Greetings brethren. Presently, I am nursing myself back to 100% and am quite confident that I can get back on the bicycle soon. To clear our heads, Ricky and I drove down here to Skagway, Alaska, hoping for some witnessing opportunities and a little respite back in our own country. Miraculously, my injuries after being run over by that ATV, were minor, as was the damage to the bicycle. A shop owner in Whitehorse, despite being very busy, worked late one night to fix the bike and then wouldn’t charge me a dime for it. That was a real shot of encouragement after battling depression and disheartenment for a couple of days following the attack. I did file a report with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but they did not seem too eager to pursue. I argued that this was a hate crime, and it was; but the response was a mere “We’ll look into it.” Had I been a homosexual or a Muslim in the same situation, there is no doubt in my mind that they would be combing the hills even now, looking for the perpetrator. Truly, our world is turned upside down. Nevertheless, we carry on. The Lord is good; your prayers are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for all the encouraging emails and voice-mails that I received from many of you these past few days. I have no cell phone service in Canada, so I am unable to return the calls, but I could at least receive your messages down here in Skagway. I was greatly strengthened and uplifted by all the kind words and prayers.

Unfortunately, I am saddened to report that the trials and tribulation has not abated. Yesterday, down here in Skagway, we cooked breakfast at a little overlook above the town. While doing so, a busload of tourists from one of the docked cruise ships pulled up to catch the view. As the people loaded back onto the bus, we distributed Gospel tracts without incident. About ten minutes later, a policeman showed up and told us that we had to leave. He also picked up one of our tracts and said that it was against the law for us to distribute “these things” in Skagway. We were required, he said, to obtain a special permit from City Hall. I politely protested, arguing that the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States afforded us the freedom to share our faith without a permit. I also informed him that several clear United States Supreme Court rulings, one as recent as 2002, stated that it was unconstitutional for any municipality to restrict or require a license for the distribution of religious literature (e.g. Schneider v. New Jersey; Lovell v. City of Griffin, GA; Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York v. Village of Stratton). Of course, this only angered the officer, and he replied: “Son, you’re not in North Carolina anymore. This is Skagway, Alaska.” I then came back, “Well sir, this is the United States of America, and the same Constitutional protections afforded us in North Carolina apply to us here in Alaska.” He got his dander up, said something about making a Constitutional battle, and then stormed out of there. It was clearly communicated, in my opinion, that we would face arrest if we tried to distribute tracts anywhere on city property.

I actually looked up the city code of ordinances and was amazed to note a blatantly unconstitutional provision (8.02.090) that not only required the obtaining of a special permit to distribute literature but demanded the payment of a $100.00 bond for the issuance of said permit. After speaking with my attorney at the Alliance Defense Fund, I was confident that this ordinance would not stand up in federal court and that we should carry on as planned.

Today, with one cruise ship still in dock, there were people milling about downtown. Ricky and I canvassed the town and distributed a number of Gospel tracts, praying for divine protection and blindness on the part of the authorities. The same police officer from the day before was roaming around, but he never seemed to take notice of what we were doing. I believe the Lord blinded his eyes. All in all, ‘twas a good day of labor and helped me to put the ATV hit-and-run out of my head.

*We gave out Gospel tracts on the streets in Skagway anyway.*

Regardless, this ordinance needs to be challenged and protested, at least in some small way. In a small corner of Alaska, of all places, we were told that we could not share our faith in Jesus Christ. Truly, America is turned upside-down. There is something we can do to at least bring the issue to the table in this small town.

Please telephone or email the Skagway Chief of Police or the Mayor and express your concerns over the above-mentioned ordinance and the treatment that Ricky and I received as fellow-Americans simply desiring to share Jesus Christ with others through harmless Gospel tracts. If we flood these offices with emails or phone calls, as many of you did back when my brother and I were arrested in Hickory, North Carolina, perhaps other believers who come to Skagway to share their faith will be protected from harassment. Here is the relevant contact information:

Chief Ray Leggett, Skagway City Police
907-983-2232
r.leggett@skagway.org

Thomas Cochran, Mayor of Skagway
907-983-2297
t.cochran@skagway.org

A wise man once said, “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” Let me adlib: “Freedom is lost when Christian people say nothing.” Please assist us in this matter.

Aside from the incident with the Skagway Police, yesterday was refreshing. A mere three days after being run over by an ATV, I decided to assess the state of my health by climbing A.B. Peak. The trailhead is just outside of Skagway and starts around sea level. The summit, five miles later, is over 5,000 ft. The Lord saw me to the top after a brutal slogfest; I needed that time alone in the wilderness to clear my head. ‘Twas cloudy, typical Southeast Alaska, but the scenery was incredible amidst the rocks and tundra grasses above treeline. The seaport of Skagway and the docked cruise ships were visible thousands of feet below, and sick peaks with huge glaciers were all around. All was quiet on the summit, and I made up a little summit register with a tract and a Gospel of John. Navigating thick brush (prime grizzly habitat) on the way down that evening made me a little nervous. I simply sang old hymns very loudly so as not to suddenly startle any dangerous wildlife. Finally, I made it back to the road, and Ricky gave me a ride back to the hotel room he had gotten for us that afternoon. Though a little sore, the time alone with the Lord in the woods was good. It was impressed upon me strongly that we should carry on.

Despite the tribulation, much has happened for which we all can rejoice since my last major update in Stewart, British Columbia more than two weeks ago. I am currently working on an update detailing these things and hope to get it out to you sometime tomorrow. Truly, the Lord has been good; and undoubtedly, many of your prayers have been answered.

This Lord’s Day, we left Skagway on a good note. Over breakfast at a smoky corner cafe, I overheard a waitress talking about how bad things had been for her lately. I sensed a conviction to engage her, sharing my experience with a few recent bad days (if you know what I mean). While blessing her with a very healthy tip, I spoke of Jesus Christ and how He had changed my life. She said, “I need a life change, and promise to read this,” pointing to the tract I had given here. I know this was a divine appointment. Besides, I heard someone recently say how he was giving out much larger tips than normal in restaurants. “I would rather,” he spoke, “see these hard working people get it than for the Obama government to take it from me in taxes.” Good idea, I suppose.

After this encounter, we drove back to Whitehorse without any trouble crossing back into Canada. Today, I thought that I could resume the journey. It didn’t happen. My legs started hurting really bad yesterday evening, and this morning, I could hardly walk. So, we had to fork out more funds for lodging, this time a quaint little cabin overlooking the Yukon River (cheaper than an actual hotel room). Please pray hard that I can resume pedaling Monday morning. I am concerned about the days we are losing.

*Lodging in a Quaint Cabin on the Yukon River outside Whitehorse*

Please keep praying for us, particularly for our safety. Twice on this journey (once on Mt. Sinopah and also with that ATV), I came dangerously close to death and complete derailment of this mission. In both cases, the Lord miraculously delivered. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). We press on.

Jesse Boyd

even in skagway