When it comes to finding good places for tea/coffee and conversation, it’s pretty easy for me to stay in Lawrence where one is spoiled for choice. Early in the new year, I decided to be a bit more adventurous and drive “out to the country” east of Lawrence, to drink in the spectacular, snowy beauty of the Kansas landscape, and visit tea stops along the way.

I took U.S. Highway 24 toward Tonganoxie, a growing town if judged by the number of new houses erected there. By Lawrence standards, parking was easy, although some cars commandeered a double parking space. I sauntered down East Fourth Street, where I found ample opportunity to purchase snow shovels, second-hand furniture, have my nails and hair done, get a winter tan, open a bank account and even make funeral arrangements – but finding a tea shop was challenging. The only named Cafe, “Pammy Sue’s Hometown Bakery and Cafe” is closed on weekends, a time when Lawrence folks tend to flock to such places. I eventually sallied into Bitler’s BBQ & Steak at 416 E. Sixth St. It’s more restaurant than cafe, and it was filled with locals having Saturday morning breakfast. After a short wait, I managed to get a mug of hot tea (with a Lipton’s tea bag) and milk, two slices of toast, with orange marmalade for a bargain: $2.65. The full menu looked enticing.

Replenished, I drove past Stranger Creek toward Basehor to “What’s New Bagel and Espresso Bar” on Kansas Avenue. It looked inviting, but it was closed in spite of “open” signs, so pit-stop plans were postponed.

I meandered toward Bonner Springs and pulled into a strip mall at the intersection of Highway 7 and Kansas Avenue to find my bearings, and discovered Java Jo’s tucked in the corner of the parking lot like a well-kept secret, but open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It’s a bright, spacious place with pleasant decor, furnished with large comfortable leather chairs and granite-topped tables. It was the perfect surprise place to relax and reflect, although Internet access is available for those who need to work.

There’s a good coffee selection, including an English toffee latte.

The tea selection is limited to black or raspberry tea. I chose the former and part-time barista Patty Bradshaw, a fourth-grade teacher from Kansas City handed it to me with a warning.

“Be careful; the water is extremely hot.”

This was music to my ears. Boiling water brings out the flavor in the lowliest of teas, in this case a humble teabag.

Bradshaw told me the two-year-old coffee shop is owned and operated by Crossroads World Outreach Church, and is named after its pastor – Rev. Jo Smith. The church holds Sunday services at Piper High School, but has its office next door to the coffee shop.

“It was a chance thing,” Bradshaw explained. “After moving into the double unit, we realized we didn’t need so much office space. There weren’t any other coffee shops around the area at the time, so we felt we could provide good service and help build community around here.”

The cafe’s namesake, and weekday barista, Jo Smith, has been a pastor for 45 years. He sees no conflict between his role as pastor and barista.

“I get to meet people from all walks of life,” he explained. “They seem more open to sharing their stories and problems over a cup of coffee. Outreach is an important part of our church’s focus, and this is a perfect opportunity for that.”

The church is searching for a new site to build, but meantime he enjoys learning more about coffee-roasting, meeting new people, and the challenges posed by new coffee shops opening in nearby Shawnee Mission.

New customer Lara McInerney, an attorney specializing in intellectual property law, stumbled upon the place like me.

“I’m very impressed with it,” she enthused, “and I’m delighted to find a comfortable place to relax and read.”

She recommended the caramel macciato, the cafe’s most popular latte, and the freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

We sipped and shared our stories, and found we had much in common. Two strangers searching for a good cafe, found it unexpectedly at Java Jo’s in Bonner Springs, and parted friends.