It has been perhaps 10 or 12 years since we have done a chapel service at the Somerset County (Maine) Jail.  In fact, the last time we were there, we were in the 'old' jail which was located in the town of Skowhegan.  The new facility, built seven years ago, is a few miles away in the town of Madison.  Sue and I were there on Sunday afternoon, and the new jail was such a huge improvement. 

In the Skowhegan facility, we performed in the dining hall, which had, as I recall, tables permanently attached to the floor.  The room was dingy and dirty.  There was little floor space to perform in.  It was depressing.

As we entered the new jail, it was clear from the start that it was a much better facility.  Once we got through the security check in the lobby and entered the lockdown area, we noticed even more improvements.  The first thing we passed was a library, followed immediately by the chapel.  To me, this sends a very powerful message in priorities.  Many jails don't even have a room set aside just for chapel.  Libraries are more common, but are often really multipurpose rooms. 

When the guard let us in the chapel, we were really impressed.  It was a well lit, large room with high ceilings - something jugglers always notice.  The walls, of course, were cement block.  But painted on the walls were eight paintings made to look like stained glass windows.  Each contained a Bible scene:  Creation, Noah loading the ark, the ark on Ararat, Moses receiving the 10 Commandments, the first Christmas, Jesus feeding the 5000, Jesus walking on water while Peter is about to go under, and the empty tomb.  These, we were told, were all painted by inmates.

Then, as we approached the front of the chapel, what would be our stage area, I noticed a floor tile center stage.  It had the initials "SCJ" for Somerset County Jail, but, for over 30 years "SCJ" has meant Supreme court Jesters to us.  It was as if the stage were welcoming us to perform.

The service was excellent, and I'm so pleased that my club juggling is getting better and better.  After the show, I was talking to an inmate named Mike.  He said he was getting out later this week, and was glad he was still there to see our show.  He became a follower of Jesus while in jail through the ministry of a local pastor.  I asked how we could pray for him, and he asked that we pray for him to get a job, an apartment and a good church to join.  Any readers who would pray with us for Mike are more than welcome to do so.