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TOUR DATES
12/1/11 –  Owasso, OK
12/2/11 – Huffman, TX
12/3/11 – Rockwall, TX
12/4/11 – Needville, TX
12/7/11 – Rainsville, AL
12/8/11 – Barnwell, SC
12/9/11 – Bel Air, MD
12/10/11 – Essex Fells, NJ
12/11/11 – Waynesboro, PA
12/14/11 – Midland, MI
12/15/11 – Ludington, MI
12/16/11 – Muskegon, MI
12/17/11 – LeRoy, MN
12/18/11 – Waukee, IA
12/19/11 – Marshall, MO

Be sure to check out the Tour Schedule for tickets and more information!

At the beginning of November we found ourselves back on tour in Egypt. Like last year, we performed at an international arts festival in Beit El-Wadi, Egypt, just outside of Cairo.  Over 30,000 people of all ages and religious backgrounds fought their way into the 3-day event, not to mention the hundreds of thousands around the Middle East that could catch the event via television.  It was the biggest year yet for the 4-year-old festival and our shows alone saw over 6,500 people a day.  Thousands not only heard about Jesus, but gave their lives over to Him.

After the festival, several of the performers packed themselves and their gear into a small van and trekked 10 hours South to Upper Egypt. (For those who don’t know, it’s called that because the mighty Nile River actually flows North towards the Mediterranean Sea)  For the first time in the history of Assiut, the people got to experience the festival that they had watched on television live. Some 9,000 people packed into a 6,000 person venue vying for a glimpse of the table that could float. (Word travels quickly!) The response was beyond what anyone could have predicted, and despite our exhaustion, we watched hundreds ignore the prayer calls of Islam for the Biblical words of the God that created them. Watching that take place brought me to my knees in awe of God’s relentless love and beckoning to our souls.

On our last day, we drove back up to Cairo and went into the heart of Old Cairo to Cave Church.  Cave Church is the Coptic church’s epicenter for worship in Cairo. It sits in the middle of Garbage City where hundreds of thousands of people sort through trash, and there is a 12,000 seat amphitheater carved into the side of the mountain.  Dozens of Bible stories are carved into the side of the mountain alongside the amphitheater as a witness to the people who can see it. For the first time, the Coptic church got alongside the Evangelical church to tell people about Jesus. Not only that, but my husband and I were the first people ever in the history of the church to perform on the stage of the church. One Egyptian translator kept reminding us that we were, “a part of changing the future of Egypt”, that day.  “It’s Egypt’s day” was echoed by every Christian there.  Over 15,000 people flooded into the event, and 12,000 of them were a part of the two shows that we performed. Insanity doesn’t even describe what we experienced standing on that stage.

As I sat on the plane back to the States, I was hit with the overwhelming understanding of what has been taking place in Egypt and the magnitude of what we were a part of during our time. “Today is Egypt’s day.” The people are longing for something, anything, that can give them peace, and they are discovering that Jesus is that thing. To be a part of something that can reach literally hundreds of thousands in a matter of days brings perspective of God’s majesty. Seeing not only thousands stand at the feet of God for the first time, but hear about Him for the first time and to know that you had the opportunity to share it with them is beyond humbling. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the people of Egypt.

Note from Harris:

Do you believe in our ministry, and how God is using it in places like Asia, Africa, and throughout the Middle East?  If so, you’re among the few.  What we do is a little outside the box, and isn’t always embraced by everyone.  If you feel led to support this kind of missions work around the world, please consider partnering with us financially!  A lot of resources are sacrificed in order to make this kind of ministry a reality, and a constant need of additional funding exists.  You can support our international missions work by making a tax-deductible donation.  All of our time is donated for these trips and times of ministry, and we do not profit at all, so your support is needed and appreciated!  Simply mail your donation to:

Ministry Arts for Global Impact
PO Box 3547
Brentwood, TN 37024

Thank you!!

P.S. A highlight video of our trip is coming soon! Stay tuned! (Click here to watch our mini-documentary about our trip to Thailand in 2009.)

And guess what else? We were able to catch some video footage at a couple of the shows this past fall…check out the new video below!

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NOW would be the time to get in touch. Why not just go ahead and request more information right now while it’s already on your mind?  The great folks at GOA will take great care of you. Contact us here.

Were you at one of the shows during our fall tour? We’d love to hear your comments below…please let others know what you thought, and play a role in their decision on whether or not to jump on board and be a part of our 2011 Mayhem & Misdirection Tour!

1. Looking for a great way to entertain and show appreciation to your staff and volunteers this upcoming Christmas season, or…

2. Looking to do something different than the same-old, same-old, holiday-themed Christmas outreaches for your community…

We just created the perfect solution:  The Gift.  It’s the same show that Andy Stanley’s team at North Point Community Church invited us to do for their team, (two nights in a row, because their team is so big), back in 2008.  I was in Thailand all last December, so I’ve waited almost two years to offer this show to you! Check out this short video about our 2010 Christmas Tour:

[Harris, III :: The Gift]

Only 10 dates are available, (unfortunately, Christmas doesn’t last forever), and these dates won’t be available long!  Now is the time to get in touch for more information.

Anyway…we had an event in Arkansas last night at Harding University, and it was out of commission.  We couldn’t make repairs over the weekend, so we ended up renting a vehicle to get us to Arkansas and back.  Tried to find a cargo van, but couldn’t. And every rental car company in Nashville was out of SUV’s.  So, we rented one of these…and yes, I drove it with pride:  

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If you watch the video on YouTube, it shows over 3 million views.  But surprisingly, every time I mention the phrase “Swagger Wagon”, I’m shocked to find out that most people still haven’t heard about these commercials.  Word is rapidly spreading, and I’d wager to say that Toyota already is, and will continue to get an incredible return on these ads.  They’re absolutely hysterical!

So parents, take pride in your ride. Turns out, mini-vans are pretty cool after all.

The quote went on to inspire a thought for me, and it’s something that has inspired much of what I share when performing live shows.  The basic thought is this…  

Jesus Christ did not come to this earth just to save us from our sins. He came to rescue us from meaninglessness.

That concept changed my thinking a lot, and transformed the way I live here on this earth.  I mean, we can of course focus on some sort of “ticket” to heaven, and what we’re saved from, but as my friend Shaun Groves so beautifully stated once, I’d rather focus on what I’m saved for.

I have been rescued from meaninglessness.  What else is there worth living for?  I have zero interest in just going through the motions.

A few years ago, I started putting together a Vaudeville inspired variety show.  We ended up calling it “Sens de Vie.”  Sens de Vie is French for “Meaning of Life.”  Vaudeville, I discovered while researching, was based on a French word, and came out of France. It made for a tour and show name that was a little more creative than just “The Meaning of Life Tour.”  It also didn’t scream, “Hey, come see our how and let us preach at you,” even though we wouldn’t do that anyway.

It’s by far my most favorite show to perform.  It’s a two-hour theatrical production with two other guest acts, and it’s far better than anything I could perform simply on my own.  And my favorite part of the show is taking 5-10 minutes out of the second half to sit down and share with the audience part of my discovery of the true meaning of life, and how I have been “rescued from meaninglessness.”

In the past two years, we’ve had the opportunity to do the show about 20 times. I’m blown away that 15 of those shows had sold out crowds, and almost all of them concluded with a standing ovation.  Those ovations were not for me, but for the experience created by the combined efforts of the 10 cast and crew that make Sens de Vie possible!  That’s a big deal, considering the struggles we’ve had trying to see our vision come to fruition. (I wrote about those struggles and failures here.)

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our next tour of Sens de Vie, beginning in Dexter, MO.  Over the next 3 weeks, we’ll be performing the show 7 times, and if we come anywhere near your area, you do NOT want to miss it.  It’s fun for the entire family, and it could be your last chance to catch this show in its current form! (We’re doing a new tour this fall.)

Take 30 seconds out of your schedule right now to check our tour schedule, and see if we’re coming to a city near you. This Spring’s run of the show includes the hilarious antics and incredible talent of my friend, and world champion circus performer, DonB! Also joining us are my friends and Hollywood Recording Artists, Everlife.  They’ve toured with acts like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, and have been writing some songs lately that have blown me away.  You’ll love their new stuff, especially live!

I’d love to meet YOU out on the road!  Hope to see you soon!

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Nice, huh?  How about you?  Have you ever had anything painful or embarrassing happen to you, while you were around or in front of a large group of people?

We actually got here last night, and have had the last 24 hours to get reacquainted with Thailand.  We basically spent the day rummaging around Bangkok and doing our best to stay awake. It’s our initial effort in allowing our bodies to adjust to the 12 hour time change.

As I re-experienced Thai culture, I was once again reminded of the importance of being here.  There are “Spirit Houses” everywhere. They’re seemingly in every house, restaurant, and public building, in parks, and on street corners, and they’re a small sign of both sorrow and hope.

While a lot of the audiences I perform for in America seem to be running away from anything spiritual, the Thai people thrive on it.  While we’re all desperately trying to make sense of the world, the majority of people in Thailand are doing so through some form of spirituality.  The problem is, they’re just as unfulfilled because the path they’re on is an unending circle of deception.

However, at the same time, there is hope.  Hope found in the fact that the people here haven’t given up on their search for genuine spirituality.  They’re desperate to find it.  There are times in the U.S. that I am overwhelmed by how comfortably numb American audiences have become to the deception all around them. And those few who don’t seem numb, seem to be running from God.  And that doesn’t make any sense either, because they’re chasing after love.  And as Erwin McManus once wrote, “God is love.  To run from God but chase after love is maddening.”

All of our souls are craving something genuine.  The Thai people are neither numb to those cravings, or running away from them.  They’re desperately chasing both God and love.

The problem is, like many Americans, they’re looking in the wrong places. While Americans are usually obsessed with searching for approval from everyone around them, people here in Thailand are doing everything in their power to earn approval from God, (or “gods”, or “spirits”, or whoever/whatever the “powers at be” are).  If only there were enough people here to take the time to show them that they don’t have to earn it, but instead, just accept it…I can’t imagine what would happen through them.  ”Fully devoted followers” would quickly be a phrase that would accurately describe them.  Honestly, it’s something that already describes them.  They’re just following the wrong path.

During this season of Thanksgiving, I find myself increasingly thankful that there is nothing I can do to earn my God’s love, approval, or acceptance.  He is far too massive, holy, and perfect, and I’m far too full of pride, lust, fear, and selfishness.  Yet my God’s affection is far greater than my list of imperfections, and therefore, his desire for and pursuit of me justified sacrifice, his grace was and is perfectly sufficient, and he loves me just as I am.

Through that comes hope and freedom.  I don’t have to pay respects or give money to gold statues with big bellies, or even build little houses for spirits to dwell in.  I have hope and freedom that is only found through a relationship with the one true God, who through grace, accepts me and truly loves me, just for the asking. It wasn’t made possible by what I did or could do for him, but what he did for me.

Over the next 3 weeks, we’ll be sharing that same message of truth, hope, love, and freedom with people all over the country of Thailand.  We’ll be in private international schools, impoverished slums, and everything in-between.  We’ll be utilizing the unique talents and abilities that we’ve been given to share from a platform that few people can develop as quickly as we can in environments like these.  We’ll be using an art form that is truly universal, that crosses all age boundaries, cultural boundaries, and language boundaries, and engages any person from any walk of life!

Thailand is already desperately searching for truth, love, and purpose! We’re just here to show as many who live here as possible that they’ve been cleverly deceived into believing a counterfeit form of spirituality.  Our hope is that they will open the eyes of their hearts, and clearly see that rules and religion always fail, and the unconditional love offered from the one, true God can free them from the unending circle of spiritual performance.  Unlike we often do when performing for and speaking to audiences in America, we aren’t here to ask the people of Thailand to search. That’s something they’re already doing.  We’d just like to help re-direct their journeys, and point them to a love and acceptance that actually lasts.

Many here may believe that acceptance is found in building little “houses” that guard off “bad spirits” – spirits that can wreck your life, or even your chances at love. But we’d like to introduce them to the God who created them, the real love that He offers, and the true Spirit that can satisfy the deepest cravings of their souls.