The night before we hit the road for the Great Circle USA 2015 Mission Tour we performed a live streaming concert through Concert Window. We want to thank The Well House Cafe for making their space available to us. Thank you, Addie, for manning the coffee bar!
Here is an excerpt from that night. “Wayfarin’ Strangers” was played on the native flute, guitar and various percussion instruments.
My friend was feeling frustrated because she had been traveling a considerable amount with her husband and said, “I just can’t seem to focus or function well when I am away so much. I don’t know how you do it, being on the road all the time.”
My response was simply, “You need to forget about home.”
I certainly found it hard to live a normal life when Howie and I began the ministry. But I found a way to wrap my mind around “normal” and “away”, finding the delicate balance where I can function productively.
Why the need to forget about home?
Imagine with me that we are away on the other side of the country. All is unfamiliar and new. The mind wants to wander back, by default, to find comfort in the familiar, the structure of routine and the motions of habit.
Change the mind’s default
Howie and I live on the road full time and don’t have a home to return to in the way that most people in America do. There is no comfort found when I ponder the popular idea of “home”. I needed to change the default for home to land in another place.
Redefining home
Transforming the definition of home in your mind can be revolutionary. I have shifted my focus to make home my very present state and therefore I function with all of its seeming comforts.
My home is where I live
My home is here, where my feet are standing
and
My home is heavenly
Where I am is where I live. So, remember this if you happen to be showing hospitality to us “Wayfarin’ Strangers”. We can experience a moment of life together.
At home wherever I am
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21
Sharing our faith in the public arena can be challenging. If bathed in prayer and done properly it can be an effective means of presenting Jesus Christ. Debbie and I recently had the opportunity to do just that in Schenectady. The Star is an open mic setting located in Proctor’s Theater, hosted by The Worship Guide-where jazz, soul & rock collide. This new weekly event is located in a large open space directly across from Apostrophe Cafe. It’s a perfect venue for getting plugged in to the downtown community.
Howie Campbell
THE STAR is a weekly concert series followed by an open mic night that they eventually want to broadcast on television and radio. The goal is to encourage the music community as well as business startups in a partnership that provides space, audience and activity seekers for the mutual benefit of all concerned. They encourage networking and even offer space available for vendors to bring their wares. Stay current with their events with The Worship Guide’s Facebook page.
Johnathan Metcalf directing, Howie Campbell running sound and Donna Munafo of “4ever1”
The Star runs every Monday night beginning at 7PM with a featured artist. This is followed by an open mic until closing. Proctors, located in downtown Schenectady, NY has been beautifully remodeled and there is ample space for a crowd.
The Star concept is exactly what Debbie and I love to get involved with. 2nd Street Market in Tillamook, Oregon was very similar. There was a fine stage in the food court and the large, open building was filled with small shops looking to ply their trade in a cost effective venture. The business incubator is a great way for developing entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and others to interface. This is also a fantastic means to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in a non-churchy atmosphere.
Debbie and Howie
We were the featured act that night, doing an hour show. After that, a band played about three songs, followed acoustic musicians who signed up for the open mic. While not everyone sang about Jesus, some did and the mix was a delightful blend of local talent. Of course, Debbie and I were able to sing about our Lord, and I shared a “witness bracelet” with someone, had some good discussions about the faith and also encouraged others.
Native American flute on “Wayfarin’ Strangers”
I love this type of ministry and look for these kinds of connections wherever we go around America. Ultimately everyone needs Jesus and this is a great platform for introducing folks to Him in a non-threatening environment. May God prosper and grow The Star ministry in Schenectady, New York and others like it all over America.
Please join us for this live stream concert with special guest Ricky Russ! This concert will raise funds to replace our van and continue on down the road. You may read more about our blown engine in previous posts.
Watch Howie & Debbi Campbell Live From Texas! with special guest Ricky Russ | Concert Window.
You may also make a tax-deductible donation to send us back on the road through our website or copy and paste this into your browser address bar – http://wisdomandtruth.org/donate.html
We want to thank our friends at ICR for hosting us on the Morning Show! Ricky Russ and West Chaney, you guys are the BOMB!
Ricky, Howie, Debbie and West
They did an awesome job hosting us on two separate mornings this past June. Ricky and West have such a good natured banter, filled with lighthearted dialog and packed with a powerful punch of faith. We were welcomed with open hearts, made to feel completely relaxed as we shared our music and ministry.
West and Ricky on the air!
Like them on Facebook, say hello and tell them that the Campbells sent you!
Live at ICR FM
Our van motor is blown in Texas and we are in need of a “Bread of Life” Van
Last week we were traveling up Rt 283 just north of Brady, TX when our van just stopped. We had it towed to the nearest Sprinter mechanic in Clyde, TX who happened to be swamped. Finally after waiting seven days, he had the opportunity to carefully inspect our engine. He concluded that our engine is “dead on arrival”.
Our Sprinter has been a blessing as we carry the Gospel throughout the United States, living out of it most of the year. Being nearly ten years old, rusting in spots and well over 200,000 miles, we feel it is not a wise investment to sink twelve to twenty-three thousand dollars we have been quoted to replace the engine.
We have continued to trust the Lord, seeing His fingerprints on this entire event. The question now is what to do. Since we have ruled out fixing the old van, we are considering other options to continue the Gospel ministry.
As musicianaries, we have very limited personal funds for such a huge expense as replacing our van. But we serve a mighty God who we trust will make every provision in due season.
Please pray for us to have discernment and direction to find just the right replacement van. Pray that this vital ministry to the unchurched will continue.
It is our passion to share Jesus with the American people. It is hard to believe that in this once Christian influenced nation there are communities that are indifferent, and even hardened against, the message of Jesus Christ. As musicians, we have been able to penetrate these communities and soften ears to the name of Jesus. Together with the local body, we scatter the seeds, water the tender sprouts and sometimes reap a harvest.
How can you help?
We are thankful for a small church here in Clyde, TX for taking us under their wings. They keep saying that God had us brake down ‘here’. We are sharing with them on Wednesday night. They are contacting other area churches on our behalf. This Saturday they are hosting a bake sale in hopes of raising $1000 toward another van. Wow! We are so blessed and praise God for putting us here.
We are also grateful to our musician brotherhood for making connections. Ricky Russ at Inspirational Country Radio has welcomed us, affording us time on the air to plead our cause. Please send out some love to Ricky and West at Inspiration Country Radio / ICRFM Facebook
We continue to pray.
Howie and Debbie Campbell
Today we have been washed up on the West Coast after three grueling days of driving. New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. 1800+ miles and now collapsed on the rocky shore in Oceanside.
Washed up after a long drive
Tomorrow we begin our musicianary thrust throughout the Northwest. Three events in Tillamook, followed by several with the folks at the Union Gospel Mission of Portland , an action packed weekend awaits us in the Tri-cities of Washington, then off to a backyard party in Milton-Freewater, concert in Kalispell, MT, finally the Lakota Soiux Rosebud Reservation.
Sometimes I feel very weary, like today as we crashed on the beach. Often I think that settling down would suit me just fine and I will establish a homestead rather than of all this wayfarin’. I might even think about replacing my sprout jar with a leafy, green garden. But these are just musings that quickly pass as I dream about what the weeks ahead will offer.
I am reminded of the scripture in 2 Corinthians where Paul mentions that “when I am weak, then am I strong”. Even though today I am feeling quite “washed up” and stretched out on the rocky coast, I know that the Lord has something special planned. It is this hope that compels me get up, get off the rocky shoreline and move ahead in Christ.
Debbie
A Sioux Indian in Rapid City told us as we were passing through to the Rosebud Reservation that the Native peoples reject the white man’s God because of the boarding school experiences. Children were removed from their homes, from their parents and all that was familiar and placed in a school where they were forbidden to keep their Indian names, speak their native tongue and practice the tribal traditions. The boarding schools were an attempt by some early missionaries to “convert” the natives. This attempt not only backfired but served to drive them away from Christianity in deep anger and bitterness. We heard a similar story 25 years ago from a Seneca teacher, herself growing up in a convent boarding school and claimed to have been baptized several times with no conversion.
We brought the matter to the Lord and asked Him to divinely give us a hearing among the tribal people.
Medicine Wheel celebrating the four colors of humanity
Eighteen people filed into the room of the substance abuse recovery program, took their seats on the couches and chairs that circled around the room and look at us, the “white” folks that have a message for them. Howie introduced us and began to share and play. Some yawned, a couple giggled and many avoided direct eye contact. We were wondering if we would be able to make the connection when Chris, the gal who took us there, passed out tambourines, which turned out to be a good thing as it helped open the communication between us all. Howie shared his own story of his involvement in drugs and alcohol, how he discovered the Bible out there on a dirt road with no Christians around, surrendered his life to the Lord and found freedom. He also shared how we lived on the Cattaraugus Reservation and began praying 25 years ago that we would have the opportunity to visit the Rosebud for Jesus.
I shared that my brother and I have always had a great admiration for the Native Americans because of their respect for the created things. Then I shared how Jesus himself was not the “white man’s” God, but was from a tribal people, the Jewish Nation, who had twelve tribes, much like the Sioux, and Jesus was called “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah”. This is a noble name.
"It does not require many words to speak the truth" Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce
By now the folks had discovered that our message was not what they expected and were tracking with us. Howie brought out his Indian made wooden flute and played for them. Many closed their eyes and respectfully listened with a prayerful attitude.
Howie shared the Gospel message clearly and in a very relevant manner. Then he offered prayer for anyone who wanted it after the session concluded. To our delight, nearly the entire group responded, individually coming up and sharing their story and receiving prayer.
The Lord Jesus applied His healing balm that day. Hearts were touched, decisions made and we were blessed beyond words.
We brought a similar message to the kids at Wanbli Wiconi Tipi: A Juvenile Detention Center
There is no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3
Concert on Rosebud Reservation, Mission SD