| CHILDREN’S DAY PARTY A DELICIOUS HIT! Our children and foster mothers who live together also get to party together! We kept them in small groups as required, but it didn’t slow them down. The big hit of the day for me was watching Quiston STAND INDEPENDENTLY for the 1st time. He’s a bit behind the norm, but growing fast for having such a rough start. YOUR LOVE GIFTS MADE THIS PARTY POSSIBLE! THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US AT THE BALAMA MISSION STATION.  Quiston thinking: I know I can do this! Yep, just give me time!  Little Quiston has been trying so hard to stand with out holding on to any thing, that we had to applaud his persistence as he stands independently at the Children’s Day Celebration! SPONSOR’S SURPRISE Maezinha and Jesuino have the same sponsor. She asked permission to send a tiny gift to them. DAVE, our visitor, hand carried a t‑shirt for each of them when he came last week. Jesuino was confused by the wrapping paper since he’d never received a “hidden gift” before. Carlitos Jorge helped him open it, explaining there was a surprise inside. The look on his face when he saw the shirt was precious! Like a light going on inside his head! Maezinha is too young to understand so we opened hers for her. Her gift is a bit big, but she will quickly grow into it.  3‑year-old Jesuino gets a package from donor. His thoughts: What do I do with this? It’s all wrapped up on paper?”  “OK, I get it! The good stuff is inside!”  Maezinha, 14 months, gets a package too! 1 WEEK DONE, 1 TO GO. Five days of bean counting and the bean barn is full! PTL! A cold front brought heavy rains last Sunday and Monday making it a sloppy, slippery mess trying to get large trucks to our mission’s warehouse. Roads from the villages are all dirt. Mavala, the Mango Tree Church area, had their road closed for 2 days making it impossible for them to get here Monday morning. They finally made it about 2pm Monday afternoon by taking a longer, alternative route. Just after they unloaded, the 2nd wave of rains hit! It was so slippery near our warehouse after the 2nd rain that Joanna, who makes our team’s breakfast, fell in the mud breaking her right wrist! I took her to the hospital for a cast, and she and her children never missed making food for us. An Amazing woman for sure!  JOANNA. Best bagia (fried bean patty) maker in Balama! Another busy week awaits us on Monday. Keep your prayers coming as we need to complete this program so our team can go to Meluco to help them with their corn buying. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
Author Archives: Kim Hartman
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 29, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 29, 2021 DAVE ARRIVES AFTER GRUELING 3 DAYS IN THE AIR Dave, 1 of our 7 board members, arrived safely in Pemba this week, stating he thought international travel was tough 2 years ago (when he had a direct flight to S. Africa). To get here now, one must fly through Europe to RSA, with documents in hand to apply for a Visa at our airport, which was a stressful 2‑hour wait. Dave said you now have to jump through twice as many “hoops” as before. He will stay 27 days visiting me and the children before leaving to do it all over again.  Dave and BBBRENDA in Balama I greatly appreciate having him do all this, as he is our only visitor since 2019. BUSH BUNNY BRENDA GIVEN SURPRISE PARTY! It was an exhausting day yesterday as we continued preparing for the June 1st food buying as well as paying our staff, and meeting with our 12 Bush Pastors from 2 counties/districts. At 3:30pm, I heard singing outside my door. Most of the executive staff and house mothers were doing their best to dance to my door holding a beautiful cake and singing Happy Birthday in ENGLISH! Only 3 in this group speak English, so the others must have worked hard to learn that song! See video at this link —> https://youtu.be/gEkqtRhjOfU .  Balama staff greet me with surprise party! I greatly appreciated their loving effort as the cake said “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA BRENDA, 66”. It had to be specially made in the next town, 30 miles/55km away, for that town has the only bakery within a 4‑hour-drive of Balama! We had a great party, as there was enough cake for everyone. A great way to end the week.  Birthday cake enough for all.  Even the pup is in on the party. THANK YOU JESUS FOR MY MOZAMBICAN FAMILY, AND ALL MY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS WHO SENT BIRTHDAY GREETINGS! It really touches my heart to receive your love, thoughts, and prayers. BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND STAFF HOPPING FAST BECAUSE YOU CARE THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL BE FED. BLESSINGS FROM DE BIRTHDAY BUNNY! BRENDA LANGE |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 22, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 22, 2021 ALFERES SAVES A LIFE! Wednesday, 4:30pm, I hear a yell. “BABY IN TROUBLE!” Leaving my kitchen, I see Alferes running to my house while cradling a small bundle in his arms. I hurried him into my house, instructing him to put the baby on the table inside my door, and remove her clothes. TWENTY-MONTH-OLD BABY ANGELINA from the Gazelle house was suffering a full-blown febrile seizure, (eyes rolled back, limbs stiff, convulsing, and not breathing). Her skin was super hot! As Alferes removed her clothes, I plunged my bath towel into a barrel of water in my nearby bathroom. Covering her body with that cool towel immediately began lowering her body temperature. Alferes stayed with her as I soaked 2 more towels to help cool her down rapidly. We had to bring down her temperature quickly to break the seizure so she could breath! By that time Angelina’s Foster Mother, Balbina, had reached my house crying hysterically (thinking her foster baby was surely dead). As Alferes and I wrapped Angelina in the cool towels, the seizure broke. I ordered Balbina to get into my King Cab pick-up as Alferes got in, holding the now breathing Angelina. Dominica, our Women’s Pastor, jumped in to provide emotional support as I backed out to take her to the hospital. With flashers blinking, and honking my horn to clear traffic, we arrived at the hospital in 2 minutes with Angelina CRYING LOUDLY! Music to my ears, for it meant SHE WAS BREATHING JUST FINE!!! A malaria quick test in the ER proved POSITIVE in less than 2 minutes! As the technician looked for a vein to start the IV meds that would kill the malaria larvae, he saw nothing! I raced to fetch Sister Lisha at her home, as she is the best Pediatric Nurse they have. But Sister Lisha also found no viable vein due to Angelina’s rapid dehydration from the high fever. The decision was made to give the malaria meds via injection into her buttocks (rarely used) BUT IT WORKS! Her fever began decreasing, and she began drinking an oral electrolyte solution that would rehydrate her body. Dehydration helps the malaria larvae to kill the kidneys quickly, causing the urine to turn black, thus malaria’s nickname “black water fever”. The Emergency Room that night was full of parents with infants suffering from malaria, which is rampant right now. PTL that the cooler temperatures have begun, which will decrease the number of malaria mosquitoes in our area. WE PTL THAT ANGELINA WAS SAVED THAT NIGHT, AS WELL AS THE OTHER INFANTS WE SAW TREATED WHILE IN THE ER. The Dr. allowed Angelina to come home the next afternoon, with strict instructions to complete the 3‑day treatment of Coartem, and provide twice-a-day liquid vitamins with iron, as her hemoglobin had dropped during the night to borderline low. We are giving her all she needs and she will be retested in 7 days to make sure her Hemoglobin is rising. ALL OF US WERE PRAYING during this entire time, THANKING JESUS for his miracle life saving love for our little Angelina.  Hero Alferes, with Balbina and baby Angelina 2 days after her seizure THE REST OF THE STORY The next day, I asked Alferes how he encountered the sick baby. He told me that Balbina was crying and trying to run with the baby to my house when she became short of breath near our soccer field. Alferes was playing soccer when he spotted Balbina. Angelina was seizuring, so he just grabbed her and ran for my house (about 200 yards/meters away). PRAISE GOD FOR HIS QUICK THINKING, for it helped us break her seizure before she suffocated! KIDS SAVING KIDS! I LOVE IT! Right after food buying, I plan to teach a simple First Aid/CPR class to our teens. We are giving a crash course on malaria seizure treatment next week to our Foster Mothers, as that can’t wait. Alferes reacted correctly, but many of our teens told me they would not know what to do if someone was really hurt or having a seizure. It is fact that many a child or teen has saved a life because someone showed them what to do when they see someone is in distress. As a certified instructor in both First Aid and CPR from my college days, it is time I shared that knowledge with our children. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO HELP OTHERS. BLESSINGS BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 15, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 15, 2021 BABY OLIVIO DEPARTS SUDDENLY Last Sunday night, baby Olivio ate his supper, then slept soundly till midnight when he spiked a high fever. Vaneza called me, and we raced him to the hospital. He was comatose by 3 a.m. and joined hands with Jesus at 4 a.m. Reason: Sudden death due to Cerebral Malaria When the malaria larvae mature, they can clog the vessels in the brain. A person spikes a high fever becoming comatose in a few hours. Most do not respond to IV treatment and pass away very quickly. It only takes 1 mosquito bite to inject the malaria larvae into the bloodstream. Ten to 14 days later the first symptoms appear. Under normal circumstances, a 3 day course of anti-malarial meds is all it takes to eradicate it. If it goes cerebral, it can be deadly in hours. The younger a patient, the faster it kills.  Foster Mother, Vaneza, holding Maizinha with Baby Olivio on her back. We miss Olivio dearly, with Vaneza missing him most of all. PLZ PRAY FOR VANEZA to have peace over this. Losing 2 infants in such a short time has been devastating to her, especially since it happened so unexpectedly with Olivio. HARVEST TIME HAS OUR TEENS WORKING HARD. Our teenagers were given 3 small fields to plant and care for, as every young adult would naturally be given this responsibility if they were living at home. With each student having “in person” classes only twice a week, these young adults have plenty of time to harvest their crops.  A few of our teens harvesting their Juco Beans. Construction Intern, Alferes, is hard at work learning the difficult task of plastering a wall with cement under the supervision of a master bricklayer. Learning by “doing” makes the info “stick better” in one’s brain. See him at work, here —> https://youtu.be/ggulfQqHLUA  Alferes learning how difficult it is to plaster a wall with cement Helder is deep in his studies at his teacher’s college just 60km/32 miles up the road in Montepuez. All seems to be going well as he only called us once this week. He seems to be settling in very well. THE FRUITS OF YOUR LOVE GIFTS ARE COMING FORTH AS OUR YOUTH BEGIN TO BLOSSOM INTO RESPONSIBLE YOUNG ADULTS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 8, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 8, 2021 HELP IS ON THE WAY! Long-time friend and O.U. Board member Dave D. will make the difficult trek from USA to Balama in 2 weeks time. No direct flights exist to Africa after a year of shutdown, so he must fly via Europe, change planes, then go south to S. Africa before travelling into Mozambique via another flight the following day. His stay will be a great boost to my morale, as I have not seen a visitor in 19 months! De Bunny will have company for June! Yeah!  Dave joins us end of May. Please keep him in prayer for safe travel as flying internationally is no longer simple. Covid test USA, $275; Visa $220, return Covid test, $130, plus additional flight stops makes everything much more complicated, exhausting, and much more expensive! If you’d like to help him with ANY PART of his out-of-pocket costs, please send to our O.U office for the Dave fund. Thanks very much. SOZINHO HAS MINOR FOOT SURGERY On Friday, May 7th, Sozinho stepped on a large thorn which punctured his heel, requiring a trip to the Balama Emergency Room at the Balama Hospital for lancing and bandaging.  Sozinho, 6 years, 1st grade, shows off his injured foot. He is all boy, as his last visit to the hospital required an arm cast after he fell 4 feet (1.2 meters) onto his elbow from a small tree he had climbed. Boys will be boys, no matter the culture. COOKIES!!! As soon as our children saw me carrying the cookie box their joyful cheers could be heard all over the neighbourhood! I don’t do this often, so when I do, it’s a welcomed treat that puts ear-to-ear smiles on many faces.  Cookie treats for all, makes Mama Brenda very popular! Thanks for your wonderful Love Gifts that make this possible. ONE DAY AT A TIME WITH SWEET JESUS! BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: MAY 1, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: MAY 1, 2021 FUN IN THE SUN! Our children are super active and healthy, thrilled that their school is open and Bawana-time is now more fun than ever! I managed to catch their opening sing-a-long time on a short video this week. The youngest in the line on the left is 3‑year-old Jesuino, (Jezz wee no) who came to us in a very malnourished state as a newborn. His love for dancing and singing is hilarious, and he loves the laughter he sparks. He is a bit of a ham, for sure. We all got a super laugh when I showed the singing video to the children. As soon as Jesuino heard the singing, he started dancing and singing along. The whole group broke out in laughter at his actions, while Jesuino just kept right on dancing and singing. He is a character for sure! Video Link — https://youtu.be/LwzdTNj5RBQ Jesuino, on the left, making the most of sing a long time YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS HAVE MADE ALL THIS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE LOVE AND CARE THIS GROUP NEEDED FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE. NOTE: Helder has made it through his first week of teachers’ school, only calling us 5 times for advice on uniform purchase and other school related needs. He’s learning fast how to do what is needed to meet school rules.  Baby Juma still needs a sponsor. HOUSE #7: SHAPING UP AT A FAST PACE To the sound of mortar slapping the walls, I watched as our small construction team completed the final plastering on the front wall of House #7 on April 30th. Now the slower paced finishing work begins. The kitchen sink and table, as well as the Rocket Stove must still be built, but that takes time and patience as it must be done 1 stage at a time and allowed to dry before doing more.  Major cement work completed on all walls of dining/kitchen area. The four 16-foot/4‑meter deep “long drop” toilets have been capped, allowing the bathroom foundation to be built. In S. Africa, a “long drop” is the name given to a USA “outhouse” but the difference is our long drops have no seat but just a covered 3‑foot/ 1‑meter-wide, 16-foot/4‑meter-deep hole with a small hole cut in the middle for doing your business. After all, we don’t want anyone falling in!  Capped “long drops” allow bathroom foundation to begin this week. We will take it one step further by installing “sanitas” or a flat, stand upon, flush toilet so no one can fall in and our little ones won’t be scared when their toilet training begins. SAFETY FIRST! I will send a photo when all is completed so you will have the full picture. The photos show our current progress, and I will give an update at the end of May. Food buying begins June 1st, so all construction will come to a halt until the all-essential food buying program is completed in mid-July. Blessings and love to all of you as we continue moving forward one day at a time. As Texans often say: Your Bush Bunny is hopping on down the trail, letting no grass grow under her feet. BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: APRIL 24, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: APRIL 24, 2021 14-DAY-OLD JUMA JOINS OUR FAMILY Juma is our 11th infant to date to enter our home, as his mother died of postpartum complications just a few hours after he was born. His Granny, Belicina, took over the care of Juma and his 3 young siblings. Their father abandoned them, so Granny had no other family to help her. Juma was immediately placed in our infant formula program and was slowly gaining weight. But after two weeks, Granny was exhausted from trying to cope with the demands of a newborn plus three other youngsters, ages 2 to 7.  Granny Belicina with 5‑day-old Juma when he entered our milk program. She presented her problem to Social Services who immediately requested we help by taking the infant into our home. Juma is healthy and happily eats and sleeps in the arms of his foster mom, Felicina. JUMA NEEDS A $40/MONTH SPONSOR. Please consider helping him to grow into a healthy young boy. He needs your prayers as well as your financial assistance.  ZEBRA HOUSE children watch closely as Juma is received into his new home HELDER ACCEPTED INTO TEACHERS COLLEGE! He leaves tomorrow, Sunday, to enter the college dorm. School begins on Monday. It will be the biggest challenge he has faced so far in his life. This 18-month-school will be intense as he prepares to become a Primary School teacher. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST ORPHAN EVER TO ENTER INTO COLLEGE LEVEL STUDIES! Please keep your prayer coverage over him as he embarks on a new life.  Helder, the 1st orphan from our program to enter college! YOUR LOVE GIFTS AT WORK, HELPING ORPHANS HAVE A CHANCE AT A GREAT FUTURE. BLESSINGS BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: APRIL 17, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: APRIL 17, 2021 BABY BOY OLIVIO JOINS OUR FAMILY Born October 28, 2020, OLIVIO lost his mother 21 days later from post partum complications. His very elderly Granny and Uncle did their best to care for him, but they struggled to meet his needs. The Granny was too frail to make the long trip to fetch baby formula every 14 days, so the Uncle brought him 40km/24 miles by bicycle.  Elderly Uncle rode bicycle 40 km/24 mi so Olivio could have milk For several weigh-ins, Olivio did not gain weight. Social Services was called and a home visit was made that very day. This elderly family agreed to release this orphan to us, as they realized they were too old to care for him. Only 4.1kg/9 lbs at 6 months, Olivio is VERY content with his new “mama”, Vaneza.  Veneza receives newest family member, Olivio He is eagerly eating every 2–3 hours, which is normal for a baby who has not been getting the nourishment needed. Otherwise, he is perfectly healthy. Vaneza was very relieved to receive such a healthy, happy little boy. Olivio will help her heal from the loss of Christiano, whom she dearly loved. OLIVIO NEEDS A $40/MONTH SPONSOR, as milk and baby food prices have increased. Please email me if you would like to sponsor this precious little one. LATEST TRIPLETS FIGHT TO SURVIVE Born at 2.4 to 3.5kg/5.2lbs. to 7.7lbs., these 3 little ones have struggled with respiratory illnesses that hospitalized them April 1st. They lost weight, but are fighting to regain it. Each has now managed to hit the 3.5 to 4kg mark at 8 weeks. It is a miracle they have all survived with the challenges of being raised in a remote village.  Newest triplets making progress Plz pray for the blockage of any further setbacks, as their frail little bodies are working very hard at surviving already. NEW SANDBOX A BIG HIT AT ZEBRA HOUSE  New Sandbox at Zebra house a great hit! With the construction shutdown in 2020 due to CV19, our newest home never received its sandbox. The 4 older children, plus our fast growing Adelina and Maezinha, are THRILLED to have such a great play area THANKS TO A SPECIAL LOVE GIFT! PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL OF US AS WE FACE NEW CHALLENGES EACH DAY AS OUR FAMILY GROWS. BLESSINGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF. |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: APRIL 10, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: APRIL 10, 2021 CHRISTIANO MEETS JESUS Christiano fought bravely, but the Sepsis (blood infection) was stronger than the medications could handle. We miss him dearly, but at the same time, know that he has a new body and is happily playing in heaven. Please pray for foster mother Vaneza, our “miracle Mom”. A member of the hospital staff told me that her care was “exceptionally good”, giving this little boy all the love and encouragement she could give. His graduation to heaven has hit her very hard, for she loved him as her own.  Christiano before his illness began. HOUSE #7 OVER 50% COMPLETED With only a small group of brick-layers working to complete this children’s complex, I wanted to update you on what they have accomplished. The 4 bedrooms are now complete. The kitchen/ dining area is 60 % completed with the brick walls ready for the roofers to begin next Monday.  Kitchen/dining room ready for roof on Monday. While the roofers work on that building, the brick layers will begin the bathroom foundation. With our massive, 2‑month food buying season just 7 weeks away, this project will hopefully be completed by October.  4 Bedrooms of Orphan Home #7 completed. HARVEST TIME IS UPON US. Our teenage “Life Skills” group have worked hard to prove they can provide food for themselves as well as to sell. Farming, no matter what your profession, is essential to all rural residents.  Teens working to clear weeds for a better harvest. Thank you to all of you for your special prayer support for the many challenges that face us. We continue to reach out to the multitudes weekly with God’s love. Blessings, BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG: APRIL 3, 2021
| FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: APRIL 3, 2021 HELDER MAKES IT TO 1ST ELIMINATIONS Friday, Capena took Helder to Montepuez for his interview and elimination test, competing with over 600 students out of the 1,050 who took the test. They are competing for 190 positions at the teachers college. He needs God’s favor so please pray for him as the competition is really tough. Sadly, Alferes and Ali’s test scores were not good enough to make the cut.  Helder awaits exam results. Results of who will receive those 190 positions will be announced after April 10th. Please pray for favor, that the judges liked his answers at the interview. NOTE: Alferes and Ali will enter the 12th grade class on Monday. Thankfully, they only missed 1 week of school. Helder, who has completed 12th grade, will help out with odd jobs around our mission until his final results at teachers college are announced. MORE BABIES DEPENDING ON OUR MILK PROGRAM Presently, 30 infants are receiving baby formula in our program and 8 of those infants are living with us. Newborns are totally milk dependent until their 4th month. At that time rice cereal followed by either our special Hypo or other baby cereals are slowly introduced into their diet.  This wee 3‑day-old orphan has a chance at life thanks to your generous formula gifts.  1‑year-old malnourished boy receives Hypo cereal to boost his energy and protein intake. Last week alone, we received 2 new infants into the milk formula program, and 1 malnourished 1‑year-old into the food program.  Grandmother and baby’s father eagerly listen to Anna’s instructions, as this newborn’s life depends on it. CHRISTIANO FIGHTING TO LIVE Christiano has an eye infection and sepsis (blood infection). A 3rd blood transfusion was given this week to boost his immunity. The fact that he is STILL ALIVE is a faith builder to us all, for his little frail body is fighting against great odds. A JESUS MIRACLE IS NEEDED. Please keep him in your daily prayers. A video link is shown, below, to let you see what a fighter he is.  To see Christiano video in YouTube, click this link —-> https://youtu.be/SMzVsy9kqMk Note: An infant only needs 100ml of blood to bring his hemoglobin up to normal. Since blood doesn’t keep long, we donate the balance of the blood to help other infants with post-malaria anemia. This week, 2 other infants benefited from Christiano’s blood packet. HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY TO YOU ALL! BLESSINGS BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |