How do I explain how we know Terri & Don Larson? To make a long story short, internet searching last year, I somehow came across their story. Don was a big wig working for Nestles, came to Mozambique to check out where Nestle was getting their cashews & was struck by the conditions of the almost farmers & how little Nestle paid them for their cashews. He returned to US & dug into his personal connection with God. Guess what God directed him to do?? Sell all his toys & house and move his family to Mozambique to set up a cashew business (The Sunshine Nut Co.) that would provide more $$ for the farmer and jobs for others. He also vowed to give 90% of the profits toward improving the community. WOW! I was so impressed that I wrote to them & they wrote back! Soon Terri & I were email buddies. Though we ended up in Egypt last year, Terri & I stayed connected. In March, Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique. When B & J said they wanted to go far away to place they'd never go again, I'd just heard All Hands & Hearts was going to open a base in Mozambique . Bingo. God always opens a door for us!
So here we are spending days with Terri & don & their son, William. We chatted freely over pizza the first night. The next morning, Terri & Delciu (local who helps her with everything) picked us up & we headed to out to see the 3 homes the Sunshine Foundation has purchased. At each home, they have hired a local woman (also in need of help) and ask them to seek out the neediest of the needy young children. They then live together creating a caring family.
As we pulled up to the first home, a gaggle of kids met us. Delciu had them line up. Rog & I scooped cashew pieces (rejects at the factory) into a small bag & passed them out to over 100 happy little ones! What a heathy treat! The kids in the 1st home were sitting quietly anxiously waiting for us. Today was a very special day! Each of the 5 year olds (in all 3 homes) got a book bag filled with crayons, pencils, ruler, erasers & a notebook and ta da...their brand new first school uniform!! Their eyes sparkled! After lots of hugs & photos, we headed to home #2 & home #3 passing out their new treasured backpacks & uniforms. At home #3, the parents had come and they clapped & were as excited as the kids. These parents oils not have had the $$ to buy the uniforms & backpack & therefore their child would not be able to go to school.
The Sunshine Homes had been nurturing their child for 3-5 years meeting their needs while the parents scratched out a meager living. These children had truly been given rich soil & solid foundation allowing them the best chance to bloom someday! It gave me goosebumps to see how the Larson's love & hard work made it possible!
We swung by the factory and did a quick tour before getting dropped off at our hotel where we quickly jumped into the pool to cool off.
Don picked us up at 6:30 and we spent another evening sharing stories. Don grilled chicken & Terri had made some delicious Parmesan potatoes & a bean salad.
How luck are we to spend time with people who've lived in Mozambique for 7 years and could fill us with information about this country & its people!
Sent from my iPhone
