Mar
09
2009
Our van, in happier times, loading in to open for 'the newsboys'.
So, about midnight on March the 6th…we were driving through the mountains of West Virginia. We were already running a bit behind schedule…(see the post “Stuck in a moment”)…so I was going a bit fast…trying to make up some time.
Our destination was Camp Berea in Hebron, New Hampshire. We’re booked for three weekends, where we lead worship for the campers (kids of all ages) play some of our own tunes and have snowball fights, drink frappes, and generally have a jolly good time.
The guys are in the back seats, asleep, when they pop their heads up and say, “Gabe, we smell something…smells like burning rubber.” Thinking it might be the tread inside one of the tires coming apart I quickly slowed down…and pulled over at the next gas station. It’s one of those 24 hour truck stops with a diner inside…one of the sweetest ladies on earth is there serving coffee.
As I pull over the odometer reads 386,000 miles.
I stop at one of the fuel pumps. Smoke billows from underneath…it’s coming first from the catalytic converters, then the exhaust, and finally from under the hood. The band quickly exits the vehicle, coughing and the smoke engulfs the entire truck stop.
I turn off the ignition and begin to realize the gravity of the situation. This van is no longer going to have the ability to carry our trailer, not to mention us to our destination. It’s now 12:30 am…and we’re in the middle of nowhere…and there’s no one who can take a look at the engine…much less fix it.
Debbie, goes into action immediately…calling AAA…and looking for locations that can both diagnose the problem and possibly rent us another vehicle with towing capability. She quickly figures out that about 3o miles back is the closest Chevy Dealership. They open at 7am. I made one final push for driving the van as far as it would go…but she talked me down from my madness.
The Tow truck arrived around 4am…we are exhausted…he tries to talk us into towing us to HIS shop…but Deb is adamant about the dealership.
He tows the van, our trailer, and debbie and me…and another tow truck carries Jon, Eric and Lee. The two drivers talk over the CB’s incessantly, mocking each other’s looks, driving ability and social skills with the opposite sex. They are actually really cool guys, but I was tired…and it got pretty annoying after the first 15 minutes or so.
They drop us off at University Motors in Morgantown…and we hop in the van…cover ourselves with all available blankets and attempt to sleep through the bitter cold night. Deb, however wakes up at 6:45 and waits for someone to show up at the dealership’s service dept…and someone does…right at 7am, sharp.
She hops out, introduces herself and declares that she needs some serious help…but FIRST, she must use the bathroom. The guy she meets is Roger, the friendliest dealership manager ANYWHERE. She proceeds to tell him of our plight and he tells her he’ll look at the van, and also procures a toyota tundra for us to rent that has the ability to tow our trailer for the remaining 600 miles. Debbie also talks him into giving us a great rental rate. She then mercifully wakes us up at around 8:30am…and we squeeze into the pick up truck…she has already arranged for the trailer to be attached…and we start off for New Hampshire.
We are making great time. Our gas stops are fast and efficient. Then we hit traffic between New York and Connecticut…and again near Boston. Stand still traffic. We lose an hour.
Debbie calls Isaac from the Camp…who is sympathetic to our dilemma…but wonders if we’ll be able to make it to perform for the 325 kids who are waiting for us…some of them are actually fans of the band and have waited all year for this. Crazy, ain’t it?
She tells him we’ll be there at 8:45pm…the camp starts at 9:30pm. can they push the time back a bit? He says yes.
We arrive at 8:45pm. The camp volunteers are there and help us unload in record time. We set up the sound system in less than an hour. We haven’t showered in a couple of days. I had developed a nice little beard. We didn’t have time to stop and clean up…so we take the stage looking like a homeless band…and smelling like one too.
Debbie set up my guitar amp, and did the sound check. Are you getting the feeling that she is the heroine of the story? I hope you are.
The weekend came and went. We were able to pull it together and we had some wonderful times of worship. Jeffery Dean, from Nashville was the guest speaker and was phenomenal. There was a tragedy that took place at the camp…something I’ll discuss, maybe later…and it added to the bewilderment I was already experiencing. Lack of sleep kept me in a state of numbness.
Today, I was able to assess what’s happening. I’m able to thank God that we are on tour, but that this week we weren’t able to get any bookings. It’s allowed us to figure out what to do, while still having a place to stay here at the Camp. In other words, we don’t have to be on the move, right this second.
I’m grateful for the staff at Camp Berea who understood that we would be running late, but didn’t hold it against us, and worked so hard to make it work for us when we arrived.
I’m grateful for these guys in the band, who didn’t complain…not once about how tight it was in the back of that pickup for 12 hours…or how fast we had to set up…or how much energy it took to hang out with the kids that weekend. I’m with some amazing men…and it’s humbling.
I’m grateful for Debbie.
I’m grateful for all those prayers you guys are sending up for us. The van’s engine is cracked. It’s going to cost close to $7,000 to fix it. Seems like that’s not the best use of that money. Today, Deb and I drove to Concord, NH to look at what a new van would cost…and we’re looking into some other options as well.
And that’s the situation…I know some of you had questions…that’s the best I can do for now.
Andrew B. said:
Mar 17, 2009 2:27 pm
And it was real…
Andrew B. said:
Mar 16, 2009 1:25 pm
PS long story if you see that email adress…its kinda deleted but I still put it up for stuff that won’t be published
Andrew B. said:
Mar 16, 2009 1:24 pm
I remember you telling us that story at “chill with the band” back in Berea. I don’t know if you remember me (I was that short, guitar playing kid that came in late for “chill with the band”), but tell Lee thanks for that broken drumstick.
I’ve been praying that you guys would get a new vehicle or get your old one fixed up. We’ll see how that works out, you drama queen
Gina said:
Mar 14, 2009 11:02 am
Hahaha… I’m posting a comment… and you can’t do anything about it! (well… I suppose you could delete it…)
Hurray for Tiramasu! Italian food makes everything better… glad it made Debbie smile!
Keep honoring your wife and your God- I know they’ll get you through this! (wait. God should probably be honored first… because He doesn’t want anyone before Him. So keep honoring God… and your wife… in that order.)
Oh… and as far as that whole lyric spouting thing… it’s your fault! That song has been in my head since I bought the cd… had you not written it, I wouldn’t have felt encouraged by it… and wouldn’t have felt inspired to share it with you. So… there.
How is the band van search going?
Cherylyn said:
Mar 13, 2009 12:08 am
YES! Gabe… it might not be your birthday, but it IS your blog so you can cry if you want to… and you can also wear really cool/festive birthday hats & dragon shirts.
http://tinyurl.com/birfdayhat <– just in case you need to be refreshed on our conversation about birthday hats & dragons.
In other news! I have been praying for you lots & lots this week! For wisdom, energy, and peace as you figure out what to do in your sticky situation! You are such road warriors & it’s so encouraging knowing that you trust God to fix your dilemmas!
p.s. Debbie is amazing.
Damaris said:
Mar 12, 2009 7:29 pm
Gabe… I’ve said it time and time again.. I want to be Debbie when I grow up. I’ve seen the hero in her since we met back in October. Seriously. She is amazing and it does not surprise me how incredible she was in this chaotic time.
I could actually see it all.
I freaken adore you guys. You all are seriously inspiring.
I’m glad you wrote this because now we know how we can pray for you and how we can help. Thank you for writing this, and please keep up the updates! Send the crew my love.
J.Ray said:
Mar 11, 2009 8:24 pm
What a drama queen. At least you were in the US and not stuck at a frontier border station in the middle of a civil war….
Gina said:
Mar 10, 2009 10:24 pm
Your wife sounds like an amazing woman. She knew just how to approach the situation… even though I doubt it’s a frequent occurance (at least, I hope not!) Thank you Lord, for providing that wisdom.
There’s a lyric that I keep holding onto… seems like a good one to share:
“Anybody else feel tired?
Everybody suffers under grey skies
When clouds surround my soul
And I feel so alone
Your spirit moves in my heart”
I pray that He continues to move through you fellows (and Debbie!) as you serve the camp. I also pray for rest and for clarity as you all process the events of the last few days. Oh… also praying for a new van… and the funds… and for all eyes to remain focused on Him. And for ice cream… icecream has the tendency to make everything better.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Carole said:
Mar 10, 2009 9:08 pm
God has you where you are supposed to be! We will be praying for all of yall as you continue to share the love of Christ through your music.
Jennifer Drake said:
Mar 10, 2009 9:21 am
Hi there, Just wanted to say how blessed I am by all of you. I am praying for you as you make your decision about the van. Thank you for all you are doing for the Kingdom of God!
Eric Vickers said:
Mar 10, 2009 3:05 am
First, I must agree 100% about Debbie playing the part of hero in this story. She has been graceful, kind and wize in the most stressful situation. Kudo’s to her!
Second, Gabe again you are the miricle man behind the wheel, driving and/or being awake for 36 hours with a short cat-nap in the middle followed by the strength to set-up and lead youth in worship with us who got to sleep some. It is an honor to play with you, and I pray that this is something that will last for years to come.
Third to the Guys, you are cool… no matter what people say about you!!
jk I agree again with Gabe it is an honor and is humbling to play in this group.
Finally for those who keep us in prayer, THANK-YOU you know who you are. This week our fuel was your prayer alone. We had the blessing of seeing many youth accept Christ for the first time this weekend and will see many more over the next few weeks. You are as much a part of that as we are.
Thanks!
~Eric
gabe martinez replied:
Mar 12, 2009 11:27 pm
@Jennifer: what’s cool is that when you say you’re praying…i really honestly believe you. that’s what’s awesome about you Jennifer.
gabe martinez replied:
Mar 12, 2009 11:29 pm
@Carole: thanks Carole. I’ve been hearing that a lot from family and dear friends…that God has us where he wants us. I’m doing my best to really believe that…as hard as that is. But when we see these kids here, experiencing God…some of them…for the first time…it’s a lot easier.
gabe martinez replied:
Mar 12, 2009 11:34 pm
@Gina: that’s pretty genius of you…throwing my own lyrics back at me like that. It’s easy to spout off ideas like those in a song…but much harder to live by them. But, that’s what God’s got me doing right now…here’s my chance to live out what we sing about from the stage. I’m having to trust that he’ll provide something for us for the rest of our journey.
Oh, and I’m glad people can read about mighty, mighty Debbie. She’s the unsung hero most of the time…and this whole week…she’s held it all together…even when no one else is here for her.
While we sat and talked with a few banks this week…she saw a little bakery…and we stopped in and she got herself some Tiramasu…and it was nice to see her smile.
gabe martinez replied:
Mar 12, 2009 11:38 pm
@J.Ray: I may be a drama queen…but this adventure is real…unlike the one you just described which sounds totally fake and made up. Was it a frontier border station on the planet Tattooine? That’s not a real place J.Ray. Was the civil war between the Elves of Lothlorien and the Elves of Rivendell? Drugs are bad…mm’kay?
Seriously…this is my blog…I’ll be a fabulous drama queen if I want to, cry if I want to, cry if I want to….
gabe martinez replied:
Mar 12, 2009 11:40 pm
@Damaris: thanks so much for the prayers. I’ll send the crew your love. I’ll hug them all and shower them with kisses…and if they push me away and punch me…I’ll say it’s all from Damaris…and then maybe they won’t be as freaked out.