“What a Wonderful Savior We Serve”

As I write this, Melva and I are in a room at Glen Eyrie, the Navigator’s conference center outside of Colorado Springs.  We’ve just finished a 3200 mile road trip with meetings in three states and decided to stop and take a day off.  What a wonderful trip it’s been.  We’ve had many blessed moments meeting with folks who pray for us in Colorado Springs, Dallas and Oklahoma City.  We had the privilege of holding services in Cripple Creek, CO and Guthrie, OK as well as singing in nursing homes in Guthrie and Amarillo, TX.   What a wonderful Savior we serve who allows us to do all this!  We are truly blessed.

April Happenings:  March 31 and April 1st I was the “April Fools” speaker at a great men’s retreat near Westcliff, CO.  It was my second year with these men and it was a rich time of fellowship and study of God’s word.  We talked about “Heroes” and what the Bible says about true ones.  By the way, if you have internet access, look up the video of “Hidden Heroes” by the Talleys.  Powerful!  

Other meaningful times included meeting with men in Gunnison that I’ve known casually for years but haven’t been able to share Jesus with.  One I met with at a coffee shop and was able to share and pray with.  The other pulled me aside at McDonalds and I was able to share the plan of salvation.  Our Saturday night services have gone very well and the Lord is raising up several men to help teach, and women to help lead worship while I’m ministering out of town.  That’s a real answer to all of our prayers!

Radio Interview and Relationships:  On April 27th I had the opportunity to share on S.W.A.T radio, a program out of FL that’s heard live on the internet. (It’s still available if you’re interested in listening online.)
That night Melva and I met with a group of our prayer warriors in Colorado Springs.  What a privilege to look around the room and see 25 friends, many of whom have prayed and served with us for over 30 years!  We are so blessed to have co-laborers like this all over the world.  People like you!  Thank you!

Rocky Mountain Chapel: Sunday, April 30th we had the privilege of returning to Rocky Mountain Chapel outside Cripple Creek, CO.  Melva and I started going there when the church met outside around 30 years ago.  The church had chosen us as their missionaries for the month and we had a blessed time of reunion with many and meeting new folks.  That afternoon we began our drive to Dallas, stopping in Dumas, TX to meet and pray with a family whose adult daughter was about to leave earth and enter heaven.  Please pray for the Higgins family. More about the trip next month.  I’m already 3 weeks behind sending this update 😊

Family and Finances: Nick and Rebekah are returning from a trip to Thailand, Stephen and Joy are busy with family, ministry and work in Scotland, Tim and Sara are sensing God’s grace as they recover from the loss of their son Ethan and Steve and Annie are preparing for their first child at June’s end.  Thank you for praying for each of us.  Finances remain steady with unexpected blessings from your faithful gifts.  May 28th I preach at Pitkin, CO and June 4th Tin Cup, CO.  Thank you and God bless each of you!  Rick and Melva Barton