FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA” DATE: DECEMBER 14, 2014
NAMUNO FAMILY GIFTED WITH NEW MUD HUT
The Delfina family in their old hut with no walls, and no beds, shelter. or security.
Thanks to your generosity, we were able to gift Delfina and family with a new mud hut for $126! It lacks an outdoor “latrine” and kitchen/cooking area, but the village chief assures us that he will organize neighbors to help them with to add on these needed items.
Social Services (both District and State) agree that “at this time” staying in their home village near family and friends is the best solution for this family of 9. The husbands “indecision” about moving was a key factor, as he changed his mind daily about what he wanted to do.
We donated 6 sacks of corn (120lbs each/60kg), 1 sack of corn flour, and 60kg (120lbs) of beans. That is enough food to help them through the rainy season. Our gift included CORN AND BEAN SEEDS to help them get a new start at being independent. I personally spoke to the District Social Service Director in Pemba yesterday (we ran into each other while I was in town getting supplies), and he is going to assist them this week in getting a bigger “ma-cham-ba” (farming field), as their present field is too small to provide for them.
The wife was in tears over all this, as our gifts included 3 new “rope beds” so that all the kids would have a place to sleep off the ground.
Giving this family a “hand up” vs. just a “hand out” is what we do best.
The option is still open to move them next year if the situation changes.
THANK YOU for your prayers and love gifts that made this “rescue” possible.
RAINY SEASON BRINGS OUT OUR SLITHERING NEIGHBORS
Last Sunday morning dawned fresh and beautiful after an all night rain cleared the air. As I went to our kitchen, which is a building 30 yards/meters from my house, I met the first of our unwanted neighbors.
Next to the fence was laying a 2 foot black mamba.
He began moving away when he saw me, so I wasted no time in yelling, “GAURDS, COBRA!” It was shift change, so there were 3 men present.
With their trusty snake stick of bamboo, they made short work of that critter. Mambas hatch from eggs, and as they unwind themselves it is amazing to realize that they measure 18 to 24 inches at hatch time (45 to 60cm).
A new hatch in the area is a serious matter, as there could be up to 20 or more roaming around.
So BUSH BUNNY SENSES WENT ON FULL ALERT!
The next day my Balama Blazers, Katie and Ashlynn, found a small snake hiding behind our stove in our kitchen. It was NOT a mamba, but a more docile type of snake, according to the guard who killed it. It came in under the door, which is our biggest challenge around here. With all the frequent walking on this concrete, the area had worn down just slightly, so that a small snake could slide under. They can compress their bodies more than anyone realizes.
My brick layers will build up that part of the floor to make it more snake proof.
Rainy season always drives them out of the rat holes where they live in the dry season. The rains fill their holes with water, and out they come looking for a warm, dry place to live for the next 4 months.
We deal with it by asking God to keep us “aware” of our surroundings, and REVEAL THEM before we get too close to them.
I was proud of Katie and Ashlynn for not panicking when they discovered the snake in the kitchen.
They left the room immediately, and even remembered to grab our lunch on the way out the door as they yelled for the guard!
We praise God for His Divine Protection at each encounter. TIME FOR PLANTING
Our 40 acres is now cleaned with the brush burned, and is ready for planting thanks to our 23 foster mothers.
Each family is given an area to clean and plant so that the orphans can learn farming, as well as provide some fresh food for themselves.
Everyone must farm or go hungry in our area, as there are no “food stamps” to apply for once your food supply is gone.
It’s also time for intense spiritual planting, as we have organized a 1 day training seminar this Wednesday to prepare our 19 Balama Pastors for our rainy season (20150 evangelistic program.
OUR THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO BRING “THE MESSAGE OF JESUS” TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL.
Our staff truly embraces the “pioneer spirit” it takes to face the numerous challenges they face when they are the first in an area to bring God’s message about His Son.
FYI: Carlitos Jorge accompanied AWANA leader Bilali through the “python area” this week to make sure all went well.
Traveling in pairs is always the safest, but not always possible.
They romped and played with over 150 kids in the Siramula AWANA program this week.
DEEP BUSH RESCUE
After Sunday school today, I was introduced to 2 boys, 1 of them blind since birth. They are living with their very sick mother in a small grass hut that sits deep in the bush at their machamba (ma-sham-ba—farming field). The father of the children died a month ago, leaving the children with very little food. The older sister, Rosimina, has been visiting them and bringing what food she could spare from her own family.
Today, Rosimina walked to the Rovuma church with the blind boy, Isufo, 11, and his little brother Isake, 8, to ask if our Jesus could help save them.
The older boy, Lido,12, had to stay to help his mother who is not able to walk.
Upon hearing their story, we immediately agreed to help the boys with food, but told the sister that the children and their mother must be brought into the village to live with her family.
Rosimina is presently organizing someone with a bicycle to go fetch Justina, the sick mother, as it is quite a distance to their hut, and there is only a small bicycle path that gets you there.
Once she is brought in, we will take her to the Balama hospital.
Nelson returned to our base with me and assisted me in fetching food for the boys. The bicycle rescue of the mother is still in progress.
Will update you on the situation next week.
Blessings to all of you! Bush Bunny Brenda Balama Blazers: Katie Polcyn Ashlynn Grabill