Our first show at Long Creek Youth Corrections (formerly, the Maine Youth Center) was in 1987, thirty years ago. At the time, Sue and I had no kids, my hair was still dark brown, and I was 25 pounds lighter. There was no such thing as the internet, Ronald Reagan was President, and the football Cardinals were based in St. Louis, not Arizona. A lot has changed.

But one thing that hasn't changed is the special place Long Creek has in our hearts. The chapel there is truly one of my favorite churches anywhere. Two or three times each year for the past 30 years, we have gone there on Saturday mornings to share the Gospel through juggling and illusions. We have known four chaplains at LCYC during this time. But the Spirit's presence in this place has never lessened.

Part of this is the chapel staff and volunteers. Chaplain Doug is currently the pastor, and he has so much love for these kids. He shared joyfully that, when the new administrator addressed the staff and teens, she told them it was time they started to have fun sometimes. While this may seem like a strange statement in a correctional facility, Doug realizes that these are kids they are working with. The average age is around 16, and some are as young as 12. Overwhelmingly, they deal with addiction, mental illness and/or extremely dysfunctional families. More than anything, they need a stable 'family' situation, even if the family is Long Creek.

As I was setting up, Doug had to go down to the unit. While I was alone in the chapel, two teens came in who are on the highest level of privilege. One of the kids was especially amiable. We discussed some illusionists who are on YouTube, we discussed birds (I have doves and he had a parrot), and we discussed his hometown, way up by the Canadian border.

Once the whole group arrived, the service began. As usual, they were a terrific audience, and I have them the best I had. More importantly, I tried to give the clearest presentation of Gods grace I could, and it seemed to connect with many of them.

After the show was done, the girls' unit was the last to leave, and they asked to see Cotton, the rabbit I use in the show. He was passed around and loved by the young ladies, even though he is currently shedding.

I look forward to my next gig there, which is already scheduled for March, 2018, the start of year 31.

"I believe your ministry is more effective here than ever, Richard." - Chaplain Doug