Lynn Briggs is the pastor of a small Methodist church in Buxton, Maine.  She was also a co-worker of mine when she taught for a few years.  Furthermore, her son, Caleb, was a student of mine when he was in seventh and eighth grades.  Recently, I heard from Pastor Lynn to come to the church to do a show for a very special event.  The West Buxton Methodist Church has recently built a playground on their land for the neighbors, and I got to juggle at the playground's opening celebration.

The playground, constructed by the WBMC's men's group, is amazing.  The swings, slide, monkey bars and more are all tied into a lighthouse theme.  This is in an area with no parks or playgrounds of any kind.  Though rural, their are neighbors within walking distance of the church.  In fact, in addition to church regulars, three local families came to the celebration, as well as a number of local older folks.

While kids played on the playground, adults and a few kids enjoyed a delicious cookout lunch, then cane show time.

Although the sky threatened, I set up my show outside across the parking lot from the "lighthouse".  After checking weather.com and offering up a prayer, we commited to setting up outdoors.  While setting up, Pastor Lynn's son, Caleb arrived.  Now 20 years old and bearded, he has come a long way from the middle school kid I remembered.  But he was every bit as respectful and thoughtful as he offered to help me prepare in any way he could.  

The show itself, supposed to be 30 minutes, ran more like 40.  Outside, for a juggler, means fire props are a go, but doves are not.  Regardless, we had fun and not a drop of rain fell, and it was an honor to be part of a celebration of such a worthy ministry project.