Some shows are unforgettable.  There have been performances that were so unique, so fun, so good, that I will remember them forever.  I had an evening like this last week at one of my favorite venues: Long Creek youth detention facility in South Portland, Maine.  I was invited in by John Willard, who is the chaplain there, as well as the father of two of my former students.  I taught his daughters to juggle, his daughters taught him, and he has taught a lot of the kids at Long Creek.  Already this had the makings of something special.

I confess that I wasn't excited about going into South Portland after a full day of teaching, especially knowing I would have to do three shows.  I wondered if I'd even have the energy to do all those shows on a work day., much less not wanting to get home late and having to get up for work the next day.  But am I glad I went.

There were three shows because certain groups can not be mixed together.  The first show was for the girls, then the sentenced boys, and lastly the boys awaiting trial.  Although I had to scramble to be ready to do the first show on time, it turned out well, and the girls loved it.  Of course they thought the bunny, Zeke, was adorable.  But they also laughed a lot, cherred on my juggling, and some even showed concern when I did a prat fall off of the balance board.  Certainly, I was intentional in sharing the Gospel, and referring them to John if they had questions or thoughts about what I said, but the best thing that happened was when all the girls had gone back to their unit.  The director of the girls' unit came back to thank me, and tell me this is the first time she's ever seen them 'just get to be kids'.

The first group of guys had several jugglers, including one who is working on juggling five balls.  I made sure I included five balls in my show, and also gave him the chance to come up on stage and show his stuff.  I gave him a brief lesson in stealing (no pun intended) before sending him back to his seat and finishing the show.  Then, when I was finished the show, so many others were wanting to show me their juggling prowess.  One could juggle three basketballs, which is no small feat.

I was definitely tired and sore going into the last show, but I was having so much fun, I didn't hold back.  I did not plan on attempting five in this final gig, but once into it, I gave it a try and actually did it better than the previous one.  Again, the feedback was, the teens had the opportunity to 'just get to be kids'.

I left Long Creek walking on air, and I told my wife that evening, "Thi is what I'm meant to do".  Of course she's heard that before, and she always agrees.

And God is so good.  I was up late that night, and the next morning my school called a snow day!  I was able to sleep in and recover from a very busy day.