Visitor

My granddaughter of my heart Courtney is here for a few days.  She has a list of things to do with meema and I have a list of things to do with her.
She likes to sew, crochet and craft.  So of course we do those things together.
She also plays the banjo so hannah and her practice together.  Hannah's broken foot prevents her from playing basketball but they did go kayaking the other evening.
I am enjoying our time together.  I wish I could spend time with my granddaughters in Wyoming.

Missionary update. May 24,2014

Bush Beat BlogF FROM "BUSH BUNNY BRENDA" DATE: MAY 24, 2014 OPERATION RESCUE SAVES 2 LITTLE BOYS FROM STARVATION   For several months, 2 little boys and their mother “ORERA” (name changed), an intelligent woman who is now mentally ill, have been in our food program.  Orera’s illness made her restless and she roamed the streets a lot with her children in tow, making it hard for us to determine how well she was caring for her children.  On May 15th, Orera came for her food hand-out, and it was obvious the 3 year old was seriously ill with malaria and bronchitis.  She refused to allow us to take her to the hospital and ran away, refusing treatment for the little one. Since the inspectors were here, I brought this case to their attention.   Orders were called to the hospital’s doctor to evaluate the situation, which they did on Monday, May19th. (took us that long to find her again).   When evaluated, the 3 year old was SERIOUSLY malnourished and anemic (unable to stand).  It was the first time she had allowed any of us to see his little body. Seven long hours later, both boys were in our care with proper medical treatments in hand, and the mother was admitted for psychiatric supervision and malaria treatment. She escaped twice from the hospital that first day, but by spreading the word, we were able to locate her by sundown, and get her back to her room. This scenario continued for the entire week!  She escapes from the hospital, tries to kidnap the children from our foster homes, we subdue and return her to the hospital for further treatment.  It was EXHAUSTING and STRESSFUL on all our staff to say the least. After 5 very DRAINING days of dealing with this scenario, the hospital’s doctor transferred her late yesterday afternoon with the help of our truck, 2 guards, 2 family members, a psychiatric nurse, and our office manager.  As of today, she has not managed to escape the regional hospital, PTL! And will be further evaluated to see what treatment might help her become more functional. THREE year old, LINDO, (means handsome/beautiful) has 4 problems (malaria, severe anemia, bronchitis, and severe malnutrition).  He was unable to stand as his muscle mass is non-existent in his legs. In reality, he looks to be about 18 months old, and won’t eat unless someone hand feeds him, because doesn’t like spoons. His brother told us that is the only way his mother fed the little one and it is all he knows. He LOVES PEANUTS, so the 2 foster mothers caring for him fixed him special Moz. dishes with peanuts.  He loves his new mothers, and is totally content and doing well.  Food, Hypo and vitamins to build his immune system, and a LOTS OF LOVE are the key to any child’s heart, and Lindo has responded beautifully! CANETO, the 5 year old, is fairly healthy, but TERRIFIED of his ill mother.   When we found where she had abandoned him, he told us he had not eaten in 2 days! I immediately got him some food and he wolfed it down. He told us that when his mother did give them food, it was only cookies and sometimes beer as she liked to drink it. With good medical treatment and high protein diets, both boys are showing a fast recover and even a small weight gain in the last 5 days. I gave Caneto a little Hot Wheels car that a visitor had left behind.  He actually didn’t know what to do with it, as he’d never seen a toy car before.  Showing him how to play with is was truly a JOY!  He never lets go of it now as it is in his little hand every time I visit him.  He loves hugs which makes me happy too! Rescuing these 2 little ones, and helping their mother, pretty much consumed our time this week, but saving lives is what we are all about. As I write this, I received word that both boys will be transferred to the SOS home in Pemba later this week, so they can be with their 2 siblings who were taken from this same mother over 3 years ago.  SOS is a high security orphanage with foster care homes similar to ours, and a great place for these 2 little ones to grow up. We are not set up to handle constant problems when the mother is released, so totally agree that this is the best place for the boys.  We also want them to grow up with their older sister and brother. One thing is for certain.  Without our intervention, both boys most likely would not be alive today. I am very happy, God had us in the right place at the right time. These 2 precious little ones are precious in HIS SIGHT! GEORGE BARKES ARRIVED WED.   George is an experienced prison minister and Bible teacher who teaches in Uganda.  God placed us in the same Victory Church meeting in Tulsa last year where I spoke a few minutes on what we had accomplished.  I jokingly told him “come see us sometime” and George did just that! Bringing over valuable supplies for our children that can only be obtained in the USA, he was a super blessing even before he arrived! One of the things he transported was the super strong SWIVELING SWING MOUNTS for our playground. The kids are going through ropes faster than a hot knife through butter.  That isn’t hard to do when those swings don’t stop moving for 12 hours a day!  With the new “ SWIVELING” swing mounts, all 4 swings can be mounted with chain, which will last much longer. George can only stay a month, and will assist me at the barns as the corn starts rolling in JUNE 2nd! ERIC PROUDLY INTRODUCES GEORGE TO LINDA, HIS PET SPIDER He’s a practical, eager to help, kind of man and I look forward to introducing him to our mass food storage process. George owns a farm and horses back in Oklahoma, so is no stranger to bulk feeds. But it was fun watching his face when I showed him the 97 tons of beans in the barn. Tee Hee Two more visitors will be arriving next week to also help out with the corn harvest. Will tell you their stories next week. Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Lange Eric Dry George Barkes "Bush Bunny" Brenda Lange LOVE GIFTS TO: ORPHANS UNLIMITED, INC.11152 WESTHEIMER RD., PMB 391HOUSTON, TX 77042 LOVE GIFT TO: ORPHANS UNLIMITED in RSA Standard Bank-Hatfield (branch code) 011-54515 Name: Orphans Unlimited Acct. # 017743036 PERSONAL NOTES TO BRENDAbrenda@orphansunlimited.org ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: LINDA FERGUSON linda@orphansunlimited. org phone: 979-234-3422or 713-854-9197 Brenda’s Blog is Posted at:www.orphansunlimited.org/blog or SUBSCRIBE to receive the blog by e-mail.

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My first grandson

Jasper joined out family may 21, 2014
I can't add photos from my iPad so you'll have to wait on that, but let me tell you he is perfect.

Making earrings.

I made several pairs of earrings today for my little boutique.  Its fun.

You can visit my Facebook boutique here:  https://www.facebook.com/Blanchesboutique

Making Bows

I have been busy making bows and jewelry for my Boutique.  I really enjoy it.

Getting my Boutique ready to open

The sign is made for out front.

This is a display I did for a trunk show at a neighboring town boutique.

This is a glimpse of my boutique.  Some things have changed because I got new displays.  I hope my name gets out there and folks start coming here to shop for fun and reasonable gifts and jewelry.

 

 

White lie cake

THE BAPTIST WHITE LIE
CAKE

Have you ever told a white lie?

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the
Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute.

She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after
rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix &
quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack for scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat

And the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed,

"Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!"

So, being inventive, she looked around the house

for something to build up the center of the cake.

She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet Paper.

She plunked it in and then covered it with icing.

Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work,
Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific
instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy
the cake and bring it home.

When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive,

perfect cake had already been sold.
Amanda grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.
Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know!

What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed!
All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her

And talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake

And would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member
and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend
because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her
nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the
founding families of Tuscaloosa , but having already RSVP'd , she
couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice 's
horror, the cake in question was presented for desert!

Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake!

She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet,
the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!"

Alice , still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess

(who was a prominent church member) say,

"Thank you, I baked it myself."

Alice smiled and thought
to herself,

"God is good."

 

Getting ready for a face book Paparazzi online $5.00 jewelry party

When I do a face book online Paparazzi $5.00 party there is quite a bit of preparation.  I must get photos of each piece I am going to list and I also separate the listed pieces so that I know I have them when the party starts.  This is what my next party board looks like.

This is going to be my sister Roberta's party on March 11 at 7:00 pm.  Feel free to join the party.

https://www.facebook.com/events/422914554507211/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Another new dispaly

I can hang twenty necklaces on each twirl a tie.  I then slip the top through the lid of a number ten can and lower the necklaces into the can for transport.  I needed a way to hang the necklaces for display.  I just need to buy the end caps for the display and paint it.  Normally when I hang the twirl a ties filled with necklaces I take the lid part off, I didn't this time because I was just seeing if my display would work.  I glued the bottom pieces of the PVC but the rest I did not glue.  I am hoping I can take the riser part apart for transport if I need to.
I also need to find paint made specifically for plastic because the regular spray paint I've been using chips and doesn't stay nice looking.

Missionary update Feb 2, 2014

FROM "BUSH BUNNY BRENDA"

DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2014

 

BUSH BUNNY BACK WITH ONE LESS TOOTH   Was a 4 day marathon of dentist visits, x-rays, cone scan, and then finally the extraction on Thursday.   The normal X-rays didn’t show a problem with the painful tooth, but the Cone Scan (sort of an MRI for teeth), showed a hidden abscess that had granulated.  A small part of the outer jaw bone next to the molar had also been destroyed, so no choice but to pull it.  Then back to the dentist on Friday for infection prevention so that I could return on Saturday to Mozambique.  Ate my fill of ice cream, and made several new friends while in RSA.  Am glad to be back, as there is no place like home. BIG BAD PYTHON RAIDS THE GOAT NURSERY At 1:30a.m. Saturday, Eric received a call saying a large python (7 ft. or 2.2 meters) had broken into the goat corral and squeezed to death the best baby goat twins in the nursery.  There are 3 night guards in the corral each night, and they immediately spotted the snake when the goats sounded the alarm.   Sadly, the babies were already wrapped in its death squeeze in the few seconds it took them to grab their bamboos and get inside the pen.    The snake made a hasty escape, taking the men on a 45 minute “flashlight chase” before they could kill it.  They tell me it was quite a scary fight in the dark against such a large snake with vicious teeth.  Pythons are not venomous, but they are quick and very agile, packing a bite that can rip tissue and leave a deep wound with a severe infection. In prevention, we will be sealing the area under the 2 gates with concrete bricks, since that is how it entered the corral.   The snake’s tracks showed it tried to get though the tightly woven bamboo fence in several places, but couldn’t.  However, the space under each gate gets worn away by the many hoofs tracking through that small area, thus making an easy entry way for snakes and small animals.  It upsets me greatly that these 2 little ones lost their life because none of us ever thought to block this off. The saying goes: “Africa shows no mercy.”  When attacked by a snake or wild animal, rarely does anyone get a second chance at life. The Momma goat is a large meat goat who produces an abundance of milk.  If held gently, she willingly donates her large bag of milk to 2 of our baby goats, whose mothers have been dry since their birth.  The “real thing” is much better than the milk substitute, so I’m grateful these 2 little ones will benefit. SCHOOL STARTS ON TUESDAY   Every mother knows how “fun” it can be getting multiple children ready for the first day of school.  We get to do it with 80 CHILDREN! The next 48 hours will be packed with distributing uniforms made right on our base (3 months work), plus shoes, school materials, back packs, and books.  Mozambique’s schools are in session from Feb. 4th to end of October.   Our pre-school for our 4 and 5 year olds will also begin classes this week. An exciting time for everyone, especially when our 3 year old orphans decide they are old enough to attend.  They are always welcome at our “Little Disciples” pre-school even though they may only last until cookie break time. Blessings to all of you as you brave the bitter cold in the USA. We are just “wet, hot, and muddy” over here, as the rainy season is in full swing. Bush Bunny Brenda Eric Dry The Balama Staff

Are you on facebook?

If you are on facebook come on over and like my new page.
Its where I will be selling my Paparazzi Accessories online.  I have named my online and at home store, Blanches Boutique.
My mothers name is Vera and her mom, my grandmas name was Vera Blanche.  Grandma always went by the name of Blanche.  So in honor of both my grandma and my mother I named my little store Blanches Boutique.
Visit me on facebook and like my page please.
https://www.facebook.com/Blanchesboutique

A glimpse of some of my Paparazzi jewelry and accessories

 

I'm getting things ready for a big show at the fair..

Head band display

After making yesterdays post about making your own bracelet display someone asked if I had one for the headbands.  I didn't have one so I made one this morning.
The cuts of PVC needed for the headband display are as follows:
4 ~ 2 inch
2 ~ 3 inch
8 ~ 7 inch
1 ~ 9 inch
1 ~ 11 inch
1 ~ 13 inch
The assembly is the same except the upright are longer to allow for the headbands being longer.  Here is a picture of the two displays side by side.  The bracelet display is partially painted.  When it warms up today I will finish my spray painting.

DIY bracelet display

I am now selling Paparazzi jewelry and accessories.  Where everything is $5.00 plus tax.
I have been having fun making displays.  I have had people ask how I make a certain display so I decided to take pictures of the process the next time I made a display.
Today I made a jewelry display.

This is the finished display.  I just need to paint it and it will be ready to use.
I will start with a list of materials needed.
You will need:
8- 3/4 inch PVC T's
10- 3/4 inch PVC end caps
85 inches of 3/4 inch PVC pipe.  This is about 13 inches more than one 8 foot long piece of pvc pipe.  You can adjust the lengths if you don't want to buy an extra piece of pipe.  I just used pip I had laying around from other projects so this wasn't important to me. Use schedule 40 because its easier to cut with the pipe cutter.  The thinner stuff might be easier to cut if you just have a hack saw.  The reason the thicker stuff is easier to cut with the pipe cutter is because it cuts and the thin stuff bends instead of cutting.  Choose the one right for you.
ruler
pencil
pipe cutter or hack saw
 rubber mallet
spray paint
PVC glue if desired (I don't use it)

directions:
Cut 4 ~ 2inch pieces of the PVC
Cut 3 ~ 3 inch pieces of the PVC
Cut 1 ~ 5 inch piece of the PVC
Cut 9 ~ 7 inch pieces of the PVC

 This is a picture of the things you need.

 This photo shows measuring the 2 inch pieces to cut.

 Actually cutting the PVC with the pipe cutter.

 All the pieces are cut.  I used the pencil to mark the pieces.  Example on the 2 inch pieces I wrote 2.

 Using two 3 inch pieces and a T form the front or left part of this picture.  Then using the 2 inch pieces begin the backward progress.  You don't need very much space between the T's that's why they are only two inches.  They could even be just one inch if you want your T's butted up against each other. When you get to the back part use two of the 7 inch pieces to for the back cross piece.  The upright pieces are a 3 inch piece, the only 5 inch piece you cut and a 7 inch piece.

 Add a T to each of the three upright pieces.

 Use the rubber mallet to pound and tighten all the pieces together.  I do this as I assemble each piece.

 Now put the end caps on and using the rubber mallet pound them on.

 This picture should be before the one before it but I don't know how to change it.  It just shows how it looks before you add the end caps.

This picture shows me demonstrating how to pound each piece of pipe together.  You can still adjust them if some are crooked.

There you go.  Almost finished.  Now just take it outside and spray paint it what ever color you want.  I'm going to paint mine black glossy.
I hope this was a little bit of help.  I know I don't explain things well but hopefully it will help someone.  I will post other pictures as I make more displays and as I put together my little shop.
Have a great day.

Missionary update December 14, 2013

From: Brenda Lange," Bush Bunny Brenda"

Date: DECEMBER 14, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

First, let me say that I’ve just returned from an overnight Christmas season “break” thanks to a Texas friend who gave me a personal gift of a massage and a special meal (to be redeemed in Pemba).   My special meal was a HUGE Cheese Burger with fries and salad.  You may think that isn’t special, but in a country where BEEF is not an easy to get meat, believe me, it is special!  Next time you buy a burger, remember that here it costs $14 for a real beef burger with cheese.  I enjoyed it immensely! Eric is leaving on Monday for his holiday break with his grandkids, so this last Friday/Saturday was my only chance to “get away” before we gear up for the Orphan’s Christmas Party on Wed. Thursday we distribute food that will last over 300 orphans and widows for 2 weeks. (so all staff can take a Christmas break). Friday, we will pay December salaries so that all our workers can organize Christmas with their families. I had a relaxing 36 hours and am now back in Balama, ready to party with my children! OUR KIDS TRAIN THE BUSH PASTORS IN AWANA GAMES   Tuesday this week found my staff, 12 of our primary school orphans, and 5 of our Bush Pastors at our AWANA court and classroom.       I thought it totally appropriate that our children teach the 7 basic AWANA games to the Bush Pastors, for who knows them better than they do?  In 2014, we plan to help all 19 of our pastors learn how to use the AWANA curriculum so their village children can learn the Bible from Genesis to Revelations.  These games are a fantastic magnet that draws children of all ages to Jesus.       These 5 churches were the first to comply with the need for a dirt “games court”.  None of them can afford a fancy concrete court on which to play the AWANA games, but they “made a plan”. They cleared a level piece of land and will use ASH from their fire pits to mark the court on AWANA club days.   After the games training was completed, we met in our classroom, giving the Pastors their first month’s lessons in Portuguese and teaching them how to run a club.  They will begin in January. Afterwards, they were given their AWANA game materials ( a tug-o-war rope, 4 colored bean bags, and 4 colored batons). It will be interesting to see how they handle the 100’s of children who will show up once they hear about the games. We look forward to the awesome reports, for each of these churches have 80-140 children each week in Sunday school. To handle the large numbers, I recommended they break it up into proper age groups and hold club meetings 3 days a week. Until next week, my friends. Keep those prayers coming! All is “quiet” in our area at the moment, and we pray it stays that way.  There is still some fighting going on south of us. Rains are rolling in as I am hearing a constant grumbling of rolling thunder coming my way. Need to get off the computer, as lightening likes solar panels. More next week! Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Eric Dry Balama Staff