Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
More dresses for Kastyn
I made a few more dresses for Kastyn so Mollie can take them with her when she moves to Missouri.
Three of them are made from bandannas and one is from fabric. If these fit well I am going to make a pattern for a peasant dress. I don't want to keep sewing until I know these fit her.
I hope mom takes a pix in each dress for me.
They are not pictured but the camo dress has brown bloomers to match.
The last dress was made with fabric pieces not bandannas like the first three were.
Three of them are made from bandannas and one is from fabric. If these fit well I am going to make a pattern for a peasant dress. I don't want to keep sewing until I know these fit her.
I hope mom takes a pix in each dress for me.
Redneck phone speaker
Mollie likes to listen to music while she works. Today she was going to clean the bathroom and needed a speaker so she could listen while she worked. This is our redneck speaker. It really works and made the phone quite loud. I bet you could even use this when you are talking on the phone with it on speaker phone. I have not tried that yet but it makes sense that it would work.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Subject: Blog, April 19, 2013
Date: April 19, 2013 6:41:59 AM CDT
CALLING IN THE BEANS
A TEACHABLE MOMENT
Might sound a bit weird to some of you, but the Lord Jesus tells us in the Bible to ASK ANYTHING IN HIS NAME, and it shall be done as long as we do not ask amiss.
WE ASKED for beans for our orphans, and God is answering in a very unusual way.
THE NEED IS FOR 100 TONS of beans if we are to help the 2,800 orphans that are registered in our program.
Capena, our Project Manager visited the 6 villages that “ordinarily” are able to grow the ENTIRE 100 TONS. It was a bit disturbing when his report showed that they “might” have 10 tons to sell. Too much rain is the culprit, as most of the crops drowned.
THEN GOD STEPPED IN to surprise me with the fruit of my teachings from last year.
Yesterday, the 2 Pastors from the villages of Namara and Pequaria came to tell us that their church members, along with some of the villagers, had almost 21 tons they could sell! This is not a normal growing area for beans, so this took us all by surprise!
When I was teaching in Namara last November (planting time), I showed those members how to walk their fields PRAYING as they planted. Their prayer was to be very specific—ASKING JESUS TO BLESS THEIR FIELD WITH A 100 FOLD HARVEST as they planted their seeds. From these reports it is obvious, they did just that!
WOW, to go from a normal harvest of just enough to feed their families to a SURPLUS of over 21 tons is truly a blessing of the Lord.
My objective when teaching was to help them achieve a maximum harvest that would sustain their family and give them extra to sell.
I had no idea it would be OUR ORPHANS who would benefit from their obedience and the blessing that God placed on them.
Our 2nd bit of wisdom from the Lord showed us that the many of the local Balama farmers have a small amount they can sell.
For the first time in over 8 years, we will buy direct from the public (1 kg at at a time), as they bring in what they have to spare.
We don’t normally do this, as it is very time consuming and labor intensive since many people only bring in a few pounds each.
But our motto is, WE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FILL OUR BARNS FOR THE KIDS.
PTL, that the food is out there, we just have to find it.
Our orphans in Meluco county, including the Elephant Village, will be totally dependent again on food from Balama.
Just as we were getting too much rain, they had a massive drought and most of their crops burnt to a crisp in the hot sun.
THANKS FOR JOINING US IN PRAYING IN THE FINAL 70 TONS OF BEANS.
The Bush Bunny’s next move is to have a BUSH BASHING BEAN HUNT!
SAGA CONTINUES FOR THE TWO BABIES IN LAST WEEK’S BLOG
Both babies are doing slightly better this week after being treated at the hospital for anemia and malnutrition.
The Balama Dr. still has no clue as to WHY they are not gaining weight, but the counselling given to the mothers seems to have done some good.
The Eagle Eye Bush Bunny and her side kick, Nilza, (our trained Social Service staff member) will keep a close eye on them for sure.
Thanks for all your prayers and concern for these 2 precious little ones.
ERIC RETURNS TO MOZ. FROM RSA WITH A CROWNED TOOTH APRIL 20th.
I’ll be in Pemba on Saturday (thus the early Blog this week), in order to fetch Eric at the Pemba airport.
We’ll do an “in and out” which means I drive the 3.5 hours to Pemba that morning, buy supplies, and then fetch him at 2:30pm.
The entire round trip is a tiring, 12 hour day on the road for me and my traveling crew.
Linda Stanley will remain at the Balama base to “hold down the fort” while I’m gone.
If you have any questions you’d like to see answered in the blog, then please send them.
I’ll do my best to answer them IN THE BLOG so that everyone can benefit.
Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama gang
Subject: Blog, April 19, 2013
Date: April 19, 2013 6:41:59 AM CDT
CALLING IN THE BEANS
A TEACHABLE MOMENT
Might sound a bit weird to some of you, but the Lord Jesus tells us in the Bible to ASK ANYTHING IN HIS NAME, and it shall be done as long as we do not ask amiss.
WE ASKED for beans for our orphans, and God is answering in a very unusual way.
THE NEED IS FOR 100 TONS of beans if we are to help the 2,800 orphans that are registered in our program.
Capena, our Project Manager visited the 6 villages that “ordinarily” are able to grow the ENTIRE 100 TONS. It was a bit disturbing when his report showed that they “might” have 10 tons to sell. Too much rain is the culprit, as most of the crops drowned.
THEN GOD STEPPED IN to surprise me with the fruit of my teachings from last year.
Yesterday, the 2 Pastors from the villages of Namara and Pequaria came to tell us that their church members, along with some of the villagers, had almost 21 tons they could sell! This is not a normal growing area for beans, so this took us all by surprise!
When I was teaching in Namara last November (planting time), I showed those members how to walk their fields PRAYING as they planted. Their prayer was to be very specific—ASKING JESUS TO BLESS THEIR FIELD WITH A 100 FOLD HARVEST as they planted their seeds. From these reports it is obvious, they did just that!
WOW, to go from a normal harvest of just enough to feed their families to a SURPLUS of over 21 tons is truly a blessing of the Lord.
My objective when teaching was to help them achieve a maximum harvest that would sustain their family and give them extra to sell.
I had no idea it would be OUR ORPHANS who would benefit from their obedience and the blessing that God placed on them.
Our 2nd bit of wisdom from the Lord showed us that the many of the local Balama farmers have a small amount they can sell.
For the first time in over 8 years, we will buy direct from the public (1 kg at at a time), as they bring in what they have to spare.
We don’t normally do this, as it is very time consuming and labor intensive since many people only bring in a few pounds each.
But our motto is, WE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FILL OUR BARNS FOR THE KIDS.
PTL, that the food is out there, we just have to find it.
Our orphans in Meluco county, including the Elephant Village, will be totally dependent again on food from Balama.
Just as we were getting too much rain, they had a massive drought and most of their crops burnt to a crisp in the hot sun.
THANKS FOR JOINING US IN PRAYING IN THE FINAL 70 TONS OF BEANS.
The Bush Bunny’s next move is to have a BUSH BASHING BEAN HUNT!
SAGA CONTINUES FOR THE TWO BABIES IN LAST WEEK’S BLOG
Both babies are doing slightly better this week after being treated at the hospital for anemia and malnutrition.
The Balama Dr. still has no clue as to WHY they are not gaining weight, but the counselling given to the mothers seems to have done some good.
The Eagle Eye Bush Bunny and her side kick, Nilza, (our trained Social Service staff member) will keep a close eye on them for sure.
Thanks for all your prayers and concern for these 2 precious little ones.
ERIC RETURNS TO MOZ. FROM RSA WITH A CROWNED TOOTH APRIL 20th.
I’ll be in Pemba on Saturday (thus the early Blog this week), in order to fetch Eric at the Pemba airport.
We’ll do an “in and out” which means I drive the 3.5 hours to Pemba that morning, buy supplies, and then fetch him at 2:30pm.
The entire round trip is a tiring, 12 hour day on the road for me and my traveling crew.
Linda Stanley will remain at the Balama base to “hold down the fort” while I’m gone.
If you have any questions you’d like to see answered in the blog, then please send them.
I’ll do my best to answer them IN THE BLOG so that everyone can benefit.
Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama gang
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Sugar free/gluten free bean cake and frosting recipe
Bean Cake from Trim, Healthy Mama
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 eggs
4 egg whites or 2/3 cup from 100% egg whites carton
4 tbs cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbs coconut oil or butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup ricotta or cream cheese
4 T. coconut palm sugar or truvia or other sugar substitute
Put everything in a blender. Blend for 3-5 minutes. Bake in greased pan at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting from Bubblecrumb.com
2 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Cream the cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla. Beat in sugar slowly at medium speed until creamy. Frost cake. Can store extra in refrigerator.
For gingerbread taste, use white beans, no cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground clove, 1/4 tsp nutmeg.
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 eggs
4 egg whites or 2/3 cup from 100% egg whites carton
4 tbs cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbs coconut oil or butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup ricotta or cream cheese
4 T. coconut palm sugar or truvia or other sugar substitute
Put everything in a blender. Blend for 3-5 minutes. Bake in greased pan at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting from Bubblecrumb.com
2 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Cream the cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla. Beat in sugar slowly at medium speed until creamy. Frost cake. Can store extra in refrigerator.
For gingerbread taste, use white beans, no cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground clove, 1/4 tsp nutmeg.
Missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Subject: Blog, April 13, 2013
Date: April 13, 2013 8:27:25 AM CDT
BUNNY IS BACK, AND OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM WERE EAGERLY WAITING
First, let me say it is GREAT TO BE BACK! Africa is home!
We have our 3rd orphan compound to build and no time to waste doing it!
The rains have stopped and no time to waste as the Bible Schools are gearing up and the food harvest is close at hand.
Monday was a holiday, so I spent it meeting with my construction team leaders and setting up 4 different Bible schools in 2 counties with our Evangelist/Teacher, Pastor Alberto.
On Tuesday, the carpenters went to work removing the roofs from the children’s homes.
The tractor crew moved Assia’s (Ah-si-ah’s) house of orphans to the substitute quarters just down the street from where they were living.
Before the final furniture was completely moved, our carpenters set an all-time record getting the roof off the boy’s house, and had started on the girl’s house by the time their 8 hours were up.
On Wed., the brick layers tore down the boy’s home and made short work of the girl’s home on Thursday morning.
By Friday the entire area, including the old foundations, had been removed and the area was ready for the new construction.
As I watched the dust and dirt flying as this awesome team of men loaded the tractor, I thought back to Jacksonville, Florida, where a prayer partner prophesied over me that this year’s work was going to move at an accelerated rate.
No one had to tell me that this was God’s hand at work. I’ve never seen our work crews move at such a fast pace.
On Monday, we will mark the new 60 foot home to be built with a large girl’s bedroom on one side and the boys new room on the other end.
Their lunch room sits between the 2 bedrooms with doors to all the rooms opening only to the outside.
I couldn’t be happier as the experience we gained from last year’s construction is making it much easier to plan and execute this year’s project.
TWO BABIES NEEDING PRAYER
(We weigh and provide formula and high protein baby food each week to orphaned babies being cared for by their grandmothers or aunts, as well as the babies of mothers who failed to make breast milk.)
Checking in on the baby clinic this week, I was shown 2 babies who were stagnant in weight gain (both about 10 lbs. (4.4kg) at 9 months of age). This is starvation level with their sagging skin laying limp on their little bones.
With several months of high protein baby cereal and baby formula behind them, this is NOT NORMAL. A call to Social Services organized them an immediate medical evaluation at the Balama hospital.
Whisking them off to the hospital in my pick up, the Dr. took them right in and confirmed my diagnosis of extreme anemia in one baby, but the other child is a mystery. Both mothers are suspected of possible neglect (not giving all the food to the infants, but eating part of it themselves).
This has happened before, and is a hard case to prove.
The 2 mothers were told to bring their babies back to the hospital this Monday for further evaluation.
I’ll keep you informed on what is going on. Our hope is that this firm counselling and “hands on treatments” will be a wake-up call to the mothers and show them they must do better by their children.
It is very sad when a mother neglects a baby so they can stay longer in our program.
I never expected to be doing “social work”, but when you run a baby clinic or orphan program, the abuse problems come with the territory.
The Lord gave me a “rescuer” personality, and you can ask any of the bullies from my 3rd grade neighbourhood in Houston, cause this Bunny is a DEFENDER OF THE INNOCENT. (I would escort the 1st and 2nd graders home so that the local bullies couldn’t swipe their lunch boxes.) The bullies only confronted me once, before realizing they were outmatched. Comes from growing up a Tomboy that wanted to be a secret agent. (Smile, cause I know some of you dreamed of the same thing.)
NEW FORMAT FOR THE 2013 BLOG
I’ll be writing each week’s happenings every Saturday, so you can have the news to take to your churches on Sunday morning.
If there are great miracles or other happenings at our Sunday services, I’ll quickly send you the story so you can share that also.
ERIC HEADED TO RSA THIS WEEK
Linda and I will be running the whole show this Wed. to Saturday, as Eric has a broken filling and must fly to S. Africa (RSA) as no dental work short of pulling a tooth is done in our area.
Don’t worry, we made up a whole list of little goodies he can stuff in his luggage that will supplement our “African cuisine”.
Love and Hugs,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama gang
Subject: Blog, April 13, 2013
Date: April 13, 2013 8:27:25 AM CDT
BUNNY IS BACK, AND OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM WERE EAGERLY WAITING
First, let me say it is GREAT TO BE BACK! Africa is home!
We have our 3rd orphan compound to build and no time to waste doing it!
The rains have stopped and no time to waste as the Bible Schools are gearing up and the food harvest is close at hand.
Monday was a holiday, so I spent it meeting with my construction team leaders and setting up 4 different Bible schools in 2 counties with our Evangelist/Teacher, Pastor Alberto.
On Tuesday, the carpenters went to work removing the roofs from the children’s homes.
The tractor crew moved Assia’s (Ah-si-ah’s) house of orphans to the substitute quarters just down the street from where they were living.
Before the final furniture was completely moved, our carpenters set an all-time record getting the roof off the boy’s house, and had started on the girl’s house by the time their 8 hours were up.
On Wed., the brick layers tore down the boy’s home and made short work of the girl’s home on Thursday morning.
By Friday the entire area, including the old foundations, had been removed and the area was ready for the new construction.
As I watched the dust and dirt flying as this awesome team of men loaded the tractor, I thought back to Jacksonville, Florida, where a prayer partner prophesied over me that this year’s work was going to move at an accelerated rate.
No one had to tell me that this was God’s hand at work. I’ve never seen our work crews move at such a fast pace.
On Monday, we will mark the new 60 foot home to be built with a large girl’s bedroom on one side and the boys new room on the other end.
Their lunch room sits between the 2 bedrooms with doors to all the rooms opening only to the outside.
I couldn’t be happier as the experience we gained from last year’s construction is making it much easier to plan and execute this year’s project.
TWO BABIES NEEDING PRAYER
(We weigh and provide formula and high protein baby food each week to orphaned babies being cared for by their grandmothers or aunts, as well as the babies of mothers who failed to make breast milk.)
Checking in on the baby clinic this week, I was shown 2 babies who were stagnant in weight gain (both about 10 lbs. (4.4kg) at 9 months of age). This is starvation level with their sagging skin laying limp on their little bones.
With several months of high protein baby cereal and baby formula behind them, this is NOT NORMAL. A call to Social Services organized them an immediate medical evaluation at the Balama hospital.
Whisking them off to the hospital in my pick up, the Dr. took them right in and confirmed my diagnosis of extreme anemia in one baby, but the other child is a mystery. Both mothers are suspected of possible neglect (not giving all the food to the infants, but eating part of it themselves).
This has happened before, and is a hard case to prove.
The 2 mothers were told to bring their babies back to the hospital this Monday for further evaluation.
I’ll keep you informed on what is going on. Our hope is that this firm counselling and “hands on treatments” will be a wake-up call to the mothers and show them they must do better by their children.
It is very sad when a mother neglects a baby so they can stay longer in our program.
I never expected to be doing “social work”, but when you run a baby clinic or orphan program, the abuse problems come with the territory.
The Lord gave me a “rescuer” personality, and you can ask any of the bullies from my 3rd grade neighbourhood in Houston, cause this Bunny is a DEFENDER OF THE INNOCENT. (I would escort the 1st and 2nd graders home so that the local bullies couldn’t swipe their lunch boxes.) The bullies only confronted me once, before realizing they were outmatched. Comes from growing up a Tomboy that wanted to be a secret agent. (Smile, cause I know some of you dreamed of the same thing.)
NEW FORMAT FOR THE 2013 BLOG
I’ll be writing each week’s happenings every Saturday, so you can have the news to take to your churches on Sunday morning.
If there are great miracles or other happenings at our Sunday services, I’ll quickly send you the story so you can share that also.
ERIC HEADED TO RSA THIS WEEK
Linda and I will be running the whole show this Wed. to Saturday, as Eric has a broken filling and must fly to S. Africa (RSA) as no dental work short of pulling a tooth is done in our area.
Don’t worry, we made up a whole list of little goodies he can stuff in his luggage that will supplement our “African cuisine”.
Love and Hugs,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama gang
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Real Indian Food
We just got back from a visit to Arizona to visit my husbands family. My brother in law is an Indian from India, not a native American. We have never experienced Indian food. We asked him to take us to his favorite place to eat. It was a little grocery store/diner. He said they serve more appetizer type food than full meals. He wanted us to experience the food so he ordered several things all of which were less than five dollars per plate. As each plate was brought out we ate of it and told him which ones we liked and which ones we did not. One thing I learned is that for sure you ask for very mild because their spices are quite spicy that's for sure.
When I sent the pictures to my email I titled each one with the name of the dish. For some reason the names did not show up on my email so I will just try to tell you about them but I wont be able to to name them.
Most Indian dishes we are told have yogurt and garbanzos beans in them. The first and third dishes were our favorites with the third one show being our very favorite.
Our favorite.
This dish was similar to chili but without meat. The garbanzo beans seemed to take their place. The bread reminded me of a sopapilla. You take the bread and tear it and use it to sort of pinch the food to eat it. This dish was a little too spicy for me. My brother in law said that when his mom makes these she makes them a lot smaller about the size of your palm.
This dish was a sort of dessert and had a rice or something main part. It looks a little like an egg but it was cold and the sauce was creamy. It was not a favorite to me.
We enjoyed the experience and asked that next time we visit that he take us to the same place again and maybe to another Indian restaurant. We sure loved the food. I think my brother in law was quite happy that we were interested.
When I sent the pictures to my email I titled each one with the name of the dish. For some reason the names did not show up on my email so I will just try to tell you about them but I wont be able to to name them.
The second dish shown was good too.
We enjoyed the experience and asked that next time we visit that he take us to the same place again and maybe to another Indian restaurant. We sure loved the food. I think my brother in law was quite happy that we were interested.
Small portable ironing board
While we no longer live in the camper I still do not wish to clutter our space. We got rid of our ironing board when we moved into the camper and were talking about replacing it. I use one when I sew so I have been just using a towel on a table.
I came across this idea on Pinterest and have an extra TV tray and some insulbrite. So I made this cute little ironing table. I can easily fold it up to fit in a much smaller place than a regular ironing board. Plus I can move it around my sewing room or other rooms as desired.
I came across this idea on Pinterest and have an extra TV tray and some insulbrite. So I made this cute little ironing table. I can easily fold it up to fit in a much smaller place than a regular ironing board. Plus I can move it around my sewing room or other rooms as desired.
Missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Subject: Blog, April 7, 2013
Date: April 7, 2013 9:05:06 AM CDT
BBB BACK IN BALAMA!
Eric Dry and Linda Stanley picked me up at the Pemba airport at 3pm yesterday, and we had a great time talking all evening to get caught up on all that has transpired for the last 10 weeks.
Customs in RSA was a breeze, and I thank the Lord for His favor. With 5 pieces of luggage (3 FREE BAGS due to Delta miles) at 65 lbs each (30 kg), plus my 2 carry on pieces, I walked on through as if INVISIBLE while customs was stopping and searching many people with only 2 bags. (power of prayer!)
I had nothing to hide, but the last thing you want after a 17 hour flight from Atlanta to South Africa is to be delayed with an inspection!
I was met by ministry friends Clete and Sabastion, who grabbed the bags and rushed me off to catch the Gau-Train (pronounced How-Train). This is the overhead rail train that whisks you over the massive highway traffic in 15 minutes to the south of Joburg where I stay when in RSA. By car, this same distance at 6pm (my arrival time) can take 2-3 hours.
A 2 day break with a little shopping, and banking business, saw me over the jet lag and ready to fly on to Pemba on Saturday.
IN PEMBA AIRPORT, I was given GREAT FAVOR!
I now only have 2 bags plus my carry on. (the other bag is left in RSA in cool storage until Eric can fetch it with a truck in August.
Eric had told me that the airport was undergoing a massive renovations, and that all passengers were now directed to a temporary tent off to the side of the building for Immigration and Customs. When I passed through customs, the inspector ordered me to place my 2 bags onto the counter. Normally, I was expected to put them 3 feet onto the table, but the man grabbed my heaviest bag himself, saving me the struggle. Without asking me to open them (which is normal), he asked me what was in them. I gave him a list and then he asked if I was a resident of Moz? I told him I was Brenda of Igreja Aguas Vivas in Balama.
As soon as I said BALAMA, both agents smiled big and said OH, BALAMA, yeah, you are good, you may go! I don’t know these men at all, so I was stunned, but wasted no time getting the bags out the tent door! Eric told me later that the previous group to pass through had been held up for 2 hours with all the inspections.
I’m very grateful to be HOME, and have already unpacked most of what I brought. Last year, it was 3 weeks before I had time to unpack, so I’m very grateful for a slower entry into this year’s work load.
Monday is a public holiday, allowing me to get completely organized before workers show up on Tuesday to begin the construction of the final children’s complex that we had hoped to complete last year.
FOOD BUYING WILL BE A MASSIVE CHALLENGE
Our Pastors reported last week that the corn harvest is only mediocre and the beans are NON EXISTENT in Balama County due to heavy rains.
With much work, and going deep, deep into the Balama bush, we should be able to get some corn.
For beans, reports say that several villages in another county has, but they are located deep into the bush northeast of us about 80kms (40 miles away) on not so good roads.
Our prayers are for the Lord to show us WHERE to find the corn and beans and to be able to purchase it at a fair price. With hunger going to be rampant in this area, prices could get out of hand.
I’ll keep you posted as we find out more.
Love and Hugs,
Bush Bunny Brenda in Balama, Mozambique
Subject: Blog, April 7, 2013
Date: April 7, 2013 9:05:06 AM CDT
BBB BACK IN BALAMA!
Eric Dry and Linda Stanley picked me up at the Pemba airport at 3pm yesterday, and we had a great time talking all evening to get caught up on all that has transpired for the last 10 weeks.
Customs in RSA was a breeze, and I thank the Lord for His favor. With 5 pieces of luggage (3 FREE BAGS due to Delta miles) at 65 lbs each (30 kg), plus my 2 carry on pieces, I walked on through as if INVISIBLE while customs was stopping and searching many people with only 2 bags. (power of prayer!)
I had nothing to hide, but the last thing you want after a 17 hour flight from Atlanta to South Africa is to be delayed with an inspection!
I was met by ministry friends Clete and Sabastion, who grabbed the bags and rushed me off to catch the Gau-Train (pronounced How-Train). This is the overhead rail train that whisks you over the massive highway traffic in 15 minutes to the south of Joburg where I stay when in RSA. By car, this same distance at 6pm (my arrival time) can take 2-3 hours.
A 2 day break with a little shopping, and banking business, saw me over the jet lag and ready to fly on to Pemba on Saturday.
IN PEMBA AIRPORT, I was given GREAT FAVOR!
I now only have 2 bags plus my carry on. (the other bag is left in RSA in cool storage until Eric can fetch it with a truck in August.
Eric had told me that the airport was undergoing a massive renovations, and that all passengers were now directed to a temporary tent off to the side of the building for Immigration and Customs. When I passed through customs, the inspector ordered me to place my 2 bags onto the counter. Normally, I was expected to put them 3 feet onto the table, but the man grabbed my heaviest bag himself, saving me the struggle. Without asking me to open them (which is normal), he asked me what was in them. I gave him a list and then he asked if I was a resident of Moz? I told him I was Brenda of Igreja Aguas Vivas in Balama.
As soon as I said BALAMA, both agents smiled big and said OH, BALAMA, yeah, you are good, you may go! I don’t know these men at all, so I was stunned, but wasted no time getting the bags out the tent door! Eric told me later that the previous group to pass through had been held up for 2 hours with all the inspections.
I’m very grateful to be HOME, and have already unpacked most of what I brought. Last year, it was 3 weeks before I had time to unpack, so I’m very grateful for a slower entry into this year’s work load.
Monday is a public holiday, allowing me to get completely organized before workers show up on Tuesday to begin the construction of the final children’s complex that we had hoped to complete last year.
FOOD BUYING WILL BE A MASSIVE CHALLENGE
Our Pastors reported last week that the corn harvest is only mediocre and the beans are NON EXISTENT in Balama County due to heavy rains.
With much work, and going deep, deep into the Balama bush, we should be able to get some corn.
For beans, reports say that several villages in another county has, but they are located deep into the bush northeast of us about 80kms (40 miles away) on not so good roads.
Our prayers are for the Lord to show us WHERE to find the corn and beans and to be able to purchase it at a fair price. With hunger going to be rampant in this area, prices could get out of hand.
I’ll keep you posted as we find out more.
Love and Hugs,
Bush Bunny Brenda in Balama, Mozambique