November 25 Newsletter

The Tender Touch of Tithing

Sonshine’s tithing actions continue to have a great impact every month in Tanzania. In April 2023, it began when Sonshine’s board responded to the Lord’s encouragement to bless others by faithfully tithing the monthly funding Sonshine receives. Prayerfully guiding these funds and resources to help other ministries has had a profound influence on all. The spirit of generosity has increased in the hearts of Sonshine staff, Sonshine children, and within each supported ministry. The beautiful truth of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:6 is exciting to behold. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

This bountiful sowing has included the delivery of over 10 large sacks of maize and beans to iKunda orphanage (pictured above), the provision of baskets of fresh crops to children and staff at Sucare home (below left), and assistance with travel of a ministry team to the challenging regions of Pwani and Ruvuma (below right). The joy and eagerness of blessing others have been spreading. When new children rescued into Sonshine arrive with only the tattered clothing they are wearing, the existing children are quick to share whatever they have available. “Here. Take mine!”, “You can have my extra socks!”, “I have some extra clothes!” are the eager and enthusiastic comments often heard from Sonshine children when welcoming their new brothers and sisters into the Sonshine family.

Thank you Sonshine sponsors, donors, and supporters for being the caring catalyst that helps make this tithing blessing flow. Know that your love and kindness are touching the hearts, minds, and lives of many, many people.

"Ponyeni wagonjwa, fufueni wafu, takaseni wenye ukoma, toeni pepe. Mmepewa bure, toeni bure." (Matayo 10:8)
("Freely you have received, freely give.:" (Matthew 10:8))

You might wonder what a typical Friday night is like at Sonshine. The school week is over. Dinner is done. There's time for fine tuning and fun. The youngest children might gather together in the TV room to watch a cartoon or movie. Many Sonshine children find joy in worship and praise. This brings opportunity for interested pre-teens to receive training and practice as older children and staff gather in the chapel to dance, praise, and celebrate. Depending on school grade level and upcoming exams, several children may encourage each other to excel in their classes. So, they meet in the empty dining room to study and prepare. As the evening grows later and just before bed, you might find some children and staff sitting together on the veranda steps, gazing at stars, and talking about God's love and the incredible hope they have for tomorrow.

😁 The better question is "Who is Shigela?" Shigela Majo officially joined Sonshine January 2025 to serve as the music teacher after Elisha moved away to care for his aging father. Shigela is the worship leader at Pastor Michael's Fire Church in Arusha and often drove Pastor Michael to Sonshine to help with youth services. This driving adeptness has become a welcomed help to Sonshine. Along with his talent and skill in music, ministry, technology, and administration, Shigela brings a huge heart of deep care for the children and for his Sonshine colleagues. Seeing Shigela in action with God's love and gifting pouring through him is a wonderful blessing.

A Special Story from Steve

"Today, while driving Sonshine secondary school students to school in the Sonshine bus, we passed a middle aged Masai lady and her young son sitting on the side of the road. Something led me to turn the bus around and drive back to where they were sitting. I asked the woman “What’s up?”. She said she was taking her son to the hospital, but no buses would stop due to the condition of her son. We offered to help and quickly realized her son could not move. He was completely disabled. The Sonshine students helped the son and his mom board the Sonshine bus and sit at the one remaining open seat together. As we continued our drive, the children and Mary began praying for the mother and son. The mom was deeply impacted by the children’s prayers. We arrived at a bus station and helped them catch a bus to the hospital, blessing them with transport and lunch money. God is showing us and teaching us to trust Him more. It was a touching experience for all of us. We invite you to join us in praying for the son to be completely healed and for the family to come to saving faith in Jesus."