north dakota, south dakota
Pedaling into the Wind on a Lonely North Dakota Highway
The following update was written the other night. I have finally found a library and am emailing it from Crofton, Nebraska.
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, God of the Universe:
I am writing this from Sioux Falls in the bottom southeast corner of South Dakota. How we got here is a long and somewhat frustrating story, at least from a human perspective. Then, what we were greeted with here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city, was just plain sad. But first, here is how we ended up here.
We departed the Wehner home in northwestern Minnesota on Saturday morning (October 11). A storm system coming down from Canada was dropping a cold rain when we awoke Saturday with the intention of pedaling due west from Greenbush. This, coupled with a nasty headwind, drove us to consider another latitude change. So, after pondering over the map, we dropped straight south about 150 miles to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. While it was undoubtedly raining along the previous route, the skies were clear and the temperatures a little warmer in Fergus Falls. This change of plans also allowed us to hit a Wal-Mart and stock up on much needed groceries. It had been awhile, and we were in dire need. Also, of no small importance, were the opportunities to proclaim the Gospel that such change created—a waitress, a young mother, and the front desk clerk. The latter was of particular importance. Not able to find a suitable place for camping, we were forced to settle for a motel room. Everything was booked even though we were seemingly out in the middle of nowhere. Such was beyond my understanding. Anyway, we finally went to the Comfort Inn, knowing that it would probably be too expensive. It was, but when the young lady enquired about our purpose, she offered us a nice discount. This immediately opened the door for the Blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ. She seemed very receptive. May the Word of the Lord work effectually in her heart unto everlasting life. As I checked out the next morning, I was also able to give a Gospel tract to the young man working behind the desk.
On Sunday morning, I pedaled due west from Fergus Falls, MN along state route 210. The rolling grain fields, sparkling lakes, and clear sunshine made for a pleasant ride. Twenty-five miles later, I crossed the state line into North Dakota. Crossing state lines always gives a sense of accomplishment. Shortly thereafter, we got lost looking for Highway 127. This set up a witnessing opportunity with a college student from Montana. From there, the headwind turned nasty.
Crossing state lines always brings a sense of accomplishment.
It was about 23 miles straight south into South Dakota, and a grueling 23 miles it was. We intended to make it all the way to this state park, but the wind made it an impossibility. Shortly after we crossed the state line, however, we found this sweet little city park in Rosholt. After 64 miles, I was ready to call it a day. As I pedaled up, Jamie was talking to an old woman who had expressed joy at our Christian signs. She went on and on about how she lived in this big house with plenty of extra room since her children were all grown up. We kept waiting for her to invite us home for the night, but she never did. Even after she asked about our accommodations for the night and we expressed uncertainty, the invitation never came. Maybe we should have asked. Anyway, the city park was free, and there was access to drinking water. The setting was also unique in that it was at the base of some giant grain silos. Needless to say, we awoke early to the sounds of trucks and boxcars being filled with grain.
North Dakota, 23 miles, South Dakota
Today’s bicycle route came to a screeching halt after only 20 miles. On my way out of Rosholt, I offered a Gospel tract to a woman taking a morning walk. Then, it was hard pedaling right into the wind. Yesterday, the wind was out of the south as I pedaled south. Today, it was out of the west as I pedaled west. Go figure? When the road finally did turn south, there were 14 miles of road construction. The top layer of asphalt had been ripped up and what was left seemed to be full of divots. I knew Jamie was at least ten miles up the road and that the potential for a broken spoke was high. Thus, I prayed specifically that God would protect the spokes. Keep in mind that I was riding on my backup wheel. The other one already had a broken spoke from a few days earlier, and I had found no bicycle shop that could repair it. Not five minutes after this prayer was uttered, I heard a snap. The spoke broke and the wheel went severely out of line. I was out in the middle of nowhere. So, I just sat down on the side of the road and waited for God to do something. Eventually Jamie drove back to look for me.
A Bicycle Breakdown in the Middle of Nowhere
To make a long story short, we ended up having to drive 150 miles due south on Interstate 29 so to find the nearest bicycle shop. They are few and far between out here. Enroute, we were saddened to see both of our banners ripped from the sides of our trailer by the wind. When it rains, it pours. Anyway, they were unsalvageable, and we were now faced with a trailer that bore no Gospel message. We were both very uncomfortable with this. Such a message had been greatly used of the Lord heretofore, and the absence thereof was unthinkable. This became even more apparent as we saw several road construction workers glance our way as we rode down the interstate. Instead of being confronted with “Jesus Saves” in large red letters, they saw nothing but the side of a dirty white Haulmark Trailer. This had to be remedied.
We finally pulled into Sioux Falls, South Dakota and were happy to see that the phone book listed several bicycle shops. I also called this sign place, and it looks like we might be able to have something painted on the trailer tomorrow. At least the guy seemed anxious to help us out. I don’t think he is a Christian, so we are praying that God uses the encounter to reconcile a soul unto himself. Then, the sad part came . . .
We desperately wanted to avoid paying for a motel room this night. Our budget is real tight, and we are trying to be the best possible stewards of the Lord’s money. Anyway, we prayed that the Lord would put another Christian family into our path who would graciously open their homes to us. After waiting for some time in a gas station parking lot, my attention was drawn to Matthew 10:11-15. In verse 11, the word “enquire” was convicting. Maybe we just needed to ask. So, I found a phone book and looked up a couple of local Baptist churches. One number was actually the pastor’s house, and it turned out to be an “Independent Fundamentalist Bible-believing Baptist Church”, seemingly of the same mold as our home sending church. The pastor was very friendly and expressed that some personal family reasons would prevent him from opening his home to us, but he gave us the phone number of a couple from his church that were, in his words, “very godly and would undoubtedly be glad to hear from us.” So, it looked as if the Lord would provide. However, what we stumbled upon was not a “very godly couple who would be glad to hear from us.” After I called and explained our situation, I was instead greeted with an interrogating lecture about why my story did not make sense and that my motives seemed suspicious. I then was forced to endure the lambasting of a man who claimed not to know me (which he did not) out of one side of his mouth, yet saw fit out of the other side to accuse me of not properly taking care of my wife and unborn child by living on the road. It was all capped off by some twisted interpretation of the Apostle Paul’s ministry which in blunt terms translated: “Get a job, and you will not have to worry about falling back on the charity of others.” At this point, I thanked the guy for his consideration (Matthew 5:44 was before my mind’s eye) and said “God bless you,” hoping to heap coals of fire (Romans 12:20-21). Before I could hang up, he actually had the nerve to say, “Well, may God bless you and your ministry. I hope your work proves fruitful. Good luck.” Plainly speaking, this made me want to hurl. James 2:16-17 and I John 3:17 immediately came to mind. If any of you who are reading this are unfamiliar with these passages, I suggest you read them. Such clear disobedience to Galatians 6:10 is unfathomable to me from someone who claims to be a “born again Fundamentalist Bible-believing Christian.” All I could think of was this: “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me” (Matthew 25:45). Alas, Laodicea is upon us. Why am I surprised? Thus, we had to settle for another motel room. Both of us desperately needed showers. This also set up a few more witnessing opportunities—the lady at the front desk, a woman on the side of the road with a flat tire, and a father/son also on the scene offering help to the stranded driver. May the Word of the Lord go forth with power despite the lukewarmness of those calling themselves “Christians” who know not how to open their bowels of compassion.
On a side note . . . Skip & Cheryl Mills, Scott & Cara Mizener, Paul & Cora Wright, Charles & Joy Scheele, Frank & Debbie Bauer, Scott & Brenda Olson, Bob & Diane Dalberg, Tim & Wende Wehner: If any of you are reading this, we once again express our gratitude. In one way or another, all of you gave of yourselves to us, whom you knew not from Adam, helping us along in this journey, not with a spirit of suspicion, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). After what we encountered here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, your sacrifices seem all the more thankworthy. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). For those out there claiming the name of Christ, yet ever shutting up their bowels of compassion, I have but one word to speak: ICHABOD. True Christianity is more than a Sunday social club or the ability to recite “correct doctrine.” Rather, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). As for those who consider it so important to possess “correct doctrine,” Titus 2:1-2 makes it plain that sound doctrine includes CHARITY, TEMPERANCE, and PATIENCE. Finally, to everyone on this newsletterl list: You are beloved, and “we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak” (Hebrews 6:9).
Please forgive the ranting and raving. Sometimes it is just good to get a few things off the chest. This being said, there is one more thing I must make clear. I need not defend myself against charges of not taking care of my family by living on the road. God is my defender. Nonetheless, I will once again re-emphasize that my wife and unborn child our partners in this ministry, not tag-a-longs. Their presence and participation is invaluable. Jamie’s testimony alone, that of a pregnant woman living on the road for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, has proven a very effective bridge to the life-changing power of the Gospel on numerous occasions. Let me express myself clearly in the words of the late Keith Green:
“I pledge my wife to heaven for the Gospel, though our love each passing day just seems to grow. As I told her when we wed, I’d surely rather be found dead than to love her more than the One who saved my soul . . . I pledge my son [in our case = unborn child] to heaven for the Gospel, though he is kicked and beaten, ridiculed, and scorned. I will teach him to rejoice and lift a thankful praising voice, and to be like him who bore the nails and crown of thorns.”
Well, I must go. The hour is very late. Please pray that I can get my bicycle fixed tomorrow and somehow get a Gospel message back onto our trailer. More importantly, pray that these seemingly inconvenient circumstances create excellent opportunities for the public proclamation of the Truth. More specifically, we humbly ask all of you to really start praying that God will put more Christians in our path who will open up their homes to us. Most campgrounds are starting to close for the season, so facilities will be severely limited. Moreover, we simply cannot afford to stay in motels every night. More than ever, we must rely on our Heavenly Father’s provision.
Lord willing, we will proceed straight west from here into Platte, SD by the end of the week. There, we will be able to hook up with Jamie’s father for a few days. He is out here on a hunting trip. We’ll keep everyone posted. Hopefully, I can find a library so that this can be emailed soon.
Until then, we are most affectionately yours in the highest calling known to man—bearing forth the precious seed of the precious Gospel.
Jesse & Jamie Boyd
Full Proof Gospel Ministries
Luke 9:4-5