Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, August 10, 2012

Date: August 10, 2012 8:40:52 AM CDT





I PASSED THE WRITTEN DRIVER’S TEST IN PORTUGUESE!!!!

Got the word late yesterday afternoon that I’ll soon be called to do the driving test.

Thanks for your prayers on my behalf.



BURN VICTIM FROM LAST SUNDAY GIVEN EMERGENCY TRANSFER TO MAJOR HOSPITAL TODAY

As I was writing this, Leona Phillips and her interpreter, Rafique, came in from our Balama hospital where they have been praying for the sick.

They found little 6 year old DOLLAR, abandoned for the 2nd time this week. (Tuesday he was left by his father the whole day without food and was given a meal and a place to sleep by Dominica, our woman’s pastor.) The father returned late that evening, and was counselled the next day by our staff to not do that again.

Today, when Dollar’s mother turned critical, he was once again left behind by his father.

Rafique brought him to us, and we placed him in our “little boys’ dorm” at Assaias house. He seemed right at home and was thrilled to get another set of clothes and a REAL BED to sleep in. I don’t think he’s ever slept in a bed before, much less had new clothes to wear.

On top of it all, he’s got a harsh cough and an upper respiratory infection, which we immediately treated him for.

Pray for his mother to heal quickly, because these 2 little boys need their Mom’s love for sure.



GOD GAVE US A MOZAMBICAN CHRISTIAN FOR A TRUCK DRIVER TODAY

I am super excited, as I asked the Lord specifically for a Christian truck driver who would be long term.
Yesterday, both my Office manager, Capena, and my truck driver, Manuel heard that a good truck driver, who lives in Balama, was looking for a job.

His story is confirmed by my staff that he left his job because the truck owner wouldn’t pay him after 60 days of driving. This is very common in Mozambique. I know construction crews who have waited 3-4 months before being paid.



Janito Venacio, 28, showed us his commercial driver’s license and started driving today. (Hard to get this license, and costs over $600 here in Moz.)

Driving our 6 ton truck with Manuel sitting beside him, he delivered a load of construction supplies and picked up a load of firewood in the bush.

He needs some practice with the tractor, but it looks very probable that he will become a permanent member of our “family” here in Balama.

He is very grateful for a job with us because he knows we always pay on time. He has a 2 week old baby as well as a 3 and 5 year old at home with his wife.

He’s a member of the Assembly of God church, and he found Jesus only 9 months ago. He didn’t have a Bible, so he left today with a day’s wages as well as a Bible and a hand full of teaching tracts.



ROOFS GOING UP ON FIRST 2 ORPHAN HOUSES!

The roofers will complete the 36 foot (11 meter) long roof on the girl’s dorm tomorrow.

The foster parent’s roof will be completed by next Friday.

All is coming along really fast, as we only started these 2 houses last week of June!

Lots of finishing work to do, but with a 19 man brick layer crew, it should go quickly.

The “20 year” latrine pit was also dug and bricked in this week.

God is really helping us to accelerate this project and the children are excited about their new house that should be finished in early September.



BIG BAD BULLY BILLY GOAT has been sold.

Calsa, the baby whose leg he broke, is mending very nicely. I removed the splint today and the fracture is already stable.

He’s already comfortable with his foot resting on the ground when he is standing still and it’s only been a week.

All “kids” heal quickly (both the 2 legged and the 4 legged kind).



Blessings,

Bush Bunny Brenda and Leona Phillips

Linda flew home yesterday and should be in North Carolina by now.

Another small bag

I really like these smaller tote bags and will be adding them to the medium and large ones I already make.

Laundry mat

I have started having to wash our clothes at the laundry mat because the rust in the water here is so bad that it makes all our clothes look dirty and dingy.  I did make my own laundry soap and fabric softener so that will help a little bit.
When I go to the laundry mat I use the large washers that hold 3 loads of wash and only put 2 loads in them.  I save 75 cents doing that and that pays for the drying which costs about 50 cents each double load to dry.  The prices are fair at least at this local laundry mat although I am not impressed with the cleanliness.
I usually bring some kind of hand work to do while I sit and wait such as embroidery or crochet.  I also like to people watch.

 Last time there was a gal there with the words w h i t e  p o w e r down the side of her leg.  She was with another white gal who was with a black man.  Didn't make sense to me but ok.  The other gal (I hesitate to call either of them ladies) lifted her blouse so the guy could see what size bra she wore.  I don't know if she was going to search through the washers to find new bras or what.  It seemed to me it could of waited until they got home or at least to the car, after all, there was no bra shopping to be had in the laundry mat.

Our new house has its own well and a water treatment system so hopefully we wont have rust in the water there.

We are adopting

Since we are buying a house we decided we need a dog.  The yard is fenced already and there is a room that is all tile with a baby gate.  Also there are wild animals who might come into the yard and he can chase them away.

Now we just need a name for him.  Isnt he adorable?

Smaller tote bag

One of my customers wanted a smaller tote than I usually make.  It turned out really cute.  Its about a foot wide and high without the straps.

Home Canned Chocolate Syrup

Home Canned Chocolate Syrup


3c. water 2 c. corn syrup ( or make your own- 1 part water 2 parts sugar, honey, etc) 2 c. sugar 1 c. cocoa 1 tsp. salt 2 Tblsp vanilla Bring to boil-cook 3 minutes then add vanilla. Makes about 6-1/2 pints, waterbath 15 min.

Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"

Subject: Blog, Sunday August 5, 2012

Date: August 5, 2012 6:49:50 AM CDT

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

Our Namara church was a lively one with much praise and dancing today as 80 + people attended. SIX attendees were youth from the Jesus Film showing.

But obedience brought forth the “ wonderful happening” that you are about to read about.


At 6a.m. this morning, my guards and I were picking up a sacks of corn and beans for ZITO, the little boy with the cripple leg in Namara, when I felt the Lord impressed on me to take an extra bag of corn and some beans plus plates, pans, and cups for a widow I would meet at the church. I had no idea who it was, and said nothing to Pastor Alberto who went with me today. At the salvation invitation, a woman came forward to accept Christ and was accompanied by 4 little girls. I was told they had just arrived from Beira, a city 500 miles away. Both parents of these 4 girl, ages 2 to 10, had died and this woman, their aunt, was the only living relative. She was staying with the chief of the village, who told her about us and our church. It was not hard to tell that the “aunt” was totally overwhelmed with this new responsibility. This precious family of orphaned girls were given the food and all our gifts and the aunt was totally taken by surprise. It was a great testimony when I told the church how important it is to be “obedient” when God speaks to you about something. God knew this family was in need and heard their prayers long before I even knew they existed. The relief on the aunt’s face was the only thanks needed.
ZITO GETTING STRONGER!

In fact, he is crawling on all fours, exercising, and gaining weight, thanks to the high protein diet he now eats. He is determined to walk, and truly believes that Jesus will heal him as he does what he can to get stronger. He says he is ready to try the small, light-weight crutches that Eric donated to him.

So next week, we will take them and teach him how to use them.
ON TO THE PEQUARIA CHURCH

After the Namara church, we dropped in on the end of the service for the Pequaria church, just 4 miles away.

Pastor Tomas introduced me to a new believer, who had just moved from Namara with his family. But the wife was very ill as fell into their cook fire on Friday during an epileptic attack. This family with 2 little boys has nothing but a few rags on their backs. I grabbed my backpack and we walked immediately to their hut to visit and pray for her.

One look at her 2nd and 3rd degree burns covering her right arm and hand, told me nothing I had in my bag of medicine would help. The husband agreed to let us take all of them to the Balama hospital, so we loaded her up and off we went, as her wound is badly infected. We left her at the emergency room getting the proper treatment, and then turned our attention to the father and children. By this time, the 2 year old was crying with hunger. Food, blankets, and a mat to sleep on were provided and now this father and his children will stay under the “waiting tree” where all those who have family in the hospital sit and visit. We will visit them daily for prayer and emotional support until she is healed.
More next week, so stay tuned as this Jesus saga never ends.

Blessings from Bush Bunny Brenda and Linda Stanley
P.S. Linda needs prayer coverage for her travels from Balama back to the USA. She leaves Tuesday and will be in the USA by Thursday.
Leona will also be traveling back to Balama with me on that Wednesday.

Hand sewing and laundry

I enjoy looking at these old pictures.  Not only do they tell a story of a time gone by but they remind me of how blessed I am.  When I think I have it hard or my home isn't what I want it to be these pictures remind me that I have it very well off indeed.

I still hang my wash to dry.  Jeff doesnt like his clothes dried in a dryer either.

Missionary update

From: "Brenda Lange"


Subject: Blog, August 3, 2012

Date: August 3, 2012 8:15:50 AM CDT



BULLY BILLY BLUDGEONS BALAMA BABY



BABY GOAT CRUNCHED BY BIG BAD BULLY GOAT

Little “Calca” (“CAL-SA”means pants in Portuguese) is now 4 months old. He loves people and has been a friendly “nibbler” on anyone’s pants who enters our corral.

Thus His name: Calca. Yesterday, I was called to attend to his FRACTURED left back leg. The little guy was drinking milk from his Mom when our HUGE 90 lb. (45kg) Billy Goat decided HE wanted to mate with the Mom who was in heat. The Billy rammed the baby with his horns, knocking him down, as the mother ran, and then crunched his little leg with his huge horns, breaking it clean through on the lower leg. He laid quietly while I splinted it. I even offered him by skirt to “nibble on” but he wasn’t interested. He’ll be fine, as he hops well on 3 legs, and will be carried out daily by one of our 3 goat herders, so he can be with the herd while they graze. I’m sure the simple break will mend since he is so young. BIG BAD BILLY GOAT will be sold ASAP. He’s getting very aggressive as a 3 year old, and it’s time he finds a home with someone in the bush.



MANGO TREE CHURCH IN MAVALA HOSTS 1st 2012 FOOD DISTRUTION

FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR Orphans and Widows from infants to grandmothers, converged on the Mango Tree Church today to receive life-saving corn and beans as well as soap and Iodized salt to assist them in living healthier lives. It was reunion time with many that I haven’t seen since last December. All looked healthy except the 75 newcomers just added to the group. The gospel was preached and the physical needs met.

THIS is “love in action”.

That is what Jesus is all about!



FIVE NEW BABIES RECEIVED THIS WEEK

2 sets of twins and 1 single birth baby were all admitted to our baby rescue program on Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks to your love gifts, these babies will not perish from lack of baby formula.

Capena, my office manager, spent Wednesday searching the town of Montepuez for baby formula. His hard work reaped 122 cans of formula.

Presently we have 10 babies under 3 months of age and 13 ages 3-6 months who are dependent on formula.

THANK YOU for helping us save the lives of these innocent ones.



Eric is now in RSA enjoying his grandkids.

I’ll be doing the Airport shuffle on Wed. this week, as:

Linda Stanley flies out to the USA.

Leona Phillips from RSA will return to us the same day to submit her documents for residency.

Leona and I will “hold down the fort” till middle of Sept. when Eric returns.



Blessings,

Bush Bunny Brenda and Linda in Balama

Go Courtney

Last evening Courtney went to town with Mollie.  Pretty soon I got a phone call asking the length of each piece of fabric for the pillowcases.  She came home with enough fabric to make two more pillowcases.  Here is the end result.  I think this girl has talent.  She finished both of these up in just a few hours.  Now she wants to learn the X stitch in embroidery.  Today is the last day at mema camp and this girl is getting her moneys worth.  What a girl.  Go Courtney.

She has done an amazing job and completed several projects in the week she has been here, I am so proud of her.

This is the tea towel Courtney embroidered and hemmed.

Knitting, gardening and relocation

Homewoven dress and rug, Westmoreland Homesteads, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Westmoreland homesteader wearing dress of cloth woven herself on homestead looms and working on rug woven by her homestead loom... c. 1936

"Homegrown food is homegrown wealth. The foresighted farmer makes a garden plan showing what to plant, when to plant, and when to make second plantings. The plan shows how to cultivate and keep the garden free of weeds, and what poison spray to use to kill the insects that might eat up the vegetables. A garden is meant to feed the family, not the bugs and worms" ~~1936

Example of self-resettlement in California. Oklahoma farm family on highway between Blythe and Indio. Forced by the drought of 1936 to abandon their farm, they set out with their children to drive to California. Picking cotton in Arizona for a day or two at a time gave them enough for food and gas to continue. On this day, they were within a day's travel of their destination, Bakersfield, California. Their car had broken down en route and was abandoned

I am thankful I have a better jar lifter than this lady had.

This is the way we wash our clothes

Washing clothes

Sewing a pillowcase

Courtney learned how to sew a pillowcase today.  She learned to sew a french seam too.  In the pillowcase all seams are finished, there are no raw edges.  This is Courtney's first sewing project.

Sewing a french seam.

The finished pillow case.

Oh so soft.  My first sewing project. 

Canning meat

     Debbie S. left a comment on my last post that she had never heard of canning meats.  I thought I would write a little post about my experience of canning meat.  Its fabulous.  So much better than store bought canned meat.  Its also a way to spread your eggs out, in other words don't have all your eggs in one basket.  I have some meat frozen and some meat canned.  That way I should have it covered if something happens to the electric or so on.

     I personally have canned pork, chicken, beef, bacon, taco meat, meat loaf, meat balls, chili with meat and sloppy joes.  Just last night I opened a can of cubed pork I had canned and poured off the juice and added salsa and warmed it up.  We ate it on taco shells, its such an easy tasty and quick meal.

     I cold pack my meats and do not add liquid generally, the sloppy joes and meatballs I did add tomato sauce with some brown sugar in it.  All meat has to be pressure canned.  If you are canning meat and dont quite have a pressure canner load full, can some beans for more quick meals.  I also do not cook the beans first.  If you look under canning you should be able to find the bean canning method.  I forgot about that the other day when I canned the taco meat and sloppy joes, I could of canned a pint or two of beans, shoot.

     If you have never canned meat and you find a good deal on some and have a pressure canner, give it a go, you will be glad you did.

Edited to add:  I do cook my ground meat before I can it.  I have been told that if you dont do that it will form a huge lump in the jar that is almost impossible to get out.  When I made the meatballs we put them in a 9x13 pan and cooked them almost done on the grill, then I canned them.  The sloppy joe meat, chili meat and taco meat I cooked in a pan with the desired spices.