| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“DATE: APRIL 18, 2020 RESURRECTION EGGS– A BIG HIT ON EASTER SUNDAY With the churches closed, our children met in their small home groups. No exposure to children other than the ones they live with. This meant our Youth Pastors had to do several presentations, but it all went smoothly, and the children loved the RESURRECTION EGG PRESENTATION along with the large color pictures of Jesus and his final act of love for us.  Teaching the Resurrection story of Jesus in small house groups to our orphans. If you’re not familiar with these “break open” Plastic Eggs, each egg is filled with 1 miniature piece that tells the entire Resurrection Story of Jesus. Starts with the tiny donkey that he rode upon entry to Jerusalem, and ends with the WHITE EMPTY EGG representing His ascension. This is really a great tool for teaching small groups, so give it a try! The eggs were brought over by a friend from the USA.  Carlitos Jorge, head of BBC, demonstrates Resurrection Eggs with miniature figures inside. We are very grateful that all our children remain healthy and super active during this time of world health challenges. TRIPLET CHALLENGES Two of the triplet girls born on April 2nd presented with serious health challenges this week. Sadly, the little girl, Rosinha, who weighed only 1kg (2.2lbs.) passed away from respiratory complications at the Balama Hospital Thursday night, April 16th. Her sister, Rosa, weighing only 2 kg (4.4lbs) was diagnosed and admitted with Malaria. Malaria is deadly to an infant of only 15 days, making her survival a matter of intense prayer. She needs a Jesus miracle for sure.  Triplet girls. Rosinha far right and Rosa in the middle. The older TRIPLETS (2 boys and a girl) born on March 15th are looking stronger and gaining weight. I take my hat off to this mother, who is raising these 3 babies with only the help of her young son and daughter.  Triplets (2 boys and a girl) gaining weight and looking stronger. Keep praying for this family, as the babies are still very vulnerable. Since they all weigh between 5 and 7 lbs. (2.35kg to 3.2kg) at one month of age, these 3 have a good chance of survival. LENDING A HELPING HAND The 12 beds made for the Balama hospital by a local welder were ready for transport last Wednesday. We were asked to lend a hand since our long bed 6‑ton-truck could carry them all at one time to their needed location. The beds were taken to the new Ntete Clinic Building about 6 miles (12 km) from Balama, and will be used as an isolation ward if virus patients present in our area.  Loading new beds onto our 6‑ton-truck. At this time there is no virus in our area, and we PTL for that! TOGETHER WE ARE KEEPING JESUS’ CHILDREN SAFE AND HEALTHY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS EVEN DURING YOUR OWN PERSONAL CHALLENGES. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
Monthly Archives: June 2021
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: April 11, 2020
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“DATE: APRIL 11, 2020 JESUS’FOLDED NAPKIN AND IT’S TRUE MEANING Did you ever wonder why the disciple John told IN DETAIL about the cloth that covered Jesus’ face in the tomb? It was neatly folded and laid to one side, while the rest of the burial clothes were left in a heap on the burial stone. Here’s the story behind that most important “sign”. In Hebrew culture, when the master of the house left the dinner table, he either left his napkin in a heap or he folded it nicely and set it beside his plate. A heaped up napkin told the servants that the master was finished eating, and they could clear the table. THE NICELY FOLDED NAPKIN told the servants, leave the table as it is, I’M COMING BACK! OUR LORD JESUS IS COMING BACK! He left us this most important “sign” for He knew the Jewish people would know it’s meaning. JESUS’ RESURRECTION WAS ONLY HIS FIRST STEP. HE WILL SEE US VERY SOON! A FACT to use when talking to unbelievers. HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY! BUSH BUNNY TIDBITS 1. All our children are healthy and going about their daily routines, while the foster mothers are anxiously waiting for the school to reopen, hopefully in May. Our school year begins Feb. 1st and ends late October each year, so our children still have time to catch up on their lessons.  Our Victory House kids in their new school uniforms earlier this year. 2. Baby Angelina (held by her foster mother, Balbina), gives us a big smile after she completed her “weekly weigh in”.  Baby Angelina smiles for us all. At 6 months of age, she now weighs 5.9 kg (13 lbs.) That is what a lot of loving care and the proper foods can do for a malnourished baby. YOUR LOVE GIFTS MADE THIS POSSIBLE! 3. MORE TRIPLETS! Three tiny girls this time, with the smallest little girl, Rosinha, (2.2 lbs or 1 kg), struggling. She tires easily when trying to take a bottle. I showed the family how she must be given small amounts of milk every hour in daytime and every 2 hours at night, if she is to gain strength. Triplet girls received April 9th. The other 2 girls (Rosa and Rosalina) are much stronger at double her weight. Please keep all 3 of them in your prayers. 4. The 1st set of triplets (2 boys and a girl) received March 19th are all doing well. They are showing good weight gain (thanks to your prayer power).  The triplets we met in March, with their mother on the far right. The little girl, Marcia, who was the weakest, is doing much better as she gained 300gms this week, and is looking much stronger. HAPPY EASTER, AND MAY YOU CONTINUE TO BLESS OTHERS AS YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THIS WEEK. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: April 4, 2020
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“DATE: APRIL 4, 2020 BOARD MEMBER, J.L. OBENHAUS, DANCING WITH JESUS J.L. OBENHAUS, an Orphans Unlimited Board Member and dear friend, graduated to heaven on April 3rd after a bout with Pneumonia (not Covid-19 related).  Longtime Orphans Unlimited board member, J.L. Obenhaus J.L. LOVED JESUS! J.L. was always helping someone, which is what Jesus expects of all of us. An active church member, rancher, gardener, and lover of children, J.L. came to our Balama mission station about 10 years ago to get a feel for what we really do here. He planted an Ata Fruit tree (sometimes called a Sugar Apple here), which bears a sweet fruit each year that our children dearly love. That tree is a constant reminder to me that J.L. loved our children and our Evangelistic Program.  J.L. ‘s Ata Fruit tree with Brenda showing 1 of the Atas. Survived by his wife, a big family, and tons of friends, J.L. will be greatly missed! Please join us in sending our condolences to his family and friends. REMEMBER: When a loved one who believes in Jesus, graduates to heaven, IT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SEPARATION. If you love Jesus, and have confessed Him as your Lord and Savior, you will see your loved one again and be with them for eternity. Happy trails, J.L., for we will meet again! HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS Our local hospital needed a helping hand with transport, as well as the making of 12 new beds. We do what we can, when we can to help, for that hospital is the key to everyone’s health in this area. This week we had a Land Cruiser going to Pemba for other reasons, so we helped out by fetching a load of supplies needed by the hospital. No sense having a truck return with only half a load. I’m a practical Bush Bunny, and believe in maximizing resources to help others when needed. Our local Balama welder came up with the solution to the needed 12 hospital beds shown in the photo below. His design is truly practical and well built. We thank him for his assistance in meeting this need.  Director of Hospital admires hospital bed made by local welder. The heart of Jesus is that we all work together, helping one another in whatever way we can. Thanks to your Love Gifts, we will continue to do so until Jesus returns. BLESSINGS BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MARCH 28, 2020
Today our Balama Doctor visited our children, giving them all a health check. They passed with flying colors!  Jesuino kept the doctor busy as he thought his stethoscope and mask would be fun to play with!  Baby Angelina being weighed by doctor as foster mother Balbina looks on.  Daniel, 1st grader, getting his check up. On Thursday, the Balama Director of Health visited our staff and children to teach them proper hand washing, social distancing and other preventative measures to keep them healthy. Afterwards, the Director of Health and I met to discuss other ways our group could help the Balama area with the virus challenge. We are both on the phone in the photo, working to coordinate the needs on her list.  Director of Health and Bush Bunny Brenda meeting to help others. BUSH BUNNY TIDBITS: Our BBC Teams, all Churches, and construction programs are closed till after Easter weekend. All our children are out of school, but still able to burn off their energy at our playground center where ONLY they are allowed entry at this time. All soccer games have been canceled as no group over 30 people are allowed to assemble. To brighten our children’s lives, I gave each orphan home 2 new balls so the children can have some fun while “stuck at home”.  1‑year-old Jesuino walking strong as Capena shows him around the playground. Will keep you informed, but for now, we are all staying close to home, praying for the health of the world, and all those around us in this challenging time. God’s Blessings to all of you, and continue to pray Ps. 91 and other scriptures over us and your family, for it is ONLY JESUS who can protect us from this invisible enemy. BLESSINGS BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MARCH 21, 2020
| SURPRISE! IT’S TRIPLETS! Wednesday, a mother was brought to us on a bicycle with a baby girl on her back. Nothing unusual, as that happens all the time. But her document from Social Services said THREE-DAY-OLD TRIPLETS! I asked where are the other 2 babies? She told us they were “on the way” with 2 other women, as her 40 year old legs couldn’t handle the walk (we thought she was the grandmother). Sure enough, 10 minutes later in walk 2 women with 2 baby boys.  Triplets with mother on far right. Our Staff was amazed that A 40-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, whom we thought was the grandmother, was actually THE MOTHER of these triplets! The 2 boys each weighed 2.4 Kg (5.28 lbs), but the tiny little girl, only 1.7 Kg (3.74 lbs.) What a weight this woman had carried while pregnant! We fixed them up with 3 bottles and baby formula combined with full instructions on how to care for them. We pray the little girl makes it, as she is quite small and fragile. Please pray for them all, as I have only known 1 set of triplets where all 3 made it to their 1st birthday. LIFE SKILLS CENTER NOW HAS A WATER WELL! The “pump team” drove in last Wednesday, and immediately began organizing the water well base. It is interesting how they put it all together in only 3 days, so I thought I’d share my photo series with you.  Metal rings make up concrete forms for water well pump.  Water well pump mounted and final cement work in progress  Life Skills Water Well is finished. A super blessing. Our team will mark the building this coming week, and begin digging the foundation. All moving at a fast rate, which makes me very happy. If you want to see the well in action, we’ve posted a quick video. https://youtu.be/CfA8GHXYpx0 WALLS UP AT HOUSE #7 – AWAITING RING BEAM & ROOF With 4 brick-layers, and lots of helpers, the 4‑bedroom house for this complex has gone up in record time.  ORPHAN HOUSE #7 at 2 meter mark, (6.2 ft) OUR CHILDREN RELEASED FROM SCHOOL FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS Like many countries facing the current health challenge, Mozambique is working hard to prevent this sickness from entering the country. Since the children have tons of time for the next 30 days, they are learning “yard work” 101, which includes chopping the grass to keep our living area clean. Extra sports and other fun activities are being added to their daily schedule to help keep them busy.  Yard work 101 for our primary school children. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOUR HEALTH, AND WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OURS. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |