Life and Love Lessons from Guatemala

Post written by Helena Gatti, Esme Gatti, and John Chambley

This past week on our mission trip was life-changing. I realized God’s love isn’t limited to America or our small corner of life—it spreads across the world, moving through people who worship Him in their own unique languages and ways. From connecting with kids to seeing those differences in worship, I was reminded that impact doesn’t always come through big gestures, but through simple acts of kindness. I came home with a full heart, grateful for the chance to be used in ways bigger than myself.

I’m finally back home after such a special trip to Guatemala, and my heart is still so full. Some of my sweetest memories are the time I spent with the little kids at love and hope house on our worship night. Their joy and laughter left such an impact on me. I also loved being able to pour into the girls at Esther House, encouraging them and reminding them of their worth.

But as much as I hoped to give, I truly feel like I, and the rest of my team, were the ones who received the most. This trip changed me in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m carrying the lessons and love from Guatemala with me into this next chapter at home.

I love spending time with the kids in the individual activities and teaching them skills that could manifest into their own individual gifts and talents. We did the girls hair and got to give them an art lesson. I could see these activities developing into something more for their future in God’s hands. Saying goodbye, the second time around, was even harder because the people at the homes have become family and I’m so glad I get to see how they’re growing. 

Until next time, Guatemala….

Greetings and Blessings from Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

Written by Execute Board Member and trip member, Chris Gatti

Time here surely seems to slow down, as though God is purposefully redeeming what is His, yet somehow it also seems to slip away far too quickly.  This has been the feeling of my heart in all past trips and this feeling is accelerating as relationships build and develop over time and with consistency.  It is hard to think about leaving again tomorrow to start the way back home, because with each trip we leave more of ourselves behind, we break a little more, we laugh a little more, we cry a little more, we pray a lot more, we love a lot more, then we leave that all behind until we are able to return to these loving relationships & friendships, and it truly hurts…..BUT GOD!!!  

This incredible team of Adam, Donna, Walter, Martina, Aaron, John, Wesslye, Esme, JW, and Helena have been greatly blessed by the instantaneous love and joy that we have all felt from the very second that we stepped foot onto the Manos de Compassion property.  The team arrived on schedule into Guatemala on Sunday and immediately drove the 3, 4, 5, 6 hours to Manos (just depends!!), but this time it was only 3!  We had a late lunch in the city before we started the drive. Once arriving in Santiago Atitlan, we settled into our living quarters with Ron and Rhonda had some time to hang out and continue to get to know one another until we called it a day, despite everyone’s excitement to see the kids and house parents.  

Monday morning started at 7:30 with some breakfast then it was up to the Genesis house to say hello and get to “work”!  There were so many sweet reunions to witness, the little faces that lit up when they saw team members that they know, the real hugs and real tears upon seeing one another again was pure and just such a privilege to witness and feel over and over again.  The team split up early Monday to do some tasks around the Manos property while the kids did their school tasks, then after lunch we started our various projects and engagements with the kids.  Myself, Helena and Esme were super excited that Berta took the week off, jumped on a bus and made it to the Genesis house for “Game Night”!  I think a lot of the kiddos were more excited to see her than anyone else, but she is like a “rock-star” around here, so that ok!!

Tuesday started off the same with breakfast and tasks around the property, then it was Pickleball in the rain and an impromptu indoor “football” match with a pickle ball as the soccer ball!!  Esme led an inspired butterfly art project that was beautiful, and the kids loved it so much!  John and JW have been quite popular with all the girls, understandable they are both “muy guapo” and have good hair!  We finished our day after dinner at the Love & Hope house, my personal favorite, because…babies!!! Duh!  We sang worship with them and just got to love on those little littles.

This morning sunrise was stunning!  After all the rain yesterday and last night, this morning was so vivid, crisp and refreshed everywhere!  Well except the roads, they got trashed. The bumpy rides turned into traveling circus rides!! JW started our day with an incredibly thoughtful and spirit lead devotional time.  This morning was the hike up the mountain and most everyone that could go went and had a blast!  Myself, Dave, Berta, and Peter (HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY PETER!! 9.25.25) went into town to do some shopping for dinner during this time, then we all met back for lunch at “Super Awesome Baby House” (Love & Hope House), where we had amazing lunch of roasted chicken, carrots with herbs, snap peas and broccoli, all that was prepared by the son of the house parents.  The team broke off into “water games” at the airstrip, and a frame designing art project that Esme led and also did a sweet devotional for 3x today!  We finished our day at Esther House for dinner, then privately passed out gifts to the kids from their Parent Partners.  John led us all in a super fun worship time, we laughed and cried and had so much fun we didn’t get out of there until 9:30.  Before we left, we prayed over and laid hands on the Ester house parents.

It has been both humbling and an honor and divine privilege to watch Helena (19), JW (18), John (17), Esme (16), and Martina (9) these past few days.  This generation is something special, something BIG is moving in these kids.  The patience, love, kindness, selflessness, and just utter willingness that each of them has exhibited is…well I don’t know, all I can say, is the highest praise that I know how to give anyone, and that is that I see Christ in each of them!

Tennis and Pickleball for Susan 2025

In August, Champions gathered for our 8th Annual Tennis and Pickleball for Susan at Marietta Country Club to raise awareness and funds for the orphaned and vulnerable children we serve. Tournament play was competitive and fun, and even more friends joined in for our luncheon and silent auction excitement.

We heard from Sarah and Edgar, directors of Casa Bernabe, our newest children’s home, where children are ready to be partnered with Christian families for encouragement and hope.

Hear their testimony and their desire to see this partnership grow in the years to come by watching this video.

Next, Beth Bennett, Area Director for Mission Increase, spoke and graciously affirmed our ministry: “Cream rises to the top. After 13 years of working with over 150 faith-based organizations in the Greater ATL area, Saving Susan is at the very top of my list of ministries that I can highly endorse and recommend supporting.  Their leadership is not only passionate about loving Jesus and orphan care, they are equally passionate about developing their Champion community in discipleship to Christ.” 

Beth also interviewed two current Parent Partners as they shared about the journey they have walked with each of their partnered children. Darren Price shared about his recent trip to visit Vanessa in Guatemala, and Leah Gordon shared the joys she has experienced in her relationship with Keav in Cambodia.

We then heard from other Parent Partners through this video. Each shared what it means to them to walk through life with their partnered child. Each guest was challenged to pray for the children at Casa Bernabe. Who knows? It just might be you God is calling to step out and partner a child.

Thanks to each and every person participating in this years’ successful event. With your love and support we exceeded our goal and raised $75,000 to support the impact causes listed here.

Good stories and goodbyes.

This weekend in Guatemala our Saving Susan Ministry team was able to reconnect with some children from different areas of the country that have been reunified with their families. At Saving Susan Ministry, we believe in following the child no matter the circumstances, as the Lord allows. We refer to these kids as our advocate kids.

This was quite a special reunion. Most of our Next Steps kids were in the same children’s home as these children, and they cared for them as they grew up. We have followed the advocate kids for some time now and seeing them was a special moment for us as well. Their moms accompanied them into the city, and it was a great celebration of all God has done in these situations.

We were able to visit the Guatemala Zoo, eat lunch together, and pray & fellowship at the hotel too. These outings are a great way to connect and make memories together.

Saying goodbye was not easy. There were many tears. Tears of joy and sorrow. Tears that say, “We will see you again.”

The words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 remind us that we can comfort others because we have been comforted by Christ. The comfort we have received is passed on in the comfort we give. It was a blessing to comfort and encourage the Next Steps students (they are doing amazing things!) and to see them comfort younger children with the comfort of Christ. They are role models to the advocate kids and their parents and the love we all share in Christ resounds throughout this entire story. He is the author and all the success seen in battles or difficult situations belongs to him.

We are excited to come back and share with you all the Lord is doing in Guatemala and in the lives of these families. But, for now, we say, “Goodbye, Guatemala,” and leave a little piece of our hearts there… until next time.

¡Hola! from Casa Bernabé!

My husband and I recently had an incredible opportunity to travel to Casa Bernabé with two of our granddaughters and a wonderful team. What struck me most was gathering around the table with the house parents—these amazing couples who have devoted their lives to caring for children here, with some homes housing up to 14 kids together.

When we asked them to share joyful memories from their own childhoods, something wonderful happened. We saw that God has chosen these adults to become part of the childhood stories the children in their care will someday tell. These couples spoke about feeling truly called by the Lord to serve by loving and living alongside both the children in their homes and their own biological kids.

Yes, many of these children's stories began with abandonment and heartbreak, but that's not where their stories end. Saving Susan's ministry has become a new chapter in each of their lives. Being able to pray over these humble servants was an incredible privilege, as we felt God's presence so powerfully in that place - it was truly an honor.

Written by Rita Bailey, Board Member for Saving Susan Ministry