Aug 23rd Update

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As always, I have many more things to share than will fit in one email (at least one that you will read all the way through  ). But here are some highlights from this past week:

On Friday, we hired a taxi to take us to each of the children's homes. We took to each "family" 2 loaves of bread (a great treat in Uganda which some of these families would not be able to have but once a year or so), 2 packets of tea and 2 kilos of sugar (another treat). In addition we took a small packet of cookies (called biscuits here) to our kids. It was wonderful and exhausting - we visited all 14 homes in about 9 hours. There was lots of walking (most don't live where we can drive in, so we would drive as close as possible and then walk into their homes). Most of the children ran towards us, very excited to see us. It was a merry time! A couple were more reticent to receive us, especially the younger ones who were getting reconnected to cousins and aunts and uncles. I have attached a picture of David's house. You can see 2 of his siblings. I took pictures at each child's house, but wanted you to see this house - it is about 10'x10' and the family is (as far as I could determine from that day) 8 people without David there. (David's mother made him go and bathe and get his "Cornerstone" clothes on before he could come and greet us.) They are probably the poorest of the families, but when we were getting ready to leave, she bowed and tried to give Rogers Shs1,000=/ (about 50 cents) as a gift for all that we have done for their family. Both of us were moved to tears and steadfastly refused her offer.
At other homes, we were given chickens (my first time to hold a live chicken) - 9 in all, g-nuts (about 50 kilos total) and a sack of oranges. People are very generous with their produce and livestock. We actually had to go home 1/2 way through just to make room in the car for more things!

The kids come back today after lunch - we're so excited to have them back, but know that some will be adjusting to being back with school and different rules than at home. We are praying for their adjustment - please pray with us.

The 2nd picture is Rogers' family (minus Betty, his wife, who had gotten car sick and was not standing with us) at Bujagali Falls on the Nile River where we went for a family day on Thursday. They are, from the left, Enoch (13), me, Prossy (15), Rogers, Samantha (8), Prosper (5), Mary (18 - half hidden behind Rogers), Hope (6 months) and Peace (15). The 3 older girls are relatives that Rogers and Betty have taken in and are raising and schooling. We had a wonderful day together (aside from Betty and Peace getting car sick) and taught the children much about the geography of Uganda, the Nile River and many things about the villages, tribes and languages we encountered along the way there. We were about 100km from Budaka in Jinja where the source of the Nile is.

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I accidentally sent off the email without finishing it...thanks to the Uganda banking system. I realize that doesn't make sense, but if you were in Uganda, you would understand. Another long story (about 3 months long!) that is not worth the words to tell you. Suffice it to say I was angry and hit the wrong button...to send instead of to save.

So, the rest of the stories from this week:

There is a woman at church (everyone calls her "the old woman") who every week asks for prayer, as well as things like sugar, windows for her house, clothing, medicine, etc. (Dina, you will remember her!) This Sunday, after praying for her, she called Rogers and I over and presented a gift to me. I was blown away - she has very little money and is always asking for things. She had wrapped it in some kind of gift wrap (with no tape) and told me, through Rogers' translation, that she had bought this for me and knew that I would know what to do with it. She said I could do whatever the Lord asked me to with it. I was touched that someone with so little wanted to give from her little bit (remind you of any Bible stories?). The gift was a black and gold blouse - in this culture a very beautiful ("smart") item. My heart was and is touched by her generosity.

There was a new woman yesterday at church. She sat next to me. She came in quite late and was crawling up the 3 stairs into the church. Her legs are twisted and she is unable to use her feet. She drags them behind wherever she goes. She is from Kabuna, a village about 5km (3 miles) from Budaka. She got up yesterday to come to church and crawled all the way. She is a Christian and is having some family problems and heard that there were people at Cornerstone that would pray for her family. We did pray for her. Rogers asked if I had some money so we could pay her transport back to the village so she did not have to crawl, and of course that is exactly what we did. She really touched my heart also.

We had 62 adults and 39 kids yesterday - our kids were still gone to their home villages. We now have the children begin the service in their own room as there is not enough room in the "sanctuary" for all of us to sit. They enjoy it much more :-).

Okay, now I have finished, but I also attached a picture of a beautiful flower I saw as we were coming to Oliver's house. Rogers told me the plant also has a kind of berry on it that he ate as a child. I just loved the colors and shape of this. Anyone know the name of it?

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Okay, sorry again about sending 2 emails, but at least you got an extra picture!
Love you all - thanks to all of you who are continuing to support Cornerstone on a monthly basis. You are making the difference between life and death for these kids...and the people of Budaka. Thank you! And, thanks to all of you who have taken up the $1,000 challenge and have let me know what you are doing. We are greatly encouraged and will be purchasing land soon.

God bless you!

Laurie