January 25 Newsletter

Here we Grow!

Happy New Year Sonshine Family! We rejoice together with you in the blessings of God in 2025. As our first cadre of “high school graduates” begin their next stages of schooling away from Sonshine, the team has been preparing for their continued growth while also preparing to welcome more children to Sonshine in the months ahead. Each new year brings the confirmation of three very important things.

1. The need to rescue orphaned children in Tanzania is significant.

2. God’s love, power, and goodness are without limit and greatly impactful.

3. Sonshine is blessed to have generous, faithful, and prayerful supporters.

Your support and encouragement mean everything to us. We know that our Heavenly Father has plans to bless the nation of Tanzania and the world in greater measure. We know that He has plans to bless you in incredible ways in the year ahead. With this knowledge and God’s faithful promises and your kind obedience we shout loudly in 2025 the words Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Included in “all things” are rescuing and developing more children, blessing more villages and organizations, and walking in greater obedience and unity as God's united family. Together, with you, here we grow! Please let others know about the need for the sponsorship of more children at Sonshine.

"Seven to One" and "Four for More" are not math formulas or betting odds. The headings refer to the Sonshine children that are moving into new levels of schooling in Tanzania in 2025. Sonshine has six students that have completed Grade Seven in Primary School and are now moving into Form One of Secondary School. Sonshine also has seven students that have successfully completed their Form Four national exams and are now moving on to the next stages of more schooling. (The grade level Form One in Tanzania is equivalent to "Freshman Year" in High School in the U.S. and the completion of Form Four Secondary School is similar to graduating high school in the U.S.)

Beyond Secondary School in Tanzania is Form Five and Form Six which is like earning an Associates Degree at a community college in the U.S. Also, in Tanzania, students can enter directly a 4-year college or university. Or they can pursue trade or specialized education. Education is very important in Tanzania, and it is very important to Sonshine Ministries. Let's pray together in agreement for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our students and for God to fulfill His perfect will for each of their lives.

Stirring Up Love

Say Jambo (Hello) to Florah Mushi. Florah joined Sonshine in 2020 and has grown to become a favorite ingredient (team member 🙂) in the kitchen and a tremendous asset to the ministry. Coming from a challenging background herself, Florah is an inspiration to the kids. She is a mentor in Godly behavior and character. She encourages the children to grow strong in their trust of God and to always make sure that God is their first priority in all aspects of their lives. The opportunity for Florah’s continued growth and impact is exciting. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the one who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)" This is Florah!

Thank you from Chris Romes

To everyone in the Sonshine family who have supported our children in various ways; financially, volunteering your time, donation of items for the kids, and/or your prayers- I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's a blessing to be able to help these children and to be a part of their lives and see them grow and mature into wonderful young adults and future leaders in Tanzania. Know that your support is making a real difference in their lives and is very much appreciated by all of us at Sonshine Ministry. May God bless you and your families with His love, joy, peace, and may he return your generosity many-fold. - Chris Romes, Executive Director, Sonshine Ministries International