Greetings all from a small public library in Hinton, West Virginia—a quaint town with cobblestone streets right on the banks of the New River. The last two days have been extremely backbreaking. Yesterday, we left Catawba, VA, and I biked about 50 miles to a sweet state park in West Virginia. The views were amazing, but the road was awful. I had to literally climb up and over two mountains (Potts Peak and Peter Mtn.); then it was up and down, up and down, up and down. It is really hard to do 50 miles a day in the heart of the Appalachians. Someone had already warned me about Route 311 being a "monster." I think such a description actually turned out to be an understatement. Chad rode with me some yesterday; he was indoctrinated quickly into the rigors of bicycling across America. Anyway, this was another day that did not yield many people with whom to share the blessed Gospel. It is starting to become frustrating. I WANT TO PREACH! Nevertheless, we had a few good conversations with people along the highways and at the campground where we crashed last night. Since the angels in heaven rejoice when but one sinner comes to repentance, one-on-one encounters, such as have been common since returning from our side trip up the East Coast, are important. I pray that the Word will not return void in any instance. Last night, it rained, and rained, and rained, all night. It made for a miserable campground clean-up this morning. Yet, we were all so fatigued that Jamie and I slept 12 hours in the truck, and Chad was out at least that long in the tent.

Today, the route mainly followed streams and rivers in the downstream direction. Thus, the climbs were not as ferocious. However, after 45 miles, I was finished. We stopped here in Hinton, grabbed some red meat for dinner, and found a cheap motel room. According to the weather report, it is supposed to rain all night again, and the thoughts of everything getting cold and wet again are repulsive. Besides, in my worn-down physical condition, I do not want to risk getting sick. Today also yielded some good one-on-one witnessing opportunities. Jamie and Chad were able to share with a local farmer that offered them some peaches from his orchard as they waited for me to catch up. I spoke with two elderly ladies walking down the road as well as a man who was re-plastering a 150-year-old church building. I was also able to pray with the lady behind the counter at the podunk motel in which we are crashing. Her father is in a coma. I don't think she had a clue about what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, yet prayer is a powerful thing. There were tears in her eyes when I said "Amen" and handed her a Gospel tract. Incidents such as these are not as "exciting" and "invigorating" as preaching on the streets to innumerable folks passing by, but they are special. I am reminded of the parable where the shepherd left his flock to go after one lost sheep. With each passing day on this epic journey, the Lord continues to show us that our efforts are not about us. They are about Him—He gives the increase; He directs our steps. Without fail, every time our plans are changed by unexpected circumstances, the truth of Romans 8:28 is clearly manifested.

It has really been a joy to have Chad Currin accompany us. He has done some good riding segments and has provided welcome company for Jamie while she waits for me alongside the highway. He has been real good about aiding me with refreshments, keeping my water bottles filled with cold water, and playing navigator on West Virignia backroads. His presence truly is a blessing from the Almighty.

It has also been cool to play the "biking across the country" card in certain situations. This has resulted in several discounts. People have been real friendly up here in the mountains. I must say, however, that the West Virginia accent is a little difficult to understand. I thought my Southern accent was bad, but some of these people actually sound like they are speaking another language.

Though nothing on this earth comes close to mirroring the glories of the believer's eternal home in heaven, I do see some aspects of truth in a line from one of John Denver's well-known tunes—"Almost heaven, West Virginia . . ." The scenery has been extremely beautiful; if anything it helps ease the pains of fatigue. I love big, craggy, snowy mountains like the Himalaya and California's Sierra Nevada (the best mountain range in the world, by the way), yet the Appalachian Chain has a serene beauty that is unmatched. Oh, the glories of the Almighty's handiwork (Amos 4:13)!

I have tried to spend some time on the bicycle praying for the communities I ride through and the seemingly innumerable churches that pass by. It is outrageous and downright puzzling to think that there are so many churches in America, yet we are so far from God and the biblical principles that played a foundational role in the establishment of our great nation. In addition to having reference to actual churches in the first century, I believe that John's letters to the seven Asia Minor churches in the first three chapters of Revelation are also prophetic pictures of stages of church history in this Church Age (from Pentecost to the Rapture of the Church). It is plainly evident that we have sunk into Laodicean lukewarmness and that many churches are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. Laodicea is clearly upon us, and that means that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will return soon to judge this world in righteousness. With each church that I pass on the bike, my prayer is that the local body will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out its Great Commission responsibilities in its respective sphere of influence. Moreover, I pray that where needed, such local bodies will buy of Jesus Christ gold, tried in the fire, that they may be rich, and white raiment that they may be clothed. Moreover, I pray that each will annoint itself with eyesalve that it may see. If revival is to come to America, it must begin in our churches. Away with programmatic approaches to ministry! Rather, may we be about New Testament ministry which is rooted in evangelism and ultimately manifested in the planting of additional New Testament churches.

Well, enough of my preaching. Thank-you all for your prayers and support. The road remains long, but we press on under the banner of the cross. As for you all: Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might! Only the Lord knows where we will be tomorrow night and when I can pen another email.

For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,
Jesse & Jamie Boyd and Chad Currin
Full Proof Gospel Ministries
II Timothy 4:1-5

almost heaven, west virginia