Missionary update oct. 12, 2013

Bush Beat BlogF From: "Brenda Lange" Subject: Blog, Oct. 12, 2013 Date: October 12, 2013 8:01:44 AM CDT CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER! Means “DE BEAR” IS BACK! Eric Dry, better known as the “Bush Bear” by his children, arrived late Wednesday with a truck and trailer loaded with “impossible to get” supplies. His journey from Johannesburg, S. Africa to Balama took 6 days. It’s only 1,500 miles (2,500km) by road, but “the only road that comes here” has more holes than Swiss cheese in some areas. The military convoy is still functioning in the middle of Moz. due to bandit attacks in that area. That causes a delay, as they only have 2 convoys a day. Eric caught it at the right time this trip so only had a short delay. However, the convoy of trucks and pick-ups was 7.2 miles/12 km long, and moved very slowly. We are very happy to have him back, and have spent 3 days unloading, unpacking, sorting, and organizing the supplies in the afternoons after completion of our daily programs with the kids. Does tend to help one sleep better at night since we all fell into bed last night, totally exhausted. EVA GETS A DOLL Our little Eva is very happy with her new "baby doll". EVA, now 14, has been a member of our family since she was 2 years old. Due to a difficult birth, she had many seizures as well as cerebral palsy. By the time she was 3, God supernaturally healed her and the seizures have never returned. Because of her brain damage, no one thought she would ever talk, much less sing, lead in the children’s choir at church, attend pre-school, learn TWO languages, jump, run, and play! Last week, while driving past Eva’s mud hut, I saw her playing with a LARGE stuffed doll that belonged to a neighbourhood girl. I immediately told our sewing master, who made her one just like it. It’s twice the size of the other dolls, and just right for Eva to carry around. She happily poses with her new “baby”. BABY CHITO GETS HELPING HAND Baby Chito took to a baby bottle without hesitation. Baby Chito is 2 months old, and only weighs 1.8 kg (3.96 lbs). That’s .5 lbs (.2kg) LESS than his birth weight. This being a first time mother mother, Laurinda didn’t understand that her breasts were drying up. A neighbour in Rovuma finally brought her to us so she could receive life-saving baby formula for Chito. Chito took to a baby bottle without hesitation, as he’d already figured out the “other system” wasn’t working anymore. Laurinda, is also severely malnourished, as she was trying to survive on local roots and leaves. She left with a smile on her face, and her hands full of high protein food for her and Chito. YOUR LOVE GIFTS SAVE LIVES EACH WEEK HERE, as we are now in the severe dry season when very little grows, and water becomes a highly valued commodity. THANK YOU for allowing us to be Jesus’ hands and feet here in Mozambique. Only through spreading HIS LOVE, will the world ever change. MANGO TREE CHURCH--FOOD DISTRIBUTION This group from Mavala are a special bunch... We had a great time on Friday giving out food to over 400 orphans and widows from 7 remote villages. Just wanted you to see some of the widows who receive your love gifts. This group in front of me are a tough bunch, who survived the civil war which started in Mozambique in the early 1960’s. To have survived a 32 year war takes a lot of “know how”. I take my hat off to these courageous men and women. They were also some of the first to respond when we brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to “THE MANGO TREE CHURCH”. Off to a busy week, as all our kids are taking SCHOOL FINALS! Our school year starts in late January and ends Oct. 28th. Next 6 weeks is preparation time for the “rainy season” in November, as we still have 5 food distributions in Balama District, as well as 3 left in Meluco District. Our truck team leaves Monday for Meluco with another load of life saving corn, and they will also be repairing 2 water wells that are out of order. Water is so scarce in Meluco District, that most wells are pumped 24 hours a day during the 6 dry months each year. HIGH maintenance is needed to keep them all functioning. THANKS TO DALE MEINDERTSMA’s Ministry, Eric was able to purchase the needed water well parts as he passed through Nampula this week. JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER, and without HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS, NO ONE WOULD RECEIVE HIS GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. It is an honor and a privilege to serve Him daily here among the wonderful people of Mozambique. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO SPREAD HIS LOVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD. Blessings to all of you! BUSH BUNNY BRENDA AND THE BALAMA TEAM ERIC DRY MELISSA OLMESDAHL