Brian and Haley Sakultaravattn
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a special week of great stories.
Welcome to “Joni and Friends”, with a week of stories about friends whose marriages really inspire. Titus Chapter 2, verse 7 says “to in everything, set others an example”. And when it comes to marriage, we all need good examples don’t we? Our adversary hates Christian marriage, and he would love nothing more than to destroy faithfulness in marriage, as well as any love and devotion. One way the devil targets marriages is through disability. I’m sure he figures that a chronic disabling condition is the best way to tear a couple apart, to wear them out, demoralize them, and have them throw in the towel. But what Satan intends for evil, God intends for good. That’s why disability can be the very thing God uses to strengthen a marriage, using a couple’s greater conflict as a way of speaking to couples who deal with lesser conflicts. And when I think of great conflicts, I think of my friend Brian and Haley.
They met as teenagers working in the same restaurant. Brian realized right away that Haley wasn’t your typical girl; she took her faith in Christ seriously. Because of that, they became fast friends, and after really getting to know each other over a few years, Brian asked Haley to marry him.
Five short months later when they were still only engaged, Brian had a life-altering accident. He was working on logging equipment at a tree farm. It was cold, and the workers would often start a barrel fire to warm their hands after using the tools. This particular day, the fire became a bit too high, so in an effort to bring the fire down to a safer level, Brian grabbed what he thought was a bucket of water to throw on the flames. The bucket was actually filled with gasoline, which caused an explosion and a twenty-foot fireball. Brian’s clothes were already saturated with grease from working, and the flames burned him terribly.
The accident was devastating. Brian had third-degree burns over 97% percent of his body, and only 1 in 10 chances of survival. He was in a coma for a month, after which he endured incredibly painful treatments, the loss of his eyesight, and the amputation of his arms, leg, and foot. These losses were life-altering, but by God’s grace and with family support, Brian survived it all, carried by God’s own hand. And Haley? Well, she stood by her fiancé, feeling an incredible peace all along. When Brian recovered, he wanted to release Haley from their engagement, but oh no, she was firm in her love. Others might look at his outward appearance but, like God, Haley looked on his heart.
Haley’s “yes” to life with Brian has meant being with him in sickness and in health. She knew their life together would be difficult, but she had faith that God would prove Himself strong. And He has: this happy couple now has three beautiful children, and Brian has even served as camp pastor at one of our Joni and Friends’ Family Retreats. What an example they are! This couple understands what it means to live by their vows, and I would love to send you a copy of a book by the same name: “Living by Vows”. The story in this special edition will help strengthen your marriage, I promise. And you can get your free copy today by visiting joniandfriends.org/radio. Love isn’t a matter of appearances; it’s a matter of the heart. Just ask Brian and Haley.
© Joni and Friends
