A couple of times a year every year since 1987, I have gotten up early on a Saturday in order to do a show at one of my absolute favorite venues.  Long Creek is Maine's primary youth correctional facility, and our show has always been well received.  Today was no exception.  Although I really wanted to turn off the alarm clock and wanted to go back to sleep, I am glad I crawled out of bed and drove into South Portland in order to be ready for the 9:00 service.

As I drove east on route 302, I was still wrestling with just how to put the morning's serviced together.  I had a few options in mind, but nothing seemed to gel.  When I arrived, Chaplain Ted told me that there had been a riot of sorts last night.  While it only involved a few of the boys, and the response time was quick, apparently there was a lot of destruction to the unit and the mood throughout the center was still very tense.  I was suddenly so blessed that I had the opportunity to do chapel today, and I realized what a  responsibility it was as well. 

I decided then to build the show around the parable of the lost coin.  This is a routine I've been doing for years, but it has never been the closing routine.  I typically use this early in the show as a 'lighter' routine; an ice breaker of sorts with the audience.  A half hour before chapel started, though, I saw how it would set up for the ministry time with the teens.

There was a good turn out of kids, probably 45 or so.  We started 10 minutes late, so I cut a couple of lesser rouitnes I had set up to make sure there was time for what needed to happen.  I added two new tricks to my three ball routine (it's so nice to still add a new move or two at the age of 52!)  and I performed four different sized balls on the double balance board for the first time in a while.

The best part of the morning was after the show, though.  I talked about a God, like the woman in the parable of the coin, who is out to reclaim what is rightfully His.  I talked about how precious each one of them was to God, and I offered to pray with those who would like.  It was a sweet time with these troubled kids, and I know Ted will be faithful in all the follow up and mentoring these young people need.

As I was packing up, the girls unit stayed in the chapel waiting for a small group Bible study to start.  Needless to say, they all wanted to pet my rabbit, Jeremiah, and hold my dove, Flurry.  It's always amazing to me to see these troubled teens, many of whom are in there for serious crimes, just melt when they see the animals.  They cuddled and kissed the rabbit, let the dove sit on their fingers and shoulders, and were just normal young girls.  That might be the best ministry that happened all morning.

Please pray for the staff and teens at Long Creek.  God is alive and well in this challenging environment, and his heart is totally sold out to these hurting young people.