July–September Update from the State of Washington
Currently Working with Guelph Prays, a city-wide Ontario (CA) ministry promoting prayer to see the city transformed, founded by Jacob and Karen Ginter, my former teammates in Spain.
I’m back in Greater Seattle after my three-month mission to Guelph. I’m connecting once again with folk in my co-op complex, and with others in the area. I’m praying which ministry opportunities the Lord would want me to focus on—until November, when I plan to return to Guelph for another three months. (Six months in a calendar year is the maximum I can physically be present in Canada).
Here are my priorities for this next season: First, I will continue keeping close ties with the Guelph Prays ministry by leading or participating online with the prayer groups and other Guelph activities. The rest of my ministry week, here in the Northwest, will be focused on local ministry. More to come next month on this.
Here are some praise and prayer items from the last half of my time in Guelph:
- Thanks for praying for our prayer seminar. We shared the Biblical basis and importance of public prayer, divided into different prayer groups, and prayed for two specific topics: the unity of the believers in Guelph, and the homeless. I’m encouraged by the positive feedback we received. Several attendees have since met with our prayer groups. Continue to pray that the body of Christ in Guelph will see the impact for the Kingdom that can come through praying with others for their city.
- I had one-on-one encounters over coffee with some of the new folk involved in our prayer groups and partner ministries.
- I met several times the founder of the new Guelph Prayer Network (GPN), and his wife Elaine. (The mission of GPN is to encourage groups in Guelph that are praying for the city, including Guelph Prays.) Please pray for them. They envision that every day of the week prayer groups will be interceding for change in the city.
- The Missional Group leadership had a mini-retreat. Then we had a great exchange with an experienced planter of smaller versions of church, who is willing to coach us in the next steps in this process.
- I went to a regional prayer gathering in Hamilton, Ontario. One testimony of how to impact one’s workplace through prayer was riveting. A provincial government employee shared how during her lunch hour, pre-pandemic, she had begun praying for her fellow workers. Word got out to other believing colleagues who joined her. During the Covid lockdowns, the lunch time prayer meetings moved to Zoom. Now there are multiple government offices throughout Ontario province and beyond where believers are praying in and for those in their workplaces. Pray that believers in Guelph will likewise find creative ways to reach out to those in their orbit.
- I also participated in the Moms In Prayer weekly prayer times for students and schools.
Looking toward the future here, are some things you can pray about both for Guelph and Seattle:
- For the Guelph Prayer Network, that even more prayer groups would be formed for the transformation of the city.
- That faith conversations would ensue as the Missional Group leadership loves their neighbors well and deepens friendships through activities such as community pickleball, monthly barbecues, a weekly play group for parents with young kids, and Sunday home meetings.
- For me in Seattle: that I would be clear which ministry opportunities, outside of the remote work with Guelph Prays, the Lord would have me involved in until I return for another three-month stint sometime in November.
I’m very grateful for your continued prayer and financial support. While all my present needs are met, I will be needing some additional funds for that Fall–Winter tour in Guelph. (Please note details below).
Blessings,
Mary Woodward
GIVING: BY CHECK: to ACTION US, PO Box 398, Mountlake Terrace WA 98024 Phone: 425-775-4800 designated for Mary Woodward as monthly, one-time, or 2025 Ministry Trips. ONLINE: press here or https://www.actioninternational.org/missionary/Mary-Woodward then designate by pressing “add instructions to the finance office” on the check-out page.