Upendo Ministries

This has been the most interesting and hardest year. Being a teenager with a chronic illness has completely changed my life. I never thought that this would happen to me, but it did and it is out of my control. Today marks one year since we had to recognize the pain that was starting to affect my daily life.

Through this past year, most nights have been with very little sleep. I am thankful that just as the God of the mountain is the God of the valley, the God of the day is still God in the night. There are times that the pain seems too much to bear, but God gives grace. He gives scriptures, He gives songs, and so many times, people have texted me right at the time that I need it most. God has taught me a lot. I am still learning to fully place my hope in Christ. Circumstances will change, but God is a constant. He is not just a God who gives promises; He keeps them. We can always trust in Him. When all around us seems to be crumbling, Christ is there to hold us.

Many people think that I am improving, but the battle is still raging. The pain is still relentless and has yet to improve. I thank God for the two moments free from pain that I have had this year. He gave me three minutes pain free in Pakistan in January, and in June at the Washington meeting, God proved Himself to me and miraculously took my pain completely away for 22 hours. I know He is able.

I am trying to praise Him in this storm. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, but I know who He is and I know that He has a plan even though I may not see what it is right now. I am trying to remember that it’s always darkest before dawn. I pray that the sun is nearing the horizon.

As we have reached one year and we approach the new year, I anticipate and pray for days free from pain, nights with more than an hour of sleep, and for God to show me what He wants me to do in this coming year. I want to grow in Him and I want Him to work in and through me.

I want to especially thank everyone who has sent me a card; I have around 350 and times when I am feeling lonely, I pull out my box of cards and go through them and remember that I have so many brothers and sisters who are holding my arms up. Thank you for all the texts and phone calls that brighten my day. Most importantly, thank you for all of the prayers y’all have prayed for me. They are not going unappreciated. I know God is hearing them and I pray we will see miracles soon.

I never can forget my friends abroad… to my family in Kenya, thank you all so much for the days of fasting and prayer you have had for me. The video calls, texts, and letters to let me know that I am still one of your own and that you are praying for me. It has been so difficult for me not being able to go be with you. I am anticipating the day when we are playing football and when we can tell stories, hold hands, and pray together. Nawapenda sana, familia. Bro. Shahzad, Sis. Sobia, Joshua, Abram, Anna, and Bro. Hasroon’s family in Pakistan: thank you all for the prayers you have prayed. Anna, thank you so much for all of the messages checking on me. I love you all and pray for God to protect and supply all of your needs. And to all of the others abroad, in Germany, Austria, Honduras, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana, Mexico, and Canada, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I pray that God blesses you all for your burden for me. I am so humbled by the care and concern from so many people.

I love you all and may God bless you.

-Vanessa

After many, many hours of listening to Spotify through the year, here are my top five songs. If you are going through a difficult time, maybe these can be a blessing to you.