A Prayer for Saneliso

A story I want to share is about a little girl named Saneliso* (her name is changed to protect her). Saneliso is about six years old, but her face carries a forced maturity that has come with the situation she faces at home. A little over a month ago, Saneliso was reaching for something on a high table. Unattended, the table tipped over and with it came a pot of boiling hot water. The water went all over her hands and her side. You can see in the close-up photo the third-degree burns on her left hand. Her right hand that is bandaged is much worse. Saneliso has been in the hospital's intensive care unit for over a month, and just got out. The family could not cover the hospital expenses, so our ministry host, an incredible woman from Colorado, paid the high amount to keep Saneliso in treatment. Saneliso's situation at home is sadly a very common one. Her mother is not really present in her life, and her dad is unfaithful, rarely at home. Left to her own devices, Saneliso (like many of the other children in Nsoko) can't manage the difficulties of adult issues she faces.

I pray for Saneliso. It says in Isaiah 58:8 that 'your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal,' so I pray for a supernatural healing to take place in her little arms, hands, and body.

She is the most beautiful little child. She has only spoken about two words to any of us. She is so quiet, and with every sweet kiss on the forehead or gentle 'check' to see how he bandages are holding up, I pray that she is softening towards me. We had a sweet moment the other day, I had been holding her in my lap, and when it came time for her to go home, she just stayed there. She didn't want to move. The ministry partner actually had to come in and drag her little self out in order for her to go. I didn't want her to go either, I could have held her there on my lap forever!

Unfortunately, the infidelity and brokenness these children grow up in teach them how to fend for themselves. It breaks my heart to watch another little girl (I'll call her 'Faith') come day after day to the playground and spend hours alone. Her father has had affairs with multiple women. I watch Faith as she interacts with the other children. She is needy and wild, one minute wailing like the world is ending and the next minute contentedly climbing the playground equipment. My heart aches for her. What does she go home to?

God, I pray that you would show Faith Your love for her. Hold her in your arms and delight in her. Please teach her that You are her constant companion, even when she finds herself alone. Provide everything she needs and teach her the love of the Father…

In Africa, the light and darkness are very separate entities. Though the darkness is dark, I know it cannot overcome the vibrant light. I picture the light like a flood; it sweeps up everything, like a mighty current that pushes its way into every nook and cranny, and forces darkness to run. My prayer is for all of these situations to be encompassed by the powerful light of Jesus. Please, Lord Jesus, move into everything dark and take it by force. In your power, you took the keys to hell and darkness, and strapped them on your belt like a champion, so I ask for you to heal, to provide, to care for, and to comfort. Be all the things that only you can be. Do all the things that only you can do.