PVC projects

Jeff has been wanting a rack to stand beside the washer so shirts and such can be hung to dry instead of put in the dryer.  The dryer wears clothes out so bad.  Anyway I couldn't see paying a lot of money for some flimsy rack so I made one.

Hannah and I partnered up and made some marshmallow shooters.  I made them and she painted them.

The marshmallow shooters are easy to make and require

very few tools.

Hannah painted the shooters outside of course.  She used re bar stuck into

the ground to hold them while she spray painted them. 

We taped off the mouth pieces so no paint got on that part.

Just as a precaution.

I really like the bright colors.  I will attach a tag with instructions

and a snack sized bag of mini marshmallow ammo.

These will be for sale at the Orange Crate.

Next up we are going to make some rain sticks.  I will make them and Hannah will paint them.

My latest sewing projects

 I started off by making my own version of a flannel summer nightgown.  Its basically the pillowcase dress with elastic all around.

 Here are four summer dresses I made to sell at the craft shop.

This is a pillowcase dress I made to sell at the craft shop.  I still need to make the purple bloomers to go with it.

Here are five little summer nightgowns I made for some little girls.  I just need to make two pairs of shorts, two pair boys pajama bottoms and buy some t-shirts and then I will be done with that project.  Hannah said I'd better get done before they outgrow them. I love to sew but I get easily distracted with the next project.  I finally decided that I cannot start anything else until I finish these projects I have started already.

 This is a little reversable dress I made with matching bloomers.  Its the old criss cross back pattern thats been popular for years.  I think I will sell this one at the craft shop too.

This is the back and inside of the criss cross dress.  I think its just adorable.

Then and now

Time changes people and things.  This is my senior picture from high school.

And this is me many years later.

37 years later to be exact.  This old body has gone through some things.  I thank God I am still here.

Missionary update May 25, 2013

PASTOR BUZZ SNYDER FLYING HOME AFTER EMERGENCY EVAC



All was fine, as Buzz and I prepared for the bean processing on Monday. Late that night as he slept, he felt a hot tearing type pain rip through his left calf all the way to his thigh. The pain persisted, so at 3a.m. he limped over to my house to ask help. It was obvious to me that his body had thrown a blood clot into his calf.



His entire calf was cold, pale, hard, and painful to touch. He was taken in my King Cab back to his house and put to bed. I prayed for the clot to dissolve, and then notified Eric that Buzz needed to be driven to Pemba immediately to see a doctor so evacuation procedures could be started. I packed his things, and within 20 minutes Eric was ready to go. Our 2 night guards picked up Buzz, putting him in the back seat of Eric’s King Cab pick-up so his leg cold remain elevated. One guard travelled with them as Buzz would have to have 2 men to lift him as walking on a leg with a clot is not advised.


Two doctors were consulted at a Pemba clinic. Global Rescue’s Evacuation Team wasted no time in attempting to organize a Medivac Jet to fetch him, but none were available in RSA or Mozambique until 1pm that afternoon (all were out on emergency calls). At 7pm, the Medivac Jet arrived in Pemba with an MD and assistant. The MD’s assessment also said “possible blood clot”. Buzz was “packaged” for transport and whisked off to the plane for a quick 2.5 hour flight to Sunny Hill Hospital in Johannesburg.


Now note that during his wait in Pemba, much prayer was given this whole situation.


The leg showed no change while Buzz was in Mozambique, but by Wed. noon, ALL SYMPTOMS had started to fade and the leg pain was gone.

By the time the Doctor took him for X-rays and an ultrasound NO CLOT COULD BE FOUND! The leg was totally normal by Thursday, and Buzz was released (much to the amazement of his Doctor, I’m sure). Friday, Global Rescue changed his flight ticket, and he will arrive in Atlanta early today (Saturday, May 25th).

We were all amazed that Buzz had this sudden medical emergency, because he had no previous medical problems nor takes any medications! All 3 doctors believe the clot was caused by his 17 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. This is proof that EVERYONE MUST EXERCISE while on long flights. Young and healthy doesn’t mean this can’t happen. Doing lower leg exercises and getting up every 2 hours is essential to keeping circulation going in one’s lower legs.


OUR THANKS TO THE LORD FOR BUZZ’S MIRACLE HEALING!


I’m sure it will be an amazing testimony that will stick with everyone who saw the sudden changes.


WE ALSO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE WHO NETWORKED AND PRAYED SO THAT BUZZ’S EVACUATION WAS A SUCCESS.



GLOBAL RESCUE’S STAFF: Once again giving excellent care in this situation. They truly are the best rescue team in the world.

LINDA FERGUSON: O.U. “girl Friday” for making the zillion phone calls that coordinated everyone.
MARY LOU AND JOHN in Pemba who gave Buzz and Eric refuge for the entire day as they waited for the Medivac Jet, and also for the loan of their station wagon to get him to the airport lying flat.
PEMBA AIRPORT STAFF for keeping the airport open very late, so the Medivac Jet could land.
JUANITA AND HENK (Danielle’s parents in RSA) who gave Buzz refuge upon his release from the hospital, and got him to the airport on Friday for his flight to the USA.


Whole team in front of church

ON THURSDAY, TWO VISITORS CONTRACTED MALARIA


Breanne Brammer and Danielle Van Zyl both are now recovering from malaria. Was a bit rough on them the first 24 hours, as both suffered nausea and vomiting.


I PRAISE THE LORD for BLESSINGS INTERNATIONAL, Tulsa, OK for supplying us with the best malaria treatments available.

AND FOR Dr. R. Cantu of Eagle Lake, TX for equipping me with the needed anti-emetics (controls vomiting), so the girls could recuperate faster. Both were immediately started on Malaria treatment, and are up and about today.



These 2 young ladies will be resting this week, so Bean Processing will continue on Monday as substitutes have now been organized.

We have about 50 tons to still process. With the team being 3 people short, Emma and I will manage it with the help of our Moz. Pastors who’ve agreed to “step up” and learn new jobs so the work can continue.



MELISSA OLMSDAHL TO JOIN THE TEAM JUNE 1st.



Melissa, 25, from George, South Africa, is an experienced YOUTH DIRECTOR from the Christian Motorcycle Association Church located in George. We welcome her aboard and look forward to knowing her. I’ll fetch her in Pemba next Saturday, just in time for the filling the barn with corn (mealies).


More news to come, so stay tuned for the “rest of the story”. The team was invited to destroy a Witch Hut last Sunday. That story is coming soon. Jesus via our church members in Namara has Satan on the run!


Keep those prayers coming, as they DO make a difference!
Blessings,

Bush Bunny Brenda

Eric Dry

Linda Stanley

Breanne Brammer

Danielle Van Zyl

Emma Clifford

Missionary update~ Praise God~

On May 25, 2013, at 10:21 PM,


Brenda Lange
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA BLOG


SATAN ON THE RUN, AS 3 WITCH DOCTORS COME TO CHRIST THIS WEEK!

The Witches Pot is ready for the fire.

Last Sunday, May 19th, our whole team was invited to participate in destroying Alena’s Witch Doctor Medicine Hut in Namara Village.

This is a big thing out here, and drew a large crowd of curious villagers, as they all thought Satan would do something bad to us.
Alena, the Witch Doctor, had been sick for several months and unable to get healing from her own powers given by Satan.

She’d heard of all the miracle healings at Namara church, so she came to our Bible School meeting on Friday, May 17th.

She learned of Jesus’ healing power, and she made a decision for Christ that very hour.

Alena was INSTANTLY HEALED when our Pastors and Bible School students prayed for her that day.

Upon seeing this, her husband and kids immediately accepted Jesus too!

After her Witch Hut was destroyed Sunday morning (see photos),

The Witches Hut was torn apart and prepared for burning

Everyone went to church. The hut would be burned Sunday night, as strong winds that Sunday morning made it impossible to burn without catching the neighbor’s homes on fire.
FOUR FAMILIES AND A 2ND WITCH DOCTOR came to Christ in that church service after seeing how much Jesus changed this family!

The Witch Hut of the 2nd Witch Doctor was destroyed and burned on Tuesday.
A last look inside the Witches Hut

THE CHAIN REACTION CONTINUES!


Alena and her family said they slept peacefully on Sunday night after burning the Witch Hut as they had been harassed by evil spirits since making a decision for Jesus. The husband was so excited about Jesus and how He had healed his wife, that on Monday, they walked the 7 km (4.2 miles) to Mapone Village to tell their whole family about Jesus, their new Savior.

Praising Jesus for the victory

Alena’s mother-in-law heard her testimony and SHE WANTS JESUS TOO!

Two of our Pastors will be going there on Wednesday to lead her to the Lord and destroy her Witch Hut as well.

Pastor Ramadane will begin a “Shade Tree” church in Mapone so that this “unreached” village will know that Jesus wants to save and heal them too.



Folks, this is ONLY THE BEGINNING of God’s End Time Harvest.

God is unleashing his angels to bring the Earth’s FINAL REVIVAL to those who will “open their ears to hear and eyes to see” the wonders of God’s Love.

It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this End Time Revival to the “unreached” in northern Mozambique.



THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS.

YOU are a partner in everything we do.



LOVE IN CHRIST,

Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Gang.

Missionary update

EXTRA EDITION
Brendas story in poem form.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUSH BUNNY BRENDA


BIRTHDAY POEM FOR THE BUNNY

BY LINDA F.

IN 1955 THERE WAS HARDLY EVER A PERSON ALIVE WHO HAD BEEN TO THE HEART OF AFRICA, DARK. BUT GOD KNEW,FOR HIMSELF, HOW HE WOULD REQUIRE A PERSON TO CARRY THE TRUTH OF SALVATION TO A LOST PEOPLE WHO 'S LIFE AS A NATION WOULD SUFFER FROM WAR, BOTH CIVIL AND MORAL



GOD KNEW HE WAS GOING TO NEED A WOMAN OF ACITON, SPUNK, AND GRIT. SOMEONE WHO WOULD TRUST HIM AND SERVE HIM AND LOVE HIM, TO WIT. SHE WOULD FOLLOW HIS LEADING, AND WITH RELENTLESS RESOLVE KEEP HER EYES ON THE PRIZE OF RESCUING LOST SOULS. SHE WOULD WILLINGLY POUR OUT HER LIFE AS AN OFFERING OF SERVICE IN A LAND OF LACK, HUNGER, AND LOSS.



A PLACE WHERE DARKNESS COVERED THE SOULS OF MEN WHO LIVED IN FEAR, LOST IN SIN. THEIR HUNGER, SICKNESS AND HOPELESS DESPAIR FED THEIR EMPTY LIVES, AND LEFT THEIR HEARTS BARE.



THE DARKNESS OF SIN LEFT EACH HEART BROKEN AND COLD, BUT GOD'S LOVE SAW THEIR PAIN,AND WITH A PLAN THAT WAS BOLD SPOKE INTO THE HEART OF A NEW BABY GIRL, A GIRL CLOSE TO HIS HEART WHO COULD CARRY THE NEWS OF HIS SON'S DEVINE GIFT, BOUGHT WITH THE BLOOD PRICE SO EACH ONE COULD CHOOSE.



A NEW BABY GIRL, BORN IN 1955, MAY 26 WAS THE DAY APPOINTED,

BRENDA SUE LANGE WAS BORN. A "CALLED OUT ONE," HER CALLING UNNOTICED, NOT YET ANOINTED. SHE GREW WITH LOVE FROM HER MOM AND HER DAD. SHE LEARNED TO LOVE HORSES AND GAVE ALL THAT SHE

HAD TO BE EXCELLENT, TOPNOTCH, OUTSTANDING, THE BEST. BRENDA RODE TO BE FIRST, KEPT HER DREAMS 'CLOSE TO THE VEST".



BRENDA DREAMED OF VET SCHOOL AND MORE- A RANCH,LOTS OF HORSES, AND DOGGIES, FOR SURE. AS A YOUNG TEEN AT YOUTH CAMP SHE HEARD THE GOSPEL, WELL SPOKEN. THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS LEFT LEFT HER HEART CHANGED AND BROKEN. SHE SAID "YES"TO THE SAVIOR. SHE BELIEVED AND WAS SAVED, BUT THE ANOINTING ON HER LIFE WAS LIKE A ROAD STILL UNPAVED.



LIKE MANY BEFORE HER BRENDA FORGOT. THE COVENANT CUT WITH OUR LORD, LEFT TO ROT.

THE WORLD HAD IT'S WAY AND THE LORD HAD TO WAIT. LIKE SO MANY BEFORE HER, HER SUCCESS CLOSED THE GATE.

HER LIFE WAS BUSY AND SUCCESS HAS A PRICE.

SHE FORGOT HIM A LITTLE MORE WITH EACH "ROLL OF THE DICE".

BRENDA THOUGHT SHE WAS HAPPY, HER PLANS WERE COMPLETE.

THE RANCH AND THE HORSES- SHE WAS AT LAST "ON HER FEET".

NURSE - RANCHER - A SELF-MADE SUCCESS

BUT THAT STILL SMALL VOICE WAS SILENT TO BLESS.


ONE DAY CAME A SMITHY TO ATTEND TO HER HORSES

HORSE SHOES AND HORSE SENSE HE SERVED UP IN COURSES.

HIS WIFE AT HIS SIDE HE SPOKE HOLY TRUTH, UNTIED,

AND DREW ANGRY REPLIES, SO REMORSE SAYS.


LITTLE BY LITTLE IT WAS REVEALED

THE CHRIST INSIDE DREW DOWN THE SHIELD

OF SELF BUILT WALLS THAT KEPT HER BRIDLED, TETHERED, STALLED IN DOUBT AND SELF DEFENSE- ALONE.


SHE OPENED UP HER HEART AGAIN AND LET THE SAVIOR HAVE HIS PROPER PLACE UPON THE THRONE OF HER LIFE, HER HEART, CHRIST'S HOME.

AND THEN IT HAPPENED, AS YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS. A MISSIONARY

CAME TO SPEAK AND BLESS. SHE TOLD OF MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD AND SHE SHARED AN INVITATION. COME HELP US SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH HUNGRY FOLKS HERE AND ABROAD.


AND WHEN SHE SAID, "YOU ARE WELCOME",BRENDA'S SPIRIT JUMPED UP AND DANCED. SHE TELLS IT WELL, "MY SPIRIT MAN PRANCED".


THAT AFTERNOON BRENDA'S ANOINTING WAS COMPLETE.

THE KING OF HEAVEN, GOD OF LOVE, LORD OF EVERY CONTRITE HEART POURED OUT THE OIL OF DEDICATION ON THE WOMAN WHO, FROM THE WORLD'S FOUNDATION, HE KNEW, HE WAS PREPARING TO RECEIVE THIS CALL.


LIKE SAUL,UPON THE DAMASCUS ROAD, A NEW LIFE OF JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND TEARS OF PAIN HAD BEGUN. FOR BRENDA, LIKE PAUL, HER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE WOULD START HER ON THE RACE WELL RUN.

MOZAMBIQUE, A PLACE UNKNOWN TO BRENDA, WOULD SOON BECOME THE EPICENTER OF LIFE GIVING FOOD, CLEAN WATER, SHELTER, LOVE, AND HOPE

FOR HELPLESS CHILDREN AND MORE.

BRENDA, AS PER INSTRUCTIONS,SOLD , RETURNED, AND GAVE AWAY ALL THE LORD COMMANDED. SHE PUT HER LIFE IN GOD'S HANDS AND NEVER TURNED BACK, KEPT HER HAND TO THE PLOW IN THE FIELD WHITE WITH HARVEST.
TODAY, A SPECIAL DAY IN BRENDA'S LIFE. HER BIRTHDAY, SUNDAY CELEBRATION…PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW


A CAKE, BANANA NUT, I THINK, BAKED BY OTHER DEDICATED HANDS. HEARTS FULL OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE FOR A LIFE FULFILLED IN GOD'S PERFECT PLAN.
SHE IS LIKE A FIELD WHITE TO HARVEST, RINGED ROUND BY OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

WHAT SHALL WE GIVE HER AS A GIFT ON THIS SPECIAL DAY?

LABORERS FOR THE WORK AT HAND- BECAUSE ONE THING SHE KNOWS

THE TIME IS SHORT AND VAST THE UNTOUCHED, UNFULFILLED CALL STILL ECHOING FROM BRENDA'S HEART, DIRECT TO GOD'S EAR


LORD OF THE HARVEST , LIVE YOUR LIFE IN ME

SERVE HIM WITH GLADNESS

YOUR SERVANT I WILL BE


RESCUE THE PERISHING

CARE FOR THE DYING

THE GREAT COMMISSION WILL SOON BE FINISHED

CHRIST'S RETURN IS VERY NEAR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA

WITH LOVE, LINDA

Linda Ferguson

Secretary

Orphans Unlimited Inc.

307 E. State Street

Eagle Lake, TX 77434

"Hand in hand with the least of these."

My first quilt

I finished my first quilt.  Its a crib size.  I must say the binding was the hardest part for me.  I'm not giving up though, I like making these.  I'm sure I will get better the more I do.

The pattern if you call it that is jelly roll quilt race.  I cut my strips myself.  I'd like to be able to buy the jelly rolls but they are expensive.

Another quilt block trial

I am learning to make quilt blocks and enjoying it.  Here is another block I made as a sample.  Its called a 10 min. quilt block.  It was pretty easy.  I love you tube.  You can learn to do pretty much anything you want to.

You can leave the middle square like it is or turn it in for more of a cathedral window look.  That's what I am going to do.  Fold and sew.

This is the video I used to learn the technique.  I think this is the block I will make for the quilt for our King size bed.  I would just have to decide how to quilt it once its made.

Right now I am putting the binding on the crib quilt I made from the jelly rolls I cut.  I hope to post a picture in the next couple of days.

Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, May 18, 2013

Date: May 18, 2013 3:50:13 AM CDT





BEAN BUYING FINISHED!!!!

101 TONS IN THE BARN!





Thank you all for your prayers for as you can see, we exceeded the minimum 80 tons necessary to keep the kids in food.

Monday, the team will join our 80 man hauling crew to start the processing so the beans can be stored for up to a year.
VISITORS JOIN THE BUNNY FOR A GOAT RODEO!

Breanne weighing with a "wrap-around goat weight tape, so Brenda can give the right dose of de-wormer.

Danielle gets lots of attention from a very friendly baby goat. If you put him on the ground, he follows you around so he can chew on your skirt when you stand still.

Emma and her new "baby".
Emma Clifford and Pastor Buzz Snyder took the photos and then wandered off to play with the babies

Pastor Buzz and Pastor Joaguim (goat barn manager)
After all, it does get a bit boring when you do the same thing to 70 goats in a row.

Our 8 goat wranglers did all the catching and holding. They are getting very good at it, and our goats are a bit tamer than last year, so all went smoothly.

Last year our “ Mommy goats” were really WILD!
The photos tell it all.
Our visitors arrived safely with all luggage on Wed. afternoon. When traveling 10,000 miles, getting here with all luggage intact is something to brag about!

Pastor Buzz has helped bring in the beans for the final 2 days while the 3 young ladies helped with children’s ministry.
Today, the team was up at 4:30a.m. to be at the goat barn by 5:30a.m. Best time to deworm since their tummies are empty, and it’s cool weather for everyone.


Love and Hugs from the Balama Team

Bush Bunny Brenda

Eric Dry

Linda Stanley

Visitors:

Pastor Buzz Snyder

Breanne Brammer

Emma Clifford

Danielle Van Zyl



I hope this post isnt all discombobulated, I think I messed up adding the photos.

Its a biggen

This morning when Hannah went to let Shiloh out and feed him she discovered this on the wall on our back porch.

That thing is pretty big.  If I still lived close to my friend Candy I would capture it for her and her gang.  They love studying creatures like this.  As it is I will just let it be until I find out if tarantulas are harmful or beneficial to the environment.  I do prefer it make its home elsewhere though.

Five little dresses

I finally finished the five little dresses I am making for those little sprites.  Now to make a couple pair of shorts for the boys and buy t-shirts.  Then I will make jammies.  I just kept getting distracted with other projects.  There just isnt enough sewing time in a day.

Here is why there isnt enough time.
I have been learing to piece quilt tops from you tube and came across a tutorial for jelly roll race quilt tops.  I cut some jelly roll strips, (they are too expensive for me to buy) and made a quilt top.  Its long and narrow so I am going to cut it into two crib quilts.  I hope to get the batting and backing soon.  My plan is to quilt the tops by stitch in the ditch method.

This top will make a great crib quilt.  I am excited to learn to quilt.  We need a quilt or something for our king sized bed and I thought I had better start with something smaller to get the hang of it. 

The first piecing I did are these two quilt blocks.  I joined a quilt block exchange so I thought I'd better learn to piece blocks.  I have until December to made a dozen or so of these.  They are easy to make using a tutorial on you tube.  I think I can make the rest up in just a day or so. 

 These pictures are not in the right order.  This is what the blocks look like after you sew both blocks and cut them.  Its a fun way to do it.  You stack them, mark a line down the middle, sew on each side of the line and then cut down the line and then you have two triangle blocks.

 These are the same blocks just turned a different way. 

This is what the blocks look like first.

Missionary update May 12, 2013

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, May 11, 2013

Date: May 11, 2013 7:39:55 AM CDT

To:



UPDATE ON OUR 2 BABIES IN THE HOSPITAL



Testing showed that both are suffering from CHRONIC MALARIA, which occurs when you have malaria and don’t get it treated. They were admitted to the Balama hospital immediately on Thursday. This family lived over 12 miles from a hospital. The granny is emaciated and has no energy to carry them. Nor did she have any money to buy the needed medicine when they first got sick 3 months ago, so she didn’t even try.

That is why we moved them into one of our homes near the mission station. The Granny has been nursing both babies, and her body has nothing left to give. Besides trying to save the 6 children, 3 are orphans, she is also carrying for her own mother, who basically needs total care.

Our Balama Doctor estimates the 2 babies have had malaria for 3 out of the 9 months of their little lives. When we saw them 2 days ago, they were in the last stages before death, so we got them to the hospital just in time.

Unlike normal malaria, the symptoms are masked much of the time as it runs in cycles. When they don’t have any fever, which is how we saw them 2 weeks ago, they don’t appear to have malaria. But when they can no longer hold down anything, even milk formula, then that is a sign that the malaria is ready to cycle again.

As of this morning, both are responding well to treatment, and are able to hold down small amounts of food and milk.

I’ll keep you posted on their progress.



SAD NEWS is that at 4:30a.m. today, our head Pastor, Fred, called me to tell me that the doctors managed to save his wife, but lost their baby.

Fred’s wife began to bleed yesterday at noon, (only 8 months pregnant), and was taken immediately to the Balama hospital. The Doctor transferred her to Montepuez Regional Hospital by 3pm, but they were unable to stop her labor. The baby was buried in Montepuez this morning, as Fred’s wife will have to stay in the hospital through the weekend. A body deteriorates rapidly in this heat, as there is no way to preserve it, so the burial has to be immediate.

Keep this family in your prayers, is this is her 2nd miscarriage in the last 18 months.



BUSH BUNNY TIDBITS



All the baby goats are doing well, so we dewormed our 30+, 1-3 month olds today, plus our 2 large males who service the herd. (I’ll do all the pregnant mommas next Saturday.)

Elvis, our big daddy goat, got his name because he grows a beard and has a super long MANE,at his topknot, above his eyes. The poor guy could hardly see, he had so much hair covering his eyes, so Mama Brenda was prepared with sharp scissors. Elvis got his first haircut and wasn’t too happy while I was doing it!

I won’t get any awards for this haircut, but at least he can now see. He seemed to like it once we let him go. Guess it gets old trying to find the ladies only by smell. Now he can see how beautiful they are!

BUSH BUNNY BRENDA A MAJOR BEAN BROKER!

Pray for continued favor for the Bean Harvest

We have 38 TONS of beans in the barn, and a “promised” 80 tons in the field.

We’ve given out sacks for that much, but are not sure the people will be able to fill them.

Once the Lord showed us where to look, the flood gates opened!

God is revealing His massive power to provide for his children when all looks bleak in the natural.

Our goal is to have all the beans in the barn by next Saturday.

Processing for long term storage will begin May 20th.

TEAM OF VISITORS TO FLY OUT OF USA THIS MONDAY

We pray traveling mercies for our Mission Team


Retired Pastor, Buzz SNYDER, TEXAN transplanted to Atlanta, GA

Breanne Brammer, Un. of Missouri

Emma Clifford, Concordia University, Austin, TX

Michele Davis, Concordia University, Austin, TX
From South Africa, we welcome 18 year old Danielle Van Zyl, from the town of Heidelberg. Her parents have their own orphanage called Shalom Children’s Home so Danielle has great experience in working with children of all ages.
This team will be with us till July 31st in order to help get the food into the barn and assist with our children’s programs.

Our thanks goes out to each of them for giving of their time and finances to help us rescue and evangelize in Mozambique.
Blessings,

Bush Bunny Brenda

Eric Dry

Linda Stanley

The Balama staff

Missionary update May 10, 2013

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Today's bean and orphan report

Date: May 9, 2013 8:26:10 AM CDT

THE BEAN BUYING RACE IS On

Our miracle village netted 162 bags (11.3 tons) today and have another 140 (9.8 tons) coming next week.
THE NEWEST FAMILY TO JOIN OUR HOUSING PROGRAM (GREAT GRANDMA NOT PICTURED).

The family who’s photo we used 2 weeks ago, and again above, had to be admitted to our
housing program today.

So we just gained 6 orphans (2 are the babies in very bad condition), plus grandma and HER mother (great grandma to the orphans).

PTL I had a house available that would hold them.

It’s my last empty house, actually.

Get this, Eric took Nilza, and 2 of our staff pastors to help bring in the family and the few things we gave them 2 weeks ago.

Eric drove into their remote village (3 miles from the main road) and then the team had to WALK 45 minutes into pure bush country to find their house.

So it took over 4 hours just to fetch them.

The babies are in very bad shape, and vomit every time they eat anything.

I’ve put them on rice cereal only till we can see if that settles their little stomachs.

With them here, the babies have a chance to survive.

It will still be a big challenge and I’ll be writing more about them this Saturday.

BBB
"Bush Bunny" Brenda

Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, May 8, 2013

Date: May 8, 2013 8:26:57 AM CDT
HANDICAP EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE
Eric managed to get a child’s wheelchair for a little ZITO, an 11 year old boy who broke his femur 5 years ago in a soccer game. Due to the lack of any Doctor in Balama county, his leg was never set correctly and healed at an angle. His good leg has atrophied from lack of use, and will no longer support his weight. He struggles with constant systemic Staf. Infections, chronic anemia, and a weak heart. No matter what we do for him, he doesn’t gain much weight. Last year we gave him a set of aluminum crutches, but he was never able to stand due the pain in his good knee when he puts weight on it. His heart is too weak to undergo orthopaedic surgery, even if it was available to him.

Zito happily trades his crutches for his wheelchair.
So today, Zito happily passed on his crutches to one of the ladies in his church who badly needed them. She was badly burned on the back of one leg many years ago and has spent her life hopping around using a walking stick as a crutch. Since no hospital existed then, her leg was allowed to heal with excessive scar tissue in a BENT position. We took her in for a consult, but our Balama Dr. said due to her advanced age and the massive scarring, that the surgery needed would not be possible.

Crutches make our sister smile.
We decided to help them make the best of a difficult situation with the transportation devices we could provide.

Eric gets these items at a hospice store in RSA for little of nothing. The wheelchair cost $25 and the crutches were $10.

I wish we had video of this woman as she figured out her new crutches. When she got the hang of using them, she moved across the church yard at 5 times her normal pace, grinning all the way!

Zito loves his new “wheels” and since his area is hard packed dirt, he’ll be able to visit his friend’s homes that he’s not had access too for some time.

TAKING DOMINION OVER YOUR HEALTH
During testimony time at the Namara church, a woman came forward whose life was saved last year, after we took her to the hospital for treatment of advanced chronic Syphilis. She told everyone how the teachings I did on the AUTHORITY OF THE BELEIVER helped her through a crisis last month. Her body started breaking out in sores all over, but she commanded them to go IN THE NAME OF JESUS and all the sores left without any medications. Her skin was perfectly smooth and healthy looking. Teaching church members to use the Word of God is one of our major goals. It was a great encouragement to me to know that all those hours of teaching was taken seriously by some.

Bush Bunny Brenda and Nelson teaching at Namara church.
THE BEAN HUNT IS ON!
On Monday I was a bit disappointed as we only received 1.2 tons after opening our gates for public buying (vs. co-op buying in bulk).

BUT TUESDAY turned into a Bean Bonanza like I’ve never seen!
At our Balama warehouse, we received 3 truckloads of beans totalling EIGHT TONS in 8 hours!

Our workers and I were so beat after unloading, weighing and re-sacking all those beans, that we had to drag ourselves out of there at 2pm.

It happened just as God said it would. Everyone has a sack or 2 they can sell, but few have more than that. Four of those 8 tons were hauled in by a man whose business is to go from village to village with his 2 ton truck, picking up produce the villagers want to sell in town. He brought them to us, cause we pay a few pennies more than the local businessmen.
After I went and personally talked to all the road side buyers in Balama, telling them of our kid’s needs, all but 1 agreed to sell their beans to us. This is a FIRST and showed me just how much favour God has given us.

I picked up half a ton yesterday from 2 buyers.

These are the guys who buy the 1 to 10 kg portions that villagers bring in to sell for soap and other personal items. It’s very time consuming taking in these small amounts, and I’m thrilled they agreed to do it for our kids.

Capena passed out 1,060 feed sacks in 7 villages yesterday, that when filled will total 74 tons!

I was amazed that some of these tiny villages, whom we hardly traded with in the past, had this many beans to offer.

It looks like our bean quota of 100 tons will be possible.
As of today, Wed., May 8th, we have 10 tons total in the barn, and over 300 bags waiting to be fetched tomorrow.

These 300 sacks are the “21 miracle tons” from Namara village that I told you about 2 weeks ago.

The church members walked their fields claiming God’s blessings for a 100 fold harvest AND GOT IT!

GOD HAS DONE THE IMPOSSIBLE AND OPENED HIS FLOOD GATES OF BEANS.
Blessings,

Bush Bunny Brenda and the Bean Bashing Balama Staff
P S Please continue praying for the Bean Harvest.
Thanks to our Prayer Warriors we will see our barns
FILLED WITH BEANS.

Lonely laundry lady & Humble wife

Lonely Laundry Lady.
I was so excited to read your comment.  I miss you too.  I was thinking of you just the other day wondering how the greenhouse is going and garden and canning and so on.
If you get a chance can you tell me what all you've been up to.  We bought a dozen baby chicks from some Amish folks but 7 of them died within the first 7 hours.  Boo.  Then one more so we are down to just 4.  We heard there are some in Victoria so when we go there on saturday we will see if they have any and if they do I will buy a few more. 

Humble wife ~ my kids were not thrilled when I stopped coloring my hair but I was just plain tired of it and I kept reading about all the chemicals and so on so I just quit.  I had a sneaking suspicion that I had pretty silver hair and I was right.  I just make sure to use the shampoo with the blue color in it made especially for gray hair.  It keeps the yellow out of it.  Now that Ive gone gray I look around and I am sure not the only one.  he he

More little dresses

If you've been reading my blog for very long you may know that I love to sew. I also love to give. I found an excellent opportunity to do both the other day. A facebook friend mentioned that she was going to do some sewing for some little nieces and nephews who were living with their grandma. She didn't ask, I asked her if I could sew for them too. She said yes and gave me their sizes. I started yesterday and so far I have made three little dresses. I need to make two more dresses and then two pair of shorts. I think I will buy t-shirts to go with the shorts I make for the boys. Then my goal is to make nightwear for each of them. There are seven little sprites by the way. Now I am praying that the Lord will help me find cute fabric at garage sales so I can keep my fabric stash stocked so I can do projects like this when I want to.

Jeff and Debbie

Yesterday Jeff got a new cowboy hat so Hannah took his picture.  I happened to still look decent after church in the morning so I asked her to take pictures of us together as well as seperate.  These turned out pretty good taking into account what she had to work with.

Jeff and Shiloh

Jeff and his new hat.

First couple picture in years.

And there I am.

Locker hooked rug

Last week I learned of a new craft called locker hooking.  I watched a few you tube videos demonstrating the technique and thought it would be a fun thing to try.  Last Saturday I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a canvas and a locker hook.  Total cost was less than $5.00 because I used my 40% off coupon and so did Jeff.  We each bought one item.  I immediately began working on the rug after watching the tutorial one more time.  It was a blast.  In one week I completed a new rug for my kitchen.  I loved the project because I was able to use up scraps from my scrap box and the total cost was less than $5.00.  My kind of project.
Here are some photos of the tools and my project.
First the supplies needed.

Locker hook.  It has a crochet type hook on one end and a needle eye on the other.

Rug canvas.  I used a smaller one than the one shown.

Scrap fabric cut into one inch strips.  I cut some denim into half inch strips but they were too hard to work with so I stuck to regular fabric after part of one row of denim.

 Rug after a couple of days of work.

 Close up of locker hooking the rug.

The completed rug.  I am going to try t shirt yarn on one and see if I like that.

Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, May 4, 2013

Date: May 4, 2013 7:20:37 AM CDT
BOUNCING BABY GOATS KEEP BUSH BUNNY HOPPING!
Bunny just got in from our goat farm, where 117 Orphans Unlimited goats now live. I was out there taking care of baby goat number 8 for this week. On Thursday, the maternity ward of BOTH barns were literally overflowing with bouncing baby goats, all going BAAAA… as they chased after their mobile baby bottles!

SIX Baby Goats were born in 20 hours on Thursday. #6 was dropped into this world as I watched. #7 and 8 arrived on Friday.

Friday, I was accompanied by Linda Stanley, who got to cuddle one of the fuzzy little ones, as they are so soft and cute when only a few days old.

Within the first 24 hours after the birthing process, each mother goat receives a dose of de-wormer medication to prevent anemia from 1000’s of blood sucking stomach worms that are signalled to hatch due to hormonal changes during the birth process. Stomach worms are the #1 killer of goats, and our adult goat death rate has been zero since starting this routine.

It’s less trips on me when they all “bingo” on the same day, but it does stress the goat staff a bit. The babies stay in the nursery with their momma’s for 3-5 days before joining the herd. This gives the babies time to strengthen their legs and learn to run beside their momma when in the pasture. One man is assigned to do nothing but nursery duty when the birth rate is so high. Those first 24 hours are critical if a weak goat is to be saved. PTL most of ours are born strong and healthy.

ORPHAN BABIES ALSO ON THE RISE
NINE new orphaned babies were admitted to our program in the last 7 days. This is sad news, because it means that their mommas perished after giving birth.

Linda Stanley, and Nilza have been kept busy teaching new mothers how to boil water, clean baby bottles, mix formula, etc. These are things we take for granted, but which these grandmothers have never been exposed too.

These grandmothers grew up in 30 years of war, where a baby who lost its mother was doomed, as no formula or baby bottles existed.

So learning to bottle feed a baby is quite a challenge to some of them, especially when they’ve never heard of germs!
MY BLOGS MAY BE A BIT SHORT
the next few weeks.

Tomorrow we kick off the “public bean buying” program. I spread the word last week that I’d buy beans brought to our warehouse.

We have submitted documents requesting permission to buy early (before June 1st) in bulk from the villages. We hope to receive a positive answer this week.

But in the meantime, I’m free to buy whatever is brought to my door.

SO OUR THEME SONG IS “Bringing in the beans, bringing in the beans. We will go a praising, bringing in the beans!”

All that is sung to the well-known hymn, “bringing in the sheaves”.

We need all the beans the public can spare if we are going to feed orphans this year.
Blessings from Brenda, Linda, and Eric in Balama


"Bush Bunny" Brenda Lange
LOVE GIFTS TO:

ORPHANS UNLIMITED, INC.

11152 WESTHEIMER RD., PMB 391

HOUSTON, TX 77042


LOVE GIFT TO: ORPHANS UNLIMITED in RSA

Standard Bank-Hatfield

(branch code) 011-54515

Name: Orphans Unlimited

Acct. # 017743036
PERSONAL NOTES TO BRENDA

brenda@orphansunlimited.org

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES:

LINDA FERGUSON

linda@orphansunlimited.