From: “Brenda Lange”
Date: January 8, 2012 4:31:14 AM CST
Subject: Blog, Jan. 8, 2012
RAINY SEASON AT FULL STRENGTH
The last 4 days, the sun never peaked through the black clouds, as it rained from 12–16 hours each day.
I traded my bunny ears for webbed feet and now quack like a duck!
With only 10 days left before I leave Mozambique for South Africa, my work teams are busy planting our fields and “wrapping up” the construction. The rainy season will continue till the end of March.
It’s time for our team to stay near the house, and watch our fields grow, as our dirt roads (mostly clay based) have turned to a muddy mess that challenges even 4 wheel drive. The “new national highway”, that runs between Balama and civilization, is far from finished, but at least most of it has crushed rock on top of the dirt which greatly improves traction.
Travel to our remote churches is no longer possible by pick-up due to the mud.
Pastor Alberto, our Evangelist, and Nelson, my 14 year old Sunday School Teacher, travelled by bicycle to Naccaca today to help them with that fast growing church. Walking in or bicycle are the only “safe” modes of travel in this mud.
ESTIFON MEETS JESUS
Last week I told you how Estifon, a severely anemic and malnourished young man who was near death, used the last of his energy to walk to our Rovuma church to find out about Jesus. He responded very well to our nutritional program for the first 6 days, but then developed diarrhea Wednesday night, most likely from eating something with dirty fingers. His system couldn’t handle even a few hours of sickness, and Jesus welcomed him into his arms at 5a.m. the next morning.
We tell all our orphans and workers that there is NO GUARANTEE of tomorrow.
Keep your heart right with God, and no matter when this earthly body gives out, you know your destination will be heaven.
BUSH BUNNY LEAVES MOZAMBIQUE JAN. 17TH
I’ll travel on Jan. 17th to Pemba to make sure I can catch my flight on the 18th to Johannesburg.
A big rain the same day as the flight, would mean a muddy road, and possibly a missed flight!
I’ll relax and recharge a few days in South Africa, and then be on my way to the USA, Jan. 25th.
NOTE: I WILL NOT HAVE EMAIL FROM JAN. 17TH TO 26TH, so please contact LINDA at our TEXAS OFFICE if you have any questions that need urgent answers. linda@orphansunlimited.org
BALAMA RAINY SEASON TEAM
Eric Dry is back from holiday in South Africa and will manage the orphan programs till my return in early April.
Linda Stanley from North Carolina, and 2 young ladies from South Africa are flying in this Wednesday.
I’ll test my 4 wheel drive King Cab in the mud to go fetch them in Pemba.
They’ll handle the orphan and widows programs for the rainy season, and help Eric to record and edit his Christian Radio programs.
BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR!
“Web Footed” Bush Bunny Brenda and her Balama staff