A Tent Meeting and a Revival!

We flew out of Sassari and landed in Rome. “John” met us there. We didn’t know that it would be our last time seeing him on this tour. We’re gonna miss him. He is hilarious!!

“Mad Max” drove us from Rome to Campobasso. Our hotel was on the top of one of those snow-capped mountains. It was beautiful getting there. This hotel was on a cliff so that you could look right down off the mountain into the valley. Breathtaking!! We intended to come out and take photos – but by the time we got back outside the mountain was completely foggy. Perhaps a cloud had descended or something. We couldn’t even see the end of the parking lot. So much for the photos.

Upon our arrival at the hotel, we noticed a few African-Americans. That was exciting. Another group was staying at the hotel that night who were also touring the country. They were also singing at the same concert we were headlining that night. We expected to connect and fellowship with this group of people. We were disappointed to see that they were not a group we could freely fellowship with. Suffice it to say, we had an unpleasant experience. Anyway…

That night’s concert was held at a tent erected in the middle of town – all the way down the mountain. It was a heated tent! Hallelujah! But there were no restrooms… just outhouses, outside in the snow. Praise Jesus, anyhow!! They did have a drumset. “The Well” was able to get his release. We did a short set – only 60 minutes. Our other concerts have been 80-90 minutes. Yeah, that’s a lot of singing! But, this night was shorter.

Now, I told you about how we were always asked to sing, “Oh Happy Day!” Well, we had planned to sing it as our closer – perhaps our encore. As we were walking in the tent, we heard the group on the stage singing “Oh Happy Day.” They were struggling through it. In the States, our common practice is to adjust and sing something different if someone sings a song you were planning to sing. So I asked “Mad Max” about it and he thought we should still sing it. So, we closed with it. People were up singing and screaming as if we were The Edwin Hawkins Singers. Then the group that got up behind us was a choir from Campobasso. They sang a couple of the same songs we sang, including… you guessed it… “Oh Happy Day!” And the crowd went crazy all over again. Yeah! These people love… as they call it… “Happy Days!”

The next morning, we left a little late and drove to Naples (Napoli) for our day off. We so desperately needed some down time. We got a chance to go shopping! I got some nice things for my wifey. I even picked up a pair of shoes for me. We had a fun day. That night we hung out in the big room downstairs in the lobby. It was like a big family gathering. Being on the road like this really makes you bond. You become like brothers and sisters… getting on each others nerves… learning each others idiosyncrasies… making each other laugh until your belly aches. We had so much fun. But underneath it all, I could sense the depletion that was there. We needed a refill from God.

Christmas morning, we got up… ate breakfast… and went back to sleep. But God dropped something in my spirit to share with the group. I spent some time in the word to get the clarity I needed to share it accurately. It was based on II Samuel 24:24 when David states, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” We had arrived at the point in the tour where the novelty had worn off. We were no longer “oohing and awhing” over the mountains and fruit trees and buildings and landscape and food. We were in the grind. When you are giving your talent to God to be used by Him during a time when things are automatic and comfortable, that sacrifice doesn’t cost you anything. But when you aren’t feeling good… when your body is exhausted… when you are emotionally drained… when you are under attack… and in that moment you stand and give God your best offering, that’s when you are making a sacrifice that costs something. And God moves when that kind of offering is sacrificed before Him.

We met together at 2:00 Christmas afternoon and had a chapel service. After I shared this brief word with the group, we sang songs of worship to the Lord. And I wish I could describe to you what happened in that room. We were in the hotel restaurant at the piano. No one else was in there except one of the hotel staff that got caught up with us. As we sang, God came in that room and enraptured each of us. Tears turned into weeping as we felt God refilling us and restoring us. I have a new appreciation for the lyrics, “Oh the glory of Your presence. We, your temple, give you reverence. So arise from your rest and be blessed by our praise as we glory in your embrace; as your presence now fills this place.” I have a new appreciation for the lyrics, “Sweet Holy Spirit. Sweet Heavenly Dove. Stay right here with us, filling us with your love. And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise. Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place.” Yes, the Holy Spirit came up in that room so powerfully that even the hotel staff member was lifting his hand and worshipping God with us. And… the man doesn’t speak English. What an awesomely great God we serve.

Christmas night, we did a concert at another church. Again, the conditions were very difficult. But we were prepared. We pushed through and gave God a sacrifice that cost us something. And, again, God showed up in the building! Yeah, God!!

In the morning, we head to Bellaria. That will be a 5-6 hour road trip. Then we sing there and sing each night for the next four nights. Then we head back home. I look forward to getting back home to my wife. I miss her.