Please don't take my sunshine away...

Jeremiah 29:11 – “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It has been two months since I have moved to Africa. I’m not sure I have ever learned so much in such a short amount of time. Praise God for His faithfulness and goodness and grace. He is good and there is nothing good in me.

I want to humbly ask all three of you or so, who read my blog, for a favor. Would you come alongside of me in prayer? We have a beautiful baby girl here. Her name is Nseki and she is fourteen months old. She is probably the child I have spent the most time with one on one. She bites the ends off of all of her bottles, she is afraid of white men, she can eat more than I can, she often has a quite serious look on her face but her smile can light up a room, she rocks at peek a boo, she is a great nap taker, she does not like to be in water, if you say “Nseki I love you” she will blow you a kiss, and she will stop crying if you start singing ‘You are my sunshine’ to her.  She is going back to her live with her mother this week. I must admit there are a lot of prideful things that have gone through my mind this week in my wanting her to stay. All of these thoughts sinful, due to a lack of faith that God is in control of His child. But a wise friend gave me some great advice. She suggested diving into scripture and finding verses that I can pray for Nseki as she grows. So if you could all cover Nseki in prayer as she continues to grow, in the palm of her Savior,  cover her mother in prayer as she raises Nseki the best way that she knows how, and pray for those here who have been touched and blessed by this little ray of sunshine. 

These are some of the verses I will be praying over her but if any of you parents out there have any to add please feel free to share them.

Acts 18:10 – “For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Psalms 139:13-16 – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Isaiah 40:31 – “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

"You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."