When I reread what I have been writing, I realize how bad our Starbucks addiction is. After stopping there for some coffee, we went into the Parkwood Retirement facility. We were early, so we hung out in the library (or the holding tank :) When they were ready, we set up and began. This performance was awesome. There was a lady that sat in the front row and cried the entire set. She was a believer and I know she was touched. She nodded during the short messages between sets.
Another lady, Betty, was sitting next to It was difficult to do pay attention while trying not cry myself. We lost the whole front row to tears during Addonai, so they were still teary-eyed when the boys did I Am. The boys deny being emotional, but they TOTALLY looked like they were trying not to cry. The residents loved it and loved the kids even more. As they built new connections, the crew did a quick tear down before heading to the next section, the Alzheimer’s unit.
The team was warned about how the unit maybe before we went in. While it maybe was difficult, it wasn't nearly what I expected. I met a lady named Louise. She told me about how Colorado was her and her husband's play-place (actually a couple of times) and then leaned to the women next to me, telling her, "I made a friend!" "You what?" "She's my new friend!" To which the other woman (whose name was Wanda) turned to me and said, "And you admit it?" We laughed so hard. They enjoyed it. 
Lunch was provided for by the home. Pam was so excited that we came "I've got Goosebumps!" And loved what we were doing here and at the missions. It was sandwiches from subway, chips and cookies. So light and so delicious. There was a substantial break between the performances, (and at the same center) so we got to play cards together, snack and sleep. A nice time to just be comfortable and slow down.
When it was time to start, we set up in the dining facility and like 2nd nature, the mimes went to work, mixing and brightening lives. I also noticed that this set would be before the nurses station. I know their lives must be stressful and I wondered if they would get any message out of it.
The residents were loving it. Betty came and again sat watching the whole performance so intently and in tears. The nurses stopped and peeked over their station while pretending to still work. You could easily tell who had seniority... whenever the phone rang, a select few would snap their fingers at the other nurses to hurry and answer. One nurse stood at the edge of the station, completely immobile and beamed the whole time. 
Afterward, we tore down and the team went to work. Poor Betty broke. She didn't know her father and couldn't look at God that way. She didn't want anything to do with 'father' Lindsey stayed with her the rest of the time we were there.
An emergency within our team sprang up, distracting us from Betty when Kirstin's eye (that had been bothering her all morning) got worse. Some of the roadies and Lynette gathered Kirstin up and took her to the urgent care while the rest of the team went to Sonic. Kirstin was a toughy; apparently she had scratched her eye days before and didn't think it too serious. While in the room, and the doctor asked what we were here for, Kirstin explained we were here on a mime trip. The
doctor simply nodded before going out. Lynette and Kirstin were flabbergasted; maybe he didn't want to talk about it, maybe he was offended. When he returned, he explained to the two that when he was fourteen, he was saved when a mime team performed for him. Totally floored them, and the rest of the team when we heard. Praise God; that was such an encouragement, and a reminder on why we are really here.
We meet up with the rest of the team at the Presbyterian Night Shelter. (No pictures to protect the residents) This shelter is gated, guarded and strict. This particular shelter was the last chance for the women - they mess up, they are gone. No tolerance policy. This included chores and serving. There was nothing for our team to do. We couldn't help the women, and unlike the past years, we couldn't serve dinner. The place was at capacity; they now had a waiting list and now had to turn people away. Since we couldn't serve, we hung out in the courtyard. The mimes talked about the set and how to change it to meet their needs, while Patty made friends and James and I played with the little ones. After an hour or so, we were able to go in and set up.
David opened “Praise you in the Storm” with a testimony of his own life. These women knew pain, and there were several nods and “Amens” Once they started, a lady in front of me had tears pouring down her face. She knew to praise. For one moment, the whining babies and whispering children and were focused. The woman nodded and whispered “Amen” for the next song, “Feels like redemption” knowing about the redemption.
The take down was quick for the crew. David was playing with the kids, showing them “magic” but really just messing with the boy who wasn't paying attention to the cracker he already had in his hand. Caroline wasn't feeling well, and sat with a little girl on her lap for the entirety of the set. The kids were so willing and loving all of the attention they were getting. Trust me, it was a great experience for them.
After we packed up, it was time for dinner at Fuddruckers. There was a soda machine that Hannah could only describe as magical. A digital machine where you pressed the touch-screen on the soda brand of your choice, which would open a menu with all of the varieties. The kids were mesmerized and were more focused on the soda than their food. Dinner was a great fellowship (JD was so excited to try Bison) and after food, some great Blue Bell ice cream (really, not as exciting now that we have some in the Springs) The night was late, but we've been feeling your prayers and were all united and peaceful.
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