FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA” DATE: MARCH 1, 2014
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE IMAGINATION!
Most cars have “horse power”, and then there is the double OXEN POWER! (A/C costs extra!) Keeps the driver dry in the rain and out of the sun in the dry season.
HOSPITAL RUNS KEEP BUNNY HOPPING ALL WEEK
Eva, our 14 year old with mild mental challenges, came down with severe malaria (vomiting and inability to walk) late last Sunday afternoon. So off to the hospital we went (Dominica our Woman’s Pastor gave me a hand with translating) to get her admitted and on an IV drip as she was severely dehydrated. It is our policy that when one of our children is in the hospital, we ask another church woman to help out with their care. Children cannot be left alone even one moment for fear they will tear out their IV, or try to leave their bed to go sit outside. Our culture is totally outdoors so being inside seems like a prison to these children. Our church members visit our sick children throughout the day, but each evening I take plates of hot food to the 2 women and cookies/candy for Eva. In our hospitals the patient usually receives food, but there are time the hospital doesn’t have (so we have donated during these lean times). But there is no “hospital cafe”, so each family is responsible for providing food to those caring for the sick. We provide money so they can buy what they want at the market next door to the hospital for breakfast and lunch. Their all-time favourite, Nsema (stiff corn meal mush) and sardines is what we take them for supper. This is a real treat to them and it puts a smile on their faces.
QUICK HOSPITAL SWAP
On Thursday, the triplets all had upper respiratory infections given to them by their 7 year old brother who coughed on them. I pile the whole family into my KingCab and off we go to see the Doctor. They are treated and I take them home (but the Doc did lab smears for malaria as triplet #2 has a high fever). I arrive at 2pm to take Eva home as she has been released. She was so eager to get out of there that as soon as she saw me, she made a bee-line for the car! The Doc sees me and tells me to go fetch Triplet #2 (Janeeta) for she has malaria and needs immediate hospitalization (since she has a respiratory infection also). So off we go, dropping off Eva at her home, and then picking up Triplet #2. Thank the Lord that the grandmother was visiting, so she could provide support for the mother at the hospital. Janeeta should complete her medications by Sunday and hopefully be released by Monday. In the meantime, Bunny keeps hopping along with hot Nsema and fish for the caretakers.
WADING A RIVER TO WORSHIP JESUS
Salazar lives in the village of Nacala, 3 miles (5 km) from our nearest church in Rovuma. To get to Rovuma church he has to wade a river that can be waist deep at times. Salazar studies the Bible intensely, and loves to lead the singing at church. At last week’s service, I notice his shoes were in tatters, literally falling apart. When I noticed the shoes, I also received a “silent message” from the Holy Spirit, saying get him new shoes. I see people with no shoes and old shoes all the time, so this is not my own head doing this, but the Lord. After church I tell him what the Lord says and he gets VERY excited. Since our market never closes, he was able to get him shoes that same day. JESUS SAW HIS HEART AS WELL AS HIS SACREFICE AND BLESSED HIM. He’s the ONLY Christian in that village.
SALAZAR SHOWS US HIS BEAUTIFUL NEW SHOES
BALAMA BRIDGE FIXED IN 1 DAY—a true miracle!
On Monday, I posted photos of the road/bridge that washed away. 30 DUMP TRUCK LOADS OF HUGE ROCKS later (9 hours of fast work), and the road was again passable. The average road fix around here is 5 days, so all of us were totally amazed. Seems the road crew has a new leader who is a real “doer”. Eric has talked with him and says this man knows how to get a job done quick! A nice change.
INSPECTORS DUE AGAIN THIS WEEK, so prayers for favor are appreciated. Not sure what date yet, but they say they are coming now that the bridge is fixed.
Blessings, Brenda Lange Eric Dry Balama Staff