Don's trip to Iowa, Illinois with Bill Sisson

We got the CD from Bill with all the pictures he took on their trip to Iowa.  Mission:  to start free clinics along the Mississippi River.

The bed and breakfast where Don and Bill stayed.  Gerry and Lois were great host and hostess.Our Church, a SBC affiliate, is one of the churches they visited with Dennis Maloney, General Director of Christian Resort Ministries, International.  That's Dennis on the cell phone in the doorway.  And yes, this is an old abandoned barn which the front part has been converted into a church, no pun intended.Dennis and Don visiting inside the church with Pastor Greg Stacy regarding the needs of the people in this area.The things Pastor Greg told them was heart breaking.Pastor Greg is very creative. He has done a lot of work in this barn to turn it into a church.Dennis and Don.  I have no idea why they are congratulating each other.Pastor Greg and wife live here with several foster children. Pastor Greg took Dennis, Don and Bill to "Tent City" and introduced them to Andrea.  Pastor Greg heart is for the children in this area and the down-and-out like Andrea who live in sub-poverty.Pastor Greg is checking to see if Andrea needs propane to cook with.  She did.  He supplied it.The windows in this trailer are broken so Andrea has covered them on the outside with People live in these in "Tent City."

During the week they were in Iowa, Dennis took them along the Mississippi River.  Residents of these river houses will likely be patients one day in a free clinic that God provides for them as they learn that there are those who care about their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.A picture of a map of the Mississippi River and the towns along the river.  This statue of Liberty was placed in the Port of Burlington by the American Boy Scouts.The bridge at Burlington.The mighty Mississippi River.One of the many lock and dams along the Mississippi.All river traffic must pass through the locks.  Here is a tug boat pushing a barge out of a lock.

They crossed the river into Illinois and found a pastor and church there who are also interested in starting a free clinic.Just for me.... gold finches outside Dennis and Sally's window.Don thoroughly enjoyed the trip as he was able to witness ministry "outside the box" and things that caused his heart to break and others that caused him to rejoice.  It's always exciting to watch God at work and then be privileged to be a part of it.