Loss and Life

Well,

This has been a really difficult few weeks. On Saturday, October 13th, Maria Renteria passed away due to complications with bone cancer.  4 days later, on Wednesday, October 24th Socorro Renteria, her mother passed away. I preached at Socorro’s funeral. I spoke from John 11 “I am the resurrection and the life.” I am so grateful that Socorro’s life and death were a testimony to her friends and family about the power of Christ to take us from death to life both physically and spiritually.

On Saturday, August 20th, I received a phone call at 6:00 AM. A dear friend of mine, Todd Richard Wunderle, passed away while traveling through cambodia on a motorcycle. He was 26 years old and the cause of death was ruled a heart attack. Thank the Lord we had already planned on going to Ohio for some meetings regarding the ministry. So I will be able to spend some time with his brother Matt and their family.

Then on Tuesday, the 23rd of October, I found out that a relative in Maryland, who we always used to visit as kids, passed away. His name was “Bun” at least that’s what we called him. We went camping with he, his wife, and children, every year throughout elementary and middleschool.

I would just like to take a moment to express gratefulness to the Lord, for the opportunity to know such amazing people. We will truly miss them. And that helps us to know just how amazing they were and what a priveledge it is to have known them. Father…be with their families in these difficult times.

Amen

Your Servant in Christ,

Mark Livengood

Mrs. Renteria

About a month ago I asked you to pray for Mrs. Renteria and her family. Mrs. Renteria had two worms removed from her foot and the doctors were concerned they would have to amputate. They were not sure if they were going to have to amputate a small portion of her foot, her foot, or her leg. Well, 3 weeks ago Mrs. Renteria had surgery and her doctors believed they had successfully removed two toes and a portion of the foot between the toes. Unfortunately, she got gangrene and today it seems like today they are going to amputate to just below the knee.

Mrs. Renteria is disappointed but has been in so much pain that she just wants this situation to be over. She wants to be back at home. Her daughter told me that while Mrs. Renteria was squirming around in pain she cried out, “Lord, You have been so faithful to me! Help me be faithful to You now.”

I praise God for Mrs. Renterias faith which echoes that of the father of the demon possessed boy in Mark 9:24. “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.”

Please continue to pray for Mrs. Renteria as many difficult and trying times are still to come.