FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA“ DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2023 20-HOUR-OLD INFANT BROUGHT TO OUR DOOR ERMESIA, born on January 31, lost her mother immediately after she was born in her village. Ermesia, 2.7kg/5.9lbs. never nursed or received any fluids before coming to us at noon the day after her 4pm birth. This put her in a very dehydrated state. Our two Children’s Directors, Anna and Fatima, were at the market buying baby clothes for our fast-growing group of 16 infants and toddlers. While Capena, our Office Manager raced to fetch them, I sprang into action. ![]() Bush Bunny Brenda feeding twenty hour old Ermesia. This baby needed fluids NOW! I quickly mixed up 2 ounces of formula and sat down to offer the bottle to the infant. Ermesia didn’t even hesitate! Sucking hard, she drank the formula with gusto! Anna and Fatima arrived, and gave detailed instructions to the Aunt on how to feed and care for her. Anna asked the Aunt to return the next day since they lived close, so that the infant could be checked. WHY? The first week an infant is on formula is CRITICAL as these Aunties and Grannies don’t understand the danger of feeding sour formula that’s been left in the bottle or in not washing the bottle between feedings. We like to check the bottles and infant with 2 days of entering the program, ESPECIALLY on a newborn like Ermesia. Sadly, the family didn’t come the next day as requested, so we must wait until they do come to find out if the infant is OK. Will update you on this story next week. MILK PROGRAM SAVES ANOTHER INFANT Older infants, like 3‑week-old girl, NILCIA, who was admitted Jan. 31 because her mother’s breast milk had dried up, usually adjust very well from being breast fed to being bottle fed. AGINA, the mother, is a refugee and family member of our Pastor Carlos who has 2 churches in the Kwe Kwe area of Balama. Without formula, this little girl would not have stood a chance at survival. ![]() Nilcia getting first good feeding in several days. BOTH OF THESE INFANTS, PLUS THE 37 OTHER INFANTS IN OUR MILK PROGRAM HAVE A CHANCE AT LIFE BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE GIFTS. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE! 70-YEAR-OLD CHURCH MEMBER DOING HIS PART GENONO was carried to our office on a motorbike, as he can no longer walk the 3 km/1.5 miles from Rovuma to our mission station. But his hands work very well, as he still weaves very sturdy grass baskets for our church’s offerings! I’ll be distributing them to the newer village churches later this month. ![]() GENONO brings us his handmade offering baskets for our village churches. At 70 he can still weave a great basket! Genono was blessed with an AWESOME HEALING over 15 years ago when we first began evangelizing the Rovuma area. A Muslim, Genono was carried to the tree where we met for church because his legs had no strength, but he wanted to hear about Jesus the healer. Receiving prayer at the end of our service, Genono stated his legs felt stronger, and he was able to stand. Within 2 days he was WALKING AND DANCING TO JESUS, for he had been healed! A devoted believer, Genono never misses a church service. PROVES YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO SERVE THE LORD IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CAN. BBC EVANGELISM REPORT With school beginning this week, the BBC’s saw increased attendance numbers LAST WEEK, as those children returned who had been helping their families plant their family farms. Here are two videos of last week’s activities, as both the motorbike team, and the bicycle teams saw an average of 200 ADDITIONAL children coming to their programs. ![]() BBC TEAM really gets the kids excited before game time begins. https://youtu.be/DmNaCNQjf30 ![]() Bean bag toss is a game that challenges the throwing accuracy of the kids. https://youtu.be/nxka0OELu6c At the request of the village school officials, we canceled our program THIS WEEK so they could get the children focused and organized into their classes. Once the children settle into their classes, our teams will continue their village programs. MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL AND KEEP WARM USA! BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |