A Place to Belong

Whenever a new child joins our Sunshine family, I write their story. It’s a way to remember, to share with others, and to help me process the moment. Each homecoming is a celebration, but also a reminder of heartbreak. Behind every child's arrival is the painful reality that they couldn’t stay with their God-given family. The reasons are most often devastating: abuse, abandonment, death, illness, or trafficking. 

The story of five-year-old Zeneide and three-month-old Adelia follows this sadly all-too-familiar pattern. Their father abandoned the family, and their mother, due to severe mental illness, is unable to care for them. That’s when we were asked to step in. 

But through their homecoming, these two little girls have brought a new awareness to me that I had as of yet not fully recognized. Over the past 11 years of developing our Sunshine House program, we have come to see benefits to our families that we never foreknew. Miracles that only God could bring about. Our children are not only being blessed by the safety and love of our Sunshine Homes Program...they are also a blessing to their house mothers as well. Our homes provide hope and a future to our children, but through Zineide and Adelia, I realized that our mothers are also coming out of a life of suffering, pain, and abandonment. Their place as Sunshine mothers gives them purpose and a reason to live.  The security and love they so desperately lacked in their previous lives is now restored through the children they have accepted. 

My heart shattered as I watched their biological mother place baby Adelia into the arms of her new house mother, Monica. She exhibited not a hint of remorse or sadness. It was like she was simply passing on a sack of potatoes. 

For Monica, however, this moment was the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Upon our first encounter, through tear-filled, soulful eyes, she shared with me that her deepest desire as a woman had always been to have children of her own. But this desire was not to be. She lost all hope when her husband abandoned her for another woman who could give him children. Since she could not have children of her own, she spent her time with the children who lived around her, pouring her love into them. With a beaming smile, she told me that the local children loved coming to her house to play and that therefore her yard, and her heart, were always full. 

When Monica arrived to take her place as a house mother in our Sunshine family, she came armed with a bag of lollipops. Our Sunshine children are always curious to greet a new mother or child. It did not take them long to show up at our new house #7 to meet Monica. She for sure won them over with her lollipops! They made sure to stop by every day!  

Monica's role as a house mother in the Sunshine family has given her the opportunity to have children of her own. Even though she has lovingly mothered five girls—Marcia (18), Katia (13), Ginoca (12), Carla (11), and Yusna (10)—for the past two years, her heart still longed to nurture a baby. 

Adelia is the answer to that longing. 

I worried about Mama Monica at first. Adelia had never been bottle-fed and would also have to adjust to a new caregiver. Would Adelia accept a bottle? Would Adelia keep Monica awake all night? But Monica’s gentle, devoted care made the transition seamless. Adelia quickly adapted and has been a content, easy baby from her first night. Monica now beams with joy. She frequently sends me photos of a smiling baby Adelia touched up with hearts and stars. It is clear, Adelia has brought light to a place in Monica’s heart she thought would remain dark and empty. 

After placing Adelia in our seventh Sunshine house, we went a short distance to big sister Zeneide’s new home...a house completed just the week before. She joined Tiara and Percina, who welcomed their new sister with open arms, showing her to her room, pajamas, and stuffed animal for her first night. 

There were happy smiles and giggles all around…until it was time for us to leave. As we drove off, Zeneide chased after our car, crying and begging us not to go. Mama Gloria didn’t hesitate but moved right into action. I watched in my rearview mirror as she scooped her up and rocked her gently, holding her close. 

That night, I could barely sleep thinking of her. But the next morning, I returned to find a joyful little girl who ran to hug me before dashing right back inside to play with her new sisters. Like so many children before her, Zeneide quickly sensed that she was now safe and loved. Thanks to Mama Gloria’s tenderness and love, she can finally just be a child…free to play, laugh, and grow. 

In welcoming Zeneide and Adelia, we are reminded that while every child’s story may begin with sorrow, God, in His mercy, is always rewriting their chapters with hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future. In this case, He rewrote the life story for these two little girls and for their new mothers.

Welcoming Jose and Jucelina to our Sunshine Family

It is always a joy to welcome a new child into our Sunshine Houses. These days are filled with happiness, knowing that the child is now safe, cared for, and has a future. But they are also emotionally heavy. It is never easy to witness the suffering children endure in this broken world. While we are grateful to help those brought to us, we’re constantly aware of the countless others still in need. 

Meet 3-year-old Jose and 5-year-old Juscelina. 

Just a week ago, their case was brought to our attention by a social worker who urged immediate placement. The children were living in horrific conditions. Though both their biological parents were alive, their home was far from safe. The mother was described as mentally unstable and incapable of caring for them. The father was aggressively violent, beating his wife daily in front of the children, leaving deep emotional wounds. The family had no home, no food, no money...nothing. Like so many families in Mozambique, they were merely surviving day by day. 

Our Sunshine Approach Foundation primarily cares for orphaned children who have no family left to support them. However, we also make room for children like Jose and Juscelina; those with living parents who are unable to provide proper care. It is estimated that nearly 80% of children in orphanages worldwide still have a living parent. Jose and Juscelina had a father and a mother, but they were parents in name only. 

When Social Action expressed urgency in placing the children with us, even before all paperwork was complete, we knew the situation was serious. Typically, they insist on having every document in perfect order before any placement occurs. We’ve waited weeks for other cases because of delays. But this time, the urgency was clear: the children had already been removed from their parents and were temporarily living with a social worker, something we had never encountered before. 

Delcio and I met the children, their parents, and the social workers last Tuesday in a public location. When the father first saw us, the mother and the social workers told him, “Olha! Eles não são ladrões!” ("Look! They are not robbers!"). This statement isa heartbreaking reflection of the fear that child trafficking brings to families here. The workers explained who we were and what we could offer the children. The father listened quietly and thanked us for caring. 

From the start, it was clear the father was aggressive. Several times during our brief meeting, he raised his hand to strike his wife. The social workers intervened, warning him that such behavior was criminal and would be reported. We made it very clear to them: if we accepted the children, their parents could never know our location or the name of our foundation. The safety of all our children must come first. 

The mother’s behavior was puzzling and deeply sad. It wasn’t her mental state that struck us most, but the way she came prepared to hand the children over, clothes packed in a small plastic grocery bag. She kept pushing both the children and the bag toward us, as if to say, “Take them. Take them now.” 

After our meeting, we went to the local government office to seek permission from the chefe do posto (the local chief). But due to other obligations, the social workers couldn’t finalize the process until Friday. 

Then on Thursday of the same week, we were scheduled to receive two other children. When we arrived at the office of Social Action, we were surprised to see Jose, Juscelina, and their mother waiting for us again...plastic bag in hand, urging us to take them. It was odd. And it was heartbreaking. But we still lacked the father’s official declaration and the final government approval. So, once again, we had no choice but to leave them with their mother. 

By Friday, the father had submitted a signed declaration relinquishing his parental rights and consenting to place the children in our care. Everything was in order, yet we were told we would have to wait until the following week due to the fact that the chefe and social workers were busy. 

Then came today, Monday. Delcio received a tearful call from the social worker who had been sheltering the children and their mother. She told him that the mother had run away over the weekend, leaving the children behind. No one knew where she was. 

Suddenly, it all made sense. 

The mother had been preparing for this. She needed to escape her life of abuse. But first, she made sure her children would be safe. She made an incredibly difficult decision, a decision born from desperation but also love. 

Delcio moved quickly into action. That same day, the social workers, the father, and the chefe do posto finalized all approvals. 

Jose and Juscelina are now officially part of our Sunshine family. 

Please join us in welcoming them with open arms. It is our joy and honor to offer them, and all 35 of our children, a loving home, an education, medical care, daily necessities, and most importantly, hope for a brighter future. 

With each new child, our hearts grow fuller, but so does the need to provide. If you, your business, or your church would like to learn more about sponsoring a child or supporting a Sunshine House family, please contact us. We would love to share how you can help bring healing and hope to these precious lives.

A New Chapter for Our Sunshine Children

The 2025 academic year, which began for us in February, marked a significant turning point for our Sunshine children. Twenty of them transferred to a new school after the tuition at their previous school was raised beyond what our budget could support. 

As both a parent and a teacher, I understand how challenging it can be for a child to change schools. They must adapt to a new environment...different classrooms, teachers, routines, and expectations. Most of all, they must find their place among new peers. I was especially concerned because the new school is not only more disciplined but also far more academically rigorous than the one they left behind. Expectations are higher, and the adjustment was bound to be tough. 

Truthfully, I had wanted to move them years ago. But the school was too far for our younger children to walk. Thanks to our generous donors, that barrier has now been lifted...we have a van to transport them! 

So, with a hopeful heart, I prayed and held my breath. 

I believed they could do it. These children are resilient. They’ve overcome more than most people could imagine. But when they brought me their first set of test scores, my heart sank. The majority had failing grades, even the students who had previously been at the top of their class. My confidence wavered, so I prayed even harder. 

Last week, the second round of test results for the first trimester came in—and what a difference! One by one, the children rushed into our learning center, madly waving their papers in the air. Their scores had improved dramatically. Their joy was infectious...we danced, we hugged, we laughed, and we cheered together! 

But the most beautiful moment came when we saw how the children responded to the two students (we won’t name names!) who still hadn’t passed but had doubled their scores. Without hesitation, the other children surrounded them with cheers and a giant group hug. That moment moved me to tears. I have never witnessed such pure, heartfelt encouragement and kindness.

Our primary children proudly displaying their improved test results!

A Star is Born

Whenever Don and I settle in to watch a movie, we’re drawn to inspiring stories of individuals who triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds. Films like The Queen of Katwe, Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge, and The Blind Side immediately come to mind. We can relate to the struggle of facing overwhelming challenges and continuing to stand and fight, when it feels as though everything and everyone is stacked against you and failure seems inevitable. Perhaps that’s why these films resonate so deeply within us. But, much like the heroes in these stories, we’ve learned that giving up is never the answer. 

Each of our Sunshine children could easily be the subject of such a movie. Every one of them is an overcomer, rising above circumstances that would cause most of us to give up. If a movie director were ever to ask me which of my children would inspire others, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to say, “Cecilia.” Cecilia is a young woman who has overcome more than her fair share of adversity, and she stands as a shining example of what it means to be an overcomer. 

Cecilia was the first of our Sunshine children. In January 2014, her mother committed suicide after their father had been killed in a car accident. This left the then 12-year-old Cecilia in charge of her younger siblings, Madalena, 5, and Antonio, 3. After her mother’s death, Cecilia and her siblings were taken in by their uncle, their father’s brother. He told them upfront that all he could offer them was a floor to sleep on and a roof over their heads, but that was all. He himself was very poor. His only income came from selling plastic bags in the markets. He could not offer them any food, education, or support of any kind. Cecilia recalls laying on the cement floor at night with her siblings sleeping next to her, overhearing her uncle and aunt fighting over their presence in the house. The aunt did not want them there. 

This is when we entered into the picture and heard of their situation. Thus was birthed the first of our Sunshine Homes where we create families by pairing together a widowed/vulnerable woman with four to six orphaned children. 

From the start, we recognized a fighter in Cecilia. She would do whatever she needed to do to succeed in life. We have seen her demonstrate this time and time again over the past 11 years. 

We enrolled Cecilia to study at a local private school, Cantinho do Ceu. She entered the school in grade 10. 

In Mozambique, only 1% of the children who start first grade will graduate from grade 12. The educational system is very lacking in all ways and is ranked 160th in the world compared to other countries. Cecilia would have spent grades 1-9 in a very substandard academic environment. When she entered grade 10 at Cantinho do Ceu, she rubbed shoulders with the elite of her peers. She was studying alongside colleagues who had been privileged to a solid, private education. She was disadvantaged and would have been very far behind her classmates. But she did not let this stop her. She caught up, kept up, and graduated. 

She then went on to university. When I first met her at the age of 12, I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said she wanted to be a lawyer so that she could help those in need and be a voice for the people who had no voice. Cecilia entered Universidade de Sao Tomas to study law. Her freshman year was a challenge for her, as it is for most college freshmen. It was no surprise to us that she worked and passed her first two semesters. Then came her sophomore year. It was February 2020…Covid hit and shut everything down only a week or two into her semester. She persevered on completing her courses online. For those of you in the Western world, “online courses” is an easy, doable way to study. Not so here in Mozambique. Lack of access to a computer, unreliable internet, and educators who do not know how to use alternative teaching and study methods make this type of study very challenging. But she did it! Covid has delayed her graduation for a year, but she did not let it stop her. 

At the end of her sophomore year, her beloved house mother, Zelda, died very unexpectedly. Zelda had been mother to Cecilia and her siblings for nine years. They were a family, rooted and united together in love. Zelda loved and cared for Cecilia, Madalena, and Antonio and helped them to heal from the loss of their biological parents. She raised them to be of strong and upright character. She poured her life into them. She was the best of mothers. They not only loved her, they cherished her. Her death was a severe blow to them. 

After Zelda's death, Cecilia wanted to be head of her family. We believed she was not ready yet. She had just turned 21 and still had two years of university studies to focus on. This was her priority. Having to care for the house, food shop, prepare meals, and raise her teenaged siblings would be too much of a distraction for her. So we brought in a woman to be the housemother. It did not work out well; to fill the shoes of Zelda was a lofty ask. It was going from bad to worse, so we moved this mother to another house with small children. 

We then brought in a new woman to oversee the household; a woman who was older, more experienced, and stronger. We informed the children that they were to respect and honor her, and we informed the new house mother to hold firm. It was going exceedingly well and everyone was happy. About six months into the new house mother’s arrival, it was discovered that in her zeal to accept the position, she “forgot” to tell us that she had a husband and teenaged children! We counseled her and she understood that her responsibility was first and foremost to her husband and children, so she chose to return to her home. 

Cecilia was now 23. We did not want to put her, Madalena, or Antonio through another loss. We felt she was ready to take on the responsibility for her family. We knew what Cecilia is made of, and we knew she would succeed. We also knew that Madalena and Antonio respect Cecilia and obey her. Their family had suffered enough trauma. It was time to let them be their own nuclear family. 

It has now been a year, and the three siblings are doing great! Cecilia gets up and is off to her final class in the city each morning. Madalena and Antonio get up and go to tutoring in the morning and high school classes in the afternoon. They all contribute and do the chores at the house. We are always around to oversee and assist in anyway needed, but they never have needed us yet! 

Covid was not the only potentially ruinous event to interfere with her goal to finish her university education and become a lawyer. The end of her most recent semester was disrupted by political and civil unrest that erupted in Mozambique after the elections in October 2024. Schools and businesses were forced to close for days and weeks at a time as the opposition party called for protests from the people. These protests turned violent and made it unsafe to go out. Students missed the far majority of their classes in November and December. When it came time for the final exams at the end of the semester in January, the students were forced to take the risk of going to school to take them so as to complete their courses. Even now, the situation is volatile. At the height of the violence, she looked at me with a helpless look in her eye saying, "First Covid, and now this?" Yet Cecilia, being Cecilia, forged ahead and has continued on. 

This semester, Cecilia is not only completing her final required course but also working diligently on her thesis, which she’ll present in May. Can you guess the focus of her thesis? It’s about improving the care of orphaned and vulnerable children through family-based care—a subject she’s deeply knowledgeable and passionate about. Once she finishes this final class and successfully defends her thesis, she’ll be ready to graduate! We’re also securing an internship for her to help launch her dream career. I can’t help but smile when I think of all she’s faced and overcome. It’s truly a privilege to walk alongside this remarkable young woman. While her story might not make it to the big screen, she remains a powerful inspiration to all who know her—especially to the 33 other Sunshine children, many of whom now aspire to become lawyers, just like her!

Pray for Mozambique

Over the 13 years that Don and I have been here, we have tried to convey what life is like in Mozambique. We have attempted to give family, friends, and supporters a feel for Mozambique in writings and photos through our updates, blog posts, social media posts, etc. But as those who have visited us can testify, you can never actually truly get a feel for the depth of poverty and lack of opportunity that exists unless you come and experience it for yourself. Upon arrival, it does not take long to truly see the poverty and the lack of hope and opportunity that pervade this land and its people. It hits you upon the moment you exit the doors of the airport and fills your view until you step on the plane to leave again. 

I am not a sensationalist, or at least I try not to be one. This is why I have been quiet about the recent goings-on in our home country. Yet I now feel strongly led to reach out to all of those who have supported us and share what is happening and to ask for your prayers. What is happening in Mozambique is a result of hundreds of years of oppression. 

But first…a short history lesson. Mozambique acquired their independence on June 25, 1975 after a long 10 year war between the guerilla forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and Portugal. Since 1975, Frelimo has remained in full control of the government. Only two years after gaining independence, a civil war erupted between Mozambique’s ruling Marxist Frelimo and the anti-communist insurgent forces of the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo). Out of a then population of 13-15 million citizens, one million Mozambicans lost their lives and 5.7 million people were displaced internally resulting in 1.7 million refugees.  This 15 year war  lasted from 1977 to 1992, ending with the Rome General Peace Accords. A UN peacekeeping force oversaw a two-year transition to democracy, but tensions have remained high between these two political parties in the subsequent years with occasional flare ups. 

Mozambique has a two-party democratic system. Like the US political system, this means there are two dominant political parties making it difficult for another third party to achieve electoral success. Frelimo and Renamo remain the two dominant parties along with a list of 17 other parties, the largest one being Democratic Movement of Mozambique (DMD), and a new one that was added in this year, Podemos. 

Frelimo has maintained full control at the executive, legislative, and judicial levels since 1975. Elections are hotly contested and considered fraudulent. International watch groups enter the country at each election to observe and report yet have not been heard, nor have their reports changed anything. 

Our most recent election was held on October 9, 2024. When it is Voting Day, we hunker and watch from home. The citizens of the country go out to vote and return to their homes as well. All businesses, stores, and schools are closed. Paper ballots printed with the presidential candidates’ names listed beside their photos because much of the population is illiterate. Voters mark the box by their chosen candidate and place their ballot into a large plastic box. Each voter then dips their right pointer finger in ink that will last for several days so as to prevent repeat voting. At 8:00 pm, the polls close and the counting begins. Each ballot is pulled from the box and held for all to see as the marked off name is read aloud. A worker records the vote by placing a tally mark on the chalkboard beside the corresponding candidate’s name while another worker holds the ballot for everyone to verify. The process is slow, tedious, and open to foul play. The results are not announced for about two weeks.  

The day following the elections, everything opens again but many choose to stay home for a few days to make sure that it is safe. This past election was an important one because a new president would be chosen. Each president can serve two 5-year terms, and it was time for the current president, Nyusi, to go. 

Frelimo has always “won” every election and was expected to “win” again this year with their candidate Daniel Chapo. Yet the introduction of a new and very popular party named Podemos (meaning “We can”), whose candidate was Venancio Mondlane, created the first-ever likely challenge to the status quo. 

Before the votes were even fully counted, both Frelimo and Podemos were declaring victory. In usual fashion, the Frelimo party barreled ahead with their declared victory, but Podemos was not about to back down. Their party leader, Mondlane, called for a nationwide strike on Monday, October 21 to contest the fraudulent election. Businesses were warned that if they opened on that day, they would be susceptible to attack. All businesses, stores, and schools were closed. Everyone was to stay home. The population was called upon to peacefully protest. The conflict was only exacerbated when the Saturday before the Monday strike, the lawyer and photographer for the Podemos party were assassinated with 25 bullets as they were driving. They carried evidence to present that would prove the elections were faulty and the Podemos party had won. 

On Monday the 21st, protestors’ attempts were met with police who fired upon them with live ammunition and threw tear gas to displace the crowds. The protestors were not carrying weapons of any kind, not even a stick. 

The election results were to be announced on Thursday, October 24. Mondlane called for a two-day strike for this day and the following day to denounce the results. The National Electoral Commission (Comissao Nacional de Eleicoes, CNE) declared on October 24th that the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party won the country's October 9th general elections. The Frelimo candidate, Daniel Chapo, reportedly won the presidential race with more than 70 percent of the vote, and Frelimo secured 195 of the country's 250 parliamentary seats. This announcement led to more protests and violence. 

On October 24, thousands of opposition supporters  marched in the capital city of Maputo and its surrounding suburbs. Across the country, protestors burned tires and blocked roads. Riot police deployed with dogs and armored vehicles fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Some protestors then responded by throwing rocks. There were many casualties, even more injuries, and over 400 people arrested. Videos poured in on Facebook and Whatsapp from all around the country of protests, both peaceful and violent. Eventually, everyone's ability to communicate or post on social media was stopped when the country’s cell service was shut down, cutting everyone off from each other. This was an attempt to keep groups from organizing protests and people from sharing what was happening. It worked. (The following day, the mobile service providers gave us all 2MB of data for free to make up for it.)     

This past weekend, we were given a weekend of peace and warned to prepare for the week ahead. The opposition party leader, Mondlane, stated he would address the nation on a live Facebook feed as to what would happen next on Monday evening. Thus began a race to the stores on the weekend to stock up. Store shelves were emptied and gas stations ran out of fuel.   

On Monday, we all tuned in to Facebook and waited for Mondlane to come on live. It was to be at 6:30 pm. We waited, and in typical African fashion, he did not appear. TIA. Africans are notoriously late for everything, so none of us raised an eyebrow at the delay. The minutes ticked by and…nothing. Finally, at 7:00, he sent out a message to say that there were technical difficulties and so he would make an announcement on Tuesday at 6:30. We spent another day holding our breath. On Tuesday at 6:30 he was on live. He announced a 7-day nationwide strike that would start on Thursday and continue until Thursday, November 7th to protest the election results. All businesses, stores, and schools were to stay closed. Everyone was to stay off the roads or face the consequences.  

Here is a short summary of Venancio Mondlanes live … 

**General Strike and Public Demonstration** 

Starting Thursday, October 31, a *General Strike and Demonstration* will commence. Organizations and citizens from various provinces will unite with the following objectives and guidelines: 

1. **Until Wednesday, all activities will proceed as usual.** 

2. **Beginning on Thursday**   The strike will be organized into two groups of demonstrators:    

- **Group 1:** Will gather at the district offices of the National Election Commission (CNE) and the Frelimo Party. Employees of the CNE and Frelimo are advised not to report to work.   

- **Group 2:** Will take to the streets for public demonstrations. 

3. **National Shutdown**    The strike will last one week, from Thursday, October 31, to Thursday, November 7, with a nationwide halt in activities. 

4. **Mass Mobilization**   By November 7, it is anticipated that four million demonstrators from all provinces will gather in Maputo. The goal is to establish a significant presence in the capital to strengthen the movement. 

5. **Support from Security Forces**   An appeal is being made for members of the Mozambique Police (PRM), SISE, and the Mozambique Defense Armed Forces (FADM) to join the population on November 7. 

6. **Suspension of Tax Payments**   Starting Thursday, citizens are asked to suspend all tax payments to the State as a form of resistance. 

-Venâncio Mondlane -  

The following day, Wednesday, all of the non-Frelimo political parties banded together to fight against the election results. In the past, it has always been Renamo crying foul, but now it is all of them together. Also on Wednesday, the current president of the country, Nyusi, announced that the government was done trying to negotiate with Mondlane and the Podemos party. A text message was sent out nationwide to remind everyone that vandalizing and sabotaging any property, public or private, obstruction of any roads, and any acts that would interfere negatively with the public peace would be treated as criminal offenses. 

On Wednesday, William and I took Don to the airport to fly out to Johannesburg, South Africa so that he can continue on to China on Saturday to attend a food show that is critical for our company’s success. The roads were packed with people trying to get home from work or to get anything that remained on the store shelves. You could sense the desperation in the air. The already tight  two-lane road we travelled had somehow turned into a five-lane road with three lanes going our way and two-lanes of traffic coming at us. As we drove through the market area, I was heartbroken to see so many people sitting on the ground with their display of used shoes, clothing, sheets, and towels for sale. No one was shopping for such items on that day. Yet still, these people came out, hoping for even just one sale that would allow them money to buy food to eat that day. This is the desperation we witness every day. 

The police presence was strong, and men like these were scattered about, clearly making the statement that the government was not going to play around.   

Yesterday was Day 1 of the strike. Businesses, stores, and schools were closed. Most people stayed home so as not to risk getting caught in a demonstration. The usual bustling city of Maputo and its surrounding suburbs were described as ghost towns. Again, mobile phone service and access to social media sites was cut. It all came back on in the evening when the videos and reports from the day were spread. There were protests and clashes between citizens and police. There were burning tires, gun shots, and Frelimo party headquarters being vandalized. But there was not nearly as much as had been anticipated. I have no doubt this was God answering our prayers. 

William and I are in a very safe, gated community with guards at the entrance and our trusty dogs (Lupe, Ruthie, Eoka, and Nhlete) patrolling our yards. We have Starlink which enables us to have uninterrupted internet access. Our factory is closed to protect our employees from having to face any unnecessary risks. Our Sunshine families are at home, stocked up, and prepared to wait it all out. We all understand that we are only as safe as we can be in God’s will. But I still am asking for you to pray for our safety and for the safety of all those who live here. 

Already many innocent bystanders, even children and families who were in their homes, have been injured by stray bullets and tear gas. Peaceful protestors have been mowed down by police firing at them and chasing them as they ran for cover…all while a crowd of Frelimo members cheered. 

Upon the day of the first strike last week, Don sent the following communication to his staff. It really sums up well why we are here. 

“Watching the events unfold on the television makes me realize the success of our work is so needed for this country. People are angry and fed up because there is no change happening over the years.  People have been becoming poorer here in the last few years. It breaks my heart. We have the solution to shift momentum to positive change.  While what we are doing is small compared to the population and their needs. It is meant to transition efforts from plantation farming to small scale farmers thereby changing them into entrepreneurs and becoming self-sufficient with our support and a market to sell without being exploited.  Daniel Chapo knows our model and really appreciates its potential.  Let’s pray that the new government gets serious about combatting poverty and turns to solutions like the Sunshine Villages Project to truly make change.

In September 2010 before deciding to come to Mozambique, I flew into Maputo airport during the riots happening because of increases for bread and fuel. The whole city was shut down – burning tires everywhere. I was told to stay in Johannesburg because nobody could travel the streets. I flew anyway.  I walked by many who were injured at the airport while trying to get here.  President Chissano’s private security picked me up at the airport to “rescue me” according to the former foreign minister.  President Chissano had to personally call the Indie Hotel in Sommershield to get me a room.   I had people visit me there saying why would you come here knowing it was the riots.  I responded 'I’m not deterred by these actions because we have a solution which will solve the reason for the riots.  The solution is jobs…jobs that don’t exploit the workers and keep them in poverty.'  We are working to make that happen.  Let’s be encouraged to fight hard to be certain our work succeeds for the benefit of the country and wherever smallholder farmers around the world are struggling.” 

We know that we know that we know why we are here. God called us here to live and stand and make a difference in the lives of people for whom He has a deep love and affection. He has given us this same love and affection. We will continue to fight for the abundant life they deserve. Please pray for a peaceful resolution to what is being faced. The people of this country want to live peaceful lives. Yet they are tired of living under oppression and in poverty. Only time will tell how this all plays out over the days and weeks ahead. God’s got it all! As we know, none of this takes Him by surprise. He has a plan. And that is my prayer request…that God’s will shall be done here on earth as in heaven. 

Amen.

Three Less This Year...Follow Up

I love a lot of things about our program, but one of my favorite things is watching new children transform after coming home with us. They arrive hurt, neglected, abused, and abandoned. After experiencing a stable home with a mother who cares for them, a staff that stands with them, and a whole family of sisters and brothers who come alongside them, they literally flourish and become new creations. They leave behind their life of suffering, shed the worries that burdened them, and they get to be children again. 

Case in point…our three new children who just arrived exactly four weeks ago from the date I am now writing this blog. In case you missed it, this is story of how they came to be a part of our Sunshine family, recorded in my previous blog … https://sunshineinafrica.blogspot.com/2024/09/ 

The children immediately took to life in our Sunshine family. From day one, seeing these three children has become a highlight of my days. They light up and greet me with the biggest of hugs. It is like the joy and love inside of them has been unleashed. 

I must give credit where credit is due...their 30 new brothers and sisters have played a big part in their successful adaptation. They always do a great job of helping new children assimilate into our family. Children usually come with a “take” attitude, scarfing up anything they can lay their hands on. However they quickly learn there is more than enough to go around and that they need not feel like they must grab what they can when they can. Less than a week into their time with us, we were all at Escola Sunshine for our Friday afternoon program doing a craft project. They sat at a table with five of our other children. After explaining the craft we were doing, I began placing the materials (paper, scissors, markers, and glue) on the tables. Our children patiently waited and watched as I did this. But Tiara, Januario, and Percina immediately lunged at the materials, scooping them into their arms as they left their five table partners astonished, looking at me with the question of “What???” on their faces. Tiara, Januario, and Percina immediately picked up on the realization that they had done something wrong, and they sheepishly pushed the materials back into the middle of the table. From then on, the children modeled how to share the materials so that everyone could have fun. 

Then came the day the next week when Januario was using my car as a jungle gym. I came out to hear the others scolding him and directing him that we DO NOT climb on Mama Terri’s car. Januario slid off my car, looking very remorseful. 

By the end of their first week, we had them settled into school. Percina attends our Beacons of Light preschool program. Tiara and Januario started at Escola Tamwana. On their first day of school, it seemed like they had always been there. When I excitedly asked how their first day went, they matter-of-factly responded, “Fine.” And when I enthusiastically asked if they had made new friends, they looked calmly at me and said, “Yes. Lots.” They adjusted so quickly. On their third day of school, I stopped by to get photos of them. I arrived at dismissal time. As they skipped out of their classrooms, my mother’s heart was reassured as so many other children were saying goodbye to them and wishing them a good weekend. 

Shortly after the children arrived, we noticed that the oldest child had a braided cord tied around her waist. This is known as a fetish, a cord placed on the person by a witchdoctor. It is believed to have magical healing or protection powers. Delcio and I pulled the three children into our office to speak with them. We shared with them that in our family, we trust in God alone to heal and protect us and that other religions put their trust incorrectly in objects that cannot heal or protect. We asked them if they had anything like that on their bodies. Tiara immediately looked up and with the sweetest of trust in her eyes said that she did. We asked her if she would like to cut the cord off and place her trust in God to protect her. She responded with a confident yes. I handed her the scissors, and she asked me to help her cut it off, so we did it together. This led to us asking the children if they knew who Jesus was. Their blank stares told us that they had never hear of Him. What a privilege it was to share the story of Jesus with them, and what a privilege it will be to continue teaching them in the years to come. We sent them home with a children’s Bible that has 365 days of stories covering the creation of the world to Revelation. Their house mother has begun reading these to them every evening. 

Last week, the uncle with whom they lived came to visit them. He wanted to see how they were getting along. Three things from his visit really stood out to me. The first was how taken aback he was by their appearance. His exact words were, “They are so different. They don’t even look like the same children.” We find this to be true with all of our children. They physically transform in a way that is difficult to put into words. They are brighter and just seem to shine. So much so, that I now keep what I call my “Before and After Book”. This is a small photo album where I put in a photo of the child when we bring them home and another photo taken one, two, or three weeks after they arrive. You would not even recognize that they are the same children! 

For example, here is our first photo of the children after they climbed into my car to come home with us… 

And here are the children only two weeks later… 

See what I mean???

The second thing that happened when Uncle Frede visited was that he asked them if they would like to return home with him again. They looked at him and said, “Nah. We are good. You can come visit us here.” 

Third, shortly after he arrived and we settled them onto the outside veranda to have some privacy, I came out of my office to find them back inside Escola Sunshine participating in the reading activity Celia was doing with the other children. I looked out the window and saw their Uncle Fred sitting by himself. I called the three children and told them that he had come all the way to visit them, and they needed to go be with him. They reluctantly left the activity and went outside with him. But they kept sneaking back into Escola Sunshine again and again. 

After about an hour, Uncle Fred decided it was time for him to head home. He thanked us for the care the children are receiving, saying he was leaving fully confident that they children are in a good place. 

We also are confident that they are in a good place. Our Sunshine Approach family now has 33 children in its care. Don and I often find it just incredulous that these children look to us for love, support, and care. I mean…33 is a lot of children! And more are on their way! This is humbling and a bit unnerving, and it would be overwhelming if we did not know that we have so many people standing with us…our staff with us here in Mozambique and countless people in other countries who support this ministry with their purchase of our Sunshine Nut Co cashews, financial gifts, and prayers. We appreciate and thank each of you.

From the Cashew Fields to the Soccer Fields...Transformation Is Taking Place

I am rejoicing because our teenage boys have been given the most wonderful of opportunities! We have discovered a soccer program located only two blocks away from our Sunshine homes!!! Tindzila is a foundation mostly dedicated to environmental awareness (https://tindzila.org.mz/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TindzilaSU), but they also have sports programs for children. The majority of children pay a fee to participate, but they also make the program available to disadvantaged youth (https://www.facebook.com/AcademiaDesportivaTindzila). We are so fortunate to have them close by and that they have accepted our boys into their soccer program for a nominal fee each month. 

We all know that teenage boys need an outlet for all the energy and curiosity they have. Our son, William, takes our seven teen boys every other Saturday to play soccer at a local field. It is the highlight of their week, and they are quite good at playing… but this is not enough. They go to school in the morning and are home by 12 noon. We do not want them out and about in the community, and so their free afternoons when they do not have tutoring are spent with them listlessly roaming around their houses and watching television…not good. With this program, they will practice three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as well as play competitively on some Saturdays. The boys were happy when we shared with them about this opportunity. But… their house moms were elated to know that their boys would have an outlet for their energy and would come home tired and all played out. 

The game they play is futsal. It is soccer on a cement court that is smaller than your typical soccer field. They had their first training session this past week on Monday. Before we even went for the practice, they were coming to me to thank me for this opportunity. 

The excitement level was quite high with anticipation when the time to head to the field arrived. When we got there, younger boys were already on the court practicing. Our boys were taken back to try on their new uniforms. When they came out, I was speechless! My mama’s heart was overwhelmed with joy. I did not even recognize them! They looked so professional, official, and proud. They were so very excited! And I was over-the-moon excited for them!

They hung about a bit watching the other boys play. Then came the time for the coach to invite them to substitute in and play themselves. 

It was a bit humbling for them to play against boys with really good skills, but they were not intimidated and did not back down at all. The team coach is very demanding and pushes them hard. Our boys fought to stay in the game and keep up. I can already see that they are going to really grow and improve. 

All of the players wore the standard orange soccer uniforms of the Tindzila team and some were from previous years. Despite this, it was very easy for me to identify my boys…they were the ones with the huge perma-grims plastered across their faces! 

I fondly remember the days of watching my children play soccer. However, I do not fondly remember the times sitting in the rain and cold at spring and fall practices and games. I was glad to leave that behind. Yet I now find myself again sitting on the sidelines watching a soccer practice as I freeze! We are in the transition of our winter to our summer. Some days may reach to 100 degrees and other days barely make it to the mid-70s. This day was a cloudy, cold, windy day with a high of only 73. I felt miserably cold, but I stuck it out for them. What kid doesn’t want to see his mom on the sidelines supporting him? Next practice, I am going prepared with a blanket! 

As I watched them on the court, I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness. These boys were the throw- aways of society. They had been orphaned, abandoned, abused, and hurt. They were the village thieves, the school drop-outs, and the forgotten. Nothing good would have ever come of them. But God, in His goodness, had a better plan for them and brought them to our Sunshine Approach Foundation. They have been healed and given a chance at life and success. I cannot even put into words what I felt inside seeing them play, smile, laugh, fight, and give their all. 

I always say that I can brag all I want about our children, because it is not me. It is first God. Then it is their mothers who live with them day and night and are raising them. And it is because of you. Our financial and prayer supporters are the base for ALL we are able to do. You are so very precious and appreciated. On behalf of our children, thank you for your support. We value every prayer, donation, and purchase of our Sunshine Nut Co cashews. We thank you for sharing our posts and telling others about our ministry work. All of these things are transforming lives from the cashew fields of Palma and Muchenguentava to the futsal field our boys play on.