FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA” DATE:AUGUST 9, 2014
MOTORBIKE MINISTRY SAVES LIVES
On Thursday morning, I was in Rovuma checking on 3 new baby goats, when Salvador, our 13 year old orphan from Nacala village 3 miles (5km) away, walked up to the goat pens accompanied by Pastor Salazar, his foster Father. His badly infected and painful hand was so swollen that it resembled a rubber glove full of air. Straight to the hospital we went, and PTL, the Doctor was able to attend to him immediately in the Emergency Room. Having to lance any wound is very painful, but hands are even worse due to its many nerve endings. I take my hat off to Salvador, as he handled the pain with minimal squirming and only a few tears, as 3 men held on to him so he wouldn’t strike the Doctor during the procedure. Because I had to be in Pemba on Friday, I organized Youth Pastor Carlitos Jorge to take him to the hospital for the following 4 days for further treatment and Penicillin injections. Motorbikes play a big part in our ministry, as they can get to places that our trucks cannot. Nacala village is one such place, as the road is very difficult for even 4 wheel drive pick-ups.
Used for both evangelism and rescue, these bikes are a super valuable instrument in saving lives both spiritually and physically. Your love gifts at work!
ORPHAN HOUSE IN ROVUMA NEAR COMPLETION
The walls are up and the roof is in progress.
The carpentry shop is busy making the door and 2 windows for the new house as well as a new door and a window for the widow’s house. Presently they have no security for their belongings, as the house only has a “cana” door. That’s a door made from the stalks of sugar cane. Sturdy enough to keep out honest people and roaming goats or dogs, but is no challenge if someone really wants to get in.
FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS MEANS HOURS OF GROUND WORK BEFORE HAND
Capena, our Office/Orphan Administrator, has been busy since last Thursday, checking on the 300+ orphans & widows in the Kwe Kwe area (9 villages in all). Each year he personally visits the homes of those on our list to check on their condition and to make sure they still need our help with food. Orphans who are now independent, and no longer need our help, or who have gotten married (age 15 is marrying age here), are deleted and young orphans on that village’s “need assistance list” are added in their place. It’s a BIG JOB, as you literally spend days walking from hut to hut with the village chiefs, making very tough decisions as you visit hundreds of mud huts. On Monday, Capena and I will finalize the Kwe Kwe list as their first food distribution is this Thursday and Friday. The 7 ton truck is temporarily out of action, as we need to have the air brake system repaired to prevent a roadside breakdown if the “cylinder” happens to crack further with all the jarring this truck takes on these rough dirt roads. The part is being flown up this week, and should be in our hands by Tuesday. Once the part has cleared customs, Eric plans to fly in to make this major repair. This makes the Kwe Kwe distribution a bit more difficult since we can only use 1 truck, but NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH JESUS BY OUR SIDE!
NELSON TO REPRESENT OUR ORPHANS IN STATE CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK
Monday afternoon, Manuel will take Nelson, age 16, the orphan leader of our boy’s dorm, and 4 other teens, to the 2 day State Children’s Parliament being held in Pemba. School is out for the next 2 weeks, so teens from all over the state will be spending this week helping law makers by giving testimony on how new laws could help all children in this nation to grow up to be better citizens. It’s a great honor to be chosen as the 5 will represent the 80,000+ children in our county (district).
KATIE POLCYN BEGINS RESIDENCY PROCESS
Katie flew back from South Africa yesterday with a bag full of “goodies” for all of us. She passed the first part of the residency process and received her Residency VISA at the Mozambican Embassy in Johannesburg. On Tuesday, Capena will drive her back to Pemba to submit the 7 required documents to request a 1 year temporary residency card. This is essential if she wants to help us for the next year, since visitors can only stay 90 days in this country.
A busy week ahead will keep Bush Bunny and the Balama Blazers hopping for sure! Keep us in your prayers.
Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Lange The Balama Blazers: Katie Polcyn Hanna Gilman Ashlynn Grabill
POST SCRIPT,
OUR GOATS LINE UP FOR WORMING TREATMENT.
We love to show you our beautiful goats and the crew loves it too.