11.28.16

Here’s a Cyber Monday deal for you…

Did you know that on average, it costs more than $12,000 a year to raise a child in the US? Here in Guatemala, you can sponsor a child for only $35 a month and dramatically change the trajectory of their life.

In a country where the median annual income is under $2,000 USD and many children go to work out of necessity before even completing middle school, child sponsorship gives them access to education, healthcare, and food. When you sponsor a child through Hope of Life, you also have the option to contact the child, write them letters and send gifts… and if you’re ever here to visit us in Guatemala, Hope of Life will arrange for you to see your sponsored child too! How cool is that?!

This season, let’s exchange consumption for compassion and use our resources to bless others.

If you feel called to do something for those who are struggling in the states, let me know and I’ll be happy to connect you with reputable organizations that we supported before moving here. If you feel called to sponsor us in our ministry, you can find out more about that HERE.

Daily, Yolanda uses my phone to take about 100 pictures.... — Daily, Yolanda uses my phone to take about 100 pictures….

I don't mind at all though because I love looking through them at the end of the day. — I don’t mind at all though because I love looking through them at the end of the day.

Plus you get to see sweet things like Yolanda kissing Juanito's squishy cheeks! <3 !!! — Plus you get to see sweet things like Yolanda kissing Juanito’s squishy cheeks!

Juanita is 9 years old and is at the hospital for medical issues. She loves to help with the babies!

Everybody loves Diego.. He's 3 years old and deaf, but has no problems communicating what he wants and when he wants it! He has a rare genetic disorder called Russel Silver Syndrome. I love his giggles and hugs! And he's one of the smartest kids I know! — Everybody loves Diego.. He’s 3 years old and deaf, but has no problems communicating what he wants and when he wants it! He has a rare genetic disorder called Russel Silver Syndrome. I love his giggles and hugs! And he’s one of the smartest kids I know!

Crowd favorites -- Delmy and Herminio. Delmy is 9 years old with VACTERL association and phocomelia, but that doesn't stop her from moving about and holding conversations with anybody about anything! — Crowd favorites — Delmy and Herminio. Delmy is 9 years old with VACTERL association and phocomelia, but that doesn’t stop her from moving about and holding conversations with anybody about anything!

Yolanda and my sweet Auner! Auner had his finally surgery for cleft palate repair a few months ago. Since then, he has become very vocal and talkative! We practice sounds daily so he can learn to speak more clearly.

Rosario & Erika -- sweet partners in crime waiting for their nails to dry! — Rosario & Erika — sweet partners in crime waiting for their nails to dry!

Cute little Erika... could just squeeze you <3 — Cute little Erika… could just squeeze you <3

Diego saw everyone else getting their nails done and wanted his toenails painted too!! Hahahaha Nora painted them with clear polish.

The nannies in our hospital are wonderful!

They love the kids and are so patient with each of them. You can show love to these kids too by sponsoring them today!

Today, I want to thank Len Picha & family, Edna Thompson, and Ken & Ginny Thelan for sponsoring us!!!! Your generosity goes beyond what you are giving to us, and filters into the lives of each and every one of these children you see. Because you give, we are able to work with these children on a daily basis. Being around them all day every week allows me to target their specific needs and help them to develop in areas they are behind. Some children need help with speech (Yolanda and Diego are deaf, Auner has speech disabilities from a late repair to a cleft palate), some children need therapy (Herminio has hip dysplasia, Isaac has cerebral palsy, Rosario is just learning to walk) and other children need emotional support and love (Erika and Juanita). Every child you see has a story, and every child you see has a specific need. I communicate with the doctors and therapists to help make sure the children are getting the best therapy available to them, and each of them are thriving.. even here in rural Guatemala where our resources are limited. Because you send us, you allow these kids to grow to their fullest potential and to hear about Christ’s love for each of them every day.

Matthew 25:40 says that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Christ. So I challenge each of my readers this holiday season– what are you going to do? Will you spend your money on things that only bring 5 minutes of fleeting happiness? Or will you do something bigger than yourself… and give knowing that your money is changing a life.

Stay blessed.
-Whitney

**TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHILD SPONSORSHIP, VISIT https://www.hopeoflifeintl.org/sponsor/

So if you hadn’t heard– this morning I made the mistake of drinking Bryan’s “watermelon flavored drink”… Turns out they put pre workout drink mixes in packets that are marketed toward kids (aka: me) and make it in fun flavors like watermelon. After walking outside and bench pressing a couple of trucks, it only took about 2 1/2 hours for my body to stop feeling like it was covered in stinging bees. So if you learn anything from this blog– don’t do that. Trust me.

Wanted to share a video today of some sweet Mayan kids we have at the hospital. These kids speak a Mayan dialect called kaqchikel. The Mayan language has over 20 dialects, and because many of our rescues come from remote indigenous mountain villages, it is not unusual for the families to speak Mayan or very difficult to understand Spanish blended with Mayan accent.

These sweet kids speak only Kaqchikel and do not understand Spanish at all. For me, I kind of feel right at home with these kids… where I have learned my Spanish by immersion, figuring out how to communicate has been fun and exciting. I love how smart they all are… not only are they wanting to learn Spanish, but they want to learn English as well!! They are definitely learning Spanish and English much faster than I’m picking up Kaqchikel. 😉

As I work daily to communicate with these kids… As cheesy as this sounds, I realize the language that speaks louder than all, is the language of compassion. Making an effort to talk to them no matter how ridiculous I sound, is investing in them and showing that they are valued and loved. Sure, I’m a nurse… but stopping to talk to them for 10-15 minutes… braiding their hair…. and counting from 1-10 in Kaqchikel, Spanish, and English has been such sweet moments during my days of working.

Today, I want to thank Katie Brill for your love and generosity!!! As a doctor in the US, Katie understands compassion better than most people I know. She’s smart, she’s kind, and she is a big reason why we’re able to do what we do here! Katie, I can’t wait to have you down here again so you can see all the growth at the hospital and meet some of these Mayan cuties. 🙂 You are asked about frequently down here and we can’t wait to have you back to visit!! Ütx matoix for all you do for not only us, but for the kingdom. <3

Nan chik y janila yatinwajo’
Te quiero mucho!
-Whitney

EDIT 11.16.16– added these videos of them talking in their own dialect upon requests 🙂 it’s hard to get on video because as soon as I pull out my phone they all start giggling and running away! 😜 None of these videos do the language any justice– it sounds so interesting when they’re speaking, the language has a lot of “clicking noises” to it.

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