Greetings Dear Friend, in the name of Jesus Christ,
Howie and I have just returned to Virginia after ministering throughout America. Ten months is a long time to be on the road, but the Lord and His saints have been good to us. “The Great Circle USA 09 Tour” never really came to an end as it flowed nicely into the Christmas Advent tour carrying right over into the New Year.
As I look back over the past year I see God’s miraculous provision of a van to minister from, live in and take us so many long miles. I see how the Lord is opening doors in some very needy parts of the nation: a Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota where poverty is the norm; New York where the name “Jesus Christ” is the cuss word of choice; Vermont where at least two towns permit public nudity; and Memphis, TN ministering in Orange Mound, a community created for African Americans back in 1890! These pockets of need in our country are the very places where our “musical missionary” style of ministry slides in past the defense lines. We are seeing results and doors are flinging open like never before.
Having lived on the road “homeless” now for 2 years, we are commonly asked two questions:
1. What is the pulse of the nation, and how do you see God working?”
2. How do you survive living in a van?
What is the pulse of the nation? Let me try to answer this one first. Everywhere we go we see a couple common trends. One is a growing restlessness within the Christian Community with the “status quo”. There seems to be a hunger among many for more of the Lord. Sunday and Wednesday meetings are no longer enough. People are seeking a lifestyle that is filled with the Spirit of the Lord. That speaks of revival happening on a grassroots level.
Within the secular community we saw a trend beginning this year that we have not witnessed in the past. More people are attending, and they are staying until the close of our events. You might say: “Well your performance must be better.” No, I believe it has little to do with performance because typically as soon as the name “Jesus” was mentioned and people got the drift that we were singing about Him, there would be a mass exodus. Not now. It appears that God is positioning hearts for an awakening. This is all the more exciting considering we have an entire generation (speaking of those not in the Bible Belt) who have no biblical teaching nor have any idea who really Jesus is.
Any of you who have been around Howie for any length of time have heard him say “Now is the time! I am compelled to go and share Jesus”. The results we are seeing are in direct answer to prayer and entirely the Lord’s doing.
In 2009 we received enough financial support to have kept us on the road for 10 months non-stop. We are so grateful for those who have heeded the call to “monthly for missions”. You have provided a financial lifeline as we go.
Now for the second question: What is it like to live on the road for Jesus?
Quite frankly, at this moment, I am worn out and fatigued and would like a quiet “hiding place” to call my own to be refreshed. But generally speaking, the Lord’s provision is abundant so we thank God for these blessings:
- We travel in the Sprinter van that gets nearly 20 miles to the gallon; we have a single mattress that is comfy to rest upon when the road is long (considering it’s not too hot outside to do so);
- We have an entire sound system, instruments, office, kitchen tools and suitcases that are showing miles of wear. And, of course, we have our survival water filter that is gravity feed and provides quality water wherever we are.
- We eat lots of raw fruits and veggies and have managed to maintain good health thus far, except for some back issues.
Even with all of this, I do often think of a home. When the traveling goes on for month after month, sleeping in a different bed every night and constantly with people, I think of home. Naturally, I consider heaven my home, but lately I am sensing that we just may be more effective in the future with a home ministry base.
Here in Charlottesville, Howie is busy ministering to the music community and scheduling our 2010 missionary trips. We are excited about connections made on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also there are amazing opportunities opening in Vermont, Memphis, Michigan and Washington, as well as many other places. Please keep these in prayer and check the calendar on our web site as the bookings develop.
As we go we do depend on you to sometimes carry us, sometimes house us and sometimes go with us. I can’t praise God enough for your faithful financial support. Know that while we are here preparing to move out again and setting up the next tour, we do need your “Monthly for Missions” gifts.
The ground is being plowed and seeds sown. The harvest is beginning to show itself in our land. Pray. Spring is coming. It is time to call the workers and bring the harvest before the Lord.
With Christian love,
Debbie
P.S. Please send your tax-deductible support for our missionary ministry to: Howie and Debbie Campbell, PO Box 8334, Charlottesville, VA 22906. Make checks payable CIS, INC. Thank You!