FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA” DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2014
Some of our orphans eagerly awaiting Awana Games program.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Late Thursday, Social Service Representatives from Pemba dropped by for a surprise visit. They are thrilled with our “helping hands” programs to over 2,500 children in 2 Districts, and encouraged us to keep up the great work.
This team of 3 specialists were very distressed because they had just come from visiting a family in a remote village in Namuno District, the area south of us that is so “on fire” for Jesus. The District Social Service Director had taken them to visit a family in dire need of help, but the team was at a loss as to what could be done.
They describe the family as a recently disabled mother (unable to walk, reason unknown) with 7 children (5 of them ages 2 to 7, plus 2 teenage boys), and a husband who has developed mental illness to the point that he is like a child himself.
They are living in an open air shack with a poor excuse for a grass roof, no walls, and only 1 grass mat for all of them to sleep on. All of them are severely malnourished with open sores needing medical treatment (no clinic is available in that village).
The mother is quite the business woman, and is trying to provide for her family by using the $18 (R60) “disability gift” she receives monthly from Social Services to buy locally killed wild game, and resell it at her “spot” at the village market. Neighbors have been giving them some food that provides them with a small meal once a day.
I requested to move the family to Namuno Town where our church members could assist them, but our idea was turned down since there is no one that could be “officially responsible” for meeting their needs. (We are registered only as a church in Namuno District, and not an aid program).
I prayed about it, and then yesterday, Capena, our Balama Program Director, and I phoned the District Social Service Director of Namuno County.
Since we are the ONLY assistance program in the entire state that has housing to help whole families in need, I presented a proposal to the Namuno Social Services requesting permission to bring this family to Balama to stay in one of our “widow’s houses” at our mission base. We are not sure what their response will be, so you’ll have to wait for the “rest of the story”.
What they requested us to do is make an “assistance drop” of much needed items.
On Monday our staff will put together a Life Saving Gift of food, clothing, bedding, and kitchen materials which will be delivered directly to this family by Capena in coordination with the District Director of Social Services in Namuno District.
JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR FAVOR THAT WE CAN WORK OUT A SOLUTION THAT WILL BRING THIS FAMILY TO BALAMA. Those 5 little children are sick and suffering greatly, and need proper care and a chance at a future and an education.
SUPER SLIDE UPDATE
The painting is almost complete and all that is left is to mount the metal slide sheets, build the sand filled “catch pit” at the foot of the slide, and mount the safety fencing that will enclose the walls of the 2 story playhouse.
This “play area” comes complete with monkey bars, and a 30 foot long (10 meter) sand box under the whole slide area. OUR TRACTOR CREW is busy today hauling in the sand needed to fill the 2 sand boxes.
Opening date set for Dec. 1st. A great “early Christmas Present” to our orphans and the local children.
RAINY SEASON GARDENING has always been impossible in this area due to the “heavy flash flood type” rains we get where the clouds dump up to an inch in an hour.
We couldn’t get plastic roofing sheets to organize a proper green house, so my gardener and I are “using what we have” to see if carrots and Swiss Chard will grow in our raised garden with a grass roof. Planted it this week, so I’ll let you know if this Bunny has “greens” for the rainy season or not.
The key to success will be if the plants can sprout and take root before the heavy rains begin in December. I have 2 small tarps that I can use to enforce the roofing as needed against the night rains, yet be removed to give sunlight during the day.
TEXAS AGGIE with an Agriculture Degree at work here, so there is ALWAYS A PLAN P! PRAYER!
FOR GOD CAN GROW ANYTHING, ANYWHERE!
Until next week! Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Lange Balama Blazers: Katie Polcyn Ashlynn Grabill