May Update from Guelph, Ontario Canada
Working with Guelph Prays, a city-wide ministry promoting prayer to see the city transformed, founded by Jacob and Karen Ginter, my former teammates in Spain.
May 10 marked 42 years since I first left for Spain to begin missionary work. I couldn’t have imagined then that I would serve so long in Spain nor that God would open doors for me to serve with Guelph Prays, here in Greater Toronto.
I arrived here in Guelph on April 8 and will return to Seattle on July 10. It’s been a full and instructive time so far. It’s been interesting being here for Canadian general elections.
- I’ve reconnected with the different prayer groups. During May I’ve been planning and facilitating the Guelph Prays prayer groups in order to give Jacob and Karen time to step back, reflect, get refreshed, and re-focus as needed.
- I’ve met those in the process of forming a Guelph Prayer Network along with Guelph Prays. Now different groups have joined together so that at least one group is praying for community transformation each day of the week.
- I am enjoying meeting in person with the Missional Living Group (MLG) with leaders John and Martha (from MoveIn) and Jacob and Karen (Guelph Prays founders). Pray for wisdom for MLG leadership on how to best disciple and integrate in Sunday meetings folk who have interest in doing church—those just new to faith who are drawn to a “smaller way of doing church.”
- Jacob continues to see growth in the Christian 12-step ministry called Celebrate Recovery (CR). CR is for anyone desiring healing from hurts and hangups. I’m part of the prayer team that prays for specific requests the CR `attenders have.
More Things You Can Pray for in Guelph
- For wisdom as I prepare for a prayer seminar on June 21, sponsored by Guelph Prays, and for those coming alongside to help
- For the new government in Canada
- For Jacob and Karen and John and Martha as they seek to get to know and serve their neighbors
- For the Guelph Prayer Network: good communication and continued unity
Some News and Prayer Points From Spain
- You have all probably heard of the 7–8-hour power outage in practically all of Spain and parts of Portugal and France. One friend put it this way. ¨The outage was scary, but what concerns us the most is that they don´t know what caused it.¨ Please pray that experts will determine what really happened and that this incident would open hearts to think about their eternal destiny.
- Betania Church in Sevilla (where I ministered from 2003–2022) is growing. The Sunday School teachers that I mentored are doing an excellent job. Pastor Jose Manuel and assistant pastor Luis would covet your prayers as they lead the church.
- I keep in touch with several of my former students in Castilleja de Guzmán (Sevilla). Recently, I received a picture of Concha and Estrella, her daughter and my former student, in the annual April Fair. I tutored Estrella in English for 11 years. I have shared the gospel with both of them and left them a Bible before my departure to the US in 2022. Pray that the spiritual seeds that were planted will bloom one day soon.
- Both Betania and former students would love it if I could visit them at the end of the year or the beginning of 2026. Please pray for God’s leading if this is His will.
Finally, words can’t express my gratefulness for how you have partnered with me over the years, through prayer, finances, and in other ways. I leave this Pauline prayer for you. “I thank my God every time I remember you because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1: 3-6)
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.
MY INFORMATION: 710 124th St. SW, Apt. 74, Everett, WA 98204; Phone: (206) 638 7226
WHILE IN CANADA: 43-45 Marksam Rd, Guelph ON (Canada) N1H6Y9