Friendship House is a sobriety home for men in South Portland, Maine.  The men choose to be there, and are free to come and go as they please (within certain perameters).  Most of them go to day jobs- ones they either already held when they moved in or ones the staff at Friendship House help them get.  They may stay until they are ready to live a sober life at home, or they can leave any time; no one is 'sentenced' to be there.  And it is run as a Christian ministry.  Monday evening is devotioal night, and Sue and I got to be part of it last Monday evening.  

We set up our show in their parking lot, which allowed for a lot of space to work within.  After the men finished their dinner, they came out and pulled up lawn chairs and the show began.  I love doing shows for adults, especially adults who are wrestling with big issues in life.  I'm able to go a little 'deeper' with my Gospel message, and I did for these men.  I built the show up to my shackle escape routine, and then talked briefly about the things that hold us captive: while for them it is/was alcohol, for others it may be other things- more or less socially acceptable than addiction.  But on God's eyes, Jesus died to set us all free of our shackles through the forgiveness that came on the cross, and and the power that came with His resurrection.

But it was still a show, and we had some laughs and fun, too.  Outdoor shows allow me to juggle fire props such as torches, devil sticks and fire diabolo.  I did the "funeral shopping" gag, which I only do for adult audiences.  And, as I do in almost every show, I produced Zeke, our rabbit, and allowed the men to meet him after the show.  

The men were so appreciative, and several thanked us specifically for the Gospel message that was all through the show.  Please remember to pray for these men who, with the Lord's help, are trying to get their lives back on track.