Growing into Adolescence in the Sunshine

None of us parents like to watch our children grow up. When they do, we miss them. Their widening interests and peer groups begin to replace the time they once spent with us, and we find ourselves mourning what was. Even now, my heart feels the ache of that transition as six of our little ones began preschool this past week. A noticeable amount of joy has been emptied out of my days. I now wait until 2:00 p.m. for it to come rushing back through the door with them. 

Yet there are profound joys in allowing our children to grow. I often see social media posts from young mothers begging their little ones not to grow up, and something in me cries out, “No! Let them grow!” There is so much more life ahead for them, and for you. As they become teenagers, conversations deepen. You begin to glimpse your influence actually taking root in their lives…whether they want to admit it or not. You can see how their past experiences are shaping them into who God created them to be, and how their future is slowly coming into focus. Those once exasperating traits of toddlerhood…the stubbornness, the intensity, the strong will…begin to reveal themselves as God-given qualities, placed within them for His purposes. Witnessing that transformation is nothing short of thrilling. 

IF we take the time to look for it and soak it in. 

People who know me know that I am a biblical Martha. I find it extremely painful to sit and be still. I never stop moving or working. I was like this as a teacher, a wife, a mother, and now as a mother to our 42 Sunshine children. 

My goal this year is to learn to be still. To pause to take in all that is around me. As I have taken the time to take this time, I have discovered many new and various delights…one of which are our teenagers. 

Half of our Sunshine children are now teenagers. Like all mamas, I miss their littleness…their cuteness…their big hugs as they burrow their little faces into my belly when they greet me each day. But I am getting so much more from them now…and I would not trade it for anything. 

The root of my joy in them and for them comes from the deep, inner contentment I feel from seeing them turning out okay after all! I cannot look at these teenagers without seeing the scared, hurt child that arrived into our Sunshine family years ago. This child has now been replaced with a confident, secure, social, happy teen. Each one of them are well on their way to being what God sees them to be! 

I have taken notice of how readily they step in to help, often without being asked. They recognize a need and are quick to meet it. Whether it’s unloading my car, walking a sick child home, sweeping the floor after an activity, or caring for our younger children, their willingness to serve has become second nature to them. 

I have taken notice of a growing maturity during our Bible study times. They complete the assigned readings and journaling, and they come prepared to share what they have learned. They speak boldly and without fear of peer pressure. One of the greatest joys for me is watching their faces as I teach; they are completely attentive, hanging on every word. And trust me, it isn’t me holding their attention. They are falling in love with Scripture and discovering that it truly is life to them. 

I have taken notice of their devotion in worship and song. They no longer glance around to see who might be watching or judging them. Their worship has become deeply personal, something shared between them and their God. Now, instead of me leading, they are stepping forward to lead worship during our Bible study times...Marica leads with her soulful vocals while Faustino and Vasco accompany her on the keyboard. 

I have taken notice of the beautiful way they express themselves through dance…both the girls and the boys! Watching them glorify God through dance nearly reduces me to a sobbing mess every time. They dance during church programs, at our gatherings, and even on their own, simply because they love to dance. Their joy is unrestrained, and their worship is unmistakable. 

All of these thoughts came to a head yesterday when I set aside my never-ending “to-do” list and chose instead to simply sit and listen. The children have been working faithfully to create bracelets for our upcoming Sunshine Fundraiser Dinner in April. Each afternoon, they come on their own, set up a table in Escola Sunshine, and get straight to work. Normally, I pass by that table dozens of times as I move through my day. But yesterday, instead of walking past, I pulled up a chair and sat down with them. 

Their hands were busy stringing beads, and their mouths were busy telling stories. As I listened, it became clear that they truly are a family, one that genuinely enjoys being together. They laughed and chatted about everything and nothing at all. Faustino shared about a watermelon he once saw that was white inside, which sparked an animated debate about whether it was truly white or just transparent. The girls giggled uncontrollably over his comments. Somehow, this led to a discussion about whether Mama Terri is white or transparent, a conversation I was relieved to see eventually shift to music. Soon they were sharing their favorite music genres, and before long, one of them pulled up YouTube on the TV to play a new song for the rest to hear. 

During it all, Vasco, the ever silent one who never misses a thing, listened in as he quietly made bracelets, his arms lined with all those he has completed over the past few weeks. The younger girls, Tiara and Fatima, still not yet a full part of the teen group, sat to the side on the floor making their bracelets while absorbing everything said. 

At this point, I was pulled away into my office to meet with someone. As we talked, I could hear the music continuing to play. They had a string of worship songs playing as they sang along while continuing to work on the bracelets. And they were not just singing under their breath…they were boldly proclaiming. Their praised filled the room and overflowed into my office. 

After my meeting, I had to leave to get home. I left them just as they were…talking, beading, and singing. As I drove home, I reflected on it all with a deeply grateful heart. God’s goodness in rescuing them. God placing them in our Sunshine family. God growing them and giving them mercy, favor, and maturity. As all parents know, it has not at all been a smooth road. My staff and I have dealt with a lot of issues over the years. We have shed a lot of tears, had a lot of firm talks, and have said a lot of prayers. Yet with every challenge and trial we faced, we have done it together as a family. We have learned and gotten stronger. Each one has increased our faith and taught us more about our Father God. 

So yes, these teenage years may indeed be both the best of times and the worst of times. They stretch us, humble us, and sometimes break our hearts a little. But they also reward us with glimpses of God’s faithfulness made visible in real lives. If we are willing to slow down, to pull up a chair instead of rushing past, we will see it all…the fruit, the growth, the quiet miracles happening right in front of us. And in those moments, when laughter mingles with worship and busy hands serve with joyful hearts, we are reminded that letting our children grow is not something to fear. It is something to behold with awe, gratitude, and deep trust in the God who is writing their story far better than we ever could. 

And being a part of it all comes from simply being still and taking notice of the beautiful growth that can so easily be missed.

Alfredo...Welcomed, Loved, and Home

Our Sunshine family is made up mostly of girls, which is unusual here in Mozambique. In many communities, extended families tend to keep orphaned girls because they are often expected to help with household chores. As a result, most children’s centers are heavily populated by boys. Sunshine, however, is the opposite: 28 of our 41 children are girls. 

Because of this, our boys have been eagerly celebrating the arrival of 10-year-old Alfredo into our family. He is a perfect fit for Sunshine House 8, joining three other boys who are close to him in age and school grade. 

Alfredo arrived this past Wednesday, brought home by Delcio while I was sidelined with a stomach flu that has been making its rounds. Thankfully, Delcio remembered to take the traditional “We got him!” photo in the van, a small but meaningful moment we treasure each time a new child comes home. 

Alfredo is a casualty of poverty, family breakdown, and the recent devastating floods. His mother abandoned the family years ago. She struggled mentally and emotionally and was unable to cope with the pressures of raising a family in extreme poverty. His father is unemployed and lives at a garbage dump, searching for food to eat and items he might sell to survive. Because of this, Alfredo had been taken in by his aunt. 

When the recent tropical cyclone Fytia settled over southern Mozambique, it brought eight days of relentless rain. Alfredo and his aunt’s home was flooded, forcing them to seek refuge in a nearby public school. Now that the waters have finally receded and his aunt has returned to what remains of her home, she made the decision to ask Social Action for help. She simply could no longer care for Alfredo. We are deeply grateful that Social Action brought him to Sunshine and entrusted him to our family. 

I met Alfredo for the first time during our Valentine’s Day celebration with the primary-aged children. When I walked into Escola Sunshine, all 16 children were seated at two tables, busily making paper hearts and cards. Almost immediately, I noticed a new face watching me intently. It was clear Alfredo had heard about me from the other children and was very curious. I invited him over, introduced myself, and gave him our familiar “Welcome to the family… this is how we behave” talk that our new children receive. 

As we talked, I was struck by how easy he was to engage with. He is thoughtful, articulate, and seems mature beyond his years. He even understood my American-Portuguese with ease. 

I always ask new children if they know who Jesus is, and it is rare to receive an affirmative response. Alfredo not only knew who Jesus is, he went on to give a full explanation of how Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins. It was clear he has been attending church and truly listening. I was very encouraged by this. 

Alfredo is a bright and eager young boy. Although he is 10 years old, he has never had the opportunity to attend school. Thankfully, he is small for his age and will blend right in with the first graders. Next month, he will begin school for the very first time, made possible by the support of his new sponsor. 

Alfredo’s arrival at Sunshine is a reminder of both the harsh realities many children face in Mozambique and the hope that emerges when a child is welcomed into a loving community. Displaced by poverty, family breakdown, and devastating floods, Alfredo now has safety, stability, and the opportunity to begin school for the very first time. He has already made a strong impression, and we are grateful to watch him take his first steps toward healing, learning, and a brighter future as part of the Sunshine family.

Now It's Nina's Turn

Our 42 children and 9 mothers who make up our Sunshine families come from varying backgrounds and situations. But the one thing they all have in common was that they were living a life of lack. At times, I sit back and just soak them in as I watch them study, play, dance, and sing. They are carefree, happy, secure, and flourishing. I don’t even dare to let my thoughts stray to imagining where they would be right now if it was not for our foundation that has been blessed with the privilege of caring for them and raising them. 

The goal of the Sunshine Approach Foundation is the same as the one you have for your own children…to see them grow up, become educated, and one day step confidently into independent, successful adulthood. 

We know we won’t see 100% success. Each child must choose to embrace the opportunities placed before them. Each must work hard to build a future in a developing nation that often offers little margin for error. 

But when they do succeed, it is something beautiful to witness. 

Our Cecilia is well on her way. Having completed her university law courses, currently working at a paid internship, and today handing in her thesis (the final requirement for her graduation and certificate), she is about to spread her wings and take off. We are very grateful to Foresight Business Solutions https://foresightcpa.com/ for their financial support of her university studies. 

Virginia has just begun her junior year studying Human Resources Management. Her journey is well underway, thanks to The Gifted Leaders Scholarship Program https://www.giftedscholars.org/ who have faithfully supported her tuition. 

And now…it is Nina’s turn. 

Nina joined our Sunshine family in July 2019, just before her 12th birthday. She is the daughter of Ilda, the house mother at Sunshine House 3. 

Like many widowed and abandoned women in Mozambique, Ilda faced an impossible choice. In order to work and support her family, she had to leave Nina in the care of her grandmother in Inhambane, a six-hour drive from Matola. When Ilda became a Sunshine house mother, it felt only right to reunite mother and daughter. It was our joy to bring them back together. 

Over the years, we’ve watched Nina grow from a gangly young girl into a poised and beautiful young woman. She is calm and steady, bright and studious, sometimes coy, occasionally sassy, and always dependable. Nina is the kind of girl you can count on. 

This December, she graduated from Escola Maria Ana Mogas. Her mother and two of our staff members, Delcio and Celia, joined me at the ceremony. I hardly recognized her as she walked across the stage. It was her Cinderella moment, and we could not have been more proud to see her receive her diploma. She worked hard for it and was very deserving of it. To graduate high school in Mozambique is an accomplishment achieved by only 1% of the student population. 

But Nina did it! 

Now Nina will embark on achieving the dream of her lifetime… to serve others as a nurse. 

Most children change their occupational dream again and again over the course of their growing years. They go from wanting to be a police officer to an astronaut to a pizza maker. But not Nina. She has always had one goal…to be a nurse. She has never wavered but has held on tightly to her dream. 

Next week she will begin her studies at Universidade Politécnica. We are excited for her to enter this new season of life. Yet as with all parents of university students, you can relate to our apprehension in how we will cover the cost. We are beyond grateful to Nina’s long-time sponsors who have covered her high school expenses, even going so far as to pay for the beautiful gown she wore on her graduation day. Over the years, this amazing couple have prayed for Nina and encouraged her by purchasing medical books and a stethoscope for her! They now have agreed to go further with her support over the next four years. But this will only cover half of her university expenses. Therefore, we are looking for someone to come alongside Nina and make her dream come true. 

The encouraging news is that a university education in Mozambique does not carry the overwhelming cost of an American university. To fully fund Nina’s tuition, we need just $80 per month for the next four years. 

That’s it. 

The question is not whether she has the determination. She does. 

The question is whether we will ensure finances are not the barrier. 

Nina has done everything within her power to reach this moment. She studied. She persevered. She believed. Now she needs someone to believe in her. 

For $80 a month, you can help carry her the rest of the way. One day, the patients she serves may never know your name, but they will feel the ripple effect of your generosity. 

Four years from now, Nina will walk across another stage, this time as a qualified nurse. Would you consider standing beside Nina as she steps into her calling?