Saturday was our 9th performance for the Lincoln Center Programs and Services for People with Disabilities. To the best of our memory, this relationship started in the spring of ’04. An injury-laden walk-around puppet performance by Doug led to a return invitation for the winter gathering, and we’ve been “family” ever since! Twice through the years, our puppets have been featured in advertisements for this wonderful program in leading magazines for the disabled community in the NY metropolitan area.
This trip introduced us to several new families. It’s always encouraging to talk to families before we entertain, and then see their reaction afterwards. The relationship is always different after the show. Somewhere along the way, they figure out that we aren’t there just to make them laugh, but to feed into their lives - which always brings a smile to their face.
We also got to strengthen friendships with families that have followed us from the early ‘90s! One family used to listen to “the Saturday Morning Kids’ Club with DigDag & Doug” on WWDJ, and now their younger child, who’s faced with medical challenges, is part of Lincoln Center’s “Passport” program, and we get to minister to them again!
On Sunday, we traveled to Macungie, PA, which, for those who are geographically confused, is about 10 miles southwest of Allentown. It was at Salem Bible Church where Jim and Bev Howard have been puppet team leaders for almost 25 years. They’ve been part of puppet festivals all over the eastern seaboard, and often travel on missions trips, teaching puppet workshops everywhere they go. Jim and Bev have been friends of ours for at least 10 years.
Several months ago, Jim was asked by Dave Musselman, the new Sunday School Superintendent, for a list of people he might suggest to come speak to their kids on Children’s Day. Jim gave him a list which included our name. Dave took the list home to his wife Diane, who looked this list over and recognized us right away, as having been friends from our days at The King’s College. How cool is was to re-connect after all these years!
What a great time we had! Good fellowship, GREAT kids - and several kids prayed to accept God’s gift of eternal life!
Lunch with Jim, Bev and an “old friend”, Brian Strausser, allowed us to catch up on what the Lord has been doing with them, and what they’re planning to do next. It’s so encouraging to see how God is working around the world!
Thank you, Lord, for allowing us the joy of knowing folks like the Howards and the Musselmans, and seeing that You are faithful through the years... and allowing us the joy of being part of it all!
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