Girard, KS to Ash Grove, MO

We decided to sleep more this morning coming off a +100 mile day yesterday. We woke at 8:00 am and started reading Mark's gospel along with Eccl 7. We departed one Baptist church and headed for another 86 miles away in Ash Grove, Missouri. We had a typical day of riding...strong in the morning, weaker in the afternoon, but we finished strong. We stopped for lunch at a cool bistro in Pittsburgh, KS where we had a wonderful all-you-can-eat salad bar (with meatballs, and soup). The staff was excellent...in fact the owner offered us his pool if we wanted a short swim to cool off. But we pressed on...Tomorrrow we will take a shortened day to do some bike adjustments and get needed rest. Please keep praying for us. Pax.

Eurkea, KS to Girard, KS

We had a great day in the Lord! We finished Matthew's gospel and rode 108 miles avoiding the rain. We were blessed again by the First Baptist church in Girard who opened thier doors for us. We rolled into town right at 9:00 tonight and found the church quickly. Now we are eating miscellaneous food items and then we'll crash Pray for quick recovery tonight. God bless you all.

Newton, KS to Eureka, KS

The Folks at the Kansas Christian Home spoiled us. Not only did they allow us to stay in their family apartment last night but they served us a huge breakfast. We read Eccl and Matthew this morning before departing around 8:15 am. It rained the first 38 miles today. We stopped at the PO in Cassoday to eat lunch and get out of the rain a bit. While we were there, we called pastor Ray Frye at New Life AG church in Eureka, KS and he arranged for us to stay at the Blue Stem Lodge (motel) rather than on their floor. We are blessed by God through people in His Kingdom. We hope to be in Missouri tomorrow. We are praying for you all. Pax.

Nickerson, KS to Newton, KS

We had a wonderful breakfast at the church this morning with food provided by Troy and Denise Coon. Then we had a great worship service at 11:00. After lunch we left Nickerson at 2:15 pm in a fairly heavy rain. We biked 50 miles to Newton...in the rain. The most surprising part of the journey was when we had to carry our bikes through a temporary river crossing the road we were on (pic coming). what an adventure. Upon arrival we found a place to stay in a most unusual place..at a retirement home. They have an apartment for visiting family members. The manager Beth Green offered it to us. What a deal. GOD IS GREAT. We read in Matthew and the Psalms. Pray for us!

Larned, KS to Nickeron, KS

We began today with our St. Louis friend Mike at a local coffee shop. We read Eccl 3 together and chatted about our ride thus far. We said our goodbyes and were on the rode t 9:15 for what may be our most challenging day yet...rain and thunderstorms. God kept the storms away but we got hit with a lot of rain...three good spells over 60 miles. Actually Jeff biked 70 miles because he lost a shoe and had to back-track to find it. After the first hard rain I took my socks and shoes off, tied them to my bike to dry and continued to bike with my Keen riding sandals. After 11-12 miles I looked back and one shoe was missing. Aaahhh....

But God had a silver lining...because when we arrived, Kevin was sharing our journey with some guys at the local mini-mart when he asked to be excused to find a church to stay at tonight and one guys says, "My son-in-law is a deacon at the local Baptist church, I call him for you." We met both Troy Coon and also the pastor Mike McLemore, who welcomed us for the night. In fact, Troy and his wife Denise brought us food to the church. What awesome folks. After a hot shower tonight we will continue to read in the Gospels. 60 miles, full stomachs and a dry place to sleep...priceless.

Dighton, KS to Larned, KS

[Yesterday, July 2nd] Our time in Dighton was great. We woke at the Baptist church but left early for a long 100 mile ride to Larned, KS. The morning 65 miles was great but then we had to turn due south into a 20 mph headwind. The remining 35 miles was horrible. We read in Eccl. and Matthew. God is pulling some big strings together already. I had called ahead to some churches in Larned but we were unable to find one to stay at. We crashed a park on the south end of town where we met Mike, a retired mechanic from St. Louis, biking west. So we find ourselves over the 2,000 mile mark in the middle of Kansas, but with God's grace we'll be leaving Kansas in three more days. Please pray.

Tribute, KS to Dighton, KS

Wind, wind go away...blow again another day. Well, at least Kansas has no mountains. We were able to finish the Books of Moses and have begun the Gospels. We are in good spirits, good health and in good company. The folks we are meeting along the way have been great. Even though pastor Dan Parker at First Baptist in Dighton, KS is out of town, he told us "the doors are open, make yourself at home." We will attempt to leave early tomorrow to avoid the forcasted 25-mile-an-hour SE wind. Please keep us in y our prayers!