January 23-25, 2009. We left home Friday morning, the 23^rd and drove 11 hours to our destination, Dry Prong, Louisiana, which was just north of Alexandria. Very graciously, the pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Steve Montgomery, opened up his vacant parsonage for us after the pastor of the church that booked us, Anchor Baptist Church, made our accommodation needs known. Instead of cramming into a hotel room, we were able to stretch out in a 2000 square foot home. No one slept on the floor and we were able to do some laundry and enjoy some wide open space for a change. On Saturday we played UNO, washed the bedding, took our baths, ate some soup, all at leisure, and then went to the pastor's home for dinner. Dr. Fred and Carol Kelsey hosted a tasty dinner of spaghetti (Landis' favorite) and garlic bread. Mmmm...Mm! Anchor Baptist Church was right next door so we didn't have far to go to sing for our supper. Bobby was treated by a quick visit from long-time friend, Dale Lingenfelter, an old friend he hadn't seen in 20 years. Dale came by the church when Bobby was setting up to say hi and catch up a bit. He and his wife, Jill, were expecting visitors at their home that evening and couldn't attend the concert. The concert was on the smaller side but it was a small building to begin with and once again we were amazed at the way God blessed us and met our needs.

From Tioga (that's where the church was) we drove 4 hours south into the bayous of Louisiana. We arrived at the Acadiana House, Bed and Breakfast in Larose just before 1:00 am. A bed and breakfast like no other we've ever been in. Bobby was emailed a passcode earlier in the week, punched the number in to the keypad next to the garage door and the door opened for him and from there we had access to the house. Freedom Worship Center, in Galliano, pastored by Robert Niestoeckel, was especially kind to us by renting this bed and breakfast and even placing an overloaded basket with fruit, juice, mixes, chips and other goodies on the kitchen counter. What a greeting! And at 1:00 am it perked us up a little. We got some rest and in the morning had a large assortment of breakfast foods to choose from to toast, fry, bake or boil. It was very nice.

We drove 15 minutes to the Freedom Worship Center and felt welcomed right away. We enjoyed a great time with the saints there, (no – not the New Orleans' saints) although it was difficult to understand a few of them from time to time with those thick Cajun accents. Pastor Robert and his lovely wife were not difficult to understand and she let me know why after the service. Their family moved to Galliano from Ligonier, Indiana 2 years ago. I enjoyed being so far from home yet being able to talk to someone who knew the roads and stores and restaurants that I knew.

Our evening service was 2 hours north near Baton Rouge at the Zachary Community Church. This congregation doesn't normally meet on Sunday evening so this was something different for them and it seemed to work well. The service started at 5:00 pm and there was a good crowd there. As only God can do, He touched people's hearts in that service through a very simple concert by a very simple family. And just like I remind people when I share a testimony: God will use any of us if we are willing. For the past year we've been willing to go anywhere and yes, take everyone. We have actually considered how much easier it would be to travel if we left 1 or 2 children with a friend or relative for this or that weekend trip. However, we have decided against it because each member of our family is an important part of this ministry and we'll leave no one behind because God uses each one of us to minister to different people.

I have to mention that we were tickled that this congregation chose to have a meal after church and of course, we were treated to jambalaya. Oh! It was GOOD!

Back to Texarkana for the week at Bobby's parents' home. It's not nearly as far to drive here as it is to drive back to Nashville. We will leave here Friday morning and head back down to southern Louisiana.