FROM “BUSH BUNNY BRENDA”
DATE: JUNE 28, 2015 |
SOZINHO OUT OF HOSPITAL, NOW LIVING WITH US. SOZINHO with a healthier outlook as he has gained 2.2 lbs (1kg) in TWO WEEKS!
His mother was at the hospital when we picked him up Tuesday morning, June 23rd, but only stayed long enough to see what house he would live in. Most 16 year olds in Mozambique are very mature and nurturing towards infants (at least our girls are), so this teen is the exception. He is gaining weight and looking healthier, as you can see from his photo. When he first came, every bone in his body showed horribly and his legs and arms were just toothpicks. AMAZING every 3 hourly feedings can do over a 2 week period. We PTL that he survived his horrible ordeal and is now part of our family. CORN AT MELUCO The 36 tons needed to feed the 515 orphans in Meluco is now properly sacked, stacked, and in the barn. The neighborhood water well that serves over 500 families received a complete overhaul, thanks to Manuel and his team of experts. He said it looked like someone had tried to fix it, but did it wrong, and thus the WHOLE “innards” of the well had to be pulled and replaced. A 3 day job since they had to pull out, cut, reconnected the pipes with pipe unions, and then let it set for 2 days to dry. It’s a major job, but since the corn processing takes 2 days, the team was able to finish the job before they left on Thursday morning. BABY DANIEL RECOVERING FROM MUMPS TOGETHER WITH THROAT/EAR INFECTION DANIEL with mumps, comforted by Foster Mother Ernestina. June 28th, DANIEL, feeling much better, is standing at 1 year next to his new brother. SOZINHO (7 months), and Sozinho’s Foster Mother, Fatima. Good care brings life to our children. SIX MONTHS AGO, Daniel looked as skinny as Sozinho is now.
But thanks to much prayer and our great relationship with the Balama Dr. and hospital, we were able to get a prescription by phone, which could be filled in the next town (Montepuez, 30 miles/60km away). The Balama hospital was out of the much needed liquid antibiotic for his throat infection, but thanks to my “stash of baby meds”, and Capena’s “connections” at the Montepuez hospital, Daniel received all 3 medications he needed and is on the mend. DAWN’S SITUATION DAWN’S LAB WORK revealed a very weak immune system. We consulted with 2 doctors and the head of a private clinic in Pemba, but all three were in agreement that she should NOT live in a malaria area, and recommended she depart as soon as possible to prevent further illness. Since her arrival on April 8, Dawn has been a real “trooper”, but suffered through malaria, a respiratory infection, and the ever so deadly Dengue Fever (just last week). (Both malaria and Dengue are mosquito transmitted diseases that easily kill those with little resistance.) All 3 sicknesses occurred during an EIGHT WEEK period, revealing to all of us that something was not right, and thus the lab examination at the Provincial Hospital in Pemba. For her own safety, she will depart TOMORROW, July 29th. DAWN has been a GREAT HELP to me with her many management and organizational skills, and her departing is leaving a BIG HOLE in our staff. The children dearly love her as 6 days a week she spent her afternoons with them, teaching them English and many new games. She will be greatly missed by all of us and we know that if she decides to continue in missions, that God will guide her to a malaria free place where she can serve Him well. ABBIE WHEELER DEPARTS ON JULY 1ST School time soon approaches for Abbie, and she departs from here as scheduled. (We tried to get Dawn and Abbie on the same plane out of Pemba, but there were no seats.) Abbie filled in where ever needed, and received many hours of tropical medicine experience, (and long sleepless nights) by caring for both Caitlyn and Dawn during their sicknesses. She also worked daily with the children and helped our teenage boys improve their basketball skills. WE SINCERELY THANK BOTH THESE YOUNG LADIES FOR ALL THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR PROGRAM. SEARCH IS ON FOR NEW HELPERS, AS BUSH BUNNY IS ONCE AGAIN THE ONLY MISSIONARY AT THE BALAMA SITE If you know of someone who will give a year, then have them contact us. Much thanks! Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Lange |