November 2004 – Chris Goes Home
UPDATE – November, 2004 – Barb and Ray Payne
“Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy Salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” Psalm 40:16
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners, Well, snow is on the ground here in the Adirondacks … not too much yet, but it’s here! Many thanks for your faithful prayers over the past weeks … we did not realize it, but we definitely needed those prayers!
Again this year, we drove to the COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors) Parents’ Retreat, in the Ozarks, Camdenton, Missouri. The morning of the last day of the retreat, we had a phone call that our 24 year old grandson, Christopher, had died in his sleep where he was a student at Pensacola (FL) Christian College.
Chris, the son of our daughter-in-law, Karyn, and her husband, Bill Barnhart, along with Chris’ brother, Michael, were students at Pensacola. (Bill’s first wife died of cancer about the same time our son, David, was killed.) Three years later, the Lord brought them together into a wonderful “blended” family. People know them as “The Barnhart Bunch!” They live near us in Ticonderoga, NY. We have remained close to the family: Karyn, Erika and Evan, and Bill, Mike and Chris, whom we lovingly “adopted!”
Studies did not come easy to Chris, but he persevered, and after high school, he completed the 1 year course at Word of Life Bible Institute, then went on to get his Associate Degree at our local community college. This fall, he achieved a goal that he had set in the 7th grade: to attend Pensacola Christian College. He loved it there and had a good testimony. We watched Chris grow from a shy eleven year old to a confident and godly young man.
Needless to say, we cancelled the rest of our meetings and trip, and headed back to New York. The funeral was very Christ-honoring, and a fine tribute to a sweet young Christian. Please continue to pray for the family …
Another crisis happened that same week: Barb’s mother had been doctoring for back pain from arthritis and “bulging discs.” She developed severe hip pain, and was using a walker, not getting around well, and having a lot of pain. Barb went back to PA to care for her with our daughter, Deb and her family, from Carlisle, PA. Deb and Rob and the children had been up here for the funeral.
The Lord marvelously worked out every detail for Mom to get moved out of her apartment and into the Assisted Living section of Christ’s Home, in Warminster, PA. We praise the Lord for the way He opened all the right doors, and in less than 2 weeks, everything fell into place for the move! She, and all the family (and some of you!), had been praying that we would know the right time for the move … it became clear that this was “the time.”
Mother has had an epidural shot of cortisone, and is having less pain. She is very content, happy and giving God much praise. She has many friends there, and has endeared herself to many of the staff and residents with her sweet and cheerful ways. Mom has a wonderful attitude, and is praying that the Lord will use her there as a witness. Praise the Lord with us for His wonderful working on her behalf!
The end of October we were at Faith Fellowship Church, in Clarence, NY, for a Police Appreciation Banquet on Saturday, and Sunday. It was exciting as a dozen officers and family, plus Church families, thoroughly enjoyed the tremendous meal and program that the Church provided! The associate pastor is Steve Seibel, who formerly was associate at Wayside Bible Baptist Church, in Livermore, Maine, where Ray pastured for 16 years.
Last weekend, November 5th to 7th, we were at Fellowship Bible Church, in Methuen, MA. We were privileged to speak to their Christian School Chapel, then, do a chalk drawing for the Harvest Festival, and also present a program honoring “911 – The World Trade Center” on Sunday evening. We were so blessed by all that was done for us, including seeing so many we’ve known from previous fellowship at the church!
We continue to rely on you for prayer for upcoming meetings … that we will be clean vessels, filled with His Spirit, and bringing glory to Him. We are hoping to be at the Bible study and prayer time sponsored by officers from the Lewiston (Maine) Police Department in Lewiston this Saturday, the 13th. Since our David’s death, a number of officers from LPD and surrounding departments and agencies have been saved, and meet together monthly for support and encouragement. Beside local opportunities to do pulpit supply, we will travel to Maine the last weekend of the month again for the Annual Wreath Lighting at the Maine Law Enforcement Memorial, in Augusta.
One other item … we would appreciate your prayer as we need to contact churches in which we have ministered with view to caring for our monthly financial support. With the increase of travel costs and health insurance, and the loss of some supporters, we find that our support level has dropped quite a bit. Please pray that these letters will honor the Lord, and be received well, and that there will be a good response.
This has been a long letter! Several have emailed us that they had not heard from us for a couple of months … things have been quite hectic … We certainly appreciate and love you all, and thank you for your consistent and faithful prayers and financial support!
In Calvary’s Love,
Barb and Ray Payne II Timothy 1:12
Only One Son - In the Line of Duty 