Thank you to so many of you that helped send us to Jamaica. The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa a category five hurricane that made its way across the Caribbean in late October last year was certainly evident. The destruction left many people feeling devasted and in need of relief.The people of Jamaica are resilient and working together to help each other.
During the week of January 17th - 23rd, we traveled to Jamaica with our co-workers Rev. Greg and Teresa Leeth to meet up with our WGM Missionary Deirdre Graham. She has been on the ground ministering in disaster relief to the people of the Island. Relief supplies such as food stapples and fresh water have been provided and distributed by WGM tthrough the local churches as a result of the generosity of God's people.
During our time in Jamaica we met with church leaders and were able to tour a few of the churches on the Island that were damaged or destroyed during this disaster. Some places of worship were completely rendered useless while many others were damaged and in need of repair. WGM is working closely with the church to assist with the recovery and restoration of churches across the island. A work team from WGM will be going this month to assist. There are many opportunities for future teams in the planning stages through WGM. You can view this video for more information Short Term Jamaica Teams
Our week of ministry included preaching opportunities to the local congreagation at the Annoto Bay Church, as well as some time to minister to church leaders and view the great needs on the Island. We were able to spend some extended time encouraging and debriefing with Deirdre to provide support and care for her as she has given so sacrificially in service to so many. We spent time in God's word, reflecting on the ministry and the opportunities for the Gospel to be lived out in practical and caring ways. God helped us in amazing ways during this week.
If you or your church or group would like to be a part of this recovery effort for the Island of Jamaica, WGM offers you that opportuninty. Please view JAMAICA at the wgm.org website for relief and recovery information.
Just prior to the visit to Jamaica we had a wonderful opportunity to share in a Soul Shepherding Retreat with Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) Team in Tijuana, Mexico. We gathered with missionary leaders Eric and Rebecca Prager (upper right) and their BCM team including over 50 pastors and minsitry leaders serving throughout Mexico. They gathered together for important leadership meetings, and ministry celebrations as they marked significant milestones of outreach and life transformation for people throughout Mexico.
Many people partnered with us in prayer for this event and God was faithful to help encourage, restore and refresh ministry leaders as they continue to serve in significant discipleship and evangelism ministries. God helped us as we shared tools and practices to help lift up those working on the front lines in ministry. Thank you everyone that prayed with us and helped to stand with us in financial support. God was so fiathful to meet with us and give us great blessings as we shared the Word of God and found food for our souls.
After returning from these travels, we gathered with our Member Health Team in the Orlando, Florida area for our annual team retreat. We are so thankful that God has given us the best team to do this work of ministry to missionaries. It is an honor for Marlene and I to lead this team. God has blessed us greatly and the work of reaching our world for Christ is met through this team that God has called.
Dr. David and Angie Smith (retired Indiana Wesleyan University Professor) lead us in wonderful biblical teaching that encouraged our team in the work we do. They helped us look at transitions in life that we all expereince and how to face those in the strength that Christ gives us through the Holy Spirit. We were blessed and encouraged as we looked at several bible characters and how they navigated transition. Needless to say, this is a very popular topic for our work with missionaries who find themselves in transition quite often.
January was a month of full-on ministry for us and we simply want to STOP! and say "Thank you" - Yes, thank you everyone reading this, you have given to our ministry, you have prayed for us and you have thought about us and we thank you! We are making plans to focus on connecting with you this summer and fall as we make plans to travel in Home Ministry Assignement later this year. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
Blessings,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
WGM Missionaries.
www.wgm.org/mcgrady
