Travels in Ministry

"I will love You, O lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3

The start of 2016 has had us traveling to many places. Your prayers and support have been a huge part of sustaining us through these many travels. Opportunities for ministry around the world have been abundant and God has used us in this partnership to make an impact in our world for His Glory. Each step of this journey from Paraguay to Michigan from McAllen, Texas to Florida God has been our faithful helper, our source, our supply and certainly our strength. 

Soon after the holidays, we conducted a Renewal for several of our missionaries returning home from their fields of service. Jan. 17 we headed for Asuncion', Paraguay where we had a wonderful opportunity to minister to our WGM missionaries serving in central South America. God was faithful to us as we spent time with each of our missionaries, hearing their hearts for service and responding to their needs in prayerful and caring ways. We gathered at a retreat center just outside of Asuncion' with our missionaries for a time of worship and reflection in God's Word. Our friend and co-worker Spencer Hofer traveled with us and served as leader for our young people during the retreat. Spencer is one of WGM's accountants and was a great help to us in providing programing for our MK's. Each day we gathered for a time of worship and if you know the people pictured here, you would know that they are excellent musicians and singers, well maybe not us so much but certainly ALL of them. We sang our hearts out at each service and often saw other patrons of the retreat center stopping by to listen to us and join in with singing. Marlene taught on the topic of What Keeps You from Drawing Close to God and Ned shared the need for good Soul Care. Self care and Soul care are essential to serving God in cross cultural ministry. One of the highlights of our travels to Paraguay was the opportunity we had to worship at the El Renuvo Church, one of WGM's church in the greater Asuncion' area. There we heard a moving story from Pastor Daniel and Marcella Sosa and some of the trails they had faced. Preaching from Romans 8, Pastor Daniel shared how God was faithful to help his family through some very difficult situations and he shared that through everything God has

a plan and purpose for each one of our lives. Their story included the stabbing death of their 18 year old daughter, their business was robbed, as was their son's home and while he was welding the gas tank of a patron's car it blew up but his life was spared. As he shared Romans 8 it became evident that God was his rock, his fortress and his deliverer. He concluded by leading his congregation in singing "How Great Thou Art." The presence of God filled the sanctuary as it was a clear testimony of God's sustaining grace. Marlene had an opportunity to speak with Marcella following the service that morning and to minister to her. God met with us in a very special way that day and we have been able to share their story with several churches in Michigan and Florida where we have had the opportunity to speak.
Jan. 28 we kicked off the Global Outreach Convention at our home church, Trinity Wesleyan Church in Jackson, MI. We had a great time connecting with our dear friends and faithful supporters there. God is at work and blessing the outreach of Trinity not only across the street but around the world.

We had the privilege of leading our home office staff through a day of spiritual retreat and renewal during the end of January as well. World Gospel Mission has a tremendous support staff that assists in caring for the needs of our missionaries. It was fantastic to see God meeting the needs of our staff through this focused time of prayer and renewal.

February 7 we flew to McAllen, Texas where we presented a Ministry Match Seminar with for our fastest growing WGM field of missionaries. God met with us and helped us as we learned how He desires to use our temperaments and giftings to reach

that area of the world for His Glory. Missionaries were able to gain some insights on working together in ways that will help to encourage and maximize their ministries for the Kingdom of God. Taylor Christian School and Taylor Community Center are poised to see God work through them in some tremendous ways. We ask you to pray with our team of missionaries serving there as they continue to realize their full potential in service for Christ. The leadership of the field and the leadership of each of the ministries are working together to reach this unique Tex-Mex Culture. Marlene spoke to the elementary age children at Taylor Christian School and Ned spoke to the middle school/high school class. Many great times of fellowship and meeting one on one with our missionaries filled our ministry time. Pray for this great group of missionaries serving on the border and don't forget to pray for a great group of MK's serving as well.

 We arrived home in time for Valentine's Day and after battling a sinus infection we recovered to teach at our WGM Orientation Camp which is a time for our missionaries preparing to be sent out to receive pre field training. Our group was smaller this time but we helped in training a family preparing to work among our Native Americans, a single gal going to the border and a couple that will assist us in international pastoral ministry.

Today we write to you from Palm Harbor, FL. We are gathering with family tonight to share a meal and to remember that one year ago today, Marlene's mother went to heaven. We are so thankful that we have the hope that only Jesus gives, that hope that one day we shall go to be with Him and all of our loved ones that have gone on before us. This Sunday we will speak at Christian Life Church in Kissimmee, FL and then we will begin our trek home to Marion.

Of interest you may remember that our youngest son Jordan has graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University and is loving his job at a downtown Indianapolis business where he works and lives. He will be visiting our ministry and work in Cuenca Ecuador, Feb. 28 - March 8 where he will assist in some soccer camps and visiting where we lived. Please pray for him as he travels there alone. We are being called to serve our missionaries back in Kenya, Africa March 7 - 20. We ask an interest in your prayers as we go.

As always, we appreciate you and your faithful support and prayers for this work. We simply are amazed at how much God uses you to help us do His work around the world. Your prayers and financial support are so appreciated. We thank you from our hearts.

Love and Prayers,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
World Gospel Mission Missionaries
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765-671-7240
www.wgm.org/McGrady to support our ministry