Greetings from southeast Iowa where the action never ends! We have been meeting ourselves coming and going! One break we really enjoyed was to have the Den Boers (CBM Prefield Director) stay with us overnight a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see them and wonderful to hear about things God is doing in others’ lives and ministries.

We know that things can happen only when God is at work, and have we ever seen answers! Since the beginning of the year we have had special times of prayer Sunday afternoon once a month specifically for church related requests and have had 5 couples attend. Here are just some of the things that have happened:

• Ed has been asked to officiate at 2 funerals.
• Our church was asked to serve a funeral dinner for a 3^rd
• Several counseling opportunities and one of the couples visited our church
• A new teenage boy has been attending
• Ladies provided meals to a non-churched woman following surgery who promised to come to church when she is able
• Ladies have also begun a “Welcome Baby” plan to reach families
• Men are excited about using radio controlled airplanes to reach men and kids

In February, we had a Valentine Hobby Night and got to know each other a little better. Some pretty gifted folks attend our church! Lots of fun!

Ed has been looking for ways to get to know men in the Danville area and has approached the volunteer fire department about being their chaplain. They’ve never had one before but liked the idea and have agreed for him to serve in this way. What an opportunity to help people in their difficult times! And as the men get to know Ed and gain confidence in him, he will have an open door with them. We are excited about what God will do!

Danville is an amazing town! Our basketball team started out the season very well, went on to win district finals, and went to the state championship game with a 28-0 record before losing the final game. The media was amazed at the number of enthusiastic fans coming from little Danville – the most of any team in our division.  Danville was a ghost town for the week, but the stands were a “sea of blue”! To show our church support of the team, we gave complimentary water bottles to everyone riding the buses to the games – a great tool to create awareness of and to promote our church.

A Christian family has contacted us because they are moving to our area. He already has a job in Burlington, but the family cannot join him until they find a house to rent. That will take a miracle; everyone we have talked to tells us the same thing – there are NO rentals available. (We found the same thing when we moved here!) Will you pray with us for this family? We’d love to have them join us.

So, what else are we working on now?  One thing is the radio controlled airplane day which we hope will be our next Community Connection event this spring. Another is a church nursery. On Sunday, March 27, we will be having a free movie night including free popcorn and soda for everyone. This will launch our next series of small group gatherings as we study the family. We are very concerned to reach young families, see them saved and brought into our church.