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, 2009
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
December 10, 2009
Repairs are expensive!!! We are heading into Edmonton to pick up our bus in the morning before going East to Manitoba for a weekend of ministry. I was anticipating about a $6000 bill at Buses R Us but it looks like it will be more around the $13, 000 mark. This is the first time the bus has been completely gone through and checked over since we imported it in January 2008. I figured with Winter here and a West Coast Tour early in 2010 that I better make sure everything is in order. Well it wasn't!!! With big ticket items like a fan clutch ($1986.86), rotor, complete bearings, 1/2 set of brakeshoes, seal on one tag axle ($1361.39), 2 airbags (totalling $829.25), etc. etc and $125 an hour labor it quickly added up. Alot of the Quick Connect fittings on the air lines were leaking and had to be replaced with the Compressions fittings. I did some replacement myself but there needed to be alot more done. They don't cost much per fittings but the labor kills you.
This was a BIG surprise but not to the Lord!! We are confident He will look after things. Praise the Lord for His Faithfulness.
We do appreciate your continued prayers for safety, financial provision, anointing and directions as we go into 2010.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
December 8, 2009
Sometimes it's especially good to be home......especially when it's about -30 C outside. This weekend we had five concerts in three days in Alberta. On Friday, just after we crossed the border from Saskatchewan, we hit snow and were soon in to blizzard conditions. We did the first of three Christmas banquets that night (it's tough but someone has to do it) and were thankful the grader came by to plow out the road from the church in the morning. The temperature kept dropping on Saturday and then Sunday. Sometimes cold and buses don't fix real well so I always have that in the back of my mind. I tried not to worry about it and trust the Lord to look after His bus and He did a great job.
We headed to Buses R Us in Edmonton after our Sunday night concert and left the bus there Monday morning to get a few mechanical things taken care of. We need a rotor and 1/2 a set of brake pads, a new fan clutch, wheel bearings on two axles, an air bag, replacement of a few studs and a couple air leaks. We may have to take our van and Uhaul to Manitoba while a few parts come in for the bus. An 8 hour drive one way in a van is always abit tedious on the kids. Oh well it's our last weekend of ministry this year.
What a year it's been!! Thank you for your prayers. We are trusting the Lord to meet the bus repair.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
December 1, 2009
We are home right now trying to get caught up on things. The kids are busy in school, Debbie is busy getting things done around the house when Emerson lets her put him down and I am busy in the office. We had snow today after an unusually balmy November. Wow, we have been loving it.
The last two weekends we have spent in Alberta and Saskatchewan. On Friday we are gone again doing 5 concerts in 3 days so it will be very busy. We are leaving the bus in Edmonton on Monday to get a few repairs done. I spent a whole day about 2 weeks ago at Buses R Us in Edmonton getting the bus gone over while Debbie and the kids spent the entire day at West Edmonton Mall. I still spent more money then her!! Now we are doing a return engagement to Buses R Us to get a few things like a rotor, two wheel seal leaks, a shutterstat etc. looked after. The bus needs a little TLC so it doesn't leave us stranded somewhere. It has been a great blessing for traveling with the family and it really is "God's Bus". I'm thankful that He is paying the bill once again on this repair.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
November 14, 2009
We just finished a concert in Carman, MB. It's one of those rare occasions when we actually stay over and sing in the same location on Sunday morning. It's kind of nice not having to tear down, drive till 1:00am (or later) and be up by 8:00am for set up and sound check. Cities Under Fire sang last night at a Province wide Youth Event called IMPACT. What a time we had !!! They were received very well and the kids were ministered too. By the time we tore down we left Saskatoon about 12:30am and pulled into Regina and parked at Walmart shortly after 3:00am. I started the bus just after 8:00am and let it warm up while I grabbed a couple things from Debbie's list....then we were off to Carman. Tomorrow night we are in Brandon at Bethel Pentecostal with some awesome Pastors who we've been with in a couple places. I then have to drive all the way home so Andrew and Cheilon can be at work by 8:00am, Monday. Another relaxing weekend of fancy hotels and steak suppers...........well I better get some sleep while I can.
Thank you for your continued prayers for strength and safety.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
November 6, 2009
I'm sitting here typing with my little girl Octavia on my lap. It slows the typing down but it sure is nice!! I got home this morning at 7:30 am after driving from Nipawin following the concert there. We've had a very busy 9 days with 7 youth concerts in SK and MB with Cities Under Fire and Define the Line from Edmonton. In the middle we had two concerts with Double Portion as well. We did the trip to Manitoba this week with 11 guys on board the bus and with it completely loaded down with amps, drums, sound gear and lights. We had an awesome time during the concerts and on the bus. What a blessing!!! It's great to be home with the family though. Now I need to get some rest and get caught up on the pile of stuff on my desk. God is good!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
November 3, 2009
Duncan is on the road in Manitoba with Cities Under Fire and Define the Line. They are having a great time. I'm at home with seven kids, five who are sick (H1N1?) and really missing their daddy. Of course, I'm really missing him too. Three more sleeps till he's home, can hardly wait!!!
We are looking forward to another family gathering on the Hemmerling side this weekend when we celebrate Duncan's dad's 75th b'day. Should be a good time.
Debbie Hemmerling
October 23, 2009
2:46am, I guess it's the 24th actually. We have had a whirlwind trip. We left home on Oct. 16 and Cities Under Fire (the boys band) sang in Saskatoon. Then we shared 5 times in 4 days in SK and AB including a Gideon banquet with Serge LeClerc. Wednesday was an exceptionally busy day with the start of the GMA Conference and CUF were in a talent search. Then we had CUF's soundcheck at one venue, Canada's Double Portion's soundcheck at another venue then back for CUF to showcase and back for CDP to showcase plus tear down at both churches. It was very tiring but pretty fun!! God is good. We now have 3 concerts in the next 48 hours before heading home. We are having an awesome time though.
Driving down the road in the bus from High River to Picture Butte, AB on Tuesday, Olivia, our 5 year old, sat next to me with her arm linked around mine. As we drove she sang over and over "a thankful heart is a happy heart" from Veggie Tales and I am truly thankful. I'm thankful for God's touch on our family and His blessing. I met several people from places like Newfoundland and British Columbia who told me " I remember you being at my chuch" as far back as probably 20 years. We met several friends we hadn't seen for a long time who were a great encouragement. I am thankful He has used us in a small way to touch their lives. I have a truly happy heart!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
October 7, 2009
It's been a good day today. I just got home from a Chris Tomlin concert in Saskatoon with my 5 oldest kids. I tell you there is nothing better than looking down the row and seeing your kids with their hands raised praising the Lord. Praise the Lord for the grip He has on their hearts. A parent can never pray too much though..........It's been a good day because Debbie and our new son Emerson got to come home this afternoon. His bilirubin count continued to drop after he was on his own so he could go home. Debbie was so happy to come home and we so glad she could. Everyone was pretty thrilled to welcome Emerson to our home..........It's been a good day yesterday....I guess it's actually 1:00am Oct 8th!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
October 5, 2009
Wow, what an exhausting 5 days it has been. I thought I'd be out of the hospital the day after Emerson was born. Now we're in S'toon in NICU and trying to get his bilirubin down. I took some time today to google ABO incompatibility (what is making Emerson's bili so high), very interesting stuff... but I'm very thankful that they caught on to it and he's in the best care possible. I miss the rest of the family so much and can't wait to bring our little cutie-pie home. He's such a good boy.. even though he tends to be a sleepy-head when I am trying to nurse him.
Thanking the Lord for His great blessings,
Debbie Hemmerling
October 3, 2009
Mixed emotions today as I am in Montana with Cities Under Fire. They sang last night in Herbert and about 9 kids accepted the Lord. We came to Glasgow, Montana tonight and CUF had an awesome time sharing with about 120 kids and several accepted the Lord. What a joy to see your kids serve the Lord with such zeal.........Debbie phoned this afternoon and Emerson got taken to Neo-natal in Saskatoon. His bilirubin has went up for 3 straight days and that can be very dangerous...she was quite emotional to see our little boy....I prayed with her on the cell outside Subway in Glasgow asking the Lord to undertake....mixed emotions.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
October 2, 2009
Well the tie has been broken...................at 1:32pm, Wednesday, Sept 30/09 we welcomed Emerson Martin Hemmerling into our lives. He weighed in at 8lbs 11ounces and 23 1/2 inches long which is long. Unfortunately he couldn't come home yesterday because he has jaundice. So him and Debbie had at least one more night at the hospital and we hope he can come home today. Debbie is doing well and we are thankful for that.
I will be gone however with Andrew & Jardeth and Cities Under Fire to Herbert, SK tonight and Glasgow, MT tomorrow. Their band is doing a couple youth events and I am going to run sound. Cheilon couldn't get off work to come so she is going to help out here at home if needed.
We are thankful to the Lord for His blessings and to have the opportunity to serve Him. Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned but we trust that He is directing and working anyway. Thank you for your prayers!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
September 22, 2009
Well, I just took our 16 year old (oldest) daughter for her first drive with her new learners license. We drove for 45 minutes on the gravel road as well as the highway. She did a great job and I am confident she will be a good driver. I enjoyed the time together!
Our baby still hasn't arrived although the due date is actually tomorow. I am already "done" with being at home but I know it's been good for Debbie to be here, preparing for the birth of another little one. Besides NQC, we had been asked to be part of a Crusade in North Dakota this past weekend but we said we couldn't in case Debbie went into labor while in the U.S.. We could just imagine "pedal to the medal" heading for the border and answering the border guards between contractions. We'd hoped the baby came abit early so I could go with Cities Under Fire (Andrew & Jardeth's band) to Dauphin & Roblin, MB this weekend to run sound and help out. Kelvin Funkner a former CDP member and owner of Northeast Christian Recording (where CDP and CUF record) will be filling in on bass guitar and Cheilon will be along so the sound part will be taken care of. Yeh.... another weekend at home........but at least I should have a new son or daughter in my arms......you can't beat that.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
September 18, 2009
As I mentioned in my last post we are normally on a 3 1/2 week U.S. tour right now. In fact today would be the day we would be performing at the National Quartet Convention's "Featured Artist Showcase". It is quite an honor to be invited out of hundreds and hundreds of groups from Canada and the U.S.. Last year there were about 2500 people. We have been invited for the last 11 years and we would have groups inquire "How can we get into the Showcase? Do we have to pay money or who do we talk to?". The fact is that the Lord opened the door and each year we weren't sure if we would be invited again but we would get a letter or email asking us. Over the years this Showcase has opened up many doors especially in the Eastern U.S.. I guess the concern is getting "out of the loop". Oh well, the Lord knows. Anyway we aren't missing the week long Gospel Music Convention.....if we don't think about it.
I was reading in 1 Samuel 15 this morning where Saul disobeyed the Word of the Lord and Samuel told him "to obey is better than sacrifice". Because of his disobedience Saul was rejected as King. It is absolutely vital that we walk in obedience to the Lord's leading and direction. Are we willing to trust Him with our lives? Do we trust that He has our best in mind? Do we believe He is directing our ways? There is alot of peace and joy in trusting the Lord with our futures and being confident that He has our lives in the palm of His hand. You will be amazed at what the Lord will do in your life, if you are willing to Obey!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
September 5, 2009
God is so good!! We would normally be on a U.S. tour on our way to the National Quartet Convention in Kentucky but since our baby is due in less than 3 weeks we didn't do the "tour thing". Especially a U.S. "tour thing" due to medical expenses if the baby is born State side. So instead this weekend we are blessed to be back at Wilderness Camp for a Fellowship Weekend along with Harry & Joanne Yates. Joanne is Johnny Cash's sister and her and Harry pastor the Nashville Cowboy Church. 20 years ago we met them for the first time at Goodlands Camp in Manitoba and the next year toured the West Coast with them. They were a great influence on us and have blessed us many times.
Today we lead worship in an afternoon service and then I got to go fishing with my brother in law and our three little girls on Tobin Lake. It's only the third time I have ever done that. Once here a Camp a few years ago and once in Newfoundland. It was a couple of my girls first boat ride and we went out after supper on a beautiful calm evening. It was awesome!!! We got in just as it got dusk and we went straight to a big campfire to lead songs and be ministered too. That has just finished. So as you can see God is good!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
August 24, 2009
Well, it's just the beginning of the 24th (1:19am). We just got home from the ROC Jamboree in North Battleford. It was a great time... outdoors with the wind blowing through your hair and the sand flying by....it was a great time, seriously. God is good!! They had a good turnout and the Amundruds played as well as Michael and Lauryn Olson (formerly of Canada's Double Portion). Cities Under Fire, our boy's youth band also played and it went very well. Praise the Lord!! Even the original Double Portion sang two 15 minute sets with my three sisters singing. It was alot of fun.
We've made a few miles this weekend. We left Friday and drove part way to Regina, sleeping in the parking lot of the PAOC church in Davidson. We went the rest of the way to Whitewood Saturday morning and performed and ran sound for their local Jamboree. We sang with Rachel & Darwin Dancsok who performed two CDP original songs and also with Curtis & Bonnie Szakacs and their young family. They always do an awesome job!! Curtis does the studio piano for our CDs. We finished performing in Whitewood just as darkness fell so once we tore down we made it as far as Regina and slept in the Husky Truckstop parking lot last night and drove the rest of the way this morning.
Tyson Unrau brought Madison the drums he promised to give him at Jesus Manifest a month ago. This young man blessed Madison big time with a nice Pearl acoustic kit. Madison set them up on the grass outside the bus but they were abit noisy for the setting. Praise God for answering our prayers for a set of drums for Madison. Now we just need a house to fit them in!!!!
Well it's off to bed for me.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
August 17, 2009
We got home this morning at 2:00am from Camp Harmattan after an awesome couple days there. The groups were all very good and we were privileged to be a part of it. It's such a great venue to host this annual event with lots of camping and great facilities. God is good!
The boy's concert went well on Friday night at Elim Tabernacle. They were the closing band on a concert sponored by Free 100.3FM, Saskatoon's Christian radio station. There was a decent crowd and Cities Under Fire went over very well. They really ministered and closed out the night with a Worship song that really ended things well. Then it was off to BPs which off course meant a late night. We drove as far as Rosetown and slept in the parking lot of a church for 4 hours before hitting the road for Camp Harmattan. Two weeks ago the boys were at Shiloh Youth Ranch near Edmonton for 5 days and had to drive to meet us in Medicine Hat for the Jamboree there. They arrived at 9:30am after driving all night just in time to help set up sound equipment for the day's events. The joys of roadlife!!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
August 12, 2009
We have abit of a short turnaround this week. We were gone for 10 days spending several days in Medicine Hat at the B.M.F. Jamboree. We ran sound for two days and performed 4 times before heading to Wilderness Camp on the banks of Tobin Lake in Northeast Saskatchewan. What an awesome 6 days we had there. This is our family camp each year and we were blessed to lead the services with worship and music. Our friends Rick & Bebe Svenddal were there as well sharing with music. Their son Albert is a very talented Nashville musician and he was there also. What a time we had with Pastor Greg Fraser from Morinville as our morning speaker and Wilson Kindred from Kirkland Lake, ON as the evening minister. There were many salvations and people's lives who were touched. God is good!!
The boys band Cities Under Fire were asked by the Christian radio station Free 100.3FM in Saskatoon to close out their Showcase 2009 this Friday at Elim Tabernacle. It worked out awesome as Canada's Double Portion was booked at Camp Harmattan near Olds, AB but we weren't singing on Friday evening. So after the boys are done on Friday we need to leave Saskatoon and head for Olds. We have a 1:00pm soundcheck and start the afternoon program there. Camp Harmattan is always an awesome event and this year is no different. They have several of the top U.S. Southern Gospel groups in The Perrys and Truimphant Quartet and several of the top Canadian groups in the Hunters, Sweet Presence and others. We are really looking forward to being there.
Thank you for your prayers,
Duncan A Hemmerling
July 20, 2009
It is good to be home from the long weekend! Not a long weekend on the calendar but definitely a "long weekend". We left on Thursday for Dauphin, Manitoba and spent Friday and Saturday at Jesus Manifest just outside of Dauphin. They had 3 stages going at the same time. The Southern Gospel stage where we did sound all weekend as well as performing, the Contemporary stage and the Youth stage where the boys band Cities Under Fire played. We were also responsible for sound at the "Late Night Cafe" till 2:00am although there wasn't much action there. It still meant about 5 hours of sleep a night. After we tore down on Saturday night we drove to Roblin, MB arriving about 3:00am and we had an awesome time sharing there Sunday morning. From there it was to Kamsack, SK for a concert on Sunday night. There was a good crowd on a hot night. Praise the Lord.
While at Jesus Manifest we met a 20 year old drummer from a group and we found out we know his dad who sings and used to travel with Sweet Presence. The boys got to know him and some of his friends over the two days. He came to me on Saturday night and said he saw alot of potential in Madison and wanted to give him his old set of Pearl drums. He said they are special to him because they are the ones he learned on till he got a new set. We have been praying for a set of drums for Madison and I kept telling him "keep praying and you never know what God will do". What a tremendous blessing for Madison. God is so faithful!!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
July 13, 2009
I must admit I'm not keeping up with all the things I need to do. I guess that's why my journal entries are a month apart. We just returned from the Canadian Gospel Music Celebration in Red Deer. Lots of great music by American groups like the Isaacs, Gold City, Truimphant Quartet, The LaFevre Quartet and awesome Canadian groups like The Hunters, Daae Family, Freedom Quartet, Amundruds and High Valley. We did a Stampede breakfast in Calgary on Sunday morning on about 5 hours sleep. On our last song the wind blew over a cup of coffee that spilled on the soundboard. There was some pretty weird noise before we got it shut down. I'm in the middle of checking the board out and praying it is still in good working order.
Andrew and Cheilon got back from their honeymoon and we've been out two weekends other than this past weekend. In a few days we are heading to Dauphin, MB for Jesus Manifest. Not only does Canada's Double Portion get to minister but so does Cities Under Fire, the boy's youth band. We are also looking after the sound in the Southern Gospel hall and the late night cafe. It will be very tiring but lots of fun. Praise God!!
Thank you for your support and prayers.
Duncan A Hemmerling
June 14, 2009
We have now officially added another girl to our family!! Yesterday was an awesome time as Andrew married beautiful Cheilon Millar. We had about 280 guests to help celebrate this occasion. The wedding was outdoors in sunny hot weather and everything went according to plan. We had so many friends and family help decorate and prepare the meal and we could never have done it without them. God is good!! Debbie worked so hard getting food ready and planning the details of feeding that big a crowd. I think we are going to be eating baked potatoes, roast bison and ham for a while! We are so thankful to the Lord for our new inlaws and the family Andrew has married into. Andrew and Cheilon are off to Hawaii for their honeymoon. We hope to get some rest soon!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
May 31, 2009
I know probably all of you feel the pace of life is just abit hectic right now. So do I !!
Christina, Bronson and Madison were busy all last week either rehearsing or performing in their School musical. They all had quite major parts which required alot of time. In the meantime on Thursday the boy's band Cities Under Fire traveled to Lloydminster and opened for a rapper from Ontario named Manifest. We got back in the wee hours of Friday morning and then had to set up the tent for our hometown Gospel Jamboree at Heritage Christian School. We spent yesterday running sound and performing along with the Hunters, Trudel Family, Mic & Lauryn Olson (who used to sing with us) and others. Cities Under Fire played in a youth concert in the eveing. We tore the tent tore down in the dark and then jumped in the bus and headed for Saskatoon. We slept for awhile at the Husky Truckstop and then drove the 1/2 hour this morning to Asquith for an outdoor Church service outreach. We were tired but blessed. As soon as that was done we had to head back to North Battleford and arrived 1/2 hour late for Cheilon's (Andrew's fiance) wedding shower and just in time for our kids final performance of the musical.
It was good to get home this evening. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Less than 2 weeks to the wedding....
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
May 24, 2009
We just got home from a whirlwind weekend. We left Thursday evening to Debbie's folks to get ready for Clarence's (Debbie's brother) funeral. We set up sound in the hall and early the next morning drove to the Manitou Lake Jamboree and set up sound there. I forgot all my XLR cables at the hall in Glaslyn and the Amundruds and Relative Harmony baled me out by lending me cords. The Amundruds then did sound checks and ran the sound while we drove back to Glaslyn and the funeral.
What a funeral it was. Clarence was honored by parents, his wife, his 5 sons and all his brothers and sisters. Their notes were consistent and true that he was a gentle, kind, loving, hard working husband and a role model to those around and that he raised his boys to love the Lord by example. There was a very large crowd and alot of support. Right after the graveside service Andrew & Cheilon, Jardeth and I headed to the Jamboree (2 hours away). Debbie came just in time for our performance as we closed out the evening.
It was a beautiful weekend of weather and we had an awesome time under the big tent. There was a good crowd and it was so good to sing with friends like the Daaes, High Valley, Amundruds, Fehr Family and others. Running sound meant we had to be focused on each group to give them the best sound possible on the stage in their monitors and out in the front of house for the crowd. It was exhausting but very rewarding. The Lord certainly came by His Holy Spirit and touched many hearts. We were blessed to be a part of it. God is good.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
May 19, 2009
Sometimes life throws some things at you that you don't expect.
We arrived in North Battleford last night after a weekend ministering in Radium Hot Springs and Golden, BC and received news Debbie's oldest brother was killed in a farm accident. It was a very big shock and a great loss. He leaves behind a wife and five boys. Their fourth son is graduating from High School next Friday. Clarence was a Christian and we can sincerely say "he is in a better place".
We spent time with family today and they are coping well. The Lord is strengthening everyone and we know there is a comfort in knowing where Clarence is. We grieve but not as those who have no hope.
We do appreciate your prayers for the Funk family.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
May 1, 2009
We woke up Kapuskasing, ON this morning to big snow flakes coming down everywhere. By the time we headed to Hearst, the flurries had stopped although the ground was quite white. It is melting though and after our concert in Hearst tonight we are driving through Thunder Bay to Kenora for Sunday morning. It is likely a 12 hour drive so we need to make a few miles yet tonight. We only have three concerts to go and we'll be heading home. The Lord sure has been faithful and blessed in an amazing way.
Thanks for your prayers,
Duncan A Hemmerling
April 25, 2009
We just finished our concert in Madoc, ON and we are heading to Deseronto yet tonight. Andrew came to take a shower at our friends place and I came to check email. Tonight after the concert we found a GPS unit sitting on our product table given to us by an anonymous couple (although we know who). What a tremendous blessing!! I have been eyeing those things for a while and comparing different makes and models. I'd wanting to get one for quite some time. Thank you Lord, this will be a big help getting places. Just last night at about 2:00am I was pulled over on Highway 400 south of Parry Sound with a flashlight and the map making sure I knew how to find Highway 12 across to Orillia. God is good!!
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
April 22, 2009
We are on tour in Ontario right now. We left home on April 9th and sang in Saskatchewan and Manitoba before crossing into Ontario on April 13th. We've done 10 concerts so far and are working our way down Highway 17 with some off road trips to places like Balmertown, Sioux Lookout and Manitouwadge.
We had a pretty rough night last night with Olivia and Octavia both sick with the flu. They took turns throwing up most of the night and then Madison did this morning. Amy wasn't feeling to well herself. Today everyone seems pretty good so we are thankful for that.
Last Thursday in Ignace, ON a man came up to us after the concert and gave me a $100 bill and said this is for the "man in the middle that needs new shoes". Jardeth really needed new shoes since they hadn't buckled in over a year and the sole was seperating. We were planning on buying him some new ones in Thunder Bay the next day. Anyway he found a real nice pair of leather shoes at Winners. Wow, what a blessing.
So many stories, so little time. I have been using our Macbook alot lately since our Acer is not working properly. Unfortunately I can't sign the journal with it.
Thank you for your prayers,
Duncan A Hemmerling
March 27, 2009
Wow it's been a month since my last entry. I did try last week but we had a problem with the journal web entry system.
To update you, we got the bus back about 2 weeks ago. I guessed high on the bus repair but not high enough. The repair bill was $7785 about $3000 more than I'd been bracing for. I reminded the Lord as we left the repair place that it's been His bus since the beginning and therefore He is responsible for the bill as well. God is faithful.
We spent three days and four concerts in Montana on the second week of March. We had a great time in Glasgow, Plentywood, Scobey and Wolf Point and met alot of awesome people. We actually had three people in one location offer to fill our bus with diesel. That was a $313 blessing.
The weather has been tremendously nasty lately with wind and alot of ice. The road conditions have been very dangerous at times. We spent quite a few hours traveling on them going to Northeast Christian Recording (about 4 1/2 hrs from home) twice to do some tweeking on our live concert video. We hit some glare ice conditions last week and pulled into a small town late at night but there was no hotel. Our boys had just called on the cell phone and we told them to pray and we were down to about 30 miles an hour. We pulled out of the town and back on the highway and there was white stuff on the road and the highway was thawed. We didn't see a highway salt truck anywhere but assumed they had been there or the Lord had taken care of it. Either way I'm cool with that! Thank you Lord.
I've also been busy getting messages together for the radio program and I preached at our Church last Sunday morning. It seems things don't slow down much.
We are in Kenmare, ND right now and just sang at a Crusade that To The Cross Ministries is holding at the High School. We are here tomorrow as well before crossing back in Saskatchewan for two concerts on Sunday.
Thanks for your prayers. I've got to get some sleep. Andrew, Jardeth and I get to be butlers tomorrow morning for a Ladies tea.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 26, 2009
Well it's good to be home...really. We left Kalispell, MT yesterday morning in +42 F and battled snow and high winds through Glacier National Park and crossed the border at Sweetgrass, MT about 3:00pm. We were only 45 minutes away from home and slowing down at a stop sign near Biggar, SK when we lost both drive wheels off the passenger side. The temperature was about -30 C and we couldn't believe it. We called CAA for towing and called our family to come and get us. CAA came with the biggest tow truck and decided they would need a semi and trailer to haul it. We left them to sort that out and headed for home. Many of us were fighting the flu with achy bodies and loose of voice and it would not have been a pleasant listening experience if we'd had one more concert. The bus is now sitting in Redhead Equipment waiting for parts....new hub, brake shoes, rims and tires. We were thankful we didn't loose the wheels in a mountain pass or going 70mph down the freeway.
Praise God for His hand of safety and provision.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 18, 2009
We just crossed from Idaho into Oregon after our concert in Council, ID so technically so it still is Feb. 18, Oregon time. I pulled into the Baker Truck Corral in Baker City, OR and plan on sleeping for about 7 hours before hitting the road for East Wenatchee. The last time (2 years ago) we were in this parking lot we had our old bus and I spent hours trying to get a diesel line replaced and tightened in place. Wow, the Lord sure has been faithful.
We had a great time in Lakeview, OR last Friday but hit a big snow and wind storm on our way to Reno, NV that night. We made it safely though but not until 6:15am. We then ministered in Round Moutain, NV on Saturday night and Tonopah, NV on Sunday morning. We then got some needed time off. We'd played 10 days straight with 13 concerts and everyone was getting wore down. I was proud of the kids though they never complained. We drove to Fallon, NV and stayed there Sunday night and Monday. I had an awesome birthday Monday being on the road, with my family and a day off. Praise the Lord.
Yesterday we were in Jordan Valley, OR and a State Trooper pulled us over right at the church for no shoulder seat belt. We imported the bus from the US and it didn't have one and we didn't need one in Canada. He also asked for proof of insurance. Our license gives us insurance and I don't carry my policy around. Anyway he ended by saying "I'm a Methodist and I'll let you go without charging you". We were parked in front of the United Methodist church. Anyway I have a couple things to check into too.
Because of His Call,
Duncan A Hemmerling
February 12, 2009
So the past two days have been quit busy for us, especially yesterday. Yesterday began earlier than most days, with a 8:15 chapel for the elementary students of CCS in Redmond, OR, followed by an 11:30 chapel for the high school classes. The church was very hospitable and kept feeding me coffee to keep me going. They also put us up in a hotel, so following the second chapel we headed to the hotel to relax before our evening concert. It was great to be able to minister to pretty much every age group all in one day.
After quit a busy day yesterday you can imagine the jet lag we felt this morning, but after sitting at Starbucks for a few hours while the bus was being serviced i was back on my feet again! Once the bus was ready to go we headed to Madras where we we able to put on a concert for about 125 inmates at the Deer Ridge Correctional Institute. Being only the second time i had ever played in a prison, I still wasnt sure what to expect. The chaplain had a few guys waiting to help us load some gear in and soon we were feeling right at home. We had an incredible service (even though Christina wasnt able to come with us) everyone juggled vocal parts well, and the guys seemed to really be blessed. What a blessing it is to see 125 men excited to praise God, If i had closed my eyes they would have sounded like we were playing to 500 or more.
God is good
-Andrew
ps. for those who are wondering... I am definately missing Cheilon.... Alot! Only 13 or 14 more days :)
February 9, 2009
Things are finally getting back to normal. In fact Saturday was our first normal day of the tour. In other words nothing unexpected happened.
Friday was anything but that. I took our bus back to Canada from Mount Vernon, WA early Friday morning and the brain they ordered for our invertor didn't solve the problem. By afternoon I knew the bus wouldn't be ready and I had to be back in Mount Vernon for our concert. I had to find a ride. I looked at rental cars but finally convinced my nephew who's going to school in Vancouver that I would pay gas for him and his roomate (who had the car) to give me a ride to Mount Vernon. By this time we were running behind. Along with quite a wait in line at the border we arrived 35 minutes late for the concert. Everyone was just waiting when I arrived. In the meantime Cummins Western Canada in Surrey had a mechanic working overtime trying to fix the invertor situation. They finally r
