Home at last and Grateful!
On May 18, our granddaughter Elizabeth Lucia Baird (Ella) was born. And, thanks to Covid and an Embassy shutdown in Peru, we got to be there! Our son, Colton, came in from Springfield, MO. For the first time in two years, we had all of our children together. We kissed our kids, snuggled Ella, ate Greater’s Ice Cream and thanked God for his blessings. It was a really good day!
A cup of "oxygen" in Jesus' name…
Covid continues to ravage Peru, which has the highest death rate per capita in the world. We know at least 40 people (mostly AG pastors and church members) who have died. So, we are grateful to be well and back in the U.S. Lima is still heavily restricted – with nightly curfews, mask regulations and laws against gathering. There are no beds in the ICUs and very little oxygen. The cost of a tank of oxygen, enough for one day, exceeds $1000 and families stand in line for days to buy less than half of a tank. So, in addition to food for families, we purchased oxygen and an oxygen concentrator. These enabled us to bring relief to many pastors in our region.
Mark 9:41 says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water [or oxygen ] in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”
Graduation and Transition
We celebrate the High School graduation of our son, Will. For years, he has labored by our side in missions. He's a great percussionist, Bible study leader and technician for on-line services. We're blessed that he will continue to hone those skills as part of the XA ministry (with Haidar and Nicole Shafei) at Kent State University (Lena's alma mater).
Thanks for being on the team
Thanks to our ministry partners who have been so faithful, enabling us to establish Christ's church and disciple the lost in Peru. Thank you! Thanks, also, to the churches who have invited us out to share in your services. We have many dates available. Please call us (513-407-5412) or email (Bill.Shrader@agmd.org) for a service, home group or cup of coffe.
Our new address:
We usually return to our house in Mason, but this time we'll be staying in Cuyahoga Falls. Thanks to The Lighthouse (Assembly of God) for the use of their beautiful missions house, which puts us close to Lena's family. Our new address is: 333 Graham Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 44223