Last night I went to bed at 7:30, as I am fighting a head cold; occupational hazard for a teacher.  Tylenol PM allowed me to sleep very soundly, but the 5:45 alarm still came very early.  But rising and shining was well worth the unpleasant start to my day.  You see, I was the chapel speaker at Long Creek Youth Detention Center in South Portland today.  This has always been one of my favorite churches anywhere, and today was better than ever.

Actually, I considered canceling the show when I stopped on my way to the gig to purchase apples ( yes, I'm still doing the Adam and Eve apple juggling routine.). As I walked around the grocery store to make my purchase I was dizzy and achy.  But I continued on to Long Creek.  About 40 kids came out to the show, which is a little under half the total population of the facility.  Although my cold made it hard to juggle, what with it messing with my equilibrium and all, I can't say it was a great performance, but I've certainly had worse.  More importantly, the teens were with me every moment of the show.  

I had initially planned to close with my telling of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, but I left the necessary props in the van.  I did however, have my jumbo cards in the chapel, which is the trick I use for telling the story of the thief on the cross.  In the end, this was a divine arrangement, as that routine really connected with the room.  The kids were dead silent through it all, and some were clearly  moved as I spoke of God's grace and forgiveness.  We had a very powerful prayer time as we closed the service.

After the kids left the chapel, chaplain Doug asked if I had time to go to one of the units.  Specifically, the girls' unit.   It seems that they were hurried out of chapel while I was showing the rabbit and doves to a group of the guys.  Of course I agreed and we went.

first of all it was so sweet to see the girls hugging Jeremiah (the bunny) and talking to the doves.  I brought the female dove out of her cage knowing that she wouldn't fly off.  Her mate, Rastelli, was getting very nervous in. The cage without her.  He was pacing nervously and hooting. one of the girls, a pretty blonde, told me, "that's how I look when I do drugs."  I chuckled, but it broke my heart.  She's the same age as our youngest daughter.

it was a sweet time, though, and the extra time to actually interact with the girls,rather than just leave after the show, really made my morning.  I hope God used me to make their day, too.