The Walk Across America team turned north at Fort Scott, KS, close to the Missouri border, and is taking Hwy 69 to Kansas City. If the Highway Patrol permits it, they plan to walk east on Hwy 70 and arrive in St. Louis, MO by Father's Day weekend.
Flip said when they reached Pleasanton, KS, they didn't know where to stay. Someone at a church directed them to John and Grace Reider's 100+ acre farm about seven miles outside of Pleasanton. They learned the Reiders had been missionaries for 38 years on the Ivory Coast of Africa. Flip described them as the most delightful and inspiring people you could ever hope to meet. Grace is 90 years old, John is 88. They've been married over 60 years. Flip said they have a youthful enthusiasm, they love Jesus!"
The team knew they were in the right place when they came into the Reider's yard and noticed that the car sported "Choose Life" stickers.
Last night they attended a tent camp meeting at the Reider's farm. Neighbors came and, blessing upon blessing, several members of the Yoder family came. They listened to beautiful violin music played by one of the Yoder boys. John Reider invited our team to give their testimony. He said, "Now, you young men take as long as you want, we need to hear the message of God!"
Flip said, "They needed no explanation from us - they knew everything!" He said, "It's so seldom we run into people who understand. I wanted to ask them, how do you know all this?" Of all the people they've met, Flip said, they are "...the brightest points of light yet."
The Reiders had a church moved onto their property. At 6am each morning John and Grace, along with various other members of their faith community, meet at the church. The team joined them this morning. Flip was moved beyond measure by their prayers. He said, "They are so alive in the Lord and their prayers breathe such hope in Jesus. They know the status of things in this country, but they know their Lord too. When they pray you can hear God's voice."
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