East of the Rockies

After our James Bay Canadian adventure, we crossed back over the border, continuing our tour with our next event at Rohan Woods School in St. Louis, Missouri. Afterward, the PE teacher of many years raved that the UniShow Universe was the best assembly they have ever had!

We then had the privilege of presenting for 500+ students at Eisenhower Middle School in Topeka, Kansas. The bright purple gymnasium with a vivid eagle covering the back wall made for a fun setting to challenge students to persevere through life's challenges and be on the lookout for ways to help others along the way.

University Academy in Kansas City, Missouri invited us to present a middle school assembly. The principal told us afterward, "The program was excellent and helped reinforce the messages we push our students to use in their everyday life."

During a quick visit with Katie's sister in beautiful Colorado Springs, we were able to connect with a family we had met in Kenya last February who happened to be visiting Colorado Springs at the same time. After their son had seen the UniShow Universe in Kenya last year, he found a unicycle in their attic that someone had left after learning to ride following our visit to Kenya 7 years ago! Their son was also inspired by Dustin and has learned to ride unicycle remarkably well in this last year. The family surprised him with an early birthday gift of a new unicycle delivered by Dustin Kelm himself in Colorado!

California and Colorado start with C

From Oregon, we drove south for a return visit to Valley Christian Elementary School in San Jose, California. Last year the rain forced us to present a very abbreviated UniShow assembly on a small shag carpeted stage in a chapel the 450 students barely fit into. This year was dry and sunny so the UniShow was in full force in an outdoor basketball court. The principal has become a big advocate for the UniShow, stating our assembly is the best he has ever experienced and is promoting it around the region for the future.

Our tour then took us to Colorado Spring, Colorado where Dustin’s lungs were put to the test presenting an assembly at an elevation of 7,000 feet for 320 middle schoolers at Eagleview Middle School. We heard afterward from a student that it was the best day of her life. A teacher said that it was the best assembly they've had in his 20 years teaching at the school and he knew students would never forget it. Another student thanked Dustin for what he shared, saying it's people like him that motivate her to not give up in life.

Dustin Kelm – Olympic Gold Medalist!

The 7^th annual NightVision Festival was an exciting time of ministry under the beautiful Colorado sky in Olathe.  Nearly 40,000 people attended the festival this year, braving hot temperatures and occasional lightening and rain storms, which God graciously kept from ever being show stoppers.  We performed at the extreme sports stage each day, along with DefyGravity and the Strength Team.  A smooth, hard surface wasn't available for Dustin to perform on, so they made one.  A great, solid stage was carefully constructed which met the specifications for the floor plan of a house!

It was great to connect with other artists and awesome festival organizers who had put so much into making this festival happen for the glory of God!  We saw many give their lives to Jesus and heard repeatedly that Dustin’s testimony had ministered greatly to people.  Dustin had a live radio interview on Passion Radio 95.7 KPCL where he was able to share how God is using the UniShow and creative arts throughout the Middle East.

Dustin was announced from main stage as an Olympic Champion Unicyclist.  Oh well, close enough!    A good time was had by all and we pray that lives changed would continue to follow God’s path forever and take others along with them.

The Elk and I in Estes Park

It was amazing to be in the beautiful mountains of Colorado in November and have unusually warm, sunny weather.  We spent the weekend at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park with the Rocky Mountain Conference United Methodist Church and a large population of giant elk.

Dustin shared with 400 junior high and high school students on the topic of Rejuvenation.  He established God as our Creator and the Bible as our “owner’s manual” and guide to true rejuvenation, often contrary to the world’s ideas of how to be renewed.  Through the UniShow, he shared from his own life story how we are often put through the heat of trials, like clay in the Potter’s hands in the process of becoming all God wants us to be. 

It was a powerful ending session to see the student’s line up with their written list of “old things” to destroy in shredders, symbolizing their embrace of a renewed walk with Christ.  We pray God will continue His rejuvenating work in each of their lives.