Elijah Dale Sweerin 9/22/13

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We come to you with saddened hearts as we have had a rough past couple of days. For some reason God decided to take our baby home to be with Him. On Saturday evening Melanie started having some mild contractions. We assumed it was braxton hicks or a false labor and decided to wait it out a bit as they weren’t getting stronger. After waking up around 5:30-6 in the morning we could tell they were getting stronger and we would need to make a plan. By 7:30am on Sunday the baby was born and had only a few breaths before going home to be with Jesus. The helicopter arrived  around 8:30 and the paramedic attempted to resuscitate him but his lungs were filled with fluid and collapsed. It just wasn’t time for Elijah Dale Sweerin. Our hearts are broken as we question why this happened to us but we are trusting in God’s perfect plan. He knows exactly why this happened and what our families future will hold. Please pray for us as we try to heal. Melanie has been checked by several doctors and a highly qualified Christian midwife and she is healing very well physically. We are very thankful for that as we know it could have been differently. Several missionary families have surrounded us with love and helped us make all the necessary arrangements. The burial will be here in Zambia in the orchard near our home later this week. Please pray for us as our family heals from this loss and that the life of Elijah will somehow further the Kingdom of God. We love you all, and couldn’t ask for a better Christian family supporting us in America.

Ephesians 3:14-19

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Sweerin Family

Comments

  1. Karen WilsonSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    As I don't have an email, I hope that you are able to receive this comment. I don't know if you remember me, but I came with the Woodbridge team the first time you were in Zambia in 2010. Please know that my sincerest sympathies go out to you and your family during this time of loss and that we have many praying for you on the other side of the world. It's hard to understand sometimes why things such as this happen, but we do understand that God's plan is perfect. Remain in Him (John 15:9) for He will bring you peace, comfort and understanding (Psalm 29:11, 2 Cor 1:3-5). Praying for you all...

    Karen Wilson

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:57 AM

    My dear Nate, Melanie and Natalie, my heart is deeply saddened that we did not have a chance to welcome Elijah Dale in person. But he was welcomed with open arms by our Lord Jesus...what more could anyone want for themselves or their children? I pray God keeps His arms tight around you as you go through this. I thank Him for the people who are there with you, surrounding you with their love and faith. My sympathies and prayers are with you.

    I love you all.
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sissi September 24, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    2 Corinthians 12:9

    My friends,
    I can't imagine what you are both feeling, I have no words of comfort you both other than I will be praying for healing for your entire family! May the Holy Spirit comfort and heal you both as you go through difficult time. Your authenticity and loyalty to Christ and the labor He has called you to do are an immense testimony; stay strong and please give Melanie my dearest and deepest condolences.
    Love you guys, In Christ
    Sissi

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownSeptember 25, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    Dearest Nate, Melanie and Natalie - our voices have been raised in prayer as have the deepest recesses of our heart been in continual prayer through the Spirit for you. Our hearts are saddened and we so wish that we were there to sit quietly by your side, or wrap our arms around you in deep hugs. Deepest sympathy, praying for you on this difficult journey. With Hope, Denise and Kerry

    ReplyDelete
  5. Steven R. SmithOctober 6, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    You have been and will continue to be in our prayers as we ask the Father to strengthen you with all might and to comfort you in His love and give you confidence and courage to press ahead in the face of such difficult loss. Psalm 34:15; Joshua 1:9. May you know God's wonderful peace.

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