Part 6 of the "Thaw Out" Tour

We had a fantastic time visiting with new friends, Josh and Janel Metsker and family in Springfield, MO.  Josh has traveled to Galena twice. Preston's birthday fell during the time we were there and we had a fun time celebrating with our wonderful hosts (the Metskers) and a few other new friends.  Happy 13th Birthday Preston!

Preston requested Josh bake his cake

In Springfield we were able to meet with several individuals interested in missions in Alaska.  Another fun part of connecting with people is getting to meet families of men who have traveled to Galena.  

Sunday morning we visitied One Community Church.  Chris was able to share about the Lord's work in Galena in an interview style with the Pastor during the service.  We were also delighted to reconnect with Aylise Tisdale, and also meet her daughter,.  We first knew Aylise when she was in our youth group when we lived in Lafayette, Louisiana around 2004.

Sunday night Chris shared at Second Baptist Church of Springfield.

Moving on from Missouri, we traveled to Salina, Kansas, and the next day we made it to Evergreen, Colorado which is where Chris' brother, Greg, and family live.  Two days after arriving in Colorado Shell and the boys traveled to Fairbanks for the boys' swim meet over the weekend.  The boys were glad to be with their team and both swam really well at their meet-dropping time in every single race.  Fun fact: it costs the same amount of money to fly from Denver, CO to Fairbanks, AK as it does to fly from Galena, AK to Fairbanks. Meanwhile, Chris and the girls spent the weekend connecting with various potential supporters and partners. 

 The girls sure do love their cousins.

Sunday morning Chris attended Aspen Ridge Church in Evergreen, CO. He and the girls then traveled to Colorado Christian University and shared with a college group that is doing a mission trip to Alaska this summer. 

 An Alaskan missionary kid (son of a missionary friend) attending CCU.

 Some old Galena faces, Jake and Amanda Hoekstra were dorm staff in Galena and now are on staff at CCU. 

Later that evening Chris and the girls met with several folks from Stapleton Church.

To date we have driven just over 6800 miles.

This coming week we will be sharing at Mile High Church, in Brighton, CO. This will be our last scheduled speaking weekend and we'll begin driving back north!

Thank you for all your prayers.  Please continue to pray for our safety as we travel and praise the Lord for his care and provision.