Best Chapel in School History!

We hit the road October 31, 2019 for a full USA East Coast tour.  Kicking off the tour in Ohio, we presented at Westside Christian School where the principal told us the UniShow Universe was "the best chapel in school history!"  Then we had 4 assemblies across Pennsylvania.  It was a highlight to have so many opportunities in Christian Schools to share the Gospel and challenge students to use their gifts in world missions.  We heard again from a teacher at Lititz Christian School in PA, "Best chapel we ever had." 

Just after we ended our presentation in York PA, we were evacuated due to a fire alarm which was set off from food burning in the kitchen, not from Dustin's juggling torches. This surprise gave us a few more focused minutes to interact with students and staff.  

In Elizabeth NJ we continued a 15 year partnership with an influential pastor and city councilman.  He organized a community event at a local school, a special presentation at a senior center and had the UniShow Universe for their Sunday morning service.  Super impressive guy who truly cares about each person in his community and is reaching them with the love of Jesus.

We had the privilege of returning to the youth detention center in Washington DC to share the Gospel with the teen residents.  One volunteer told us he's never seen the youth so attentive before.  He was encouraged by how he is now able to build on our message as he connects regularly with the youth and gives them Bibles.

It's been a while since we displayed at the National Youth Workers Convention but we made a reappearance in Tampa FL along our route.  It was great to connect with many youth workers from around the world and present the UniShow as a resource to help them reach students.

Before leaving Florida, we stopped at North Florida Christian School for 2 UniShow assemblies in the Eagle's Nest.

We returned to Biloxi to present 2 rewards assemblies for students who reached their reading goals at Popp's Ferry Elementary.  Jeff Davis Elementary next door had us share 2 assemblies for their students this time, too.  One teacher said, "Everyone needs to see this show. It is motivational and inspiring with a mix of excitement and laughter."

Finally, to wrap up the year, we had an amazing time in Prattville Alabama partnering with a friend who previously organized several UniShow tours in Kosovo. 

He again put his networking and organizations skills to good use and coordinated events for us in a local high school, a community outreach, an at-risk youth program and in a Hispanic community. 

Super special times!  They told us that our presentations brought new life and energy to their church community as well as the truth of the Gospel to the unchurched.  A teacher told us ours was the most amazing assembly they've ever had at their school and that it "Restores hope and opens our eyes to future possibilities that are available through hard work and following our passions."

In all, we presented 21 shows in 7 states during this USA tour.  The encouraging feedback we've received confirms that God is using our humble efforts to point people to Him.  Thanks for praying and sending us out to make Him known.

Jeff Davis Elementary in Biloxi MS was ready for the UniShow Universe with their hallway decor. 

Bringing Hope to Incarcerated Youth

A unique opportunity popped up during our east coast tour as we passed through our nations capitol.  A friend of ours who used to be a youth pastor at our home church in MN is now a pastor at McLean Bible Church in Virginia who oversees all global and local outreaches .  Every other week they have a team of volunteers who share the love of Jesus with students at a Youth Detention Center in Washington D.C.  Our pastor friend invited us to join them on Saturday, October 17th to do a UniShow presentation for the students at the Center.  

After compiling a detailed list of all the equipment we wanted to bring into the facility for the show, we didn't know what to expect or how difficult it would be to get in and set up.  We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by an early arriving church volunteer and very friendly and helpful staff at the Center who helped us take our equipment from the loading dock, through 8 security doors, half of which could only be released by unseen guards in a control center somewhere.  With help, we creatively angled our ramps and stairs to fit into the small elevator with only inches to spare, and finally into the gymnasium.  Some of the staff even prayed with us and the chaplain before the show. 

When we arrived we were told that only 5 students would be allowed to come to our event because of recent fights, among other things.  We were praying for the opportunity to share with more and were excited when 25 students were allowed to attend by the time we began.  

The performance area was flanked with guards to ensure things stayed under control.  The kids were great and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show.  I wish we could have taken pictures of their enthusiastic responses.  They listened attentively to Dustin powerfully present the Gospel and lead them in a prayer of surrender to Jesus.  We pray this marks a turning point in their lives.  

After the presentation, the McLean team provided pizza and cake for the kids.  Dustin had personal conversations as he ate with the guys and Katie talked and prayed with the only girl who had been allowed to attend.  It is wonderful to know there are local believers who are regularly sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus with them.  We are grateful for this opportunity and hope to seize our invitation to return in the future.