Tonight we grew tired of eating rice and beans… so we walked into downtown Llano Verde (nearly as happening as downtown Sugar Grove, WV) and I practically polished off a large pepperoni pizza all by myself, much like how Buzz McAllister does in Home Alone. And just as Buzz joked about barfing up his entire pizza, I also feel the same… because AFTER the pizza, I thought it would be a good idea to get Cucos (Guatemalan ice cream in a bag). Too much info? Maybe. Too much food? Absolutely.
As we continue to get settled in here at Hope of Life, I look back and realize HOW FAST the past month has passed. Wow. Seems like just yesterday we were stressing out about packing up the house and now we’re here. (thanks to ALL who helped us pack, clean, and brought us dinner during that stressful time!!) The first week of being here, we had amazing team from Lifepoint Church with us, so the week passed by very quickly. This week has been slower paced in some ways, but has a whole different type of busy as I get settled in to serving at the hospital and practicing Spanish every evening. We’ve gotten to spend time with Safe Haven families, participate in Wednesday night worship at The Village of Transformation, and we’ve met some really amazing people throughout the past two weeks.
Being here long term makes me realize all the comforts I am missing from back home in the states. In Virginia, I never had to worry about lizards crawling into the walls, never had to worry about killing cockroaches in the hallways, ants didn’t get into literally everything, and mosquitos definitely didn’t carry and transmit viruses. In Virginia, the showers were hot and not nearly as scary, I was able to pick up Starbucks or fast food because the hospital wasn’t so far away from everything, my bed was much more comfortable, and I wasn’t six layers deep on DEET at the end of the day.
Despite all these comforts that I’m “missing out” on, I know I’m right where I need to be. Right in the middle of my new normal. I’m trying every day to shift my focus from remembering all that I’m lacking from America, and appreciating all that I’ve got. Guatemala has stripped me from all the everyday distractions and already allowed me to grow in new ways. I have come to appreciate early mornings with black coffee, frijoles, and new friends. I am blessed to have food and be surrounded by people who love. I have come to appreciate the hot, uphill walks to St. Luke’s Hospital. I am blessed to be able to walk, and to serve in a capacity that I enjoy. I have come to appreciate difficult IV sticks on malnourished babies. Although very difficult to do, I am becoming better, and this skill is allowing babies to receive necessary medications and fluids. I have come to appreciate little arms reaching toward me in the mornings, yelling “Wendy! Wendy!”. I am blessed to be able to hold these babies and change their diapers… basic care and love that they have likely never been shown until coming here. I have come to appreciate the challenge of learning Spanish. I am blessed to have been able to see that God’s love transcends all languages, and you don’t have to speak the same language to communicate compassion.
I want to share with you a video by Hope of Life Intl’s president, Katie. In this video, she is holding a 25 year old boy who I get to care for daily. Although Wilson’s health is still fragile, he continues to make progress every single day by gaining weight and becoming more alert.
This is why we’re here. This is reality for not just Guatemala, but so many other parts of the world.
Yeah, so our “new normal” isn’t always comfortable. It’s often challenging, often fun, and always rewarding. I’m so very thankful for our friends, family, and churches who have helped to sponsor us and get us to a place where we are able to serve this way. I can promise you, your generosity is literally changing lives here in Guatemala. We are still just a bit shy of our necessary monthly amount, but we are getting by just fine. If you’d like to sponsor us monthly, go to Hopeoflifeintl.org/donate and add “Send The Saultons” in the comment field at checkout. Or you could also go to youcaring.com/sendthesaultons to make a one time donation.
You are loved.
-Whitney
