A Visit to Sunshine Acres

We have the privilege here at Family Matters to build strong families for every age and stage of life. In our culture, that family takes on many different forms – all with the same need to be equipped and encouraged. Recently we got to spend some time with some of the greatest parents in the world down at Sunshine Acres. These parents are house parents at this Children’s Home and are providing a loving, nurturing environment for up to ten kids per home. For some of these kids, this is the only home they will ever know or want to remember.  Since these kids come to Sunshine Acres at all ages starting at 5 years old, the house parents don’t have the advantage of knowing them from birth. They don’t know their strengths, struggles and personalities as well as parents who have raised their children from birth. So we thought it might be helpful to have them do the Kids Flag Page game with all of their kids and get a good read on what motivates each child and what country they hail from.  Just recently we had a fun morning with some of the staff at Sunshine Acres (house parents, teachers, and administrative staff) explaining the Grace based model for relationships and the Kids Flag Page. We brought enough Flag Pages for all of the kids and know that this will be a fun and meaningful activity for the kids and their house parents. One that we hope affirms the children for who God made them to be and gives some insight to the house parents and teachers on how to help this child succeed.  Here is some feedback from Amy, one of the House Parents at Sunshine Acres:  “We were so blessed by Tim and Darcy’s visit last week!  Tim gave an overview of the Grace Based Parenting philosophy as well as trained the staff to use the Kid’s Flag Page for our children here.  We are very excited to use the Flag Page to better understand the hearts of the children we care for. In addition to providing Flag Pages for each child and houseparent, Family Matters was so generous in donating numerous books and DVD’s to all the homes to use with our kids here.  The feedback I heard from the houseparents and supervisors were all very positive!!  Thank you so much for coming!!”  Thanks, Sunshine Acres for having us and for all you do for the kids. Thanks also to our faithful financial supporters who make it possible for us to create the resources to encourage and equip families like these.  Please also consider Sunshine Acres in your charitable giving. They are such a worthy cause!