The York County Jail is Maine’s second largest jail and the one closest to the southern border of the state.  Its location, within a two hour drive of Boston, means it has a very different feel and clientele than the county jails north of Portland.  I did three shows at YCJ today, as they are very strict about not mixing security levels even for chapel services.  So the first show was for minimum and medium security, the second for maximum, and the third for the female inmates.

This certainly made for a long morning, but it was worth it.  We had a total of two hours to fit everything in, so I did 40 minute shows with five minutes to set up between each set.  The first group was the largest by far, and a little disorganized on my part.  I was trying to figure out how to fit a 60 minute set into 40 minutes.  Nonetheless, it went fine, and I was able to pray with the inmates after the show.  One man, a large, intimidating man wearing a rosary was in tears as I prayed with him to experience the grace of Jesus.  The second show had a much smaller audience, but it was also well received.  Having warmed up in the first set, I took a few more risks including “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus?” which is my club juggling routine.  I made only one error which I covered with a kick-up, and the audience loved the Skynyrd-esque Larry Norman song (listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TliWDSLrYb8 )

My final show was for the women.  I was told to expect 10 to 15 inmates, but 22 came.  Again, feeling adequately warmed up, I did four different size balls on the double balance board and five different size balls: basketball, soccer ball, softball, tennis ball and golf ball.  More importantly, the women were very open to the Gospel.  I closed with the illusion / story of the prostitute who crashed the Pharisee’s party in order to wash Jesus feet with her tears.  I don’t know why - perhaps because I am the father of three daughters - but my heart always goes out to the females in jails, prisons and youth correction. Regardless, many of the women were clearly moved as they heard that Jesus welcomed the woman who came to him at the party, and even defended her to the religious elite who were the other guests.  They heard the message of grace in her story, and some of them prayed with me at the end of the show.

The chaplain at YCJ is Trent Boyd, a long time friend who has spoken often at the Christian schools where I have worked, and it is always a pleasure to work alongside of him.  I know the souls of the people at this jail are in good pastoral hands.