Over the last 3 years, we have played the harp for thousands in the Military Community, and have given out over 6000 harp CDs to Soldiers and their families.

We began playing at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) in March 2008. Nancy played the harp in the Case Management reception area while Dennis kicked up conversation with the Soldiers. The atmosphere became very peaceful and relaxing with the harp music. Soldiers were noticeably more relaxed as they waited for their appointments. Even the Nurse Case Managers commented on how nice and calming the music was.

A few Soldiers commented that they were “so relaxed, I wish I could take this (the harp music) home.” Dennis went to our vehicle and grabbed a couple of CDs that Nancy had recorded, and gave them to the Soldiers. Later the next week when we came back to play, the same Soldiers were there for appointments again. They literally hugged us and thanked us for the CD, saying it helped them sleep for the first time in many months. We had NO IDEA how beneficial the CD had become for our Wounded Warriors. We began to bring in more and more CDs, and gave some to the Case managers to give out to the Soldiers and family members.

We were asked to bring the harp to the dining facility at Evans Army Community Hospital on Post. We also played in the waiting area for the pharmacy, giving out CDs when requested. We have taken the harp and played at the WTU clinic, SRP site (Soldier Readiness Processing) where the Soldiers are in and out processing to go to or come from the war zone. As Nancy plays, Dennis talks with the Soldiers, many times 200-300 a day, offering CDs to them to help them sleep and relax. We believe that when the Soldiers actually experience listening to the harp, they are more apt to taking a CD, which has proven to be the case.

For 2 of the 3 years, we had some short-term funding from the Chaplaincy at Fort Carson. We were so grateful, as we were then able to be out at Fort Carson 4-5 days a week, and give out hundreds of CDs. The feedback from the Soldiers and facility staff was so positive!

It was amazing to see how the harp really changed the atmosphere from stress to tranquility and the comments from the Soldiers when they took the CDs home. Many are sleeping; some have even gotten off of their sleep meds. Homes are more peaceful. Babies and children are calmed down by the soothing harp music. Some say they can focus better when listening to the CD. Some say it helps with their anger management. Some say it helps them with their PTSD and TBI issues. Others just have peace and serenity as they play the CD. Whatever GOOD comes from the harp CD, we are just grateful to be a small part in our Wounded Warriors’ healing and recovery process, and will continue to do so as long as we can!

Some of our latest journeys have been to Fort Hood, Texas.
After an initial tour of the Post in March 2010, we were able to bring the harp down in November after playing for the Protestant Women of the Chapel International conference. On the first day, we went all over the Post setting up and confirming different appointments for bringing the harp in to play. Our last stop of the day was the SRP (Soldier Readiness Processing) site. We were told that the Site Manager was a very busy man, and that they could call and check to see if he was available to meet with us. He did come out and meet us, but was not too sure about having Nancy play her harp in that particular building because of space issues. Without hesitation, though, he took us on a tour of the site, and then we were able to go to the air field where Soldiers arrive and depart for overseas assignments. He told us that it would be ideal for us to come and play the harp here, because it was the last contact the Soldiers would have before flying out, and the first contact back. He believed that this would bring such peace to the men and women in a time of chaos and such high emotions. We are still awaiting final approval.

Throughout the week, we took the harp into the Warrior Transition Battalion dayroom and played for the morning coffee time. Soldiers came and relaxed with a hot cup of coffee or tasty smoothie prepared by a few volunteers from CADENCE INT. ministries. Nancy played her harp for nearly 2 hours, while Dennis talked to Soldiers and gave them harp CDs to take with them. It was an incredible time! Oh…the Battalion Sergeant Major presented Nancy with one of their coins! What an honor!

Later, we stopped by the Spiritual Fitness Campus and spoke to their Chaplain. He welcomed the opportunity for us to come and play, and we left CDs for him. We later heard from the Chaplain that they were playing the CD non-stop, and the atmosphere throughout was very peaceful. When we have returned, we did indeed play in the Spiritual Fitness Chapel and the lunch room, where we got to meet the Post Command General , Major General Cone, and give him a couple of CDs so he knows what we are doing. A good friend of ours who is a Soldier mobilized to Fort Hood from Fort Carson ended up doing a short story about the harp ministry. (vimeo on website front page)

On other visits, we have brought the harp in and played for an anger management class. Comments such as “I could listen to this all day” and “it’s so relaxing” were shared with us and the class facilitator. Again, we gave out many CDs to the Soldiers as they left the class. Many were thanking us in advance for what the CD would do for them. We also played at the Warrior Transition Battalion again, only to see ‘repeat’ Soldiers coming back to hear the harp live because they heard we were back in town. What an awesome opportunity we’ve been given to be a little part in bringing hope and healing to these Wounded Warriors!

Michelle
19 year old in a head-on car accident

Michelle loves the Lord! She was in a terrible head-on car accident which placed her in a life-threatening coma and internal trauma that caused doctors to advise the family to just wait for her to die. After 3 weeks of being in the coma, we heard of Michelle’s condition, took the harp to her ICU room in Denver, and let the HOLY SPIRIT go to work! The following morning, Michelle woke from her coma and, to everyone’s amazement, has been miraculously healed! She has defied all odds placed against her by the enemy!

Nathaniel

We met Nathaniel at Pikes Peak Hospice. He had over 100 brain operations since he was an infant, and doctors had lost all hope for him. After playing the harp and praying over Nathaniel and his mother, Cheryl, we rejoiced to hear that he was sent home and has not returned to Hospice. GOD continues to totally restore Nathaniel’s mind, body, and soul!

The 50th Wedding Anniversary
We recall receiving an immediate request to take the harp and go play for a cancer patient, being told that she would not survive through the night…so off we went. The test of our faith came when after playing for and praying with her, there was no evidence of peace. Knowing she was a believer in CHRIST, we asked how we could pray specifically for her. She told us of plans their family had for their 50th wedding anniversary that was 2 weeks away. All of her children and grandchildren were planning to come for a celebration, and she wanted us to pray and ask GOD to give her those 2 weeks (remember we had just been told she would not make it through the night). As Dennis prayed, he heard GOD say that HE would honor her request…AND HE DID! The family had quite a celebration!