In the heart of one of Maine's larger cities, Auburn, is a neighborhood Baptist church that has clearly been a presence in the city for sometime. It's steeple is still perhaps the highest structure in the city. And, when so many churches are leaving their neighborhoods for the outskirts of town or the nearest highway exit ramp, Court Street Baptist continues to be a beacon where it was first established.
My wife, Sue, and I were in Court Street Friday night to perform at a mother-daughter banquet. There were over 100 women and girls present spanning, at times, four generations. Before our show, which was in their beautiful, classic sanctuary, we joined the ladies for the supper. I felt a tad out of place, as the only male in a room of 100 women! Actually, there were a handful of other guys present, but they were the ones serving us the food. The meal was chickenin a white gravy, potatoes, carrots and homemade bread. After having such a delicious and plentiful dinner, we were more ready for a nap than an hour of juggling, but the show must go on.
The audience was wonderful, and their energy and involvement revitalized us as we began our program. This was one of those shows where it was at least as much fun for me as it was for them.
When the show was over, Sue opened up our merch table, where we have been selling my two books of blogs as well as hand made jewelry and handbags that Joseph Sserwadda brought with him the last time he came over from Uganda. These crafts are purchased from Ugandan women who make them as part of their cottage industries. Our selling them, in turn, helps fund our trip to Uganda this summer. Between sales and offering, we raised a sizable percentage of what is left toward the cost of our trip. Tickets and shots have been paid for, which means the remaining fund raising is the cost of staying at the children's home Joseph and his wife Gladys runs.
When we're in Uganda this summer, it will be in no small part due to the generosity of the ladies from Court Street Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine.