Illinois and Kentucky

August 8, 2010

We arrived in Collinsville, Illinois, which is on the outskirts of St. Louis, in the late afternoon hours of Saturday, August 7, and checked into our room. There we found a beautiful gift basket and the most creative welcome card we've ever received! It was so cool!

We anticipated meeting some pretty nice folks as we drove to the home of Roger and Cindy Matthews. There we met their 3 children and Pastor Jeremy Drake, his wife, Lori, their 2 boys, and of course, Roger and Cindy. We had a great evening eating grilled hot dogs, sausages, potato salad, corn on the cob...you get the picture. After dinner the kids enjoyed the pool (yes, we always carry their swimsuits with us) Bobby and Roger went to the basement studio and I joined the rest of the adults on the deck.

A great evening followed by a wonderful morning at Center Pointe Church. Pastor Jeremy led worship as Roger played drums and Cindy sang on the worship team. We were given liberty to lead the service as the Lord led and the morning ended with several at the altar.

We enjoyed more hot dogs after the service with the church in the fellowship hall and after some prolonged goodbyes we headed to Owensboro for the evening service.

Roger works with people with special needs and offered to help with Grace.

The Matthews Family


Pastor Jeremy, Bobby and Roger

Wings of Faith Church of God in Owensboro is pastored by our friend Larry Bidwell. This was our third visit and although the congregation is very small, this family of believers, especially the pastor, have become very dear to us. Pastor Larry met us at the door and helped load in and then started snapping pictures. I haven't known him to take so many pictures before but he has really gotten into it. He took us into his office before church and amid hundreds of pictures on his computer, he picked out some favorites of his grandchildren.

Bobby started off the service a little differently and instead of kicking it off with canned music, he asked everyone to sing Amazing Grace with him as he just played the acoustic. I believe the Holy Spirit was there; I could sense His anointing on Bobby as we spent a little while just worshiping.

It was a lovely evening and once again we enjoyed our visit with Larry Bidwell and his flock.

Of course it wasn't too far to Greenbrier that night so we slept at home and awoke at home the next morning. I like it when it works out like that.