Summer Ministry Update

 

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

Greetings to you our faithful friends, family and supporters of our ministry. We are in the busy time of ministry at World Gospel Mission as summer is a time when many of our missionaries come back for a time of ministry in the USA. We will gather with 10 of our Global Workers next week for a time of debriefing and renewal. We will work to listen well to their stories and come alongside of them in times of sharing both their joys and concerns of this last term. We also offer a special camping opportunity for our missionary kids at a state park here in Indiana. We have 9 Mk's coming to MK Camp this year. So we will be intentional about ministry these days ahead. 

In May we had a wonderful retreat with the staff at the Southwest Ministries Center. Missionaries from New Mexico and Arizona met with us in a week long retreat in Prescott, AZ back in May. God met with us in a very special way and we shared about the easy yoke that Jesus offers in exchange for our heavy burdens. It was a meaningful time of witness and experiencing the close presence of Jesus in our midst. Ned had a chance to hike up Thumb Butte with missionary Steve Cartwright and Pastor Felix from one of our Native American churches. It was a beautiful time during one of the afternoons during the retreat. Thank you for your prayers for us as we traveled there and ministered amongst this people. Our first five months of 2022 took us to Kenya, Paraguay and the Southwest. You were with us every trip! Thank you!

We went to our granddaughter's kindergarten class and read in Spanish at her Spanish Immersion School. Ama and Papa (as Rowen and Elliot calls us) did a little skit in Spanish and read a couple of books. The highlight for Papa was being corrected on my pronunciation by a kindergartener! Well it has been a while since the days in Mexico and Ecuador... :)  

In June we had a week to spend on Lake Michigan at the Howard House near Silver Lake. This cabin has been a blessing to our family for nearly 30 years and one that we so have enjoyed. We first came in contact with Howard and Penny Henry while pastoring in Jackson, MI. They would attend church and was always our guest speaker from the Gideon's International. Howard went to be with Jesus a few years ago, but his family still allows us the privilege of enjoying the Howard House as it is lovingly referred to. We were able to enjoy a week there with our kids and granddaughters. It was a great time for family. 

In July our local church Lakeview Wesleyan Church had a Vacation Bible School. We were able to raise almost $300 for the Least of These Children's Ministry in Nairobi, Kenya. The kids did a great job supporting missions all while learning that they were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Rowen and Elliot attended VBS this year. Papa helped with Elliot's class of preschoolers, with about 20 kiddos. Marlene helped with Rowen's class of K - 1st grade and she too had about 20. We loved doing VBS and grateful to have our grandkids as part of this time. They loved it as did all the kiddos!

We just returned from an opportunity to visit the Augustine Monastery in Petoskey, MI where we did a spiritual retreat. The beauty of Petoskey along the Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan is a fresh water ocean of beauty. We were able to have some dedicated time to listen to the Lord and make preparation for many of the summer events we are leading. It is so good to refresh the soul as you prepare to be refreshment to others. 

July 18 - 22 will be our Renewal event at the WGM Marion Campus and then after that we will head to a family reunion in Tennessee before returning to campus for the next events including another Renewal, a Retiree/Alumni Event and a conference. The question we normally get center around do you have any trips planned and with so much going on in the summer we are looking at the fall as a possible time to plan another visit to a mission field. We will see what doors open and where God may be leading us to next! We will keep you posted. 

We trust that you are doing well. It is always a joy to remember you and to know that God has used you to bless us in so many ways. We can not say thank you enough from our hearts. It is the faithful gifts of God's people that makes the work we do possible, it is the faithful prayers of God's people that empowers us to do that work. Together we make a great team!

May Jesus bless you greatly! We pray you will have a good summer too. 

Sincerely,

Ned and Marlene McGrady 

Missionaries with WGM Box 948, Marion, IN 46953

https://www.wgm.org/missionary/mcgrady