Only One Son – In the Line of Duty

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

Lots of snow … frigid temperatures … an old-fashioned winter – but, as someone has said, “we’re not in bad shape for the shape we’re in!” Barb’s arthritis and sinuses are giving her a lot of discomfort … it is that time of the year. She continues to teach the ladies’ Bible study group in town on Tuesdays, and is challenged by the in-depth study in preparation. II Timothy 2:15

The Lord continues to bless His ministry! While not being able to travel as much as we would like, contacts still open … email and phone calls have been a source of law enforcement contacts that “stretch” us … the turmoil in today’s unsettled world has caused confusion to the point of suicide – stress in law enforcement is paramount. We would covet your faithful prayers as we seek to be of comfort to those who hurt. The Victorious Lord is their answer … Isaiah 40:28 to 31!

Our car is aging, just like we are, and cries out for attention and maintenance, but we are thankful for the many miles it continues to faithfully carry us! The emergency trip to the hospital the end of October did not permit us to ready our home for the winter, but, guess what, spring is only 5 weeks away (March 20th – at least by the calendar!)!

We have been waiting to hear what Ray’s doctors have decided concerning future treatment. As most of you know, he has been diagnosed with a weakened immune system, and he is susceptible to the strep pneumococcal bug. The hematologist and the infectious disease doctors have agreed not to give intravenous immunoglobulin at this time. They will not treat him with a steady regimen of antibiotics, but will give them at the first sign of infection. He has had a bout with high blood pressure and headaches. (Increased meds have brought the BP down, but the headaches persist. He is scheduled for a CT scan on Monday, February, the 17th.) We do not want to become “paranoid” about these health issues, but need to stay alert so that we can “nip in the bud” any possible infections. Please pray that we will achieve a healthy balance.

Tuesday, February 11th, Ray took part in a government screening program, made available by Mt. Sinai Hospital, NYC. The purpose of the testing is to research the environmental effects on those involved in the World Trade Center bombing, and try to direct them to a proper place for treatment. It was a full day of questions and exams in Albany, almost a 2 hour drive one way. We did not finish up, so it will be necessary to go back this next week

The weekend of the 14th – 16th was to be our first “big trip” – our mission’s staff retreat near Pottstown, PA. We had to cancel due to the headaches and the CT scan. We would appreciate continued prayer for us as we trust day by day in His wisdom and direction …
We do appreciate you for your faithful prayers and financial support … we do sense when you are praying for us! Colossians 4:2 to 4

Love, in Christ,

Barb and Ray

II Timothy 1:12

Christmas Greetings, 2002

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Dear Friends,

Our very warmest greetings to you and yours this Christmas season. Our hearts are full of praise to our Living Lord for His gracious plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. What unheard-of sacrifice and unearthly love, that He would be willing to come to this vile earth to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins. Praise His Name!

This has been a very busy year, full of blessings, times of ministering, and many miles of travel. We have seen God’s Hand of provision many, many times, and we are thankful.

One big provision has been Ray’s restored strength after a three-week stay in the hospital, October 25th through November 15th. His energy level is almost back to normal after being very gravely ill with epiglotitis, an acute throat infection that went into his blood stream, and pneumonia. He had to have a temporary tracheostomy put in, as his air supply was being cut off. Blood tests revealed that he has an immune disorder called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance – MGUS for short. This involves plasma cells in the bone marrow, and could lead to the more serious problem of Myeloma. But for now the doctors are just monitoring him closely, and we are optimistic about the future.

The Lord opened many doors of witness in the hospital, and since being discharged. Locally, Ray is continuing his chaplaincy work with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, although other planned meetings had to be postponed or cancelled.

We are very thankful for the prayers of God’s people through Ray’s illness, plus all the emails, cards and expressions of concern. How very dependent we are on each other! We are also very appreciative of all the financial support given by so many of you. May God richly bless you this beautiful Christmas season. Luke 2:1-20

In His Love,

Barb and Ray
Isaiah 40:1-11
Barb and Ray Payne 200 U. S. Route 9 Schroon Lake, NY 12870 (518) 532.9049

Warm greetings, faithful prayer partners and supporters,

As you can see by the calendar, we have a busy couple of months ahead.  We count on the prayers of God’s people .. those of you who allow the Lord to use you in this important way!  We continue to experience God’s marvelous grace, and in every situation, we can sense His physical enabling and strengthening, “… with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16)   Thank you for praying … please continue … especially through these busy months ahead of us.

Some of the scheduled meetings for August were postponed until a later date, which left us with some much needed time at home for a little “breather.”  The Lord always seems to arrange these times for us just when we need them, even though we don’t know enough to slow down a bit ourselves.

Ray has seen a podiatrist about the severe pain in his feet.  The x-rays proved that there were no stress fractures, and the diagnosis is “neuroma” – which is a trapped nerve.   He has had one cortisone injection in his right foot, which is the worst one, and it has helped some.  He can have two additional injections, and then he will have to have surgery if the pain is not better.

We certainly would appreciate prayer for four of our grandchildren who are in college this fall:
Mike Barnhart      – Pensacola Bible College, in Pensacola, Florida
Erika Barnhart      – Baptist Bible College, in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
Jamie Standridge  – Cedarville College, in Cedarville, Ohio
Stephen Dow        – the University of Maine, at Orono, Maine

Our sincere appreciation to all of you who have had a part in this ministry to law enforcement—both with your prayers and with your gifts.  As we see other ministries reaching out to many different people groups, we truly believe that God is giving many souls an opportunity to hear His message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, before the trumpet sounds and the saved are taken up to Heaven!
I Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-17

Some of the meetings in September we’d appreciate your prayer for include:

6th to 8th—the Annual CLEO (Christian Law Enforcement Officers) Retreat, in Danforth, Maine, at Living Waters Christian Conference Center (travel to on the 5th and from on the 9th)
10th to 12th—we are being flown out to Fresno (Clovis), California, to be the keynote speaker at a special “911” Service at Northside Christian Church, on Wednesday evening, called “911—Celebrating Hope”
15th—a “911” Service at the Community Bible Church, in South Burlington, Vermont  –  the contact was made through a Vermont State Trooper-friend we have known for quite a while …
22nd—AM Service and a special “Appreciation Service” at Calvary Bible Church, in Derry, New Hampshire at 4:00 PM, which will also include a cook-out for the officers and families attending.
29th—we’ll be in Providence, Rhode Island, at Hope Baptist Church, for a “Law Enforcement Appreciation Service” and dinner … they had a super time last year, and are planning even bigger this year!
After the supper, we head out for Canada, hoping to get at least half way on Sunday afternoon …
30th—to represent “911” and Law Enforcement at an area-wide crusade, at the Carleton Civic Center, in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada.  The meetings are called “Strength For Today And Hope For Tomorrow,” and Pete Rice is the evangelist.  We head back to Schroon Lake the next day, and get ready to fly out to Camdenton, Missouri, Friday, for the Annual COPS Parents’ Retreat—October 4th through 7th … so, you see, we really do need your prayers!   Thanks!   Keep in touch!   Psalm 118:24!

By His Grace,

Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12

World Trade Center Stamp

Dear Family and Friends,

Jesus said to His disciples, “… blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (Matthew 13:16 and 17)

How very privileged we are that God, in His Grace, has opened our spiritual eyes and ears to understand the truths that people, down through the ages, have puzzled over, and still do not comprehend.

We got home last night from a five-day trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania, during which we could sense that we were being upheld by God’s strengthening Hand.  Several times we were aware of being just at the right place at just the right time.  We know that many of you prayed, and we want you to know we appreciate you, and thank you!

Ray’s chaplains’ training on Thursday was initial preparation to go back into Lower Manhattan to minister to contractors and construction workers that came alongside of the firefighters and law enforcement officers at “Ground Hero” for many months.  Saturday was the Annual BASIS Family Picnic, and there were several new families attending.  We squeezed a lot into those five days, and feel that the contacts we made will reap a harvest for the Lord in the future.

Many new opportunities have opened because of Ray’s availability at “Ground Hero.”  We could not be at all of the events we have been asked to be involved in concerning the memorials planned for this September 11th.   Several churches in California, plus, NJ, PA, NH, NY, and VT, have contacted us … the one we accepted for the 11th is in Fresno, CA — the Associate Pastor is from New Brunswick Bible Institute, in Canada. .  Other opportunities in September will be at the annual law enforcement   retreat (CLEO) in Maine, plus appreciation services in VT, NH, RI, and Canada.  We need you to stand with us in prayer, that the Lord will continue to give stamina and strength, but, also, that we will have servant’s hearts, and serve Him with JOY!

Physically, we are holding our own!  Barb has her usual sinus/allergy problems.  In spite of low energy and periods of fatigue, she keeps up with the hectic schedule!  Some of you have been praying for Ray’s feet problems.  With the lung problems doing much better, the feet need to be addressed, and  you will be glad to hear that he has been to a podiatrist!  The diagnosis is “neuroma,” which is a nerve entrap-ment.   He has had slight relief since getting a cortisone injection last Wednesday, August 7th.    If the cortisone injections (two more) fail to help, he may have to have surgery.   The doctor remarked that he now knows “how a police officer got the nickname, ‘flatfoot’!”   Thanks for prayers for wisdom …

We know from experience that without your faithful prayer support, the ministry would be barren and fruitless.   Phone, mail, and email contacts concerning two officers shot in Ohio recently, plus concerns regarding friends with cancer, including a retired police officer in OH, a missionary in GA, a pastor nearby, and a member of a quartet Ray sang with years ago … drain our feeble energies, but the Lord continues to exchange His mighty strength and power for our weaknesses — Isaiah 40:31!

We know that we need to get a general prayer and newsletter out to all on our mailing list soon —hopefully before the September schedule begins.  Please pray with us that this will become a reality in the next couple of weeks?!   It is important …  perhaps many think that we are not involved in this ministry anymore … our main contact has focused on mail to our supporters, both prayer and financial, as well as to our email lists.   Keep in touch …  Psalm 118:24!

Sincerely, by His Grace,

Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12

Dear Praying Friends …

Thank you for your concerns, interest, and prayers … God is faithful in His answers!  We had some really good meetings, along with many miles traveled safely in June!

We are truly thankful for our freedom in America, just as you are – not only this week, but throughout!  Freedom is not without cost – freedom cost our founding fathers so very much … their homes and families, their fortunes, and many of them, their lives.

Barb and Ray Payne
II Timothy 1:12