January 19, 2012
5 months ago I did my last journal entry.....no excuses, best of intentions, I will try to do better.
Christina and I just got back from an incredible trip to the Dominican Republic with fellow Compassion artists from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. What an amazing time we had seeing firsthand the lifechanging ministry of Compassion. We visited Churches & Projects each day that included home visits into the heart of poverty. We visited Compassion's head office in Santo Domingo and asked all kinds of hard questions. It was encouraging to see all the checks and balances and accountability. If you visit my facebook page you can see all the pictures and story line! The following describes what happened on our trip home from the Dominican.
Helpless!!
Helpless.....have you ever felt completely helpless........that overwhelming sense that there is nothing you can do to change the circumstances!
Before boarding my connector flight from Chicago to Calgary I discovered that my passport and plane tickets were gone.....lost......stolen. Without a passport American Airlines refused to let me board the plane. 2 sprints across the terminal were a vain search that turned up nothing. My previous plane was already in the air heading somewhere else! The Canadian consulate....closed... the long weekend loomed!! Appeals fell on deaf ears! Policy and procedure overruled compassion and grace!
My daughter wept as I hugged her good bye and sent her ahead. I told her "I'll be okay", "It will work out", yet even as I turned and headed away, backpack on my shoulder, I had no idea what to do. Where do I go? Who do I talk to? I searched the terminal signs for a clue.
The agents suggested I get to Canada by land, cross the border with my photo ID and fly home from there. I prayed constantly asking God to please give me wisdom....please send someone to help! As I sat on the floor combing the Chicago phone book for phone numbers to Greyhound and Train schedules, a young man asked if he could help me. He advised the fastest way would be the AmTrack train and that the closest beacon of hope would be Toronto. I arrived at Union Station with only an hour to spare.
The train has raced through the night and now dawn is just arriving. I've slumped in my seat for the last 10 hours trying to rest and trust, yet images have flashed through my mind. Images of people who are helpless!! The rocking of the train can not jar those faces from my canvas! On the Compassion Artist trip to the Dominican Republic I have seen firsthand people who are in this situation. Millions who are in unbearable physical and spiritual poverty! They are searching for someone to help!! I am trusting the Lord will use our family to bring hope in these lives....hope through people who help! I am also trusting the Lord to get me across the Canadian Border and home in time to share their story at our 2 concerts tomorrow. I am beginning to feel hopeful.......
August 19, 2011
We were at a festival recently that we were quite excited about being a part of. They had asked us to come for the last few years but we were unable to until this year. It was a larger event with as many as 5000 people in attendance. We pulled our bus into the VIP parking area and they brought Gators to carry our stage equipment, our product and ourselves to the mainstage area. We had our own trailer with a stocked fridge including water, pop, juice and vegetable tray. The soundcheck went fine but when we started our first set something just didn't sound right. During the first song Jardeth mouthed "did you tune your bass". I assured him I had! By the second song I saw him tuning his Telecaster and by the third song we were all looking at Christina. She checked her fiddle tuning and we continued on. We could all tell there was still something not quite right. The sound company had supplied all the backline gear and the stage manager had met us at the bus, fist pumped me and told us to not bother bringing our piano. They had a good Roland keyboard on stage he assured me. By about the 5th song Debbie informed me that she was sure the piano was out of tune. How can an electric piano be out of tune?? She had turned her piano down so far she was no longer in the mix and we played through. At intermission we immediately grabbed a tuner and all descended on the piano. Between the stage manager, monitor man and several of our group we discovered that a pitch dial on the back of the piano was about 2 degrees off where it should be. In moving the piano someone had bumped it!!
We started the second set of music in tune at least but it was abit depressing to watch the main soundman. He slumped in his chair out of reach of the sound mixer while looking over the crowd for interesting people. Song after song he barely glanced at the stage. During a song where Debbie was playing mandolin into the instrument mic, I finally got the attention of the monitor guy. He radio'd the main soundman too late to catch her mandolin solo. Needless to say we left the stage abit depressed!
We had played that morning in a small church on short notice. That small church's "love offering" outgave that large festival's "flat"! We had seen people come to the altar that morning and be touched by the Lord. The Pastor was emotional as he thanked us for coming that morning. I said all of that to say this.... "the big things aren't always what they're cracked up to be". We've taught our family that small or big event, you just never know how things will turn out. Never despise the small places. I reminded them as we were loading the bus in the darkness that God always has surprises for us and we just need to serve Him faithfully.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and provisions!
Duncan A Hemmerling
July 27, 2011
Wow, 4 1/2 months without a journal entry......that is pretty bad. There just hasn't been much happening with us......YAH RIGHT! It has been a whirlwind and somehow I totally forgot about this journal till a few weeks ago.
We returned safely from our tour on March 8th although we spent 10 hours on the side of the interstate 40 miles south of Great Falls, MT with a broken water line. Since then we've shared at a 4 day Crusade in Gillette, WY and saw many saved, done a tour to British Columbia, numerous concerts across Alberta & Saskatchewan and several Jamborees. We just finished the Canadian Gospel Celebration in Red Deer 2 weeks ago and had great response on Mainstage and the Canadian Showcase.
We are now partnering with Compassion Canada to see kids changed in many countries. We are excited that we've had 15 kids sponsored to see their physical and spiritual need met. That's what we love about Compassion.....physical and spiritual! The lifechanging power of God is vital!
In between CDP dates Cities Under Fire has been on the road ministering to youth. Most times I go, run sound and drive bus. They have shared with youth at all types of events in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Minnesota as well as 2 week long camps, one in Saskatchewan and they just returned from one in Rapid City, SD. Bronson is now playing bass guitar with CUF and is doing an awesome job.
Madison who is 13 is drumming alot with us since Andrew has been flying to whatever dates he is available to drum for the Country band High Valley. We've known High Valley for alot of years and they are 3 Christian brothers trying to bring a positive message to Country Music. Andrew's been enjoying carrying his stick bag and not having to do any setup, just walk in, soundcheck and perform. He flies out on Saturday to Toronto for two days where they are opening for the Oak Ridge Boys one night.
Well I've tried my best to appear busy!! We leave tomorrow for 10 days at Wilderness Camp where we lead the services. I am looking forward to receiving ministry as well as ministering ourselves. I am praying the Lord touches everyone in our family and ignites us for the days ahead.
Thank you for your prayers.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
March 3, 2011
i had an amazing time this tour. it was also exciting that i got to play drums for the second half of the tour. although i wish Andrew and Cheilon could have come with us. my favorite part was taking a break as well as spending time with my family in disney land. it was so much fun! Christina went on the screamer as well as Jard,Brons and me. it was Christinas first roller coster and it was the biggest! i had an amazing time.
Madison
March 3, 2011
We have had such an incredible tour so far. We don't take that for granted but ask the Lord every day to protect, provide and sustain us. The response has been amazing from people and many, many lives have been touched.
The kids have been kept very busy either doing homework or setting up, performing and tearing down. The last 2 days we gave them a break and took them to Disneyland. It was 20 years ago we last went to the "magic kingdom". Andrew was two and Jardeth was in a stroller getting pushed around. I told Jardeth there was no way I was pushing him around Disneyland this time.....but we had Emerson to attend too!
The morning we headed to Disneyland we got a phone call from Andrew telling us that my Dad & Mom had discovered no heat in our home! It turns out we had run out of propane. Superior Propane always delivers at consistent intervals and I'm not sure what happened. There has been ridiculous, excruciating cold weather back home and that may have had something to do with it. I am thankful for Dad & Mom who look after our place while we are gone and notice that smoke isn't coming out of our chimney. Andrew went out and kept our wood stove going. Calls were made and the propane truck showed up yesterday morning.
There are alot more people that keep this ministry going then those of us you see on stage each night. From Dad & Mom, to the people who pray for us, those that encourage us by email or in person, to those who have given generously at our concerts, hosted us in your homes, feed us supper or breakfast, have put diesel in our bus, Tim Horton cards in our hands, yes........ and even Starbuck cards, we are all laborers together.
Time is short, let's make the most of things!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 7, 2011
I was sure I had already done an entry in our Journal in 2011 however I can't find one here. So Happy New Year!!
We have had a busy time up to this point with ministry in Alberta and a 3 day Crusade in Williston, North Dakota. The boys band, Cities Under Fire, also played in Alberta for a few days and also in Regina. We left a few days ago on our annual West Coast tour and had a wonderful 3 day conference in Grand Forks and concert last night in Summerland. I was especially challenged by Dave Klassen, the director for Athletes in Action, who spoke at the conference. He shared on Saturday night that we can get caught in the trap of "doing instead of being", "curing instead of caring" and thinking of "me rather than we". I can certainly relate to that as I am a lists man, very focused on getting things done from the agenda that I've established. I realize how vital it is that we be lead by the Spirit of God and that we are on His agenda not mine.
We have a very busy tour ahead with about 30 concerts arranged for this tour! We have many miles to travel and opportunities to sing yet we need to never foget those we pass on the side of the road or those riding in the bus along with us!!
We would appreciate your prayers!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
December 29, 2010
We are blessed with wonderful family and friends. We spent December 25 & 26 at two seperate gathering, one on each side of the family. Each day there were about 70 adults and kids present with more than enough food and sweets to go around. Wow, what a time!!
I am reminded of the Scripture in Mark 10:29 & 30 that says "..no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father....for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age..and in the age to come, eternal life". We have met so many incredible giving people in our travels. People who have went out of their way to be generous with a bed, a meal, a tank of diesel fuel, a kind and encouraging word beyond what we deserve. God has truly blessed us in amazing ways! It has been a great year full of wonderful opportunities to share the Gospel.
Thank you Lord for family and friends near and abroad! You have truly blessed us "a hundred times". We are so honored to serve You!! What an exciting year ahead.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
November 4, 2010
I have been pulled away from updating this journal so many times with so much activity . The bus wheels have barely stopped turning.....well except 2 weeks ago when it ended up in the repair shop to the tune of $6925.69 just as we were leaving for a 4 day Crusade in Dickinson, ND....we instead took 3 vehicles loaded to the hilt with equipment and people and drove the 10 1/2 hours in less than ideal conditions. We have been so thankful for every opportunity the Lord has given though.
We had a good end to our September tour and were home for 3 days before Cities Under Fire left on their first ever major Canada tour. I hit the road with the guys and they spent 2 1/2 weeks touring Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. They had tremendous response and many young people touched by the Lord. They ended the tour playing from a barn loft to a full barn below!! Now how many of us can say that???
Debbie was left at home holding down the fort! I am thankful for an awesome wife and missed her and our youngest 7 kids very much. We talked about twice a day though and kept up on things. The kids were busy catching up with things at Heritage Christian School after the tour.
We appreciate your prayers as we endeavor to follow God's Will! There is never a dull moment!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
September 17, 2010
We just left Louisville, Kentucky this morning and arrived at Sikeston, Missouri this afternoon. We are just over half way through our September U.S. tour. We spent the last 4 days at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville hearing the top southern gospel groups like the Gaither Vocal Band, Gold City Quartet, Booth Brothers, Jason Crabb, The Isaacs and many, many more. Sarah Palin even made an appearance on Wednesday and gave a spirited 45 minutes address before taking a few questions. We weren't able to come last year because we were expecting a baby. We had to cancel our appearance at the Featured Artist Showcase and that put us "out of the loop" for this year. Without the opportunity to sing after 10 years in a row it was hard not to be discouraged and wonder why we had even come.
Sometimes we do wonder if we are making a difference. We wonder if our music and message are finding any fertile ground. I was thinking those exact thoughts at a church earlier in the tour. The next morning as we were getting ready to leave the Pastor told me "I want you to know if you came for no one else last night you came for me". He said 'We've been going through some things and last night it was like the Lord opened the windows of Heaven and poured out on us". I was amazed and greatly encouraged. I went in the bus and told the family what he had said. I told them "we just need to keep doing what we are doing and let the Lord do the work". He is always faithful!!
Tomorrow we head to an All City Revival in Calico Rock, Arkansas and then one to 2 more churches in the area the next day. I believe the Lord will do a great work as long as we remain faithful!
Your prayers make a tremendous difference. Thank You!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
July 28, 2010
Between Canada's Double Portion and Cities Under Fire we have had little time to catch our breath, do abit of laundry, fuel the bus and hit the road again. There have only been 6 days this month that one or the other hasn't been gone ministering. About two weeks ago it hit me that in a 24 hours period Andrew & Jardeth had shared to a rowdy bunch of teenagers at Living Waters Teen Camp with CUF and then to a less rowdy 55+ gathering at Prairie Bible Institute. It didn't seem to make much difference, they were sharing the Gospel!! I sat behind the wheel of the bus driving down the road having a Hallelujah party over that !
Right now I am filling in on bass guitar with Cities Under Fire. Trust me, it wasn't my boy's choice to have their dad playing bass guitar with their band.....it was out of necessity.....run sound, drive bus SURE but perform on stage with them....NOT!! I try to stay out of their way tucked away safely behind the speakers in my skinny jeans and v neck t-shirt (the real reason I'm hiding behind the speakers) and let them enjoy the lights and fog. It was good to get home to Debbie and the younger kids after 5 days in British Columbia with them. What a joy to serve the Lord with them!!
Thank you for your prayers as we head to Thunder Bay, Ontario in August. For the first time I will be the Evangelist at a Family Camp and we will be leading the services as well as special music. CUF will be sharing with the youth on the Saturday night. It is an exciting yet uncomfortable opportunity !! Your prayers will make a difference.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
July 4, 2010
I stood in the street late last night in Blaine Lake, SK and watched some fireworks being shot into the sky. We'd arrived late to the church, parked the bus and I was just plugging it in when I first heard the popping sound. Someone down the street behind some houses was sending the colorful rockets skyward. Between Canada Day and the 4th of July there has been alot of man made fireworks consumed.
Driving back with Cities Under Fire from a "Chemical free grad" concert on June 29th, we encountered God's "fireworks" at about 3:30am. The whole country side around us lite up like day time with just one glimpse of His power! Man's efforts are so puny when compared to God's!! It's good to be reminded of that.
After our morning concert today we sent Cities Under Fire off to lead Praise & Worship for a week at Teen Camp. It will be my 14 year old son Bronson's first time playing Bass Guitar with the group. They've given him a crash course on the instrument, charted songs for him, practised and today is his first time in front of people. I know the Lord will be with Him and he will grow alot being thrust into a 6 day Camp with 2 sessions daily. We are weak, but HE is strong!!
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
June 20, 2010
I apologize first of all for not having more regular journal entries. Someone reminded me last weekend at a Jamboree that they do read this. I will try to do better.
We have been very busy since arriving home from our Ontario tour on April 26th. We've been gone most every weekend somewhere throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. God has blessed tremendously and we are truly grateful for His touch. People have been most generous in many, many ways from putting diesel fuel in our bus, Tim Horton gift cards in the offering plate, food into our bus fridge and encouraging words following our concerts. God is Good!!
We just returned tonight from a weekend in Manitoba. We left early Friday morning and have spent approx. 17 hours on the road, 3 concerts and were home by 9:30 tonight, Father Day. What a better way to spend Father's Day then with my family serving the Lord. I even got a juicer from one son and a painted rock from a daughter that says "dad rocks".
Thank you heavenly Father for your blessings.
Duncan A Hemmerling
April 10. 2010
We've made it as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario on our Northern Ontario tour. I've always liked Thunder Bay and we will minister in two different churches here tomorrow. It's been a busy trip so far. After tomorrow night it will be 10 concerts over the 10 days on the road. These concerts have been in mostly smaller communities and smaller churches. Cheilon had to fly home on Monday after the Easter weekend with us. Andrew drove her back to Winnipeg to catch the plane and we miss her being with us. Her parent's made a surprise trip from Iowa and arrived last night so she will have company.
We have alot to praise the Lord for. In Kenora a man came to the concert with his family and told us 15 years ago at Lake of the Woods High School in Baudette, MN he accepted the Lord at a Double Portion concert. He was so excited to have his family meet us. Praise the Lord. A lady in Dryden came and told me 13 years ago at the Full Gospel church her son responded to an altar call at a Double Portion concerts. Our drummer Don prayed with him and God touched him in an amazing way. He has never been the same. That night in Dryden a lady stopped me after the concert and with tears in her eyes told me she lost her husband 2 months before. She said she lost her song and that the Lord had really touched her that night. Wow, what a God we serve. To be honest some nights we wonder if we are making an impact or doing any good. I'm thankful to those who remind us of God's touch and His goodness. It helps me to remember to just be faithful and fulfill the calling the Lord has given us.
Your prayers make a tremendous difference. Thank you!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
March 30, 2010
Oh, the pressure is on. Whenever we go to leave on a tour it seems the pressure builds until we finally leave North Battleford. The pressure of getting laudry done and loaded in the bus (we did 7 loads of 30-40lbs yesterday), last minute school assignments (two kids have folk-fest projects due tomorrow), all the office work caught up (my CPU hard drive crashed Sunday morning and I hope to have it home tomorrow) with book keeping, product order, posters etc. sent and alot of other things. It can get quite overwhelming and make you cranky........well not us of course but people we know!!!
Yesterday we received news that some friends of ours lost their home in a fire. Now that can be overwhelming. Sometimes we need a change of perspective. However the deadlines still face us.
Along the way, no matter what we encounter we need to "cast our cares on Him because cares for us". It's easy to let the stress and pressure get to us. Hopefully we can step back, thank the Lord for His faithfulness and not forget He will carry us through.
I better go, I hear a kid calling for help with their project......
Please keep us in your prayers. We leave on April 1st for 3 1/2 weeks and 24 concerts.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
March 15, 2010
We did get home safely from our tour on Feb 23rd. It seems to have been a whirlwind since then!! We had one weekend off and went to the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Amy Olson's parents. It was great seeing Michael and Shannon Olson (Amy's brother & sister that played with us for 7 years) and their families.
Since then we've been gone each weekend with Canada's Double Portion or Cities Under Fire (Andrew & Jardeth's youth band). CUF (Cities Under Fire) ministered last weekend at Nipawin Bible College's annual youth event with kids from as far away as the Yukon, Alberta and Manitoba. Later that week they received an email from a young lady who God touched in a special way. She was at the point of despair since losing her mother to cancer and the Lord spoke to her that night through the music and David's sharing. She called out to the Lord and He met her in that dark auditorium. Praise the Lord!
Speaking of praising the Lord. This weekend in Montana a gentleman came to me at our "merch" table after our concert in Glasgow and said they would like to fill our bus with diesel the next morning. We filled it with $400 fuel and were overwhelmed by their generousity. After ministry in Kenmare, ND I fueled the bus before heading to Powers Lake Sunday afternoon. When I walked out of a Cenex after paying, a vehicle pulled up and a man got out and said "I want to give you some money for fuel, I felt like I should" and he gave us $10 more than the fuel cost. Wow, thank you Lord for your people and for Your faithfulness!!
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 19, 2010
Our tour has been so blessed!! The weather has been absolutely beautiful (mid 70's in Arizona), the scenery breathtaking and the concerts well attended. The Lord has touched many people and we've been encouraged by the response of the crowds. Thank you Jesus. We just had 4 days off in Phoenix and have stayed at my cousin's place here in Mesa. They must have felt invaded by 13 people but were very generous to open their home. I really would have rather been singing but tried to enjoy the days off. It's good to get back on the road tonight with a concert here in Phoenix and then we will be heading north toward Las Vegas. We have two concerts near there on Sunday. The tour is nearing an end. I can't say I'm looking forward to that but I know there will be lots of more opportunities ahead. Just not quite this warm for a while.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 4, 2010
We just finished a concert in John Day, OR. It's our 9th concert in 9 days. We crossed the border into the U.S. after our concert in Richmond, B.C. last Sunday night. The scenery in central Oregon is amazing. It's right out of the wild West movies!! We are constantly going through mountain passes and around windy roads with some hairpin turns. We are having a great time though and the Lord has certainly blessed. We are loving the mild weather and hint of green. It's tiring but we are very thankful to the Lord.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
January 29, 2010
Happy New Year!!! I can't believe I haven't written in the journal since December 10th. Debbie & I and our 4 youngest just got to a hotel in Kelowna, BC after our concert here. We left on tour January 26th and played in Creston, Wednesday and Greenwood last night. There have been really good crowds and the Lord has blessed. The roads have been clear and all the mountain passes excellent. I am very thankful for the Jake Brake our bus has for slowing the bus down. We're off to Abbotsford tomorrow.
We've had a good start to the Year with renovations on our main bathroom at home, some concerts, some recording and now this tour. Thank you for your prayers.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
