Concert Preparations

Eleven year old Dallas Clark is just one of the many voices scheduled to perform April 13 at 6:30 p.m. for the Gone Fishin' Benefit Concert that Neil and I are promoting and organizing. The money raised at this concert will go to Christian Motorcyclists Association's Run For the Son, our yearly fundraiser that supplies much needed tracks, gospel cups, bibles, and many other things for members to hand out to bikers along the highways and biways of this country and 21 other countries where CMA is located. 60% of the funds is divided equally between Campus Crusade's The Jesus Film Project, Open Doors, and Missionary Ventures.

The Jesus Film Project is shown around the world and countless people are coming to know the saving grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because of it. Open Doors provides bibles to third world countries and their underground churches. Missionary Ventures provides transportation to pastors who have to travel three or more days from home to shepherd their flock in remote areas of the globe. Last year CMA donated over $680,000 to each of these organizations.

The concert will include Elaine Peacock, a vocalist from South Dakota who sings like Patsy Cline. A trio, Solid Gospel Praise, from Branson Missouri, the Nashville of the north, will lend their rich voices to some toe tapping southern gospel tunes. SOS, a contemporary group from Okoboji will provide praise and worship of their own making.

HC Derksen will round out the headliners with his orginal country gospel music.

We are looking for people to support us in two ways. We are seeking corporate sponsors who will contribute their resources to help defray the costs of sound equipment, travel expenses for the artists, advertising costs, printing costs, and any other incidentals so that all ticket money can be sent directly to the ministries. We are also looking for donations to add to this amount and for people to spread the word and buy tickets. They are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. All donations, except tickets, will receive a tax deductible receipt. Checks for sponsorship can be made out to "Lakes Area Christian Radio" and checks for straight donations to "CMA". Tickets can be ordered by calling 712-200-9255. Please add your prayers to this list of requests. We plan to bless people who attend the concert with music that will lift their spirits.

Besides planning a concert for 600 plus people I am also promoting and distributing my current release, Straight Pipes. Early reviews state:

Straight Pipes is a unique blend of practical application to bikers in the form of a devotion. Barbara not only identifies with bikers, but is one herself. You will especially enjoy these devotions as they are relevant and to the point. John Ogden, Chairman of the Board of Directors/CEO of Christian Motorcyclists Association

Straight Pipes by Barbara Derksen is a breath of fresh air when it comes to devotionals. It speaks to bikers right where they live because Barbara is one of them. She rides with them, talks with them, loves them and prays for them. And she lets Jesus shine right through her onto every page of this user-friendly, easy-to-read devotional book. I intend to give one to every biker I know—and that’s a lot of bikers. Kathi Macias, writer, speaker, and editor.

Yesterday I took a digital scrapbooking class using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0. It was a fun class to take and the time just flew. I know I'll play fewer games when I'm blocked - writer's block - now that I have another project to work on.