Jun 7th Update

Click to enlarge

So, this time it's been a week since I wrote...and since I've been able to get to the internet. So much happening - let's see if I can catch you up:
Last Monday I wrote about the mice in my room. The poison worked on one of the mice, and thankfully it didn't die in my room. But, it did die in the house and the smell was atrocious after a day or so. We finally found it (in Betty and Rogers' room) and now the smell is better. The other mouse jumped into a cabela (plastic bag) and I asked Prossy to take it outside, so it is now living in a better place. And I haven't heard them for 5 nights or so. BUT...
That brings me to the next living creature story. Last Monday night I went over to sit with the kids during devotions, but was too late and didn't want to disrupt, so I went into my office. From there I decided to go back to the house and get my ironing (has to be done on my desk in the office). As I left, I closed the large iron door (all are like that here) and it was really hard to close, but I kept pushing until I could get the padlock on. I got my ironing, returned, opened the door and went and hung my ironing on the hook. Turned around to close the door and saw something out of place. Come to find out it was a snake that had been caught between the door and the cement step. I had apparently squished it when closing the door the first time. It was only about a foot long, maybe a little longer. But I called Rogers and asked him what I should do with it - it looked lifeless. He said he would be right over. He came and said it was still alive...and it that it is a poisonous snake. AAACCCKKKK! I want to come home. (Just for the moment, I'm okay now, one week later.) He got a stick and smashed it's guts out, then threw it far away. So, my daughter was in Uganda for over 1 year and never saw a snake. I've seen 2 in 4 months. Not fair! And, let me tell you, I use a light everywhere at night now...and look at where my feet are going at all times.
Last Thursday, the 3rd, was Uganda Martyrs' Day. It commemorates 22 people who were burned alive because they would not denounce their faith. This happened in 1886. So, it's a holiday and the kids were off school - I got to spend some good time with them during the day and we had the turkey (offering from last week!) and juice (koolaid). The kids were so jazzed about the meal, and I talked to them about the people who loved God so much that they were willing to give up their lives. Interesting to teach them about their country's history - no one else who was around knew the whole story. They were interested in what I was saying also. I learned it from the newspaper that day. (Rogers does know the story, but was out of town that day.)
Special thanks to the kids from Abby's Sunday School class at ECC. You guys wrote letters to each of the children and staff at Cornerstone and made videos for them. They were so excited!! I have sent videos of Cornerstone kids greeting all of you - sent it off this morning. It hopefully will make it there in the next couple of weeks. The kids LOVED getting letters from you. They are not yet able to write well enough to send messages back (except Brenda, who wrote to McKenna), but hopefully within a year or so they will be able to write back.
The picture you have is of the kids in formation for the start of school last Tuesday morning. They start this way each day and get general instructions for the day, work on something that all of them can do, etc. That's the time Rogers and I will go and talk and give encouragement or correction (more of the former!!) to the kids. They stand in 3 lines (sort of...) and seem to enjoy the time.
Okay, so much more I could say about this week, but don't want to bore you. Will write more next week...or perhaps this Friday or Saturday - there is overnight prayer at the church across the street, so I will be coming to spend the night in Mbale :-).
Thanks for all your love, prayer, support and emails. I feel encouraged and loved...and ready to march back to Budaka (well, actually we will take a taxi) and continue in the ministry God has called all of us to there.
Love you all!
Laurie