Happy May, friends and family! I’m over a week late in writing this month’s newsletter, but ever since May started I haven’t been able to catch up on anything! However, I'm finally able to sit down on a chilly, beautiful Sunday afternoon in my parents’ dining room with the most stunning view looking onto some of my favorite mountains here in Cody, Wyoming. There is a storm rolling in and the mountains are receiving fresh snow-- May in Wyoming!
The last time I wrote was sad and heavy and the loss of Bibian still weighs on our hearts each day… The first couple of weeks in April were quiet and uneventful, just allowing ourselves time to mourn and process. There were countless times that I could only think “I don’t understand how we go on after this; I don’t get how one moves on and continues with life after a loss like that.” After having things on hold for a bit, we tried to redevelop our weekly rhythm and return to our social activities. I still have a couple of girls I’m meeting with to disciple, and I was able to start to go through a book with another girl as well. Mario also has a young guy that just accepted Christ and they’re meeting together sometimes even multiple times a week which has been really great. We also were still hosting youth group in our house every week, as well as the Bible college/discipleship course we’re going through with some other friends and family. We’ll be finishing the first semester soon, which we’re very excited for! We also reopened the cafe after being closed for a few weeks and have been trying to get back into that whole rhythm. The last week of April, I headed up to Dallas, Texas to meet up with my dad and a group from a church here in Cody for the Church Leadership Conference at Watermark Community Church. It was so amazing. Three days starting early in the morning and going late into the day, full of workshops and breakout sessions and so many amazing speakers. God spoke to me and encouraged my heart in so many ways. One of the highlights of my time there was getting to meet Shane Barnard from the band Shane and Shane-- they have a song, Though You Slay Me, that I’ve always loved and that especially impacted me the last week of Bibian’s life. It was such a sweet gesture on God’s part to orchestrate that meeting. From Dallas, I came up to Cody and I’ll be here through the end of May, visiting family and friends and trying to work some to save a bit of money. I also made a quick trip up to Washington state to visit family up there and May is the most beautiful time of year for that. I can’t wait to someday have Mario with me and show him my Wyoming and take him to Washington. Please be praying for that! I finally was able to send in his visa application last week and am so hopeful for that door to open sooner rather than later. While I’m up here in the States for now though, Mario will continue with the weekly activities that we have in La Venta.
Thank you all for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers for us. We always need all of the above! As I always ask, just keep Mario and his family in your prayers especially as their hearts are needing so much grace and healing after Bibian’s passing. Once again, thank you.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
Blessings to you all,
Katie and Mario
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