Saturday, June 20, 1998

Widow still welcomes participants to camp meeting

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Miss Lucy Havens, her smile big and luminous as a Texas moon, sits in a cool breeze under the front porch, looking to the future through eyes shaped by the past.

For the 32nd time, Miss Lucy is greeting guests at her Flying H Acres along the Old Western Cattle Trail between Coleman and Santa Anna for the annual Little George Havens Cowboy Camp Meeting.

Each year, the 74-year-old widow wonders what next year will hold.

"I'm not ready for it to end," she said. "I simply love it."

Peering down into a green, mesquite adorned valley from atop a mesa where the meeting is held, it's easy understand Miss Lucy's love for the land and the annual camp meeting.

"I've always felt God's hand was on this place," she said. "I've never felt like turning back."

This year's meeting got under way last night and continues through June 28. People don't turn out like they once did, Miss Lucy said, but still 200-300 folks are expected to camp under the Texas stars, sleep in authentic covered wagons, or hook up an RV to the "modernized" part of the camp.

Daily activities include preaching, praying, singing, visiting, potluck supper, and children's events. Visitors are welcome to come to any or all of the camp meeting.

The special each Saturday is a campwide breakfast at 8 a.m. and a chuck wagon dinner at 5:30.

The Havens started the camp meeting in 1966 after Little George shunned his Hollywood career for the life of an evangelist. From 1940 to 1950, Havens, who stood only 4 feet 11 inches tall, was a much sought-after stuntman, appearing in such movies as "Casablanca," "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," and "Citizen Kane."

But he was best known for his western movies and for his appearances in Nashville. After a conversion to Christianity in 1950, Havens became a traveling evangelist, but never lost his flair for show biz.

He and his missionary wife, Miss Lucy Lee, started the Cowboy Camp Meeting on Havens' family land and were surprised at the turnout for the first one.

"Folks just started coming -- we never saw so many people," Miss Lucy said.

After Havens' death in 1988, Miss Lucy decided to continue with the yearly event that so many had come to love. Twelve years ago Sarah Graham, a nurse from Harlingen who had met the Havens at a conference, decided to sign on as "chief cook, bottle washer, and general flunky."

Growing up in a family of seven children prepared her to help with the meals at the camp meeting, Graham said.

"You just throw in another handful or two," she said.

Along with plenty of good food, campers this year can enjoy the music of The Wills Family from Arlington at 7:30 tonight, and the Big Country Boys at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

Others featured during the week will be Del Bowman, a rope artist, Randy James, founder of Gotel Ministry, evangelist Rick Ingle, recording artist Todd Hervey, and the Rev. Joe Price.

Miss Lucy is ready to host one more cowboy camp meeting and will let the future take care of itself.

"I hope it continues as long as we can continue to save souls," she said.

The camp is located on U.S. 84 between Coleman and Santa Anna. For more information call Miss Lucy Havens at (915) 348-3686.