Greetings, beloved brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God who has made peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:14-20).

About three weeks ago, the coast-to-coast bicycle journey for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ finally came to a conclusion in Neah Bay, Washington. Notwithstanding, the work of the ministry and the public proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ carries on. Much has happened.

Yesterday, we arrived in Capulin, New Mexico after nine brutal days of traveling from Washington. We are very much burned out, so we will stay put in this special and familiar place through the Thanksgiving holiday. Many of you might remember that we spent last Thanksgiving here as well. Never would I have thought that the Lord would bring us back. Truly, we are blessed. Anyway, I must not get too far ahead of myself. Let me go back to where we last left off.

After we parted ways from my parents and the Chapman’s in Seattle, Washington, we made our way over to Yakima where I hoped to get a crown put on the tooth that had the emergency root canal surgery last July. Alas, for various reasons, this did not work out; and we are trusting the Lord to provide somewhere down the road. With the onset of winter, it would have been very risky to sit around in Yakima for three weeks anyway (the time the whole process would have taken). So, it was all for the best.

Thus, we stayed in Yakima for a week. This allowed us adequate time to shore up some of our things in storage, dig out some winter clothes, make preparations for me to come back out in January to pick up our stuff, and spend some good quality time with Christian friends we have in the area. We actually parked and hooked up our rig in the driveway of Carl Rogers, a single Christian brother in is early fifties who found out several months ago that he has cancer in his lungs, liver, and pancreas. Doctors recently told him that he only has months to live. ‘Tis truly a sad and depressing situation, but the Lord quickly revealed that he had brought us back to Yakima for a purpose, and it wasn’t about my tooth or picking up some winter clothes from a cold storage room. It was about Carl. He needed a pastor, and I counted it a privilege to take up that roll while we were there. Also, he needed Christian fellowship and help around his house. The Lord orchestrated things so that we were available. The week truly was special, and Carl appeared to actually have fun for the first time in a long while. As for his cancer, he has elected not to take chemotherapy, for it will make him very sick; and the doctors say that it will only delay the inevitable. Notwithstanding, we do not accept the inevitable. Who are the doctors to determine when a man should die? Only the Lord God can give life and take it away. Thus, we are not downtrodden and are praying that the Lord will heal him. We know that he can do it. Please pray with us in this matter.

While in Yakima, we also had some other interesting encounters and witnessing opportunities: a homeless man standing on a street corner near Wal-Mart, a barber who gave me a much-needed trim, a Hispanic cashier, a young mom working in a restaurant, and a woman who had recently recovered from breast cancer. We also put out quite a few Gospel tracts in the community and had the privilege of meeting a Christian sister who runs an espresso stand. In the Pacific Northwest, drive-thru espresso stands are very popular. In fact, Yakima alone boasts over 200. We first noticed “Bella’s Café” by the bold proclamations of the Gospel posted on her sign and the side of the small building. Thus, we decided to give her some business. What followed was sweet Christian fellowship witha single Christian mom whose husband had left her a while before. A couple of days later, we took Carl over there, and all of us gathered around him out in the parking lot to pray for his healing. ‘Twas truly special, and Carl was encouraged. I also got to speak with Isabella’s young son about sharing the Gospel at his school. I gave him some Gospel tracts to share with his friends.

Another seemingly happen-chance situation revealed itself to be a divine appointment from the Lord. We needed to get a roll of black-and-white film developed, so we haphazardly selected this photo shop out of the local phonebook (or so we thought). When we went to pick up the pictures, we took the opportunity to share the Gospel with Jayne, the lady who runs the place. As we were talking about the bicycle ride, some elderly Christian friends of ours from Yakima drove up to the pick-up window to get some of their film. As it turned out, and completely unbeknownst to us, this couple had been doing business with Jayne for many years and had attempted to share the Gospel with her countless times. Because of Jayne’s respect for these folks, her ears were open to the Gospel. She listened and accepted a Gospel tract. The appointment was truly divine, and it was obvious that her spirit was under conviction.

Well, the adventures in Yakima finally came to an end, and we were forced to hit the road. We wept with Carl as we departed. I was reminded of Paul’s departure from the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:17-38.

So, on Thursday (November 11), we drove all the way to Boise, Idaho. Enroute, we stopped at the old Whitman Mission in Walla Walla Washington. Back in the early 1800’s, a Presbyterian family—Marcus and Narcissa Whitman—was sent out by the American Board of Foreign Missions (the forerunner of the Baptist Foreign Mission Board) to establish a Gospel work among the Cayuse Indians and an outpost for travelers on the Oregon Trail. The story is actually an amazing one that you all should investigate. As I sauntered through the fields of grain in that foggy Eastern Washington landscape, I was reminded of the strange and silent ambiance I had observed on the hills of Little Bighorn in Montana last summer. I thought much about those of bygone days who had sacrificed so much for the sake of the Gospel, and I was ashamed. The Whitman’s, in particular, loved the Lord and his Gospel enough to sacrifice all that the words of truth might be spread amongst hostile Indians and droves of pioneers. They labored faithfully for a time only to be massacred by the very people they loved and hoped to see born again into the salvation of Jesus Christ. Of course, the National Park Service makes the place out to be a mere stop along the Oregon Trail and glorifies the culture of the Cayuse Indians while speaking little about the Gospel work of the Whitmans. This is so typical! To make a long story short, I explored the grounds that day and was forced to ask myself some hard questions. Am I willing to sacrifice all for the cause of Jesus Christ? Am I willing to lay down my very life if that is the course he would have me to take? Needless to say, I was humbled. So, I left a few Gospel tracts in a place where the Gospel was once proclaimed, and then we went on our way.

Site of the Whitman Mission along the Oregon Trail

From Walla Walla, we drove across the beautiful Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon and dropped down into Boise, Idaho. Gas is so expensive. Everywhere, it was over $2.00/gallon. In Boise, we found a nice campground and parked things until Saturday (November 13). This allowed us time to hit the streets of the Idaho Capital. Early Friday morning, I went for a long run along a paved pathway beside the Boise River. In this, the Lord gave me the boldness to confront five people with the Gospel as they, too, were out for exercise. Four of these took tracts, and one man became very hostile. By early afternoon, Jamie, Bethany, and I were on the streets. Things began on the campus of Boise State University. There, we handed out some Gospel tracts and snuck into the football stadium. I placed a Gospel tract in the very center of the infamous blue-and-orange turfed field. Hopefully, a member of the undefeated Boise State Broncos football team will find it as he lines up for the kickoff. After putting out some tracts in the Student Union Building, posting tracts on some billboards around campus, and confronting some with the Gospel, we made our way toward downtown. There, we ministered to a homeless man with earthly food and heavenly food. We also prayed with Eddie at a bus-stop. Eddie is a Christian, and his friend, Virgil, has cancer; we prayed for his healing right there on the street. At a local park, some middle school kids were enjoying their lunch break. We were able to share the Gospel with India, Sasha, and Cole. Please pray for their salvation. The day concluded as we saturated the state capitol building with Gospel tracts. It was here that an interesting thing happened. Just the day before, Jamie and I had been questioning the efficacy of tract saturation. Lately, we had found several of these in garbage cans shortly after we had laid them out. As a result, a little depression reared its ugly head. Lord, are we just wasting our time here? At the Idaho State Capitol, he gave us his answer. Out in front of the edifice is a large copper bell mounted on a platform. I went over and laid a Gospel tract right under the bell, thinking that it would be found by someone mischievously trying to ring it. I walked away wondering if it would probably end up in the garbage or trampled in a gutter. From there, I went into the capitol building and put out a few more tracts. When I came back out to meet Jamie and Bethany down on the sidewalk, we immediately saw that two young men had noticed the Gospel tract under the bell. Instead of disdain, we detected excitement. These two were apparently out working on a film project for school, so they were lugging around a video camera. Before we knew it, they were filming each other holding the tract, and one of them finally stuck it into his back pocket. I started to approach but then refrained. The Word of the Lord had done its work. Why should I add or take away anything from it?

Folks, putting out Gospel tracts is not a waste of time, and it is the easiest way to be a witness. If you are too scared to talk to people, then there is no reason why you cannot leave a tract in a public bathroom or a telephone booth. And, not having any extra money to purchase tracts is not a valid excuse. Visit www.fellowshiptractleague.org. They have a variety of solid Gospel tracts that you can get for FREE.

Sowing Seeds on the Streets of Downtown Boise

On Saturday (November 13), we left Boise and made a very scenic drive across Central Idaho. The glories of the Sawtooth Mountains as we dropped into Stanley, the mighty Borah Peak and the Lost River Range in the alpenglow of sunset, and the steep cliffs of Grandview Canyon all made for occasions to praise our Creator. That night, we hoped to stay in the little town of Arco, the first community in all of America to be powered by atomic energy. Over 10 years ago, my friend and I drove through this town while on a road trip, and something intrigued us about it. When we arrived well after dark (Idaho is a big state), all the RV parks were closed for the winter, and I was left wondering about what exactly intrigued me ten years ago. The town had become an absolute dump. I wanted to stay and walk the streets, but we sensed from the Lord the need to press on toward Idaho Falls. I was not happy about this, but we continued nonetheless.

Late Saturday night, we crashed at a KOA in Idaho Falls. The next morning, I decided to go for a jog before packing things up. I carried a handful of tracts and saturated downtown as I ran through. Before I knew it, I had stumbled upon a large Mormon Temple. I wanted to keep running, but the Lord convicted me to ask permission to explore the grounds. The Mormon elders inside the Visitor’s Center suspiciously granted permission, so I walked around and put out some tracts which highlight salvation in Jesus Christ as a FREE GIFT (something the false Mormon religion fails to accept). Anyway, I noticed one of the young elders watching me. The Lord convicted me to approach, and what followed was a long conversation with a young man who is struggling with discrepancies and doubts with regard to his Mormon faith (a very good thing). I just kept going back to the Scriptures and detailing what they have to say about salvation (in contradiction to Mormon teaching). John’s last words to me were an expression of gratitude for inspiring him to further search the Scriptures. For this, I was humbled and grateful to God. ‘Twas truly a divine appointment, and the Gospel light went out in a place of spiritual darkness. Please pray for John and his salvation. Pray that the Evil One will be hindered from stealing the seeds that were planted.

Shortly thereafter, as I was running down a sidewalk alongside the Snake River, I encountered two young kids—a brother and a sister—out looking for their lost dogs. I prayed with them that the Lord would bring their dogs home. I also shared the Gospel with Dakota and Marissa, and they accepted Gospel tracts. They were part of a Mormon home, and Dakota mentioned to me that he liked the Bible, but the Book of Mormon frightened him. He said that he did not believe any of that junk. Please pray for their salvation. Finally, I jogged back into the KOA Campground. Jamie was beginning to wonder about me.

From Idaho Falls, we spent the next couple of days driving down toward Moab, Utah. This involved many miles, the putting out of some Gospel tracts at highway rest areas, and a dangerous crossing of a mountain pass late at night and in thick fog. In Price, Utah, we met a Christian brother working as a gas station attendant. Corey wanted to join the military, but they refused him because he has a heart condition. So, he humbly viewed his simple job to be his way of serving his country. Corey lives in a town that is 90% Mormon. This must be difficult. Please pray that the Lord would help him to be bold.

In Moab, Utah, we spent a couple of restful days. We moseyed through town and put out some Gospel tracts. Also, I enjoyed some sweet fellowship with the Lord in the wilderness as I did extensive hiking in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In the Fiery Furnace of Arches National Park, I almost got lost and stranded in a labyrinth of slot canyons. But, the Lord was good, and it was nice to be on Class 3/4 rock again. In Canyonlands, I drove out a long dirt road, parked the truck, and then did a lengthy eleven-mile loop. The rugged and broken canyon scenery was simply amazing. The time with the Lord in the seclusion of his creation was needful and memorable I also left a Gospel message spelled out in rocks across a large sandstone slab beside the trail. In one way or another, creation will declare the glory of God in that place.

One evening, Jamie, Bethany, and I hiked out to Delicate Arch and beheld the majesty as the sunset cast an eerie alpenglow—one of the most amazing sites in all of America. Jamie carried Bethany in a little backpack, and she fell asleep on the way back out. It was too cute.

On Friday morning (November 19), we left Moab. Right before we pulled out of the RV Park, however, I talked with the manager as he filled my propane tank. Chris had grown up in church and had attended Bible College. “These experiences,” he said, “made me an atheist.” This was truly sad, for he had been turned away by the hypocrisies of lukewarm “Churchianity” and the humanistic ravings of Biblical “scholarship.” We had a long conversation, but he was completely unwilling to consider anything about the Bible, God, or Jesus Christ. Please pray that the Word of Truth somehow pierced his heart of stone and that God will save his soul. And, shame on the “Christian” hypocrites and puffed-up Bible college professors who destroyed his faith in the Bible with their actions and vain babblings (II Timothy 2:16-17).

Originally, we had intended to take several days for crossing Colorado. The weather forecasts, however, predicted a dumping of snow beginning on Saturday. So, with Friday’s good weather before us, we decided to cross the Rocky Mountains and drive the 500+ miles all the way to Capulin, New Mexico. This was a long day’s journey for little Bethany, and we were all worn out by day’s end. The weather was pleasant until the last 25 miles. We ran into a snowstorm outside Capulin of blizzard-like proportions. But, the Lord preserved us, and we were with the Halls at Capulin RV Park by midnight. Again, the Lord delivered us by the skin of our teeth. All of Colorado has been inundated with snow today. I shudder to think about us stranded on a high Rocky Mountain pass somewhere while trying to pull the RV. In Capulin, it has snowed all day. Just down the road in Mt. Dora, they have gotten almost two feet of the white stuff.

So, we will remain in Capulin for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please pray that the fellowship will be sweet and that the respite will sufficiently prepare us for the long miles that still lay ahead. Presently, we are very burned out. I have really struggled with boldness for the past several days and have blown numerous witnessing opportunities. I think we may be trying to do too much. Oh Lord, forgive me.

On December 2, Jamie’s mom is flying out to Oklahoma City to join us for the leg back to North Carolina. Her presence will be a big help. Please pray that she would have traveling mercies. As always, may we continue to be bold. Perhaps the next email will detail more adventures on the streets of more American cities for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

Stay tuned . . . Deo Vindice.

the long road home