Christians, and other people of faith, too, I imagine, often over state the balance of church and state, and can come across as having a bit of a persecution complex.  The fact is, there is more religious freedom in the public sector than we often realize or believe.  One such example is Good News Clubs, an after. Hours Bible club usually in elementary schools.  Gorham, Maine has one of the longer lasting ones I am familiar with, and they had me in to do a show after school last Thursday.  Since Thursday's are one of the many days our 15 year old, Rose, is in the dance studio,I did this gig alonOne of the challenges of doing an after school club is that I teach, too. Fortunately, Gorham is not that far from my school in Windham.  Another challenge is that I'm arriving and settting up right when teachers are dismissing and busses are leaving.  But the school seemed well organized and orderly.  I was connected with the club leaders quickly, and in the building in plenty of time to set up for the 3:30 start time.  

The kids were certainly an eager audience. They get about 17 every week and that's exactly what they had that day.   While I had a lot of fun using my juggling and illusions to teach some basic Gospel truths, I was especially blessed by the adults who volunteer their time to do this.  I had a couple of unexpected reunions, including John Daniels, the chairman of the school board where I previously taught, as well as a professor from the University of Southern Maine whom I had met a couple of years ago.  It was a nice, albeit brief opportunity to catch up with each other and on mutual friends.

As for the show, like I said, the kids were great and surprisingly attentive given that it was after a full day of school.  They loved Cotton, my new rabbit, and my two doves, of course, and, given their interactions during and after the show, I am confident they understood what I came to teach.  Praise God for these clubs and the freedom to hold them in our community,schools.