Dear Friends and Family,
Good news! I am back in Honduras! I had to jump through a few hoops, and with covid one can never be too sure that flights won’t be cancelled or some sort of complication come up, but God is bigger than covid and flights and governments and hoops to jump through.
Since arriving about ten days ago, I’ve been readjusting to life in Honduras and catching up with my people here. My time in Wyoming was so good for my soul and I feel full and inspired, so Mario and I are working on developing more of a detailed plan for discipleship here in the village. I was reminded while being back home how important authentic, deep relationship is to me and it’s something that, outside of Mario’s family, I’ve struggled to develop here. So after getting some really wonderful time with my family and friends in Cody and being able to recognize just how important those kinds of encouraging, genuine, Jesus-centered friendships are to me, and I believe in the Kingdom, I’m motivated to develop that more here. Discipleship has always been something that I’ve loved, and I have pursued it here, but up to this point it hasn’t necessarily been the focus. Honestly up to this point since we’re still very new to full-time ministry (a year ago this month I moved down to Honduras and next month Mario and I will be celebrating our first anniversary-- crazy!) and with the way covid has turned the world upside down, I wouldn’t say that we have ever really had one singular focus; I’m excited to change that and really work on practicing living in authentic, Kingdom-inspired community. That’s always the real goal, isn’t it? To live in a way that reflects the nature and culture of God’s Kingdom: a Kingdom that is rich in abundant life and sincere love and deep relationships. I’m still not sure exactly what it will look like, nor what will happen tomorrow or next month or next year, but I do know that God asks me to trust Him, to take the next step in obedience, and to be intentional in the here and now, no matter what the future may have to hold. What an adventure it is to follow Christ!
As always, we have prayer requests:
-First, we ask that you pray for God’s guidance for us in taking the next step and that He will work in us and through us. Also, that we will depend only on Him and His strength, not our own. And of course, that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of those we share with so that they may come to know Jesus deeply and grow in Him by His grace and power. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t matter how good our materials are nor how much we try.
-Second, the continued prayer request with YWAM. I don’t know what specifically to ask for in terms of that other than just that God’s will be done. It would be an amazing opportunity and we would love for it to work out, but we trust that God sees the big picture and knows what He is doing.
-Third, Mario’s sister has been sick for the majority of the year and we have been doing everything we can to help her heal, but it doesn’t seem to be working. It’s been a long, discouraging process and so we ask for prayers for her health-- physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. At this point, it has to be a healing work of the Lord.
-Lastly, I believe I mentioned in a previous update that we were experiencing quite a bit of attack here in La Venta. Things have improved a lot, praise Jesus, but I ask that you would keep that in your prayers as well. The enemy only wants to steal and kill and destroy, so we ask for prayers for protection from those attacks and for genuine unity and peace within the community and the churches here.
Thank you so much for the prayers and support. I am humbled and so encouraged knowing that we have people uplifting us and behind us. May the Lord continue to use each of you as lights in this dark world and as ambassadors for His Kingdom!
Katie and Mario Velasquez
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