Submerged in love and mission work
Taylor Wehri is founder of submersion14, a Jacksonville-area nonprofit providing sustained aid to communities in Guatemala.
– By Spectacular Vernacular –
Taylor Wehri saw herself submerged in a deep, powerful body of water. This description may sound treacherous to many people. But for Wehri, the situation yielded great tranquility, comfort and clarity.
The nautical scenario was a vision that came to Wehri one day. As a believer in Jesus Christ and someone who loves water, she immediately recognized the symbolism and took it as a directive to spread God’s love in a significant manner.
“We are submerged in God’s love, like baptism, and his love washes over us like an ocean wave,” she said. “The waves are symbolic of starting fresh. I was being called to action.”
In 2019, Wehri started anew by founding submersion14. The nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, provides outreach and ministry to communities in Guatemala and other countries around the world. The number 14 in the organization’s name refers to Exodus 14, one of Wehri’s favorite Bible chapters. Events chronicled in that chapter include Moses’ parting of the Red Sea.
“We are submerged in God’s love, like baptism, and his love washes over us like an ocean wave. The waves are symbolic of starting fresh. I was being called to action.”
– Taylor Wehri
Founder, submersion14
MOVING LIKE A WAVE
Wehri registered submersion14 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in November 2019, just before the onset of the pandemic. With travel being restricted, mission trips had to wait, but that didn’t stop submersion14 from spreading love and giving aid.
In 2020, the nonprofit sent care packages to in-need communities in Tanzania and Uganda. Items included backpacks for children, hygiene kits, jump ropes and hacky sacks.
In December of that year, Wehri visited Guatemala for the first time. The Central American country popped on her radar after she learned through networking about the extensive humanitarian need there. “I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I felt called to go,” Wehri said.
submersion14 took its first official mission trip to Guatemala in July 2021. Efforts centered on Peronia City, a community about 10 miles outside Guatemala City, the country’s capital.
Peronia City was established nearly 40 years ago as a place of refuge for citizens seeking safety during the Guatemalan Civil War. These days, the community remains afflicted by abject poverty, food insecurity, rampant gang activity and the omnipresent risk of landslides.
Since 2021, submersion14 has taken three official mission trips to Guatemala. Each time, members and volunteers have poured into Peronia City and other communities by:
- Collecting and distributing eco-friendly personal hygiene items and school supplies
- Facilitating Vacation Bible School for children
- Leading construction projects
- Making door-to-door food deliveries
“We feel blessed to be able to help the people of Guatemala, who are extremely kind and generous,” Wehri said. “The outpouring of love has truly gone in both directions.”
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EFFECTS AND WHAT’S NEXT
To date, more than 500 individuals have donated to or volunteered with submersion14. Through the organization’s efforts:
- Nearly 800 children have received school supplies and backpacks.
- More than 200 people have received clean drinking water via eco filters.
- About 500 pounds of food have been distributed each month to sponsored children, and that amount continues to grow.
In addition, three major construction projects have taken place, including the building of a new house for a family who lost their home in a landslide, expansion of a church and key renovations to a partnering school.
“Ten toilets and sinks were installed for 261 students who used to share one toilet,” Wehri said.
Beginning in 2024, Wehri plans for submersion14 to begin taking trips to Guatemala twice a year, instead of once. From the start, Wehri’s philosophy has been to engage in sustained, long-range efforts. She believes that’s the way to truly make a difference.
“Building trust and solid relationships is everything,” she said. “We’re not going to simply drop supplies and leave. We seek to establish a foundation with substance.”
Goals are to expand submersion14’s child sponsorship program; open a community center that will offer English classes, art classes and sports; and extend sustained efforts to another Guatemalan community.
Visit submersion14.org to learn more about the organization and to discover ways to support its various humanitarian missions.
“Taylor”-made for mission work…
and so much more
Here are a few facts to help you get to know Taylor Wehri a little better:
ROLE: Founder and executive director of submersion14.
HOMETOWN: Glandorf, Ohio, a small village in the northwestern part of the state. It’s about 60 miles east of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
CURRENT CITY: Jacksonville Beach, Florida. As someone who loves water and loathes cold weather, Wehri sees it as a perfect location. “Living by water is the best thing ever. That’s the place I find the most clarity and can reconnect,” she said. “It’s a huge blessing, for sure.”
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
SPECIAL TALENTS: Drawing and painting, particularly in the graphite medium. “I love anything to do with art.”
FAVORITE BOOK: Romans (from the Bible). Wehri’s big-picture takeaway from the text is: “Nothing can separate us from the love of God,” she said. “There’s no condemnation from Jesus. That’s so powerful.”
CHIEF HOBBY AND PASTTIME: Traveling. “I’m a wanderlust at heart. I love to experience culture, language, different foods and different people. It makes you a better person who’s more open and understanding.”