From East to West

 This month in our Champion Corner we want to bring you up to date on our whereabouts and all the wonderful blessings and opportunities we have had in our work and ministry. On April 15 we became the proud grandparents of Rowen Elizabeth Hiser. Zac and Jessi have blessed us with a beautiful baby girl whom we are head over heals in love with. Rowen traveled over Memorial Day weekend (with the help of her parents) to Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts for Ned's niece's wedding. It was a wonderful time to be together as family. We enjoyed visiting our kid's pediatrician, Dr. Kaselis, who met us for brunch. She took care of Jessi as a toddler. Great Grandma McGrady is enamored with Rowen as is the rest of the family. She is such a precious gift from God. Our entire family was able to attend the wedding and it was a wonderful time of celebration for all of us. A couple of highlights were Ned was able to be with his siblings and their families for the first time in a long time and the opportunity to represent the family in part of the wedding ceremony. We certainly enjoyed that time together as family and the break from our many travels in missionary service.
As we move back from Memorial Day, we found our selves ministering to our missionaries on the American Indian Field. We were attending a Soul Shepherding Conference at Lake Arrowhead, California and spent the week in a time of spiritual formation and renewal. We often are asked how do you care for yourselves when you are so busy trying to care for so many missionaries. The answer is the same for us as it is for you, it is done very intentionally. This week of spiritual renewal was certainly an encouragement to us. One of the highlights for us was visiting the Joshua Tree National Monument.

From California we flew over to Phoenix, Arizona where World Gospel Mission has a number of missionaries serving among the Native American people groups. The  beauty of this part of the world is spectacular and something amazing to behold. From the red rock formations to the unique canyons and valleys it is certainly a masterpiece of God's grand creation. Psalm 42 says "O Lord, O Lord how majestic is your Name in all the earth." Certainly the majesty of God and the beauty of His handiwork is evident. We were able to take in many of the sights and wonders as we traveled many miles in visiting our missionaries. The main hub for WGM is the Southwest Indian Ministries Center, in Phoenix. We gathered with our team of missionaries there and shared a time of fellowship around the table as we visited with them and heard their hearts for ministry among the Native American people. We travelled through the Navajo Reservation to Farmington, New Mexico where we met with our team of missionaries serving on that reservation. Many of the pictures above would be common sights along that journey. We heard about the dream our missionaries have for a community center to be built there so that they can expand their outreach to the children in afterschool programs and VBS type ministries. God is working in tremendous ways and His works are amazing to behold.

Just a seven hour trip back through the reservation and we were back to Phoenix. One of our stops along the way was Four Corners, NM, where we stood in four States at the same time. Marlene was in Colorado and Utah and Ned was in Arizona and New Mexico.  It was then off for a three hour drive to Sells, AZ to the Tohono O'odham Reservation to visit the ministries of our missionaries working there. The highlight of this trip was to honor the service of out-going missionary, Dorothy Low. Dorothy has served the Native Americans for over 25 years and for the past 17 years, she has provided hospice care to families in need throughout the reservation. Dorothy poured her life and talents as a hospice nurse helping many with the comfort and love of Jesus during end of life situations. Ned represented WGM and read a tribute to Dorothy for her many years of faithful service and a number gathered in her honor. A traditional Native American song and dance was delivered in her honor, also and we joined in thanking Dorothy for her service.
As we look ahead we find our summer full of trainings, debriefings, renewals, and opportunities to serve God here at the Marion, IN home office. We will travel to Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania in times of ministry to missionaries and or speaking in churches and promoting missions. Of course "Papa and Ama" will find a time to visit Mansfield, Ohio too.

If you would like to join us in praying for our ministry we always appreciate your prayers and support.

June 13-17- Visiting ministry in Texas
June 26- Speaking at Christian Fellowship Center, Jackson, MI
June 26-29 Speaking at Kids Kamp at Trinity Wesleyan Church, Jackson, MI
July  10-15 Orientation Camp for new missionaries being sent out
July 19-22 Renewal debriefing for missionaries coming back
July 24-29 Fund raising training and Champion building
July 31- Speaking at Somerset Congregational Church, Somerset, MI
August 8-12 Visiting ministry in Pennsylvania


Sincerely,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765-671-7240