| JESUINO SUFFERS FEBRILE CONVULSIONS On Monday at lunchtime, our executive staff was meeting outside under a cashew nut tree, also known as our 2nd office. I was facing our entrance road when I saw our Foster Father, Nuro, running towards us with a child in his arms. Capena and I ran to meet him with Capena carrying the convulsing Jesuino to the nearby table under the cashew nut tree. Anna, Children’s Director, and I raced into my house to grab a large basin and a bucket of water. Outside, Capena was stripping Jesuino’s clothes off him. Putting him into the basin, we began pouring the cool water over his body. His fever was high, as the water turned warm within 1 minute, but his convulsions stopped as the water cooled his body. Praise the Lord, for high fever is a sign of rapid onset Malaria.  Jesuino, age 4, happy at home after his febrile seizure. Wrapped in a cotton “Caplana” (wrap around skirt), we rushed him to the Balama Hospital where a Dr. and Sister Ligia met us at the emergency room. An IV was started, and life-saving medications and fluids were given. A Rapid Malaria Test turned positive immediately, proving what we all suspected—a strong case of malaria.  Jesuino’s Malaria Rapid Test turned positive immediately. Jesuino was admitted for 24-hour observation. He slept until 8pm when he thankfully awoke hungry, and fully aware of everyone around him. The next morning he was released with the normal oral medication that kills the malaria larvae, and had no further problems. Malaria has attacked many children this year in Balama, and not all had such a quick recovery as our Jesuino. OUR STAFF’S QUICK RESPONSE AND THEIR PRAYERS AS WE WORKED TO STOP THE CONVULSIONS, were key in Jesuino’s fast recovery from this killer disease. We are very grateful to the Lord Jesus for answering our prayers for this little boy. BALAMA’S LOCAL LEADERS VISIT OUR CHILDREN The Balama Chief of this Administration Post (a powerful position), as well as the Primary and Secondary School’s Directors requested to visit all 7 of our children’s homes this week. They said they were impressed after reading our 1st quarterly report, and desired to meet all of us. They were truly impressed by all they saw and those they talked with. The Chief said she was very happy to assist Helder, who has completed teacher’s college, to be placed in a job near our mission. Helder is currenly working to tutor our primary school children with their lessons.  Capena, far left, speaking to our 4 visitors on Thursday this week. With many compliments and encouraging words, they left after spending 2 hours talking with the children and their foster mothers. It was great that this influential group now truly knows us and our children, for they have a heart to help them excel. PERSEVERANCE AND PERSISTENCE IN ACTION GRANNY MINIAH (Mee-nii-ah) lost her right leg many years ago during the Mozambican civil war. Instead of sitting at home waiting for a handout, she began to work her farming field sitting down. We met her over 10 years ago, as she was raising her 2 orphaned grandsons in a village about 5km/3 miles from our base. Since she struggled to grow enough food for the 3 of them, we immediately placed her into our weekly food program. We expected her to send a friend to pick up the food, but she actually WALKED the 3 MILES to our give-out on her crutches! Her friend came with to carry the food. NOW THAT IS BEYOND AWESOME, AND SHOWS A TRUE HEART OF LOVE FOR HER GRANDSONS! We soon organized an improved mud hut near our mission station, (mud brick walls with concrete floor and tin roof), to ease her burden, and assist her with the 2 boys who were nearing school age. HER FORTITUDE, AND DOING WHAT SHE COULD TO PROVIDE FOR HERSELF AND OTHERS, DEFINES PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.  Persistence and Perseverance are this widow’s motto. BE GRATEFUL TO JESUS, and do what you can with what you have. When she came to live with us, she immediately asked for a farming field. I took this photo on Wednesday this week as she walked home from her farming field with a tub of bean leaves on her head that she had just harvested from that very same field. It is an honor to assist such a strong woman of God, as is our Miniah. YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS MAKE ALL THIS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US AT ORPHANS UNLIMITED. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
Monthly Archives: May 2022
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 21, 2022
| HARVEST DELAYED The rainy season in Balama began 30 days later than normal, which means the harvest is just now being taken from the fields to be dried. Result: Beans will hopefully be dry by middle of June. All corn will only be dry by July. God has provided our children’s June corn needs via our 7‑ton truck driver, Pastor Manel of the Assembly of God. He knows a man who had stored up some of his 2021 corn and talked him into selling it to us. We are most grateful for this awesome provision!  Buying last year’s corn to hold us over until 2022 harvest is ready in July. Our 2021 corn will be finished the first week of June, when we normally would be receiving the 2022 harvest. GOD KNEW WE WOULD NEED CORN, AND HAD A TOTAL STRANGER STORE IT FOR OUR CHILDREN. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME! BREAKING GROUND FOR NEW TEEN BOYS DORM With over 3 weeks until the food-buying can begin, our bricklayers and I cleared the land and marked the new building site for the older teen boy’s dorm. This land is 2km or 1.2 miles from our mission station on the new main highway, thus easy access for all. With Balama town growing at a fast rate, this is the nearest plot of land that was available, and it was purchased 5 years ago!  Breaking ground for new teen boys dorm. This dorm will be specifically for older teen boys who are in the final 3 years of school, and for those going to technical/professional schools. This leaves the original dorm near our mission for the 5th to 9th graders, as we have at least 5 young boys nearing the 5th grade with another 5 to follow in a few years. The time to take action is now! Our objective is to have this dorm ready by the end of 2022. FRAGILE FRANCIANO RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL This little boy, now 5.5 months, weighs only 3 kg/6.6 lbs. He’s fought and won after 2 bouts of malaria, thanks to 2 life-saving blood transfusions during his first hospital stay when we received him into our family.  Baby Franciano showing weight gain after a week out of the hospital. Since he is so tiny, he can’t take the stronger malaria meds that would wipe out this deadly larvae. Our goal is to help him reach 5kgs/11 lbs. as soon as possible by giving him plenty of milk and high protein infant food (Hypo). Once he is at this weight, he can take the stronger malaria treatment. PLEASE KEEP HIM IN PRAYER AS HE IS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE RIGHT NOW. Your prayers for all of us are greatly appreciated. THANK YOU for helping us make a difference in 1000’s of children’s lives. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 14, 2022
| THE 2 BISHOPS ARRIVE AT LAST! INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS, DAVID KAZIMA, AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MOZAMBIQUE, IMMANUEL ZALIRA, were our guests for 5 days this week.  Bishop Kazima, Brenda, and the tall Bishop Zalira at Indian Ocean in Pemba. Our church and orphan projects are all under the umbrella of LIVING WATERS CHURCH, based in Blantyre, Malawi. Our national headquarters is in Tete city, Mozambique.  Rough drawing of Mozambique with Malawi in the middle of the Y. Mozambique has the same land mass as Texas, just stretched out. It is BIG! Arriving in Pemba on Monday afternoon with the MAF (Missions Aviation Fellowship plane), gave us time to get to know each other as we had to stay overnight.  Red and White MAF plane landing at Pemba. The distance from Pemba to Balama is a 4 to 5 hour intense drive (lots of pot holes), and it is not wise to travel after dark. Arriving in Balama on Tuesday, we wasted no time, as lunch was already prepared for us (chicken and rice). We then visited all 7 orphans homes, where these men held and hugged the Toddlers who came to them on their own! This is not normal as they shy from those they don’t know and shows that “Godly love” flows from them. Then off to the hospital to lay hands on, and pray for Baby Franciano. He is taking IV treatment for malaria. Wednesday, the 2 Bishops taught a 3 hour church leadership class to all 16 village Pastors, and the 11 BBC Youth Evangelist team. Wednesday afternoon was spent answering the many questions the Bishops had about all aspects of our program.  Bishop Kazima with Interpretor Whitey, imparting Leadership Training to our Pastors. Early Thursday it was a 5 hour trek back to Pemba, where I continued to answer more questions. These 2 men are VERY HAPPY with our program, and wanted to glean from our evangelism experience in the Bush villages. EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, MAF flew into Pemba from their home base, Nampula, whisking them off to Tete City, 3 hours flight away. It was an intense, power-packed 5 days that I thoroughly enjoyed. Due to the great distance, it is only the 2nd time that Executive Church Officials have been able to visit us. Their Words of Wisdom will long be remembered by all of us. BABY FRANCIANO NEEDS PRAYER FRANCIANO was admitted last weekend with confirmed malaria. At 3.9kg/8,5 lbs. at 5.5 months, he must receive 7 days of IV treatment, not pills, thus admission is mandatory to save his life. PLZ PRAY for the healing of this fragile little one, as he is not digesting his food well.  Foster Mother Estivania and Baby Franciano. GOD’S HEALING POWER IS THE BEST MEDICINE IN THE WORLD! The PRAYER OF AGREEMENT is more powerful than any of us can imagine. THANK YOU for your loving support of our children. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 7, 2022
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 7, 2022 9 LITTLE DISCIPLES LEARNING PORTUGUESE Through song and play time, these 9 little sponges, ages 3, 4, and 5, have mastered several Portuguese songs. See video at this link https://youtu.be/f8fgdlgexSI Singing from their hearts with all their might! Click photo for video.  Little Disciples in their classroom. INTRODUCING JANDIRA JANDIRA (Jan Dee rah), is a new addition to our staff with a love for the wee ones, and multiple teaching talents. Her degree in Occupational Therapy along with her Portuguese/English language skills, has her widening the horizons of the Little Disciples as she assists in their learning program.  Jandira, new teacher for the wee tykes and high schoolers. JANDIRA also assists our high school classes by helping them with their Biology and Chemistry lessons. I PRAISE THE LORD for sending us such a “gem” of a teacher. HIGH SCHOOL TEENS NEW GARDEN Our industrious young men decided they wanted to grow their own lettuce vs. spending their house money on it. Their small, but efficiently planned garden, and the ingenious making of a sprinkler can, shows us they are learning to be independent and economical thinkers. I am very proud of them for making these decisions all on their own.  Dorm boys with their private garden. Note their special sprinkler can. FUN IN THE SUN! A few of our primary schoolers had a fun day on our 16 foot/4.8 meter high super slide this week, as we believe the rainy season is now over. It’s a joy to have activities back in full swing!  Primary school kids enjoying the super slide! BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE, OUR CHILDREN ARE FLOURISHING!  From last week’s blog. Pastor Carlos with Granny and her orphaned grandson. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BREND BLOG: APRIL 30, 2022
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: APRIL 30, 2022 DOING WHAT JESUS WOULD DO Pastor Carlos lives in a large village about 30km/18 miles from our base, and has churches in 2 areas. While making his rounds, he met a 47-year-old grandmother who was going hut to hut begging food for the 7 children now living with her. When she told Carlos her story, and that she urgently needed milk for a newborn, he immediately “did what Jesus would do”. A swift ride to Balama on his motorbike with grandmother and baby brought him ALMOST to our our mission station, as he blew a tire when within walking distance. We quickly provided emergency milk for the tiny 2.9kg/6.3lb. infant boy named Jessi. After hearing the WHOLE STORY about Jessi’s 4 orphaned siblings (under 9 years) and Gracinda’s 3 children (under 10), it was obvious this widowed Granny couldn’t cope without help! Because of the distance, and the fact that there was no other family to help, Carlos eagerly agreed to bring Gracinda and baby Jessi in every 2 weeks on his motorbike for milk and food assistance. There was no way she could handle 2 weeks-worth of corn flour and beans for 7 people (24kg/52lbs.), and the infant without a man’s help. YOUR LOVE GIFTS HELPED RESCUE THIS FAMILY FROM A VERY BAD SITUATION. Not only did your gifts provide life-saving baby formula and food, but also the fuel (and a new bike tire), so that Gracinda and the 8 children could stay in the program. Going the “extra mile” means we do whatever it takes to save children in a desperate situation. We are grateful to Pastor Carlos for going “those extra miles” with us. The relief I saw in Gracinda’s face today, tells me our help took a great burden off her shoulders. Baby Jessi is thriving, as he now weighs 3.2kg/7lbs! Gracinda truly loves the children dropped at her door and is doing a great job with raising Jessi. CLEAN WATER = LIFE! Manel and helpers worked for 4 hours to retrieve a broken water well rod and other debris that left a big part of 5,000 families without water for 2 days. When our Naccaca Pastor called us for help, it was pouring barrels of rain! Tlhe next day, cloudy skies prevailed, but the rain had stopped, allowing our team and the villagers to make the repairs.  Water well team and villagers work together to repair the main village well.  Water at last! Everyone is happy, and the non stop pumping begins! YOUR LOVE GIFTS AT WORK! CLEAN WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALTH. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |