Wow!  My first stop of 200 ends 4-11-2010.  I was to leave after Easter Sunday Service but all Hell came against me just 5 days prior so things went but the enemy lost.  Thank GOD that HE has given me a clear conscience before HIM! So with help I was able to leave Chesterfield Virginia on Tuesday the 6th, day of March.  I spent the first night at Dixie Caverns Campground in Virginia because I was fighting to stay awake.  I don’t know if it was due to the altitude change as last October I was diagnosed with heart disease or if it was GOD as I was blessed much in the stop over.  By the way the symptoms of the heart disease have much decreased over the six months that have passed and was confirmed by a medical doctor just two weeks ago and this without medication!  Praise GOD!!! 

  The next day my journey continued and I was able to make it to Rural Retreat, Virginia as the same symptoms occured.  Yet again I was blessed and even more so than the day before.  Rural Retreat, Virginia who knew that it even existed?  At least not me and I’m from Virginia!  A beautiful natural lake with the backdrop of the BlueRidge Mountians!  The stars did I see more vividly than before.  Did I mention that the campground was closed for the season, that I was made to be welcome and I had the place all to myself with the exception of a few fisherman, cruisers and frequent security patrols by the local and state police officers?  Looked and sounds like GOD to me!  I was blessed in that three generations of believers who worked together at Bentley’s Garage detailed my “JESUS Truck” in support of the Journey. (Pictures to be uploaded).

  Later I was welcomed into the home of Sharon Baptist Church’s Pastor and his wife; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rutherford of Rural Retreat, Virginia.  Later I enjoyed the Wednesday night service and was made welcome by the local body in attendance there.  Then to my exclusive campsite I went and had a good nights sleep.

  On Thursday I continued on the journey.  As I approached Appalacian County, Virginia I was taken by the river that flowed alongside the roadway and stopped at the first pullover to marvel at it.  I had just recently stumbled on a feature of my new camera in that it records video with sound.  So I had what would seem to be a bright idea at the time.  I set the camera on a rock so I could go ahead of it and wave to my friends and family all the while capturing the beauty of the rushing water sound and all.  The good news is that the camera worked fine as it captured all that and more.  I hope to learn how to upload the video for you all to see soon.  Suffice it to be said that I can’t walk on water yet!  You’ll have to see the video to get the most out of it!

  Anyway Eureka I made it to the Kentucky State Line.  Only to be met with rain and darkness as I transversed  Black Mountain. (Kentucky’s Highest Elevation of more than 4,000 feet above sea level).  Surely the air at that altitude was no longer a concern of mine.  I’ve never imagined such steep inclines and winding roads and for Pete’s sake would someone buy and install guardrails for Kentucky and all that may travel by this route?  Pass the plate as I would be glad to contribute to this cause and sleep better for it!  The good news is that I made it through with GOD”S devine help despite the rain darkness and my fears.  One last thing about this particular stretch in the journey, I have a clearer understanding of the phrase; “Daniel Boone was a man, yes a real man…..”!  For all of you that did’nt get that,  just do it yourself and may GOD be with you! 

  Finally I made it to my 1st of 4 destinations in the State of Kentucky.  The name; Kingdom Come Kentucky State Park! Wow sounds like GOD again and maybe now things will smooth out or not!  Not so fast, signs everywhere warning of the numerous Black Bear inhabitants with reports of sightings more days of the year than not!  The demands of my Faith are now stretched even further than before.  Then again it makes sense as I just transversed Black Mountain and it would seem to take the likes of Daniel Boone to live in Kentucky so that rules out the vast majority of Human beings.  So maybe GOD did in  large part make it for the Black Bears to enjoy! Yikes, I have no problem yeilding to the seemingly right of way of the Black Bears!  What do you think?  Wait a minute please, you go there first and then comment.

  None the less just before dark the rain stopped, the air was so clean and then I set up my fortress for the night. Can you say a 6’x6′ tent?  Okay can you imagine sleeping in it? Okay well I did sleep in it and quite soundly at that all the while depending on GOD and a 12 gauge shotgun to keep me safe.  Well atleast you may be able to count on getting the truth from me!

  At this pace I may still be at my 1st of 200 destinations a week from now so I’ll try to speed it up as to stay on schedule.

  As for Kentucky to date, Wow the Bible says that the Heavens declare the Glory of God and of course they do.  It’s just easier to see it when you’re almost 1 mile closer to it!  Further more I submit to you that the Earth and the fullness there of as now seen by me in the State of Kentucky, declare the Glory of GOD!

  So it is that my foot steps have been ordered by the LORD and that is how I came to this place.  To be refreshed after the hardships endured during the preparation phase of following the LORD’S will for my life.  Also I came to encourage fellow believers and to be a light into a dark world that some may be saved by the demonstrated Love of JESUS Christ in and through me.  Little did I know that I would happen on such a place as this in Kentucky and much less at the very first stop on the journey.  In this community I was and still am taken by the numerous ways GOD is working here.  No wonder HE sent me here first to be refreshed.  The missionary mindset here is overwelming in a great way.  I believe that if our country would once again acknowledge the foundational principles as of our founding fathers then our country would look alot like your towns. You are all blessed to be part of such a community. Yet again as I have been so privileged in services past, that of loving others as I love myself, I feel as if maybe I have been encouraged and blessed more by the very people that I came to serve.  Only GOD knows for sure now and I know that some day soon HE will make all things known to you and to me.  So it is with great Joy and with a labor of Love that I move forward with high expectations as to be awed more and more each passing day, by what GOD has prepared for all that exult in the finished work of  HIS SON, JESUS on that Cross at Calvary.  So please, that I may encourage you all to finish the race as the Bible says that the Kingdom of GOD suffers violence and the violent take it by force,  the Bible also says that the way is difficult and that we are to strive to finish!  So let us stand firm hand in hand and back to back until we may at once look up and behold the Glory of Our LORD face to face and that we may hear Him say, “well done my good and faithfull servant.”  It is in the name of JESUS that I so ask Father. Amen and Amen.

  Now, I post only a short list as to mention some of many that have been a blessing to me over the last 7 days:

  The Staff and Visitors at, Kingdom Come  Kentucky State Park.

  The Staff at Central Baptist Church.

Darlene Hall (Owner), Staff and Guest at the Touch of Country Resturant.

The Directors and Guest of Soloman’s Porch.

Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church Rev. Ronie R. Hampton, Members and Guest.

“Roy” the guy that claims to be the local King of Barbeque.  I saw Him cook the meat and it taste great, but I can’t say that I know for sure that he made the sauce.

Judy’s Alterations.

Mike Braithwaite (Owner) Mike’s Tree Service and Landscaping. 

Cumberland Library Staff and Visitor’s to include Mike.

All the local businesses that I visited.

All the people that I met on on the sidewalks and in the parking lots and those that waved at me along the way!

Again, I have but mentioned a few.  I send to all my sincere love in JESUS and it is my hope that you all will come to know and share more of HIS Love Dailey.

Agape,

David Banton

P.S.  I have reason to believe that it is very likely that I may see you again soon!