Sold Out!

Howie and I are back in Charlottesville, Virginia for a few weeks. We  had the privilege of playing for the C’ville Coffee open mic last week. Here is our version of an original song written by Howie titled “Grampy”.

Enjoy!

Thank you, Johnnie R. Thomason, at Kingdom Keys Network Christian Radio, for inviting us for an interview at the studio in Amarillo, Texas.

 

Johnnie asked us questions about how and where we minister. This ten minute interview was aired on June 4, 2015  for their program “Community Information Interview”.

In case you missed it, don’t worry, we have posted it here for your listening pleasure!

 

          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

• Pray – God moves through the prayer of His saints.
• Give – No matter what we do, we need funds. We minister year round and do not have a surplus of funds to tap into should an event like van replacement arise. Donate here.
• Host Us At Home – Plan a home concert to introduce us to folks that may be interested in partnering in ministry.
• Host Us At Church – Our focus is to the secular community and it is helpful to minister in Churches that are able to take up a love offering or partner with us in regular support.

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.

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.

Piya Mani Otipi Rehab Center

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.

Howie and I worked together to explain how the Creator became flesh and choose to become a man to teach us how to live. This perfect man, God in the flesh, took our sins upon himself and was nailed to the tree. But he did not stay there as he arose and conquered death. He will return to take us home – those who call upon his name.

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.

But the blessing was to continue. God scheduled the opportunity for us to return, via a surprise cancelation and a phone call to Ray, Chris’ husband, to come lead the Sunday afternoon meeting. This was just as we were planning to leave the area. We saw the working of the Holy Spirit as He was not finished yet. We arrived to bright smiles and joy filled room. This second visit not only reinforced the message we shared, but strengthened our connection as well. We left our new friends each with a Gospel of John and exchange smiles until our paths cross again.

There is no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3

Traveling through what seemed to be “No Man’s Land” in Northern Arizona we wondered if God would open opportunities for us to witness for Him.

The Hopi reservation was rocky and harsh. This was quite the contrast to the people that live in the land. At the cultural center we met V***** a DJ from WYI Res Radio, who shared with us that Hopi means “Peaceful People”. We also began to realize that our “Wayfarin Strangers Amped” CD would be well liked here on the Reservation.

As the Great Circle USA 2010 takes us through Navajo Country the desert sun is hot and the nights are cold. This is perfect for sleeping in the van.

The roadway was dotted with venders selling their handwork. Howie wanted a leather and turquoise decoration to hang from his guitar neck and we hoped to find it Navajo made.
The Lord lead us to J*****a who was happily equipted for the challenge of designing a piece for Howie.

As she worked Howie suggested that he serenades the vendors. His suggestion was received with many smiles. As the Navajo woman put her finishing touch on the piece by tying her work to the guitar neck, he offered her and the nearby vendors copies his CDs: The Good News of Christmas, Colonial Meditations and Thank You.

R* said liked R&B, so Howie invited him to our van to listen to some of “Wayfarin Strangers Amped”. He loved it and we promised to send him a copy as soon as it is released.
The conversation segued nicely into Jesus as Howie shared his story, then R* shared his story. God has placed us in the right place at the right time to minister to a native man who has a great need. We were able to pray with R* and leave him with a Gospel of John. Soon he will have our new CD as well as a letter from us.