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April 2009 Newsletter
NEWSLETTER – APRIL, 2009 – BARB AND RAY PAYNE
Warm greetings! We are truly grateful for your faithfulness in support and prayers for us over the past few months and the many miles traveled! We have had many opportunities to present the Gospel in many situations, including the recent annual Law Enforcement Conference held here at Word of Life! We would ask that you’d pray that the Word sown will take root in the hearts of many who’ve heard!
As in years past, the Conference is not over until the stop at Barb and Ray’s on the way homeward … and several families did stop for coffee, and also goodies for the children!
The speaker was Major Tom Melville, of the Indiana State Police, who did a good job relating to the attendee’s needs.
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On the road . . . Barb accompanied daughter Ginny when she moved to Lynchburg, VA, the end of November (our Virginia moved to Virginia!). Mark is on the Police Department at Liberty University. Ginny had remained in Maine to finish packing. Just because we have 2 daughters and their families in Virginia now (Deb and family have been there a couple of years), that does not mean Mom ‘n Pop will follow! BethAnne is settled in Florida, and Judy and Jeff could soon be in a church in Alaska or elsewhere!
The Lord gives us incredible contacts and opportunities wherever we go – Ray had good openings with Little Rock officers while in Arkansas. As a pastor once told us, “Ray sniffs out cops like Ken (a missionary friend to Israel) sniffs out Jews!”
A sergeant with the Tennessee State Highway Patrol told Ray of many things from his many years of proud service with law enforcement! We find many times that many officers have a fine example and heritage set before them through fathers and other relatives who have served in law enforcement. A friend who retired as a NY State Trooper moved to Lynchburg, VA, and is now on the municipal police department. The proud heritage continues on …
Coming Opportunities in April and May for prayer . . .
April 8th to 15th – a trip to Virginia …Virginia State Police; Lynchburg Police Department; Liberty University Police Department; and Sheriff Departments
April 18th AM – Annual BASIS Breakfast, Aldan, PA
April 19th – Annual Police Appreciation Service – Hephzibah Baptist Church, Pastor/Chaplain Jack Crans- Coatesville, PA – Bob Vernon (LAPD Ret.), speaker
April 20th, 21st – Empire State Fellowship Spring Conference – Yorkshire, NY
May 4th – Annual Aquidneck Island National Police Parade – Newport, RI
May 10th – Mothers’ Day – Speak at Independent Baptist Church – Indian Lake, NY – Pastor Al Hartwig
May 14th – State of Maine Police Officers’ Memorial – Augusta, ME
May 16th – Ladies’ Tea at Servants’ Baptist Church – Camden, NY
May 17th – Police Appreciation Service – North Syracuse Baptist Church – North Syracuse, NY – Pastor George Miller
May 19th – State of New York Police Officers’ Memorial – Albany, NY
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Incidentally, Barb will be the speaker at the Ladies’ Tea, at Servants’ Baptist Church, on May 16th!
Christmas 2008 Newsletter
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11
Warm greetings,
Truly we are very thankful and blessed when we think of all of you who faithfully uphold us in prayer and support throughout the year. We deeply appreciate your continuing encouragement in a day when optimism seems bleak. Our hope is in His promises. We are grateful for God’s sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Who “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:6-8 The very thought of the Lord Jesus Christ leaving the wonders and splendors of His Creation to come to this wretched and wicked earth for the likes of us is overwhelming … but He did! And we still quibble over vain and meaningless trinkets and baubles … and call them “gifts”… while God’s Gift to us cost Him the life of His uniquely-begotten Son…
The beginning of November we were in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the annual COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors) Parents’ Retreat. There were many “first-timers” among the almost 150 grieving moms and dads of law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty. There were quite a few believers who were blessed and encouraged to find us there. Ray had devotions each morning and many expressed appreciation. One new couple, believers, also had two additional sons – one already in a police department and one in the academy. Oh … did I mention that the dad had just retired after 30+ years on the “Job”… a great role model for his family!
On the way back home, we stopped at a North Carolina State Highway Patrol station near Asheville – Ray knew that there were two North Carolina troopers killed recently – one violently executed in that Asheville area. The trooper’s wife had given birth to a baby boy shortly before the trooper was shot, and the baby died a couple of weeks later. Our hearts go out to all involved in that tragedy, including the law enforcement “family” all over.
Then we were refreshed in spirit as we continued on … stopping for a couple of hours and lunch with “Skip” – our good friend who is retired FBI, but still not really “retired” because he is now on a Sheriff’s Department! Then, on to Mt. Gilead, NC, and Wednesday Prayer Meeting with Pastor Gary, and our friends at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church! They do feel secure because they now have almost a half dozen law enforcement people in the Church, including NCSHP Trooper Dale, “keeping watch over the flock by night (and day!)”
There are many more we could talk about … like the mom who called in tears to talk about her youngest son in his early 20’s, a youth pastor in a western NY city, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting three years ago … or, the lady we met years ago in California who wrote us recently about her loss and pain … this is the time of year that hearts are so very delicate and people hurt so badly – feeling the reminders of intense loneliness and heartache …
We are thankful for the joy of our children and grandchildren, and the two great-grandchildren (Sarah and Michael were blessed with little Josie last April)! Our prayer for them all is that they will be drawn to the Saviour, and desire to love and serve Him with their whole heart.
Two special gifts came just in God’s timing to help in the costs of a new heater for our home, and for an updated car with lower mileage! The Lord is gracious in His provisions! The oilman thought it not wise to service the boiler in the fall – it would be a waste of money … he was right, because when they started to remove some pipes, the pipes dissolved! Through a police officer/friend, a gift was given to us through another who was in charge of a will.
By this time in our lives we thought that we’d be slowing down a bit and driving less on the road but November was the most miles we’ve ever put on a car in a month – 6483! Thankfully, we now have a ’05 Buick Lacrosse, with less than 30,000 miles on it! This is a special blessing through a car dealer and his wife who love the Lord – especially in these days when there is so much stress in the car industry. “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanks-givings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men]; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks [be] unto God for His unspeakable Gift.” II Corinthians 9:12-15 This is a most descriptive expression for our thanksgiving and the supply of all our needs!
We would enjoy hearing from you. Our desire for you and yours is a truly blessed Christmas and a spiritually prosperous New Year!
“For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14
In His Wonderful Name,
Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12
www.onlyoneson.org
Prayer Request
Warm greetings, Friends and Prayer Partners!
We would appreciate your faithful prayer support as we leave early Wednesday morning for our annual trip south to the C.O.P.S.(Concerns Of Police Survivors) Parents’ Retreat, in Little Rock, Arkansas!
The Lord wonderfully keeps the doors open there for His word.
Daughter Judy, husband Jeff, and their five children (the number will increase to six in March!) are vacationing in Virginia, so we’ll se them there while stopping over at daughter Deb’s, and family, in Lynchburg.
It’s a long trip … lots of miles … and the potential for many blessings along the way is great! Thank you, so much, for keeping us and the trip before the Lord!
By His Grace,
Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12
www.onlyoneson.org
August 2008 Newsletter
O give me a home where the buffalo roam,” and they do … at a nearby farm we like to visit once in a while! It is nice to be able to come home from a difficult situation, like the funeral for a New York State trooper the other day, and be greeted by the little birds in our own back yard, feeding at our feeder.
NEWS / PRAYERLETTER – Barb and Ray Payne – August, 2008
“… and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints … and the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God …” Revelation 8:3,4
Dear Faithful Friends and Prayer-Warriors:
Lewiston PD Memorial
We have been impressed recently by these verses in Revelation 8, which tell about an angel holding a golden censer. These verses point out that our prayers are a sweet smelling offering to our God of majesty and glory! He is also very worthy of our praise and adoration. We are thankful to those of you who keep us in your prayers. God keeps us in good enough shape to keep us “on the road” and busy in His work!
Since our last update in June regarding the Americade (50,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in Lake George and around the area!), the ministry in South Philadelphia after 3 officers had previously lost their lives, and then on to the incident involving a Fredericksburg, Virginia, officer who was gunned down, we have continued to see your prayers at work.
In July, we were at River of Life Bible Camp in Maxfield, Maine, for a week. We really enjoyed the time with the teens and staff. Sure, the black flies were there to greet us, but the blessings far out-weighed any discomfort!
July 23rd was the 20th year since our son, David’s line of duty death. We were asked to come back to Lewiston and spend the day at the Police Department. Sgt. Mike was one of David’s close buddies, and did all he could to make the afternoon and eveningspecial! He took Ray to the place where it all happened … we even spent some time at the Memorial … flowers were placed at the gravesite by the PD … officers were at the Department, and greeted and talked. Don, one of the two officers involved at the
scene back in ’88, came in and spent some time … and Ray was even given an option on anew vehicle … a nice one … all the lights (and siren) worked … too bad it belonged to the Supervisor … thanks, Sgt. Mike and allat Lewiston PD, for making July 23rd a day of goodmemories…
The end of August will find us in Pennsylvania at the Annual Conference of BCM International for a couple of days. The beginning of August had us at a Police Get-together in North Syracuse … for good fellowship … but it was there that we learn-ed of a New York trooper and a firefighter being electrocuted in an accident in Ogdensburg, NY. Ray drove to the funeral a few days later … a very sad time … leaving his wife and children. A major, a new troop commander nearby, made himself known to Ray after the service. He was in the western part of the state about eleven years ago when Ray helped the survivors and law enforcement of that area begin a COPS Chapter.
Not to be outdone … Barb also has been thinking about a new (?) vehicle … our host at the Get-together in North Syracuse is also the Under-sheriff, and had the Department’s “SWAT” vehicle at his home following its use in a parade — it attracted Barb!
… who says we don’t have any fun, too?!?!?
We covet your prayers. Our fall season is just around the corner, and lots of miles are on the schedule. We would appreciate your prayer for our availability to the Lord for His use in reaching our law enforcement community, as well as others we come in contact with … also, for our health and stamina … for our vehicle, as it, too, is needing attention and for the challenges of the economy of our day … and for God’s moving in the hearts of the people of our nation in the light of the coming election … we have much to be concerned for. Romans 16:24 to 27
By His Grace,
Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12
www.onlyoneson.org
June 2008 Update
Warm greetings, again… so soon, Prayer-partners!
We asked you last week to pray … you did … and the Lord worked!
The Services last Sunday (the 8th) in Philadelphia were special … there were seven uniformed Philadelphia police officers in the morning, along with an Inspector from the Commissioner’s Office. It was a good reception.
Early Monday morning we headed to Lynchburg, VA. There was a lot of road construction and we were road-weary when we pulled into Deb and Rob’s!
Rob greeted us with the news clipping about a Fredericksburg police officer, Todd Bahr, 41 years old, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday night (the 6th) answering a call about a domestic dispute. The check of the internet revealed that the viewing would be on Wednesday and the funeral would be Thursday morning. Fredericksburg was about 3½ hours away (over 150 miles). At least we had a day in between to recuperate …
Ray went up Wednesday about noon, and spent a couple of hours at the Police Headquarters, and met a lot of the officers and staff. One of the men was the Detective who was investigating the shooting, and he took of his valuable time to introduce Ray to many, including other officers, and the officer’s family later at the viewing. It was late getting back to Lynchburg.
Barb wanted to go Thursday to the funeral – especially to speak with Officer Bahr’s mother, but just wasn’t able – Ray left shortly after6 AM to be able to be there for the 11 AM Service at a large Baptist church. It was a very emotional service … the officer had been on the job only 2 years. He wanted to “give something back to his Country after 9-11.”
A Chaplain for a local Sheriff’s Department brought a challenge to the crowded church, and there were many who responded by raised hand to the invitation to receive Christ as their Saviour, including several on Fredericksburg PD.
Plans are to travel back to Schroon Lake early Sunday morning – wish we could have stayed longer but Barb’s medications run out. Thanks for your continued faithfulness in prayers and encouragements …
In His Love,
Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12
Only One Son - In the Line of Duty 