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Over and over they practiced for the big rock show. That Friday night
in July, the fellowship hall was jammed after the four-week sailing
campers and their staff, Ernie Marshburn, David Morris, and Dail Daly
Ballard had rehearsed for days.
The girl campers would sing The Doobie Brothers: “China Grove” and “Black Water.” Dail, our lifeguard would sing “Summer Breeze.” David Morris decided to sing and play “Pinball Wizard” with Ernie. Everyone who wanted to joined in to play for the entire camp including camp director, C.P. and his wife, Myra Morris and our favorite cook of all time, Mrs. Beatrice Gatlin. With backup from the rest of the band including Ernie on vocals and bass, David on electric guitar and Lee Walton on bongos, plus sound technicians, stage managers, musicians, singers and encouragers, the stage was set.
To the performers, the lyrics were secular. But as the band played, it was clear that the worldly words to the songs took on new meaning. God was The Pinball Wizard. The Mississippi Moon would “keep on shining on me” because it was God’s moon and God’s grace shining on them. “Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” It was God sending the sailing campers the breezes for the overnight sailing trips, to cool them, to touch them gently. (God), “keep on shining your light, (God’s) gonna make everything, gonna make everything all right. And I ain’t in no hurry ‘cause I ain’t got no worries at all!” (Thanks to You, God).
It was a smoking hot show, a blessing to the performers and a gift to the audience for Our Lord, shining through.
Submitted anonymously by a four-week sailing camper from the Summer of ’75. |
