Archive
August 2002 – Chaplain Training
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
July 2002 Update
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.
We would appreciate your prayers as we fly on Friday (July 5th) to southern California for the Annual Couples Conference of POFCI (Peace Officers For Christ, International) in Murrieta, Hot Springs (5th to 7th), and then on to the Annual Training Seminars of ICPC (the International Conference of Police Chaplains) in Anaheim (7th to 12th). We will be on the go from Friday (5th) to Friday (12th) when we arrive back in Albany, NY, at 11:30 PM, then back home to Schroon Lake, hopefully, by 1:30 AM Saturday!
We are looking forward to our time with our daughter, Debbie, and her family, the week of July 15th! Their 5-year old, Josh, has just had a rough time recuperating from his tonsillectomy; 8-year old Nathan has surgery on July 23rd for adenoids, sinus, and possible tonsillectomy. AND … 7-month old Katie just cannot wait to see Grandma and Grandpa! (-:} 😉
Daughter Ginny’s son, Stephen, had surgery yesterday. Please continue to pray for his healing and recuperation. Ginny’s daughter, Michelle, leaves Saturday on a missions trip to Uganda, Africa.
Our grandson, Evan, is on a missions trip to British Columbia, Canada, working at a camp for Indian children. His sister, Erika, is doing her internship for Word of Life Bible Institute at their youth camp, Word of Life Ranch, in Pottersville, NY – just 4 miles down the road! Then, 4 of our grandkids will be entering college in the fall – are we getting older, or what?!?!?
Finally … it’s hot here! 101 yesterday in Glens Falls … more promised on the way – and we’re heading into the hot, southern California desert! With your faithful prayers behind us, we are confident of His direction and blessings! Pray for us … we’ll pray for you – I Corinthians 1:4 to 9!
By His Grace,
Barb and Ray Payne
II Timothy 1:12
January 2002 – Update from “Ground Hero”
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Thursday, January 17th, Port Authority Sergeant John McLoughlin, a 22-year veteran of the department, was able to go home from a rehab hospital! He is one of the two officers we requested prayer for. He miraculously survived 22 hours trapped under a mountain of World Trade Center rubble, some 30 feet under-ground. He was released after enduring 20 surgeries since his legs were crushed. At a press conference, in a wheelchair with his 4- year old daughter on his lap, John said his wish was “to be walking as I used to, and get back to work and back to my precinct!”
Where do we start? Ray has responded to the needs of the police and other emergency workers at the World Trade Center site in New York City. He had been going down repeatedly, from September through December, 2001, and has been there each of the past three weeks of 2002. Things are continually changing … for the better, perhaps, as far as the physical work is concerned, but not as far as the emotional, mental, and spiritual aftermath is concerned.
The heartaches grow … there is multiplied depression, discouragement, and much disillusionment with all of the promises that were made, plus the inevitable separations, divorces, and suicides. It is an incredible mission field, and hearts are open.
Just last week, a paramedic shared his experience on “9/11” – that of running out of a building near Tower One to try to go to the aid of his co-workers who were trapped and screaming for help on the other side of Tower Two … only to be caught and buried under an emergency vehicle for several hours as Tower Two was hit. It was late at night and cold as this 17-year veteran vented for forty-five minutes without stopping. Nothing had prepared him for something like he experienced that day. His wife left him, unable to cope with what happened. He welcomed the tract and a New Testament, and said he would look up the questions-and-answers and help on our website. Then, he sent an email and expressed his appreciation for Ray taking the time to let him talk. There will be more follow-up with him. There are others with similar stories …
A Verizon worker asked to sit across from me at a table in the respite that Calvary Chapel maintains just outside the perimeter. I asked him how he was doing – that is all it took. He stopped eating his hot meal and began to share how he was unaware that Tower One was hit … he was working in WTC 4, next to Tower Two, and was shocked to see burning papers and other debris falling from the sky when he went outside … then, Tower Two was hit … he and others just ran … he saw people falling … some holding hands … and he ran faster … somehow just talking about it helped.
There are many others, even after four months, who have never really spoken much about that day … there are few who will stop and listen. An Italian shoe repairman who had a little shop near Broadway, several blocks from the disaster site, told how his shop and much of his equipment were destroyed … he was so kind to repair Ray’s boots – even to buy Ray a cup of coffee while waiting for the repair … just another traumatized survivor who will never quite be the same again.
Ray carries a large supply of ONLY ONE SON tracts, as well as New Testaments in his BDUs – black fatigue pants with six large storage pockets, as well as his field jacket! He usually does not return with any left. It just seems normal to speak to someone who does not have much hope for the future, and to point them to Psalm 18:1-3, where David speaks of the LORD as his“Buckler” – a Hebrew word that means “shield” or “protector” – and “my High Tower” (verse 2) – and then share that the Lord God Almighty is a “High Tower,” Who will never fall nor fail like the World Trade Towers did. Ray had read that Scripture passage only an hour before Tower One was hit on September 11th, 2001. God’s Word is powerful and pertinent!
Ray and Barb Payne
The Lord continues to give us opportunities to speak in churches, luncheons and other places for now. How long with the theme be about “9/11“ and survival? A schedule was recently released to tell us that “Phase 2” is planned for later this spring, and will include the first round of formal debriefings, and “Phase 3” will be in September and will continue formal debriefings. We wonder what God’s schedule is. We do not know, but we are willing to be available as long as the need is there, and the Lord indicates we should be there.
We truly depend upon your faithfulness in prayer support! “… praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:18-20
In Christ’s Love,
Barb and Ray
Only One Son - In the Line of Duty 