painting, a bounce house, a bluegrass Gospel band, and more.  In fact, I had the blessing of setting up my show behind the stage as bluegrass worship music filled the air.  

Once I was set up, and all the other activities were shut down, the group of 80 or 90 people still present gathered around for my show.  Having done this gig several times now, I know the open field I work in can get windy; always a challenge for a juggler.  This year, though, the wind was minimal, and the show began.  I intentionally did some things differently.  For example, I opened with a routine to the W's "the Devil is Bad".  Instead of opening with a three ball routine, this is a routine of both three and four ball tricks.  I closed this routine with sickle juggling, a prop I rarely use.

Early on I did my "Around the World" juggling routine, one I really enjoy but don't perform a lot.  This opened the door to talk about the well drilling project Sue spearheaded upon our return from Uganda in 2018.  (See "Buyala School" photos in the gallery section of this site.)  Later, in "Jesus is Victor" I juggled five balls, something I do often but not always depending on how it feels on a given day.  Also, being perhaps my last outdoor show of the season, I made sure to include fire diabolo and fire devil sticks.

I closed with two semi-regular tricks: the shackles escape and "Phillip and the Ethopian".  I contrasted and compared how both the Apostle Paul - once a pompous, racist jerk- and the unnamed but trustworthy Ethiopian from Acts chapter 8 - both needed a life changing encounter with Jesus.

After the show there was the usual meet the rabbit time for any animal lovers in the audience, and chat with a few audience members while I picked up.  One gentleman reminded me that he bought two of my books last year and he has enjoyed reading them.  Lyn, the co-worker who was my initial contact for this event years ago, stopped by to say hi as well.  Fall is just a great time for outdoor shows.