missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: November 6, 2011 5:18:58 AM CST
Subject: Blog, November 6, 2011

JACINTO, THE MUTE FROM LAST WEEK, VERY ILL
As soon as I arrived, Jacinto came to meet me. One look told me he was very weak and his feet looked like balloons. Since I last saw him, he has developed serious anemia (post malaria complication), and his inner eye lid is blanched totally white (means a very low Hgb)! We immediately prayed and asked Jesus to fortify him with new blood. Jacinto refused to let us take him to the hospital for a transfusion, as that is the treatment of choice in someone this anemic. His mother said NO, and his father was not in the village. I keep a basic medical bag with me, so he agreed to chew de-worming tablets and start on vitamins with iron. We had a care package of beans for another family, which we divided with Jacinto.
Pastor Tomas gave him some corn as his diet consists of only “cassava root and leaves”. Cassava is an empty carbohydrate that causes severe malnutrition and eventually death if that is all a person eats. This is the case with Jacinto. He has nothing else to eat, so eats the only thing around that fills his stomach.
Needless to say, we will make a food drop to him tomorrow, and Pastor Tomas is keeping a close watch on him, since he only lives 200 yards from the church.

Anemia kills many in our area, as it comes on so slowly after having malaria, that most don’t realize they are severely ill, until their body swells and they are too weak to do anything about it.
Please keep Jacinto in your prayers as he needs a miracle transfusion, since he refuses to go to the hospital.

PEQUARIA KIDS COME TO CHRIST!
 I taught 85+ kids today about faith and the healing power of (YESU—yea-soo) Jesus, followed by an altar call.
My words via my interpreter, Nelson age 14, just seem to bounce off deaf ears. Mario, our new “Evangelist Carpenter”, got up and asked to speak to them.
I’m not sure what all he said, but he got their attention right quick, and we saw their eyes “light up” as he began explaining about Jesus’ love for them.
He asked how many wanted to accept Jesus as their “friend who would never leave them”, and little hands starting popping up all over the place!
FORTY KIDS out of 85 raised their hands and came forward to confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
It was an awesome site to see.

The whole atmosphere changed after those kids prayed, and we believe the wall of doubt and unbelief has been broken among the younger generation.
Mario will continue going with me to guide the children into learning more about our Lord who loves them.
FYI: Mario, now 49, never got to go to school, so he learns the Bible by listening to an AUDIO Bible in Makua!
He has quite a memory.

ORPHANS UNLIMITED NOW SPECIALIZES IN 4 LEGGED AS WELL AS 2 LEGGED KIDS!

 Thursday started out with a 4a.m. call from our Rovuma pastor, who oversees our goat herd.
A mother goat was found dying as they made their early morning rounds.
At the same time another goat was giving birth to twins.
We lost 2 mother goats this week because my men fed them corn, a big NO NO for goats as they can’t digest it well.
They thought it was easier than going into the bush to cut fresh greens which is their normal food.

A 4:15a.m. call to Linda Ferguson (9:15p.m TX time), saved the life of one of the twins, as Linda found me the expert advice I needed from one of the top goat breeders in Texas.
All is under control, and all remaining goats are healthy. I’ve read enough info on goats this week (forwarded by Linda) until I’m dreaming of goats!
Some fast first aid saved one of the twins who was born too weak to suck, and needed a feeding tube (modified IV tubing) to give it the electrolytes it needed to recover.
Little “Scout”, who has the markings of a paint horse, was up and bouncing around the next day, so all my neonatal nursing has come in handy. Neonates are too weak to suck when born, and must be tube fed every 3 hours to save their lives. God will use ALL your talents and help you rise to the challenge, no matter what it may be.
I praise the Lord Jesus for all the human and vet training I’ve received during my life.

So all you who donated goats, we thank you and are getting everything in order.
We purchased 2 more goats to replace the 2 we lost.
A pole and bamboo barn has been built, complete with birthing pens for the pregnant does. Tomorrow our roofing carpenters will put a tin roof over it. Pneumonia is a big problem with goats, so they must have a dry place to live during the 3 months of daily rains we receive from Dec. To March.
We’ll add more goats next year, as the rainy season is upon us. I want to keep the herd small until next April, and then expand it when fresh food is the most plentiful.

This is your Bush Bunny Vet Service doing its best to keep all under control out here.

HELPERS STILL NEEDED (part time and full time)
Thanks for all your prayers and please know that NO ONE has committed to help Eric in Feb. /March (while I’m fundraising in the USA), nor has anyone offered to help with next year’s construction program/food buying programs.
Those are still very serious needs for our ministry.

BUSH BUNNY COMING TO THE USA JANUARY 26TH.
Invitations are rolling in from several parts of the USA, so if you desire me to speak to your church or small group, please let me know ASAP before the schedule fills up.
Due to the construction challenges next year, I’ve had to cut my trip 2 weeks shorter than usual.
I’m taking dates from Feb. 12th (5th already taken) till 3rd week of March.
Looking forward to hearing from some of you soon.

Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Staff