Learning new skills

     I am always trying to learn new skills.  Right now I am learning sewing machine repair.  I don't like having to take my machines to the shop and waiting a couple weeks to get them repaired and then the BILL.  Good grief they charge a lot of money. 
     I have sort of dabbled in sewing machine repair but never really dug into it before.  I decided that now is the time.  I ordered a course online that was 39.95 and have watched every video I can find on you tube.  I figured the best thing to do is just start so I told a friend at church what I was up to.  She said her machine wouldn't run so I said I'd take a look at it.
     I took her machine home and knew just where to start after reading the manual I had purchased and began going through her machine.  It was like new but just wouldn't sew.  I cleaned and oiled it and that was all it needed.  I returned her machine to her and she said I need to set a price because her sister has a machine that the bobbin wont wind on.  I told her I would look at it but I'm not ready to set up shop.  After talking to her a bit I found out that her sister has chickens so I said I would fix her machine for some farm fresh eggs.
     In the mean time I have fixed four other sewing machines and am getting pretty excited.  I even fabricated a small part for a machine today to make it work.  So far of the four machines Ive worked on this week, two just needed cleaned and oiled and one had a broken part which I ordered and then the other I just fabricated the part for.  For right now I am going to stick to the more basic and older machines not junk but machines that are all there but just aren't working for one reason or another.  If I get good at it I might branch off into the more intricate machines.  We will see.
    
     Then today my husband suggested that I learn to make knife sheaths.  He bought a braided one for $60.00 and thought it might be something I could do as well as fix sewing machines.  I need to order a lacing needle and some rawhide and I will give it a go.

     What about you?  Are you learning new skills right now?  Are there skills you would like to learn?  Tell me about them.

Sept 28, 2013

Bush Beat BlogF From: "Brenda Lange" Subject: BLOG, Sept. 28, 2013 Date: September 28, 2013 6:09:17 AM CDT AUSTRALIAN GRAPHITE MINERS IN BALAMA ENCOURGE OPHAN BASKETBALL TEAM Wed. this week was a holiday, and our basketball team was challenged to play the Hospital team at the city court in the middle of Balama. Near halftime, Bertino, our team captain, wore through the bottoms of his tennis shoes, and had no choice but to play in his socks on hot cement. This is the outdoor court we repaired in July, and there is very little shade in the area. A few minutes later, two Pick-up trucks stopped near the court, and out popped 6 tall, muscular Australian men from the nearby graphite mine. The men sat in the stands on the far end of the court from me, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the intensely competitive game. A hearty "Thank You" to the gentleman from Austrailia who showed us such kindness. Everyone was blessed to see such a beautiful gift. The referee called a time out, and a hush fell over the crowd as 1 of the miners stepped out onto the court with a pair of shoes in his hands. He motioned to the referee that he wanted to give them to Bertino, the boy playing barefoot. Everyone continued to watch in silence as this very touching scene unfolded. Bertino slipped his foot into one of the shoes AND IT FIT! As a big smile spread over his face, the crowd went WILD!!! I introduced myself to the miners during halftime, and we all had a great time as they shot baskets with our boys. Even the referee thanked them for what they had done. We were sad to hear they would only be in town 2 days. It all happened so fast (and I didn’t have my camera), that it seemed like a dream. Drop in, donate shoes, and move out a few minutes later. It was a funny site seeing one of the men leaving in his socks, but the smile on that man’s face showed that he was thoroughly pleased that his gift was just what was needed. God provides in mysterious ways, and the package it comes in, never ceases to amaze me! The teams are really enjoying the newly surfaced basketball court. For those of you who are keeping score - we won 26 to 21. ERIC’S RETURN TO BALAMA DELAYED 1 WEEK Eric will return in mid-October due to a family emergency that required his assistance this week. It takes 6 days to drive from Johannesburg, RSA to Balama with a loaded truck and trailer. Pastor Fred, will rendezvous with Eric in Maputo city by taking a taxi to Montepuez, a bus to Nampula (7 hrs away), then hop a plane to Maputo, the national capital of Mozambique. It is neither wise, nor practical to drive ALONE in Mozambique, so a 2nd traveller is a must! On his way down to RSA in July, Eric was delayed a whole day as a 150 km (75 mile) section had to be travelled by armed military convoy. Unrest by militants wanting changes in the government, made the convoy the only safe way to travel through the middle of Mozambique. The only thing for certain these days is that JESUS is LORD! You never know what awaits you around the next corner. TODAY IS NATIONAL SPORTS DAY IN MOZAMBIQUE As I write this, our Basketball team is suiting up so I can haul them in my Land Cruiser for a rematch with the Hospital team. A major exhibition of soccer, volleyball, and basketball are being played in the town square in honor of this holiday. Our team lost by 7 baskets at last Wednesday’s game, bringing the season tally to 2 to 1 in the Hospital’s favor. They boys are pretty fired up and plan to change that today. Blessings Bush Bunny Brenda and her Basketball Mobile off to the town square! "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. org phone: 979-234-3422 or 713-854-9197 Brenda’s Blog is Posted at: www.orphansunlimited.org/blog or SUBSCRIBE to receive the blog by e-mail.

Hannah has a facebook page for her tie dye

https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=654724931212631&tab=public&section=phone&view#!/pages/Free-Spirit-Tie-dye/654724931212631

If you have a facebook account please like her page.  She just turned 17 and has her own business.  Im really proud of her.

Cleaning hair brushes

Growing up my mom was an instructor at a beauty college so we were taught the proper way to clean our hair brushes and combs.  Now all these years later I realize I have not been keeping my hair brushes as clean as I used to. 
http://www.athriftymrs.com/2012/08/how-to-clean-your-hairbrush.html
I found a good tutorial on the proper method of cleaning hair brushes. 

Do you regularly clean your hair brushes and combs?

I've been busy

I have been busy the last few weeks, crocheting and sewing.  Hannah and I go to craft sales and fairs on weekends so I have been trying to get my stock built up so I can sell things too.  Lately I have been making more bibs as always and crocheting nylon net scrubbies and just recently began crocheting the tops of kitchen towels.  I used to do that all the time and kind of got away from it.  I found some real nice towels the other day so I decided to make more.  If they don't sell I know my kinds would like them.

     I'm very excited because it appears that this new to me computer is letting me post text as well as pictures from my files.  Jeff got a new one at work and they let him buy his old one, which wasn't very old for a reasonable price so we bought it of course.  He had to send it in to the company so they could wipe out any of their company files and now I have a super nice laptop. 
     Now that I can post more I will try to keep up on my blog a little better.

Sept 14,2013 missionary update

Bush Beat BlogF From: "Brenda Lange" Subject: BLOG, Sept. 14, 2013 Date: September 14, 2013 6:49:03 AM CDT BABY RESCUE SAVES 4 LIVES On Thursday, I received an urgent call from Nilza, our Children’s Director, who handles our weekly Baby Weigh In and Formula Program. Baby Sara, who I wrote about last week, was brought in with a fever and badly swollen legs (3rd spacing fluids due to a lack of protein for 3 weeks).   (Don’t shoot de Bunny), but I still didn’t get a photo of her, cause she needed immediate medical attention.  I packed up her aunt and uncle in my pick-up truck and took off for the hospital.  Little Sara received medication to fight a respiratory infection, while the Aunt was given training on how to handle her fragile condition.   (In the meantime, I was called back to my home for a 2nd emergency.)   The best days of planning can't foresee days like these. Thank God for His promises. His strength iS sufficient. Upon arrival back at my house, I found a family consisting of a mother with twins, accompanied by her crippled father (in an adult size tri-cycle), and her brother on his bicycle. The brother had pumped his sister and her twins on the back of his bicycle from the Rovuma village 3 miles (5km) away. (The husband had abandoned this young mother for a stronger woman who could have his babies.) Makes my Bunny blood boil!   The mother basically has NO BLOOD (eye lids totally blanched white), is unable to walk, and thus her body isn’t producing Breast Milk for the twins.  The twins (a boy and a girl) are now 6 weeks old and basically weigh the same as their birth weights of 5.5 lbs. each.   The Father speaks Portuguese, and told us his daughter was hospitalized in Balama in mid-August for the anemia and received 1 unit of blood.  The babies were not given any milk formula, and have survived on only fruit drink since then.  She was released from the hospital on Sept. 1st, but isn’t getting better. The family feared the babies would perish without help as both were sick with dysentery since they didn’t know the water should be boiled before giving it to the babies.   Manel, our best driver, pulled up next to the mother in our Land Cruiser, and helped lift her into the back of the pick-up.  The father’s wheelchair followed, as we held the babies. Off we went to the hospital with the entire family.  With the Hospital Director’s help, we got the mother and both babies admitted. They would prepare the mother for another transfusion as soon as a blood donor could be located.  (No cross matching is possible here, only blood typing, so they minimize transfusion reactions by using a relative’s blood.) Two Days later: (today) The father rolled into our mission with a BIG SMILE on his face, and his tri-cycle loaded with 10 grass mats and 5 brooms he’d made from local reeds.  I’d told him if he had any to sell, that I’d gladly buy them (I make a point to buy ALL locally made products we need from our handicapped citizens in the area.) He told us that his daughter was doing OK, and that his brother was coming in today especially to give her a unit of blood. The Father is THRILLED that the twins are making a fast recovery, and are full of energy after only 2 days of milk formula and treatment for dysentery. These 3 babies as well as the women who care for them, will remain in our programs until the children are strong and eating well at 6-7 months of age. It only takes $6/week ($24/month) to save the life of a baby under 3 months of age. We are able to keep baby formula and baby bottles in stock because YOU CARE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE GIFTS that help us save the lives of these innocent ones “HAND IN HAND WITH THE LEAST OF THESE” is more than a motto with ORPHANS UNLIMITED.  IT’S REALITY. BUNNY VISITS ROVUMA CHURCH LAST SUNDAY- RESCUES 4 ORPHANS I had a blast last Sunday, dancing and singing with GENONO, the oldest member of the Rovuma church.  No one knows how old he is, but Genono has been blessed with THREE MIRACLE HEALINGS since we started the Rovuma church 5 years ago.  Unable to walk 5 years ago,  Genono listening to us teach on how Jesus heals the sick.  Nothing shy about this man, as faith rose up in his heart, he asked Jesus to heal his legs and the man began to walk!  Next we knew he was DANCING FOR JESUS!  He’s had several serious sicknesses since, and Jesus healed them all! So after church, Genono presented me with 2 beautifully made “pineras” that he’d made just for me.  (Genono is holding them in the photo I took of him and his family in front of their new mud hut). Pastor Joaguim then presented Genono’s difficulty.  A family member had died, leaving him with 4 orphans (3 girls 12, 9, 8 and a boy, 7), and he didn’t have food to feed them.  Would I help, as he needed food that very day!  Genono’s house had fallen down during this last rainy season, and the church members had rebuilt it for him. He invited me into his new hut, which contained only 1 locally made rope bed, a cooking pot and 2 water containers.  NO clothes except what they were wearing, and NO FOOD at all.  (Genono and his wife have received food assistance from us for over a year due to their inability to farm enough to feed themselves.)  Their week’s food allotment had been eaten up in 3 days with the arrival of the orphans. I told him to give me an hour and I’d be back with what they needed. I didn’t have everything they needed on hand, but was able to get an emergency package together. YOUR LOVE GIFTS PROVIDED THEM WITH: 3 grass mats and 3 blankets Cooking Pot as well as bowls and cups to eat from FOOD:  A week’s worth of corn flour, beans, and salt for 6 people CLOTHES for the entire family Genono received further assistance this week during our weekly food distribution.  He and his new family will receive assistance until the children are grown thanks to YOUR LOVE. It’s been a busy week with these rescues as well as the largest food handout we have-- Kwe Kwe. Keep us in your prayers as we will spend this next week giving out food in Meluco District (county). Our truck team will spend 4 days in 2 major parts of this huge county, giving out food to the 60 orphans in Revia (near the game park) as well as the 112 Elephant Village orphans. GOD’S BLESSINGS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR LOVING GOD’S CHILDREN IN MOZAMBIQUE. TOGETHER WE ARE SPREADING JESUS’ LOVE TO THE MULTITUDES! LOVE AND HUGS, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA AND THE BALAMA TEAM   "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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Im a busy bib maker

This is some of what Ive been up to lately.  My bibs are selling well at the craft shop I belong to so I have been making more to replace the stock Ive sold.  Ive also been making other things like bag bags and bowl covers.  This week I also have the four square hot pads on my adjenda to make.  It seems like Ive made a lot of bibs but when you actually count them there are not that many.  I need to be making things every day.

Im pretty excited that I am able to make blog posts today.  I miss being able to blog more often.  I am hoping the issue resolves itself or I figure it out.  One way or another.
Take care everyone and leave me a comment so I know you are out there.
Debbie

Sept 7, 2013

From: "Brenda Lange" Subject: BLOG, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013 Date: SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 7:16:44 AM CDT  MANY SMILING FACES THANKS TO YOUR LOVE GIFTS!   Melissa and one of the oldest widows at the Mango Tree Church. Rollin, Rollin, Rollin! Get those trucks a rollin!  The old “Rawhide” theme song was our team’s jingle these last 3 days as we carried 18.3 TONS of corn and beans to 433 hungry orphans and the 252 widows in 3 major areas of Balama District.  We have never missed an August give out before, but many scheduling interruptions, caused the delay, making us all very unhappy.  So once we found a 3 days spot, we loaded up both our big trucks and moved’em out! Measuring the corn, while the croud from the seven Mango Tree Villages wait to hear their names called. As you can see by the photos, there are many smiling faces, as it was great fun seeing all the familiar faces during this time of blessing those in need.   Bean distribution, with salt and soap being handed out in the background. KWE KWE HAND OUT STILL TO COME NEXT WEEK   Our largest single food hand out will be this Tuesday, Aug. 10th. These 9 villages are so spread out that we distribute 12.7 TONS of corn and beans in one morning at 2 main locations over 30 minutes drive apart. 447 children and 211 grandmothers who care for the children are served through this give out.  This group is our most “vulnerable” since the orphans are mostly under 8 years old with many in the 3-5 age range.  They received a food drop in late July, so this will be #2 for them. WE CAN’T THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH FOR MAKING THESE GIFTS POSSIBLE SO THAT THESE CHILDREN CAN HAVE A FUTURE. THREE NEW BABIES ADMITTED TO OUR FORMULA PROGRAM this week with one of them looking like an emaciated female version of Dixon when he first came to us. I don’t have a photo of little Sara, as we were too busy trying to save her life. (she could barely suck a bottle she was so weak when we got her yesterday) Baby Sara was born Aug. 16 and never tasted milk until yesterday!  How she survived the three weeks with only water in a baby bottle, only God knows. She was nothing more than loose skin over bones due to her severe weight loss. Her mother is only 15 and has severe mastitis in both breasts.  Her husband is also very young.   They were accompanied by the girl’s mother, who finally got them to bring the baby to us for help, and hoped it wasn’t too late. Grandma seems quite sharp and learned quickly how to mix the baby formula. Seems the young couple, who live in a small remote village about 6 miles away, didn’t know of our baby formula program, and thought the mother’s mastitis would go away on its own. So it seems we have another little fighter on our hands for sure! The family went home after mother and baby were treated at the hospital yesterday. When they come in next Thursday for their formula, I’ll be able to snap a photo for you. Sara is quite cute for sure! We’ve been told to expect company from Pemba Social Services this week, so keep us in prayer. All is ready, and we look forward to showing off our wonderful children and the great homes they live in, thanks to your generosity. Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda Melissa Olmesdahl And the Balama Staff

"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. org phone: 979-234-3422 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              979-234-3422      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 713-854-9197 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              713-854-9197      end_of_the_skype_highlightingBrenda’s Blog is Posted at: www.orphansunlimited.org/blog or SUBSCRIBE to receive the blog

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Covenant Ranch Trucking:

Delivering for the most talked about Whole Foods Co-op in America!

  

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Covenant Ranch Trucking is owned by the Wood Family. Joe and Jeanette hit the road running in 2010 and the business has been growing every since. Joe and Jeanette have 11 children and two grandchildren. Joe drives truck, trains new

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They would love to hear from you! 785-380-0034 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              785-380-0034      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or covenantranchonline@gmail.com.

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