missionary update

Message bodyFrom: "Brenda Lange"
Date: September 25, 2011 5:53:49 AM CDT
Subject: Blog Sept. 25th, 2011

AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD THEM
Today at the Pequaria Church (sponsored by Coopersville Reformed Church, MI), 122 children J came to the Sunday School class to hear God’s Creation story for the first time. (only had 45 last week)

A 13 year old boy, who has attended every church service since we showed the Jesus Film 8 weeks ago, knelt in the dirt at our feet to pray the prayer of Salvation. He is the first person in this entire village to be this bold!

A 5 year old boy got up (without prompting) and led the singing at the Sunday School, followed by an 8 year old girl who led the singing in the adult service.

Children are super sensitive to God’s spirit, and even though these kids only just met Jesus, it is clear that they love Him.

At the closing today, we all lifted our hands and sang our Hallalujah song in worship to the Lord.
The CHILDREN were so precious, as they raised their hands, closed their eyes, and blended their voices in beautiful worship as their gift to Jesus!
God is gathering in those who truly love Him.

NIPA MAKER ASKS THE LORD HOW TO GIVE HIM A NEW JOB
Several weeks ago, I told you of the man who came to church to bring his offering, stating he couldn’t stay cause he had to sell Nipa (corn whiskey) in order to buy grass to roof his mud hut. Our teaching sunk in, as he testified today that he prayed to God and God told him to weave grass mats and food baskets.

Today, I saw his work, and became his first customer, as they are well made.
Our kids always need grass mats for different activities, so now I have a constant source I can rely on and he has a better way to make a living.

BUSY IN BALAMA WITH FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributing your love gifts of food and clothing to 1000+ orphans in 3 remote locations in Balama county takes days of organization and lots of work!

Each distribution needs 6 to 9 TONS of food per location.
Simultaneously, Sylvia, our orphan manager in Meluco county (6 hour drive away) is distributing food to 515 orphans in his area.

It takes 18 loads of food moved by our 6 ton truck between July and November, just to supply Meluco with food for those orphans.

Tomorrow, Sam and Nate, our USA visitors will help our 6 man loading team to move another 9 tons to Kwe Kwe village for distribution on Tuesday.

Since our tractor is out of action (see story below), the truck must take 2 loads of food the day before in order for us to distribute on Tuesday.

Nilza, our new Social Service staff member, got her eyes full this week as she began working with our program.

She told me she was stunned by the amount of kids we are helping, and the amount of work it takes to make it happen.
Your “love gifts” are hard at work! J

DANCING BRIDGE KEEPS WORKERS PRAYING

Our 6 ton truck perilously crossed a bridge last Tuesday that actually “dances” when a truck goes over it.

One of the main support pillars under the bridge, as well as part of the bridge surface, are badly cracked, causing the whole bridge to “sway” back and forth when a truck crosses over it.
At our next month’s give out in Impire, we will have the kids walk to that bridge (not far from our normal distribution site), to receive their food.

I was not aware this bridge was so weak until our team reported back after our distribution this week.

Needless to say, we won’t be crossing it again until someone fixes it. (which probably won’t happen until it collapses)

ERIC DRY CROSSED MOZ. BORDER TODAY WITHOUT PROBLEMS.

We hope to see him drive in on Thursday this week.
Prayers for a smooth trip are much appreciated.
Yep, it takes 5 full days to make the drive from S. Africa to Balama. He’ll stop over one night in Nampula, 7 hours south of us, to buy new tires for our 6 ton truck and water well supplies so we can fix a few wells needing repairs.

Our TRACTOR with 2 ton trailer went out of service this week with a leaking seal on the left rear wheel. Eric bought the parts and hopes to have it working again ASAP upon his arrival. Trying to haul rock and sand for our construction jobs is no joy with just a pick-up.

NACACCA CHURCH HELD UP BY BLIND VILLAGE CHIEF

After meeting with Nacacca leaders this week, our Pastors found out that the culprit who closed our church is the ancient village chief who is now blind (both physically and spiritually).
He is no longer an official village representative and has no legal power to do this, but that didn’t stop him.

The village leaders tried to tell him that it is against the law to do what he did, but he won’t listen and the villagers are afraid of him. This week, the Government is sending a representative with an official order so that the church can meet again starting Oct.2nd.

Nine of the church members walked 5 miles today in order to worship with us in Balama.
It’s very humbling to see how far these people will walk for the pleasure of worshipping the Lord Jesus.

Blessings, and thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers.
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama gang!