Jesse Boyd, an itinerant evangelist for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, to faithful brothers and sisters scattered across the fruited plain. Peace from Almighty God through the one mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5).

Today was an extremely weird yet fulfilling day in the nomadic ministry of the Word. Things started this morning around 10:00am when Chad and I began pedaling from Burnt Chimney along the Jubal Anderson Early (an enigmatic Confederate general whose exploits in the Shenandoah Valley have long interested me) Highway. I became aggravated because I had hoped to get started by 7:00am. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as it would later turn out), an unfamiliar alarm clock was not set right and we did not wake up until after 8:00am.

This seeming aggravation would bring about provision from God. His ways are definitely not our ways; they are much higher and abundantly overflowing with divine wisdom. Anyway, after a grueling ascent up and over Lynville Mountain, I began a much anticipated descent into the Roanoke Basin. At the bottom of the hill, Jamie and Chad were waiting for me in a parking lot and talking to a stranger. As it turned out, the Lord put Mark, a Bible-believing Christian who had moved to Roanoke from Ohio, into our path. A couple of neat things happened. First of all, we had been looking for an atlas/gazetteer of West Virginia that includes all the back roads. I already had ones for North Carolina and Virginia, and these have proved extremely valuable. However, the ones I use are often difficult to find for certain states and quite expensive. Just yesterday, I was talking to Jamie about how we needed to find one of these for West Virginia since the route would take us into this state tomorrow. West Virginia is definitely going to be tricky because it seems like the only direct routes are interstates. Anyhow, just before I rode up, Mark had asked Jamie where we were headed to next. She replied, “West Virginia.” He then reached behind his seat and said, “Then, you are going to need this.” He handed her an Atlas/Gazetteer of West Virginia backroads—a specific provision from God. After we talked for awhile, he offered to contact his Christian parents in Monroe, Ohio (they live right along the route we plan to take) and see if they would house us for a night or two. By such time, we will definitely need a shower, bed, and a home-cooked meal. After Roanoke, we don’t really know anyone between here and Michigan. Yet, the Lord has always proven himself faithful, as He did today. It now looks like we will have a brief refuge from the road in Monroe, Ohio. Had we not overslept, Mark would have never seen us while driving down the road enroute to a business appointment. Thus, he never would have stopped, and we would have missed out on spiritual edification and divine provision.

The route then took us through downtown Roanoke. There were numerous people out and about, and we were able to distribute quite a few Gospel tracts. The Word thus went forth. As I around the downtown avenues, I would stop every couple of blocks, preach a few words, and hand out tracts as people passed by. On one occasion, two women walked by, and one of the ladies accepted a tract. The other showed little interest, but then returned a few minutes later and asked me if I would give her a Gospel tract as well. May her granted request lead to everlasting life. There were also interesting encounters with a group of kids out riding their bicycles and the employees of a local Subway.

From Roanoke, the route took us along VA 311 North out of the Roanoke Basin, up and over Catawba Mountain (a brutal climb), across the Appalachian Trail, and into the small mountain community of Catawba. As I was climbing Catawba Mountain, a nasty storm started brewing, and I was afraid that Chad was lagging somewhere behind and would get caught in it. I knew Jamie was waiting for us in Catawba, but did not realize that she had picked Chad up before the road started its steep ascent. Thank God! As soon as I pedaled into Catawba, a nasty storm hit with ferocity. The lightning and the thunder were amazing, and the rain pelted with real force. Once again, the timing was divinely perfect. The very second I loaded the bike into the trailer, the heavens dumped. We were all safe and sound, but the rest of the afternoon was nasty. The total ride today was around 35 miles. We were still not too far outside of Roanoke (as far as automobile travel is concerned), so we headed back to my uncle’s house where we are enjoying one last night in a sweet pad.

Tomorrow, we head up VA 311 into West Virginia. Hopefully, we can make it to Lewisburg, a distance of about 75 miles up a road that someone described to me as a “monster.” Please pray for strength, mental determination, and boldness to preach the Gospel. It looks like the next week or so will be spent sleeping in the truck and/or the tent. Therefore, please join with us as we pray for good weather. The afternoon thunderstorms, that have been so common since this ride began, are starting to grow burdensome. Yet, the Lord’s protection has always manifested itself at the very moment it was needed.

Alas, the night is far spent, and I must rest up for tomorrow. I do not know when we will have internet access, so it may be a while before many of you hear from us again. Please continue to make intercession before the Father for our well-being and our resolve to fulfill the ministry which we have received from the Lord.

In Subservience to the Maker of Heaven and Earth,

Jesse Boyd, Jamie Boyd, and Chad Currin
Full Proof Gospel Ministries
Amos 4:13

burnt chimney to catawba