Carbondale, IL to Elizabethtown, IL

(Yesterday, July 14) After a wonderful breakfast with the Rents at the hotel we were back on the journey. We actually had a productive 80 miles day, making it to Elizabethtown before 8:00. Midday, while we rested at a market in Goreville, IL a woman invited us for lunch at the Methodist church. The church was busy in the middle of their summer VBS. We spent a couple of hours with them before continuing on our way. The picture of Kevin was take along the route. We will cross the Ohio River into Kentucky early tomorrow morning on our way to Sebree, KY. We are in the Book of Acts. Pray for us and for safety from dogs!!!

Chester, IL to Carbondale, IL

We had a great time last night in Chester, the home of Popeye. We stayed in the "bunk house" at the Chester Eagles Club. We had a lot of fun with some of the local guys in the pub, interestingly on the topic of God, religion and relationships. We woke early with two other riders who were on the same route as us but we had already planned to stop in Carbondale to visit with Ma and Pa Valodine who are on their way to Silver Dollar City. So we're in the Quality Inn watching the MLB All-Star game. Today: 46 miles, big dinner and quality down-time. Tomorrow..east bound.

Farmington, MO to Chester, IL

We had a much better day today...only 50 miles in the sun! We arrived in Chester, IL, the birthplace of the cartoon character Popeye. Last night we stayed in the old jailhouse converted into a hostel for bikers in Farmington. Tonight we are staying in a bunkhouse hosted by the Chester Eagles Club. We have been blessed by these two places...they are awesome! So tomorrow we will rise at 5:00 am and bike into Carbondale, IL, which is only 50 miles away. We will meet with Jeff's parents in Carbondale and fuel up at Golden Corral. I hope they are prepared for a 2-hour feast! Our Bible reading is going well. God is continuing to teach us more and more about Himself and His will for us. We pray He is doing this in your life as well.

Ellington, MO to Farmington, MO

This day went from great to lousy to great to lousy. We had a wonderful morning of worship at First Baptist in Ellington. Pastor Jim took us to lunch at Hall's diner after the service. We departed Ellington at 1:30. Then the misery began. We rode through 2-1/2 hours in thunderstorms and Jeff had two flat tires...one rear then the front. Crazy. We made it however to Farmington around 10:00pm. The other bad news...Jeff's front tire was again flat this morning. Aaahhh! If we can just get to Carbondale we have a bike shop with more supplies. Pray for us.

Houston, MO to Ellingston, MO

(Yesterday, June 10), We woke early in the city park and gathered our stuff. We biked to McDonalds for coffee and we read from the Word. We were eastbound by 9:30 headed to Ellington. In between these two locations are the Ozarks. We experienced the 27-7 syndrome...27 mph down, 7 mph up...all day. We met many nice folks along the way. We rolled into Ellington at 7:30 and stopped at the food store. The store manager Karen, suggested we stay at the First Baptist church (sound familiar?). Pastor Jim Stewart welcomed us to the church. He also let us take showers at his home, PTL! We will worship here tomorrow and then bike to Farmington in the afternoon. Pray for us.

Marshield, MO to Houston, MO

Another great day touring with the Lord. We had good sleep and a good pancake breakfast at the church this morning. We opened the Word to Eccl 9 and also Mark. We departed Marshfield at 9:30 headed (of course), east. We ran into two other bikers who really impressed us. One, David from Pittsburgh PA, has been riding from VA on a mountain bike with a 70 lb. backpack! The other guy we met later in the day was from Ireland. He has been biking for TWO YEARS! He biked throughout Europe and the Middle East! We arrived in Houston, Texas, MO at 6:30 and found Emmett Kelly park where we crashed for the night. We love you all and pray daily for you. Peace!

Ash Grove, MO to Marshfield, MO

We had a wonderful stay at First Baptist in Ash Grove last night. They left the doors open for us and our late arrival. We had a shift cable snap 7 miles before Ash Grove so we slept a little late and did some repairs this morning. Pastor Gene took us out for breakfast at a local cafe. He got a kick from our us of the bathrooms...which were 3ft x 3ft. After reading Scripture and praying we left after 2:00 pm. We rode 50 miles to Marshfield where pastor Kicker at yet another First Baptist church opened the fellowship hall doors for us. Now we will finish Mark's gospel and close our day in prayer. Have you said your prayers today?