I just returned from a fantastic whirlwind tour of Joplin, MO. Home of Ozark Christian College, and their “Deeper Life” rally. A small group of our senior high students traveled with me to both have a spiritual retreat and a preview of this great school. I went as both friend and spiritual leader - all to cover a covert mission as a glutton on a spiritual pilgrimage of my own. I returned to the home of “Fred and Red’s” famous “Spaghetti Red” and “Tamale Spread” (read a review here). This unbelievably small and inexpensive restaurant serves up mass amounts of chili everyday. People stand in line to eat at this restaurant which serves maybe thirty at a time. Thankfully our students loved it as much as I did (although I suspect their enthusiasm was not as genuine as my own…thanks for humoring me).
We went other places, Braum’s Ice Cream and Lion’s Choice. Both shrines to my college eating days. But the biggest hit among the students was Imo’s pizza. This we called in for take away so that we might feast on it while picnicing under the St. Louis arch. Imo’s pizza is the definitive place to sample the not as well-known “St. Louis Style Pizza.” Their pizza is served on a thin crust and with provel cheese. This pizza is so popular it can be overnight delivered to anywhere in America for all of you St. Louis ex-pats.
There were other good things that happened on this trip as well. We heard some great messages, experienced great worship, I reconnected with some old friends. But the only thing I have to work off and pay for in the gym is the food. Missouri may be a little lacking in the excitement department - but the “fine cuisine” makes up for it. I will remember this trip, some lessons I learned about life and ministry, the decisions our students made, the fellowship I shared…but right now I’m reliving the food…
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