Sep 6th Update

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Greetings on the first Monday in September...oh, yes, you all call this Labor Day! Here it's another Monday. I rejoice with all of you who get a holiday, though! Have a good one. Hey, maybe since you have the day off, you will email me and let me know you're alive and you really read these emails :-)

Many things to share today...as always!

On Saturday, we had our 2nd Saturday School. You may remember that the first one, in August, drew 190 children from all around Budaka. This time there was a huge rain storm (my best guess was about 8" of rain) Friday night I said to Rogers, "I don't think anyone is going to show up but our kids." He said he had been thinking the same thing, that after a storm like this parents expect their kids to "dig" the next morning because the soil is soft. We had bought enough for 400 kids, but all stuff we could use the next month. So, in the morning I walked over to the orphanage about 45 minutes before we were to begin and there were about 20 kids waiting for the start! I was greatly encouraged. We ended up having 201 kids...many more than we expected. I have included a picture of all of them playing Duck, Duck, Goose out on the lawn of Wilta Inn. They loved the game! It is a bit different to play D,D,G with 200 participants - it's a long way to run around!!
The other great thing that day - I shared the Gospel in a simple way (from the story of Nicodemus in John 3) and somewhere between 20-25 kids responded that they wanted to become Christians. Please pray with us that they get grounded in the church family and in God's Word. Just think, because you are praying and giving to this work, another 25 people have come to know Christ! Thanks for partnering with us.

Then on Sunday morning I got to church and there were already 26 kids there from Saturday - they were early and ready for Sunday School. We ended up having 73 kids yesterday for church and 53 adults. I have been developing teams to work with the kids and we currently have 6 teams of 2 people each who rotate every 6 weeks. The 2 who worked with them yesterday, Jennifer and Peace, had a great time and said they work next week if I wanted them to. Those of you who have taught Sunday School, imagine 73 kids, 2 workers and in a room that is about 20' x 20'. So much for having the optimum of 35 sq ft per child, and 1 teacher for every 7 children. Ha!

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At the end of church, a group of about 10 kids from Saturday School (and Sunday School) were hanging out when Rogers and I got ready to leave. As we walked out, they followed us. (Remember that we have a 3/4 mile walk home - no car here!) They kept walking right behind us as we talked about the service and the kids who had come, then one of the girls (about 10 years old) reached up and took my hand, then another and another took our hands till all 10 kids and Rogers and I were walking hand in hand back home. Rogers asked (none of them speak English except to say "Hello, how are you?") where they were from. They come from a village about 2 miles away. They walked to church and were on their way home, but wanted to walk with the pastors. They walked us to our house and then continued on their way home. It was really touching to me and we got to share much love with them.

There is so much else I want to share, but time is running short, so I will just give you the bare bones of the next couple of things.

1. The other picture is of a moth that was in my room the other day. Just thought it was beautiful and amazing with the geometric shapes on the wings.
2. We are having a crusade the 2nd week of October...2 days in Budaka and 3 in surrounding villages. Please pray that many will hear and respond to God's love for them.
3. We will be buying land within the next 2 weeks and are meeting with 2 builders next Monday to begin to develop plans for the land we are buying. Thanks to those of you who have taken up the $1,000 challenge. thanks to those of you who are continuing to pray that God gives us His grace to help more orphans and the people of Budaka. 
4. We have a team from World Race coming in October. There are 7 people staying with us for almost a month. They will be helping with the crusade (door to door evangelism, being at the crusade services, etc.), working with the kids (in art and music and many other things), helping clean up Budaka (picking up litter all around town), helping clear land (we are trusting we will be at that point when they are here), and everything else we can think of for them to do.
5. I will be coming home mid-November to mid-December with Rogers so together we can see schools, churches, orphanages, etc. and develop a bigger picture of what God can do here in Budaka. Please be in prayer about this time. If you know of one of these places which you think would be good for us to visit, please email and let me know as I will be putting together a schedule very soon for that time. We will be in Oregon, Washington and California (Bay Area). We would love to meet with as many of you as possible also who are available. First come first serve. 

So much to share and so little space! Hope you made it all the way through this email. I so appreciate your participating in the Gospel here in Budaka! We pray for you...and I know you are praying for us! May the Lord bless you today.

In His grace and mercy,
Laurie