nothing spectacular
It was a rough and rainy day trying to make it to Bruces Crossing on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Greetings in the name of the Most High God, and may grace be upon your spirits through Jesus Christ:
It has been almost a week since our last correspondence, and we apologize. Much has happened, and there has been no access to the internet. The last epistle was penned, as you might recall, in a high school library in Munising, Michigan. Immediately after I walked outside to resume pedaling, I noticed a group of high school boys from a shop class looking at my bicycle. Thus ensued an encounter which resulted in the proclamation of the Gospel and the distribution of a handful of Gospel tracts. The wind was especially rough that afternoon, but I finally made it to Marquette at the end of an 85-mile day.
Marquette is the largest city on Michgan’s Upper Peninsula, and it is mostly a college town (University of Northern Michigan). The setting was quaint, the blue waters of Lake Superior were intoxicating, and the city streets seemed to be a microcosm of San Francisco’s hilly avenues. The people, however (many of which were college kids), seemed quite rude. As I pedaled through downtown, I heard numerous blasphemous remarks thrown my way as the “Jesus Saves” banner unfurled behind the bicycle. Nonetheless, I pressed on to find those two homes I had been asked to visit by that young man back in Niles. Jamie went into town ahead of me, and we had been praying that we could locate the two streets. Amazingly, she stumbled onto both of them by seeming accident. With this specific answer to prayer, we both expected something big to happen, something spiritually spectacular. God obviously had a purpose for us finding these places. We were even hoping that one of the families might give us some shelter for the night.
I knocked first on Dan & Nancy’s front door on West Ridge Avenue. Nancy came to the door, and I explained who I was and why I had been sent. I shared that I ran into her nephew back in Niles and that he cared about their spiritual welfare more than anything. He had sent me to relay his prayers that they might possess the grace and salvation that is only found in Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the World. Because of the blasphemy already heaped my way in Marquette, I expected a rude retort. Actually, this lady was quite friendly. We talked for a few minutes; she thanked me for coming by; and she took a couple of Gospel tracts, promising to read them. May God’s Word not return void.
I then pedaled over to Front Street to find Paul & Carol. Once again, I was apprehensive about the reception, but I knew God had orchestrated things for me to be there. Anyway, Carol came to the door, heard my story, and then invited me into the backyard to meet her husband. He invited me inside for a Coke, and the three of us sat at the kitchen table for a few minutes. Generally speaking, they were both receptive and took Gospel tracts. Yet, nothing spiritually spectacular happened. I was puzzled. After quenching my thirst at the table, we said our goodbyes, and I was on my way. I was a little disappointed that neither family opened up their home to us (we had been praying for this all day). Nevertheless, Paul had pointed us in the direction of a sweet little campground right in town. It turned out to be real cheap, and it had some nice hot showers with good water pressure. This chain of events also resulted in the Gospel going out to three college kids who were working in the campground office. The Lord’s ways are always higher than ours. As to the two families, God answered our prayers about finding them specifically. We really believed that He was going to do something big. From our limited perspective, He did not. However, in the puzzled state of my mind, God reminded me that our journey and the specifics thereof is about obedience, not results. The results are up to the Spirit of God. Thanks for the prayers that you all offered up to the Throne of Grace for this situation. The Lord gave me boldness and the right words to say at the right time. We can simply rest assured that the Word went out, and seeds were planted. Perhaps these encounters helped plow fallow spiritual ground. Now, maybe the Lord will give the young man who sent us the blessing of leading his relatives to Jesus Christ at some point in the future.
On my way to reunite with Jamie after these encounters, I also was able to witness to two young boys riding their bicycles. David and Alan were both very receptive, and I told them that I would have many people praying for their salvation. Please bring these two young boys before our Heavenly Father in your prayers.
At the campground in Marquette, we finally bedded down to the lullaby of the wind rustling in the trees. Another long day had come to a close.
God provided a nice little camping spot at a city park in Marquette.
Thursday dawned sunny and very windy. My legs were wasted. After piddling around in downtown Marquette for awhile, I decided to press west. A few hours spent getting some lunch and servicing my bicycle resulted in some additional witnessing encounters. More seeds were planted. The headwind on Hwy. 41 was horrendous. As the route left the shores of Lake Superior, the terrain became hilly, so the going was slow. Nonetheless, the scenery of the wooded hills was eyepleasing. After 31 miles, we decided to hunker down at Van Riper State Park just outside of Champion. We found a sweet camping spot under the shadow of some tall fir trees. The night was another period of respite in the back of the truck. The stars were amazing; the campfire was warm; and the dark silhouettes of the trees seemed to stand guard. Other than the raucousness of three raccoons playing around our camp, the long night was peaceful.
Another nice camp spot, this one in Champion, Michigan
Friday brought rain. It was 60 miles to Bruce’s Crossing, our goal for the day. We prayed for the rain to cease, but instead, it blew in sheets. What resulted truly tried the soul. The wind cut like a knife, and when one sees 6.5 mph on his speedometer while pedaling DOWNHILL with ALL his might, one knows that something is wrong. I prayed and prayed that the Lord would calm the wind and take away the rain. The God of all creation remained silent. Had we been forsaken? Then, in the still small voice of my spirit, I realized that instead of doubting Him, I needed to trust Him. Could anything positive result from such trying circumstances? Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The headwind, though toilsome, caused the “Jesus Saves” banner to remain continually unfurled behind my bicycle. Thus, every car that passed by was forced to consider this succinct Gospel truth. My prayer: “Lord, if this headwind means that the message will go out more clearly and that some poor soul will consider its message unto everlasting life, then keep it blowing; and I will pedal in your power.” Had I pedaled west to east with the wind like many folks encouraged me to do, the Gospel banner would have been quite pointless. The persistent tailwind would have kept it pressed to my back, unrecognizable to the myriad of passersby.
Rain and headwinds made for rough pedaling.
In Kenton, MI (17 miles from Bruces Crossing), the rain became more intense, so I pulled over under the awning of a US Forest Service ranger station. While waiting out the storm, a ranger came outside so as to go home for the day. I had an interesting conversation with Jeff. He had once pedaled from the UP of Michigan to Wyoming, so he could relate to my story. As a result, he was open and receptive when I shared the Gospel of Christ with him. He took a Gospel tract and promised to read it. I also mentioned how Jamie and I were willing to stop and have our baby somewhere unfamiliar, if need be, so as to remain faithful to the ministry in which God had called us. This really impressed his pioneering spirit, and, I believe, opened his heart to the Gospel. To Jeff, I was able to make FULL PROOF of our ministry (II Timothy 4:5). Please pray for this young man’s salvation. Had there been no rain, wind, or stormy conditions that day, I would never have run into him. Other witnessing encounters of the day included an old man at a roadside park, and two ladies at a gas station where we sought temporary shelter.
Jamie ran into two Christian folks from Montana as she waited for me at a roadside park. Herb & Vonnie were very kind. They gave us some money to buy a hot lunch (which we did). Their home is in Kalispell, right along our proposed route. It was offered up to us as a place of respite when we arrive. All praise to the Lord.
Around, 6:00pm, I rolled into Bruce’s Crossing. About 90 miles due south, one of my cousins and his family live in Tomahawk, WI. I had never met them, but Charles (pastor of Berean Baptist Church) graciously agreed to let us crash at his home for some rest. I had been pedaling four straight days, and we really wanted to attend a local Baptist church on the Lord’s Day. We drove up Friday night, and the Scheele’s were very kind to us. Their young son gave up his bed, and we were able to do some laundry. Moreover, we were well-fed.
We enjoyded some kind hospitality in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
On Saturday, I went to the Toyota place in Rhinelander, WI to have the truck serviced. One of the mechanics noticed some metal filings when he changed the fluid in the rear differential. What resulted was another seeming delay. Nevertheless, we were able to share the Gospel with Mark & Stephanie at the Toyota dealership. They were very open and receptive. Please pray for their salvation.
To make a long story short, we now had some time to kill. Through my brother, I heard that a newly married friend of ours was living in Green Bay with his wife. I could have kicked myself for not knowing this last week when we were IN Green Bay. Anyway, we decided to drive down on Sunday after church to visit with them. The rest of Saturday was spent hanging around with the Scheeles. I also spent some time walking up and down the streets of Tomahawk. A lot of teenagers were hanging out on the corners, so I was able to preach the Gospel to them and hand out a few Gospel tracts.
On Sunday, it was refreshing to worship in a house of God and to be spiritually fed. After services, we drove to Green Bay and were welcomed into the home of the Palmers. We fellowshipped all afternoon, went to church with them that evening, and were able to return to this sweet café Jamie and I had visited the week before. We went to bed Sunday night with all intentions of going back to Rhinelander on Monday so as to take the truck in again.
Fortunately, the head mechanic looked at the metal filings and saw that it was nothing to be concerned about, so they did not need the truck on Monday. We decided to remain at the Palmer’s for another day. I took Jamie to buy some maternity clothes (she is starting to need them), and she cooked a magnificent dinner that we had waiting when our hosts returned home from work. Last night’s fellowship was spiritually encouraging and edifying. Monday’s respite also allowed for the rain to clear out. Today is bright and beautiful.
As soon as I finish penning this update in the Palmer home, we will drive back to Tomahawk and visit with the Scheele’s for a few minutes, pay the service bill at the Toyota place, and drive back to Bruce’s Crossing. I hope to pedal at least 20 miles before sundown. Please pray that the Lord will provide us a place to camp and that we will encounter many lost souls for the sake of the Gospel. Also, pray that this beautiful weather holds. The nights can be quite chilly now. Duluth, Isle Royale, and the Boundary Waters Region of the Far North, here we come!
Until our next adventure, we are most affectionately yours and unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all.
Jesse & Jamie Boyd
Full Proof Gospel Ministries
Philippians 1:29