We stayed in the Hotel Express, not far from the airport. After getting settled in our rooms, we went out looking for something for supper; walked a few blocks and came to a tiny cafe. We thought it was closed, because of the gate being shut, but the lady came to the door and had us come in and then promptly locked the gate behind us. :) She spoke no English, but after hand gestures, & Lynette and I ending up in the kitchen, pointing to french fries cooking in a pot, we got our food just fine and it was very good. She kept bringing food from the kitchen and we kept eating. :) After a much needed nights rest, we were taken to a bus stop for a tour of the city of Porto ... read more

On January 23, we leave Cedar Rapids for a 10 day trip to Brazil. Pastor Rich will be speaking at ABWE's All Brazil Conference. We are looking forward to ministering to 65 missionary family units. We will try to update you with pictures as the days go by. Jeff and Sheri Lesh, chairman of the missions team, will be traveling with us.... read more

This week we are starting a new emphasis on Mid-Week Ministries. Some of the topics include: Shepherding a Child's Heart, Money Map from Crown Financial Ministries, The Measure of a Man, The Measure of a Women, More Key Truths for Women, Draw Me Closer, Lord, and Real Men Pray, Faith Lessons from the Land of Israel along with the Bible Institute on Understanding the Old Testament. We are encouraging everyone to be involved in one of these life changing studies.... read more

Getting Started: It's the beginning of January and our theme for this year is "Focusing on our Mission. In Matthew 28, Jesus tells his disciples to go and "Make Disciples" of all nations. And that is what we are trying to do. This year we are starting the year with a Series in Matthew in the morning services and then a Heart to Heart chat with our church family in the evening services as to how we can better make disciples in the Cedar Valley area. We are hoping to look at all our ministries and honestly see which ones the Lord have us continue, which ones we should drop and which ones we should add. In January we will be heading down to Brazil where Rich will speak at the All Brazil conference for ABWE. ... read more