A few years ago, I was at Advancing Native Mission’s annual retreat with my sweet friends Carolyn Kleinert and Kristin Teeple. It was there, during a missionary’s speech, that I heard the expression “Gratefulness unexpressed is ungratefulness implied.”
Wow. Talk about a harsh reality check. I never wanted to be ambivalent when it came to thanking people, and I realized that so many times in my life, I let the opportunity to show gratitude slip through my fingers. I wondered how many times I had allowed ungratefulness to be the mark that I left behind. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I wanted this to be my prayer and to use this as my lens to view my life.
With Thanksgiving coming up, as cliche as it may be, I feel like now is the time that I want to publicly express my gratefulness toward anyone who has sponsored us, loved us, or encouraged us through this process. November I will be posting a short blog every day giving a shout out to one of our supporters, as well as a mention of how their support is carrying over here. So, if you’re into that sort of thing.. come back and check it out. 🙂
Also, we’re extending the preorder deadline for our new Send The Saultons t-shirt. Here’s how to get one:
Purchasing a Send The Saultons shirt allows us to travel back to the US for Christmas! •T-shirts are $20, add $3 for shipping. •Preorder deadline is November 6, 2016. You will receive the t-shirts by the end of December, just in time for Christmas! •Sizes Youth Medium – 3XL available. •Email whitney7788@gmail.com with your name, address, and size. •Paypal whitney7788@gmail.com your amount via “send money to friends and family.” •We will deliver to Lifepoint, FBCK, and Hope of Life. If purchasing and shipping more than one shirt, only pay shipping fee once.
You are loved. And if you’re reading this, we are thankful for YOU.
–Whitney.
You are enough. I’m not sure who needed to read that right now or if I needed to remind myself, but there it is. Today I was journaling and in fancy calligraphy, I wrote out the beautiful, albeit cliche, Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Well, not really. I cannot bench press a car, I will never be elected president of the USA, and I doubt I’ll ever become a record holder in ‘most slices of pizza eaten in one sitting.’ (but that last one is a big maybe… that’s actually plausible.) So while I cannot do ALL things, I gotta remember that what God has called me into, He will continue to equip me for by His grace and His power.
And thank God that it’s not just “up” to me and my own abilities. Otherwise I would have raised the white flag a long time ago. “It’s too hot.” “I’m too tired.” “Whoa, there’s a scorpion in my couch. Now it’s on my leg. NOW IT’S IN MY BODY.” And if I’m being completely honest, it’s not just the general discomfort of living in a developing country… Often times I battle with my own insecurities. “My Spanish isn’t good enough.” “I missed that IV just now. I suck at nursing.” But I must always remember that when it feels that the expectations of this world are mounting, when I’m doubting myself, and I feel insufficient, that I. AM. ENOUGH. And you are too. Ephesians 3:20 says it best… “Now unto HIM who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine according to HIS POWER that is at work within us.” It is Christ who strengthens me. Christ who fulfills me. Christ who sustains me. And because He is able, I am able too.
Marli THREE years ago at age three… bathing in a bucket of dirty water in the village of El Oasis.Marli, July 2016, age 6. Now has access to clean water. Excuse the fact that I look a little rough, but I had just finished up a medical clinic and deworming clinic for the village of El Oasis. No more parasites for sweet little Marli!Claudia had a severe case of impetigo on her face.She said it itched so bad that it hurt. Her mom saved up what money they could to take her to the doctor, but they were unable to afford the prescription.“Hop into my car and we’ll ride up to the hospital!” Claudia was excited to go, and loved the automatic button that made the window go up and down.Claudia’s mom was grateful for a free prescription, and Claudia was excited for another car ride back home.2 weeks later, Claudia is all smiles. Thank you Dr. Vivi and Dr. Ana Lucia for graciously seeing Claudia during your busy days!In May, precious Mirian was always sick and slow to gain weight.She now has more energy, looks better than ever, and is gaining muscle tone. “Look! I found my toes!”And would you look at that? A double chin and a big, happy smile to go with it. 🙂
We have been in Guatemala for 8 months. And I have seen God do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all I could imagine, and I believe the best is yet to come. Come be part of our journey too. Head over to http://www.sendthesaultons.com/support to preorder one of our new t-shirts!
Stole this picture from you, Jessy Nessy! 😉 Thanks for coming last week!! <3
Has it really been four months since I have written on here? I apologize for the extended period of silence, but there has been so much that has happened. If I can be honest, some of it, I want to share but have been too busy when I work up the courage to write about it.. and some parts, some of the more difficult moments, I don’t even know how to share. There are moments in the stillness of the middle of the night, where I am still grieved by the month of May and all the loss we experienced here.
I guess it’s in these darkest moments, in this desert season, on days when it seems hard to wrap my head around what I’m doing here, the last thing I’m likely to do is sit down in front of the computer and formulate those feelings into sentences by pounding them out on my keyboard. But today is my time.
May was a busy month. I enjoy busy. I like to work. I like the feeling of laying my head on my pillow at night feeling satisfied that I have done all I can do and that I have accomplished things during the day. In May, we worked hard, we rescued many babies, and even had a long rescue the weekend of the 14th where we spent both Saturday and Sunday in the mountains on rescues. However, some of those babies never made it back to Hope of Life. 10 days later, we would end up losing 5 babies total from rescues or in the hospital setting. And that is where my hurt set in.
Being a nurse for several years, I have grown accustomed to loss. It never becomes easy, especially when your hands played a part in caring for that patient. Your hands spoon fed them pureed food slowly so they would not choke. Your hands pushed tiny droplets of liquid into their mouth via syringe or mouth swab because they were too weak to suck on a straw. Your hands held their hands and sang them songs in their weakest moments, when each breath becomes heavy and more labored. Your hands are what intervened with the final attempt to keep them here when that wasn’t what The Lord had planned. Yes, I’ve seen a lot of loss in my career, but somehow May seemed heavier. 5 is a lot of loss to process at one time.
Although that lives are gone and all that remains is hurt and sweet memories of them, I have realized that I can no longer remain encumbered by the “what-ifs” of this life. I am thankful for the amazing staff and team we have at St. Luke’s Hospital here at Hope of Life– from the doctors, to the nurses, to the nannies, nutritionists, therapists, social workers, administrators, kitchen staff, housekeeping, pharmacist, laboratory staff, ambulance drivers, and every one in between. I am thankful knowing that I serve beside a wonderful team who works tirelessly to save lives here in Guatemala. What we do certainly isn’t easy, but for every story of loss, we have five more stories of redemption and healing. I am thankful to serve with other families who “get” it. Who are also here serving on the frontline of adversity, in the dirt and sickness and heat, and who help hold me up in these difficult times… The Nash family + Lauren, The Monk family, The Holt family, The Rule family, the other long term volunteers- Kathy, Faith and Marissa. Especially thanks to Bryan who has extended more grace and patience than I should be allowed, and loved me through times when I was unlovable at best. Thank you to all of our generous donors back home! Because you faithfully give and pray for us, we can continue doing what we do… even when the rubber meets the road, I know that I am exactly where I belong in this season. God has given me more than I deserve and I couldn’t do what I do without my “village” (which includes you, if you’re still reading this) 😉
And THAT was just May. I am by no means a good writer, so I will try to update you with more scattered thoughts and semi-processed emotions when the time comes. June+ July + August include a bout of dengue fever, a scorpion sting, house flooding, a visit back to the states to rest and recharge, and coming back to Hope of Life more passionate and excited for what I do than ever before. I am thankful for healing (physical, emotional and spiritual) and excited to see where our journey takes us from here.
Thanks for sticking around. You are loved.
-Whit.
Picture time!
Rescues will take us 2-3 hours into the mountains of Guatemala, where over 70% of the population is malnourished.Houses are simplistic, people have little, and they live off the land.Many infants are rocked to sleep in hammocksOr they sleep on a cot made of sticks and dried leaves, like Deisy here in this pictureVisit https://www.hopeoflifeintl.org/impact/child-rescue/ to see how you can support child rescues or donate money for a life saving food bag for these families in remote villages.2 months later, Deisy is alert, happy, and healthy and ready to return to her home.Isn’t she cute?!Many babies are brought out of the mountains each week.Some more critical than others.But all desperately needing medical attention.Please continue to support our mission at sendthesaultons.com/support
In 29, almost 30 years of life I had never broken a bone. Until Mothers’ Day here in Guatemala (it was the Tuesday after in the U.S.) when Whitney and I were watching some of the kids from the orphanage so that the mothers & nannies could enjoy the evening off for a party. We were having a great time but the kids that hadn’t fell asleep were definitely getting restless so we decided that we should watch a movie and Lord willing, the kids would either enjoy the movie or fall asleep or both! I went to go get the computer and it was really dark outside. As I walked across a wooden walking bridge from where we were towards our house, I took the first step down the other side. Except there wasn’t a step. There was a perfect size 10 shoe gap between the bridge and the steps and you guessed it, my size 10s found it! I fell and it hurt, really bad. But like I said, I’ve never broken a bone until then so I can’t say that I knew it was broken at the time, but it was some of the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I called Whitney and she came running (thankfully not across the bridge where I fell) and then I was carried to a truck of some friends and hurried off to the hospital in Zacapa. Hospitals in Guatemala are not like the U.S. I didn’t have a wait to be seen but there also was no A/C. I was given an IV then a shot then had some x-rays. Then another shot & by that time the doctor was there to review my x-rays. He walked into the “room” where I was waiting wearing shorts and a polo and informed us that I had a hairline fracture on my right ankle. When I was getting the cast, my foot was held in the air by my toes so that it could get wrapped correctly and dry. After it was dry and we were more or less ready to go, the doctor said I needed the cast for 4 weeks and then therapy after that for recovery and that I could leave once my IV was finished. But this is Guatemala. The nurse found out that Whitney was a nurse as well and said that we could go ahead and leave and just let the IV finish on the way home. So we did exactly that. Drove home with IV in tow.
Fast forward 4 weeks. After 4 brutally hot and sweaty weeks it was time to get rid of this cast. I was done. I didn’t care how it was going to get cut off but it was time. I talked to the doctor at our hospital at Hope of Life and she approved of the cast coming off but didn’t have the tool to cut casts. But this is Guatemala… I have tools, I have stuff that I KNOW I could cut that cast off with. So I went home, grabbed my Fiskar’s tree limb trimmers and went back to the hospital. With the doctor’s supervision, I cut off my own cast. with tree trimmers. why? Because this is Guatemala. Sometimes you don’t need all of the bells and whistles of the U.S. Sometimes you don’t need to go back to the doctor and spend more money getting a cast off. Sometimes you just do it yourself!
God has taught me a lot during this time with my cast. I was totally dependent on other people for nearly everything. I took walking for granted. I had no idea how much work & how exhausting crutches were. I couldn’t carry my own plate of food to the dinner table, I couldn’t carry a drink, I was just about useless. But I’ve learned a lot during this time and I’m so thankful that it was just a hairline fracture and that I didn’t need my leg set, I didn’t need surgery, I didn’t need anything expensive! God showed me how many friends that I have that He’s put in my life to get me through that difficult month. God showed me what an incredible wife that I had. From the second I told her I had fallen she was on the job. She never quit. She made me food, carried food, carried coffee, carried well just about everything that I couldn’t fit in a book bag to carry myself. She helped wrap my foot so I could shower. She gave me injections of weird NSAID pain medication that the doctor prescribed for my pain. I cannot possibly tell you how much my wife did for me, how amazing she is, or how blessed I am to be her husband.
This is Guatemala. No other place I’d rather be. Swollen kankle & all.
2:30 in the morning here, and an eerie quietness has finally blanketed the hospital. The babies arent crying, the mothers arent pacing the floors, the IVs are all functioning.
The past few days here at the hospital have been difficult with several very sick babies down for the count thanks to a recent outbreak of rotavirus. Rotavirus here is exactly what it is in the states, but here it can be much more dangerous, as these babies are in a much more fragile state when it comes to their health. Already malnourished, and with temperatures soaring above 110, dehydration becomes a very real and serious concern. And have you ever tried to start an IV on a dehydrated, malnourished, sick and screaming kid? Its about as fun as it sounds.
Yeah, I could go into some pretty disgusting details of EXACTLY what we are dealing with and seeing here, but I will spare you the trauma. Just know that it has been miserably hot– so hot that we have had difficulties getting temperatures to read on thermometers. I could also say that the past few days have been pretty CRAPPY.
However, after working nonstop 28 hours Sunday and having our amazing team of Drs coming back on Monday morning, its so nice to see many of the babies feeling better after a few difficult days of multiple IVs per kid, comforting many concerned and crying mamas, entertaining the other kids who are frustrated because they are isolated and cooped up in their room so as to not catch the yuck, and maybe 40 cups of coffee. My kidneys are going to hate me after this.
Its so humbling to see these sweet, sick babies… so well taken care of and asleep in their comfortable beds, while their mothers sleep on the floor next to their cribs. Many of the mothers here sacrifice so much so their baby can receive help. So many of them have left their families and homes to come here and stay at the hospital while we provide care. I realize the same thing happens in the states, but its usually far less inconvenient– where your child may only be in the hospital for a few days, your family is accessible via phone calls and facetime or many of the time may even be at the patient bedside, and visitors always have a comfortable place to sit or sleep.
I just pray that I never find my time spent here as common. I pray that the things I see dont become easier and that with every IV stick, every diaper change, every NG tube feeding, every vital sign taken and every medication administered, that I always remember the story on the other side of that– every hug, every tear wiped away, every Spanglish prayer that was prayed, every crying baby I rocked to sleep, every fever that finally broke, every smile that I have seen when a patient is told they no longer need their IV, that their nutritional status is stable, or they can finally be discharged to go home. My hope, above all else, is that through every action, no matter how tedious, mundane, or difficult, that I can display love and compassion to all who are here.
Jose is finally looking great after battling Kwashiorkors, a severe form of malnutritionDelmy is all smiles despite being cooped up in her crib and off the germ infested floors.Herminio cheesin per usualSOmany IVs on SO many babies 🙁Yolanda, the selfie queen, loves crazy snapchat filters 🙂Surprise late night visitors at the hospital. No me gusta.
This is my (Bryan) first blog post… well unless you count my #LiveJournal that I had back in high school… yikes! So with that said., here goes nothing! Mark 2:17 says, When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (HCSB) I love that. The sick need the doctor. Sinners need the Savior. We are sick. We are sinners. We need the doctor. We need the Savior. We need Jesus. I love the verse because I used to think that after being a good Christian for a long time you can become a Sunday school teacher or a youth leader then after that you can be a pastor. Then if you really love Jesus and are pretty much perfect, you can be an evangelist or missionary. I mean think about it. Missionaries and people in full-time ministry probably don’t watch tv (definitely not HBO), they never cuss, they don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t get into fights with their spouse/children/family/etc. They’re just about perfect. They’re like “Super Christians.” I really used to feel that way. I thought God would never use me because I’ve done all of those things that I mentioned before. I felt I was unqualified, incapable, and too broken to be effectively used for God’s ministry. But God doesn’t see who I am in my sin or what I’ve been or what I will be tomorrow, He sees me in the light of His son and who I will be when complete in Him. God uses normal people to do His service. Or as my campus pastor and friend Ben says “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” I’m not saying I’m not trying to be a better servant of Christ each day and that I just “continue in sin so that grace may multiply (Romans 6:1 HSCB) but I am saying that I still struggle. I still mess up. I am a normal person with not much more than average talents. But God saw our willing hearts to go and serve and He ran with it. God has opened the doors, He has prepared the way, and is showing His grace and His love to us daily. But even though we’ve made the move to Guatemala and have taken the next step towards what I thought was becoming “Super Christians”, we still have a long way to go. I’ve already struggled with my doubts of His call. I’ve cried when the enemy has convinced me that we’ve made a huge mistake and we’re going to be miserable. But thankfully God didn’t leave me there in my sorrow. Through my quiet time and through the encouragement of my wife, I’ve been able to see again the Lord’s provision in everything. I don’t completely know yet what God has in store for us. But I do know this, it’s not everyday that God equips you for full-time ministry by going to nursing school (Whit) and culinary school (me). So whatever God is going to do, I’m excited to be a part of it and am trying to remember what He’s done for us when I doubt it. If you ever think that God couldn’t use you or wouldn’t want to just remember Mark 2:17. Remember God calls the unrighteous (sick) of this world and makes them righteous (well). He takes us and redeems us so that we will tell others about His incredible love so that more people might experience it. I’m blessed to be serving in Guatemala and to be a full-time missionary. I’m not alone in my normalcy. Most of the missionaries I’ve met would fit into the same category I put myself in. We’re just following what God has called us to do. Thankfully everyone isn’t called into the same ministry, otherwise we wouldn’t have any supporters! But we all have a calling. That’s what I think being a Christian is about. Following Jesus wherever He leads.
Lastly, I must reiterate how important it is that we all have different callings in life. Last week we came back to the U.S. for a visit to tie up some loose ends and also see family and friends. God’s Word tells us to make our requests known to Him and so I’ve been praying for some needs of the kitchens at Hope of Life. One of the biggest needs has been for a industrial strength blender like a Vitamix or BlendTec blender. I had reached out to both companies for donations and had called the local distributors but hadn’t had luck. So after more prayer, God put it on my heart to reach out to Facebook and share with my friends and family while we are here of the need. God has answered this prayer! Three families have radically given from their hard-earned incomes to meet this need and I know that the God we serve will meet this need in full! As John Piper says concerning missions “Go, send, or disobey.” When you give to support us or donate the things we need most to serve, you are helping send us!
God bless everyone that reads this, shares this, prays, or gives. You all are making an impact for the Kingdom!
My grandma always told me, “Whitney, if it were easy.. then EVERYBODY would be doing it.” I love that, because it holds true to most things in life. Sometimes the right thing to do isn’t the easy thing to do… but I believe it is in our difficult moments that God defines us and makes us stronger.
With each day that passes, we realize more and more how much we need to PRESS IN to The Lord. Even in the difficult, I am constantly reminded of all that God has done to get us here. When I feel overwhelmed, unqualified, and poorly equipped, I remember that God has called us here! God could have used anyone, and certainly there are far better candidates than Bryan and myself, but he called US. And I’m SO thankful that he called us HERE… sweet Guatemala… where the land is beautiful and the people are kind. Guatemala… where the weather is perfect and snow doesn’t exist… Guatemala… where we are fortunate to have hot, running water… Guatemala… where our roommates are scorpions and today, I literally had ants in my pants (and shirt… and water bottle…) today at the hospital. (So maybe things aren’t *all* good here 😉 hahaha)
There are so many parts about Guatemala that remind me so much of home in Sugar Grove, WV. As I was walking outside tonight, I looked into the crisp, starry sky and noticed the moon and realized that although we’re so far away, my family is at home in America under that same moon. I know it might sound cheesy, but in that moment, it made me feel somewhat closer to home. Because the moon was the common denominator between here and there, it made the world feel a little smaller at the time, almost seeming to bridge the 5,000 mile gap.
The more I thought of this, my heart was burdened because I know that here in Guatemala, under that same moon, there are children left in the wilderness to die. There are babies without food, families without homes, so many people who are physically and spiritually desperate for help.
The other week, a team of Hope Of Life employees and myself hiked into very steep mountains– into a small village of less than 10 families– where everyone in the village wears cleats because it is so mountainous with no roads and nothing more than a dangerously narrow, steep, dirt trail. In this village, we found 27 year old Valentin, on a bed made of sticks and tattered sheets, being tended to by his mother. He was incredibly sick, needed IV antibiotics and a surgery to repair a bladder fistula. Thankfully, Valentin was able to make it back to the ministry and is receiving care. Along with Valentin, we also brought back 8 other children from another village.
Valentin’s villageWhen we started the journey, we were so high in elevation we were near the clouds.
I’m finally getting more acclimated to my role here as a nurse. I am blown away by all the hardworking hospital staff here– from doctors, to nurses, our nutritionist, phlebotomists, and pharmacist… to administrators, housekeeping, and nannies… everyone works so hard. The days can be hot, long, and exhausting… but we are seeing real life miracles!
Beautiful view from the hospitalSaint Luke’s Hospital at Hope of LifeMynor, a 15 year old boy, suffered from Guillan-Barre and paralysis as a result from Zika virus. He is now able to walk on his own!Precious Mariella, gaining weight and looking healthy!Dulce Milagros (sweet miracle) who suffers from microcephaly, encephalocele, cleft lip and palate, and Down syndrome… Please lift this precious angel up in prayer.
We have been given so much support — financial support, prayers, people offering to send medical supplies, etc… that we are truly humbled and in awe of your generosity!!! As you can imagine, living and serving in a third world country is quite an adjustment… but what we’re doing and what the hospital is doing, is very heavily dependent on those who help us!
Romans 10:13-15 says “Everyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved. But how can they call on the one they had not believed in? And how can they believe in whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone telling them? And how can anyone tell them unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
We’re thankful that we are here because YOU have SENT us! Not everyone is called to pack up and move to Guatemala… moving here was not as big of a deal when you realize the literal hundreds of people it has taken to get us to where we are. Just as Grandma said “If it were easy to do, EVERYONE would be doing it!” So we thank you for doing what is NOT easy– which is supporting us through your donations and prayers.
We are also happy to announce that we’re coming home for a short visit!!!! Here are the tentative dates and where we’ll be: March 3rd- fly in to Dulles March 4th-7th – Fredericksburg/Culpeper area (with a quick pitstop in Charlottesville for ANM‘s Thrive Conference!) March 8-11 – Sugar Grove March 11-13 – Harrisonburg March 14 – Hanging out with The Wards!!!! (also, happy birthday to my brother, Anthony!) March 15-19 – Huntington
Then we leave from Huntington and fly out of Cincinnati super early on 3/21.
It may be difficult to see everyone that we want to on this trip, but we’ll certainly give it our best shot!
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new – e v e r y – morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 22-23
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.
Well, it happened. I’m not sure if it’s the stress of moving and leaving everything behind, or maybe it’s just the flood of memories that this place holds… But tonight I ugly cried. And if I’m being honest, I may or may not still be ugly crying as I write this…
When we moved into this house, we intended to be here for 2 years max. Once Bryan graduated from culinary school we were going to leave and settle down in West Virginia closer to our families. But God had different plans.
When we moved here, we planned to find a small church that was similar to our roots at First Baptist Church of Kenova. But God led us to Lifepoint instead. When we moved here, we left a lot of great friends behind in WV. But God gave us great friends here too. When we moved here 4 1/2 years ago, we were so in love, and didn’t think we could love to a fuller capacity. But God stretched our heart. He stretched our heart for each other, He stretched our heart for our families as more members have been added to them over the past few years, He stretched our hearts for Guatemala. He stretched our hearts for Him.
This little house holds so many precious memories. It’s the first place we’ve lived since we got married. We’ve cooked so many meals together in the kitchen. We’ve had so many friends over, and relationships have deepened inside this house. We’ve decorated, landscaped, bonfired, and even drug all the blankets outside to stargaze on summer nights. We’ve danced in the living room while no music has been playing, we’ve restored trust here, we’ve strengthened our marriage here, we’ve had slumber parties with our nieces and nephew here, we’ve loved here.
As we pack up our things, and pile so many things to be sold or given away, I can’t help but to feel emotional.
Oh sweet 26183 Stonesiffer Lane, you will be dearly missed. I will miss sweeping precious Roster’s hair off your floor. I will miss having the most incredible neighbors in the world– The Nelson’s were maybe one of our favorite parts of living here. I will miss trying to spell Stonesiffer to people who have asked for our address.
We’re in the process of rehoming Roster. I’ve had him for nine years. I’ve never done life without him. I don’t think I can write about that anymore without emotional break down # 3 for the night.
The emotional difficulty of this process is nearly enough to make me want to call things off and stay here… Nearly enough for me to say “But God, are you SURE about Guatemala?” But God has truly called us there. There is no doubt in my mind that Guatemala is where we need to go and what we need to do. This has been confirmed in us more times than we can count. As we’re down to the wire and in the crunch time before leaving, I am reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4. It’s so good, you should read the whole thing… but it ends with him saying “..so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We’re moving to Guatemala to do something eternally significant. To help save those who are sick and dying (both physically and spiritually), to love orphans, to spread the good news of what Jesus has done in our hearts. I know that while working in the hospital and rescuing malnourished babies, there won’t always be happy endings. I know that the loss of “stuff” and closed doors on memories will eventually pale in comparison to the loss we’ll see. I once loved a baby named Jenri at Hope of Life… but Jenri is no longer there and has been called to heaven where he will be able to walk and sing and he’s now free from the pain that malnourishment had taken on his tiny body.
Sweet 2 year old Jenri
We’re leaving a lot behind to serve where we’ve been called to. Many people don’t understand and think we’re crazy, But God will provide for us while we’re there, too.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I pray that while we embark on this journey that we keep our eyes fixated on Christ- who called us to this, who equipped us for this, and who will sustain us while we are there. I pray that we are rooted and established in love, and that His love overflows into the work that we do. I pray Isaiah 58:6-11 over us and that we will always be reminded of what God has done to get us here and that he “will satisfy our needs in a sun scorched land.” Our fear of stepping out into the unknown is great, But God is greater.
You are loved… Even during my ugly cry moments.
-Whitney
As we near the end of 2015, we cannot help but be incredibly thankful and humbled by the year we have had. In 2015, we have seen some incredible miracles – from finally committing to move to Guate full time, to receiving support from a multitude of those around us, and seeing God answer our prayers in this journey.
We have celebrated Christmas with the Bowers and Saulton families – and we are so very blessed for all the wonderful people on both sides of the family! We are thankful to have seen our grandparents this week, to have seen all the nephews and nieces, and our parents as well. We’re thankful for healthy, happy and loving families… which remind us that we’re going to serve those in Guatemala who have never felt such warmth and welcoming from those they love. It both breaks our heart and fuels our fire to get down there on January 16th.
Being only 17 days away from moving, we are still pushing forward and working on getting our monthly support. We’re just over halfway there! We are SO. VERY. THANKFUL. for those of you that have given! Some of you have helped purchase plane tickets, some of you have bought our shirt, some of you have committed to sponsor us monthly, and others have prayed and shared our posts.
Through all of this, one thing we’ve heard is “it isn’t much, but…” … and we want you all to know that we are thankful for each and every gift we’ve received! I can’t imagine where we’d be if nobody gave because they didn’t feel it was enough. It reminds me of the story in Mark 12, where the widow gave two pennies after witnessing others throw in large amounts. Jesus says “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” We’re thankful that you’ve given anything, whether it’s big or small, we know its a huge commitment on your end to give. And we’re so very thankful that you’re getting us one step closer to being feet on the ground in Guatemala.
Our prayer for you, is that since you’ve sown bountifully, that you will reap bountifully. That, just as in the word says in Luke 6:38, you will receive blessing “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” We’ve certainly witnessed this in our lives, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds in yours.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families.
