Dec 29th Update (Looking Back)

2010 has been such an eventful year for Cornerstone. I was talking with Pastor Rogers last night on the phone and we were remembering that last year at this time, he had moved to Budaka with his family and was getting all the things in order for us to begin the orphanage. We were unsure how everything would happen. Would the money needed to begin be there? Where would we get the staff to work with the kids? How would we begin a new church? So many questions...and a picture from the Lord. He had shown what He wanted to do. We were to walk it out with Him.
I began sharing the vision with all of you, and through our prayers and financial gifts, we were able to begin. What a year it has been! Here are some highlights:

• In January we visited several area churches and told them we were taking orphans, and we would take 2 from each church. In walking around town, a woman asked us to pray for her 2-month old who had malaria and she was instantly healed by our Father.
  
• In February we held a 3-day crusade in Budaka and then began the meeting as a church with 28 people on our first Sunday (10 of those "borrowed" and 8 family members)
• On February 15th, the orphans were brought to the orphanage and we began having a large family...
• In March school began for the orphans. Dina came to visit and stayed 2 weeks.
• In April, one of you gave money to purchase a sewing machine so someone in Budaka would be able to do tailoring as a trade
• In May, I came home for 3 weeks to present the need for land and buildings. (To date, we have received well over $30,000 for this cause! Praise the Lord. Thank you for responding to Him.)
• In June we had our 2nd visitation from relatives of the kids. They brought cassava, g-nuts, guava and oranges from their homes. The church attendance was at 94.
• In July we found 4 children who had been abandoned by their mom and brought them to the orphanage. Also, Jessica and her mom came to church and God began healing Jessica from the skin disease she had had since she was 2 months old.
  
• August we began Saturday School...with 190 kids from the community
• In September, Moses contracted tuberculosis and we rushed him to the hospital in Mbale. God has completely restored him.
• In October, we had a crusade in 3 villages and in Budaka and had over 2,000 in attendance and 280 come to know Jesus as their Savior. We purchased a little over an acre of land. We also had the World Race Team come and work with us for the month.
• In November, we had over 300 children come to Saturday School. The church attendance continued to increase and now about 175 come each week. We began working with the architect for a site plan so we can begin building an orphanage building for our kids to have a permanent home.
  
• This month, the kids got to celebrate Christmas with a special meal and going to church. On the 26th, Cornerstone held a Christmas party for the community and over 200 people came and got to hear the Gospel message.
  

So many other little and big things have happened this year, but I wanted to share these with you to say let's rejoice in what God has done and is doing through Cornerstone ministries in Budaka! You all are a part as you pray and give financially. Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry that God is calling into being. What a mighty God we serve!!
I am excited for this next year as we begin a school for the community (end of January), build a home for our kids and see God do more miraculous things in Budaka. Last year at this time we had no idea how many wonderful things He would do. We believe that this next year will be the same: we can't comprehend what He has prepared for our kids and the people of Budaka in 2011.
May God bless you as you continue to listen to Him and partner with us.
In gratefulness and love,
Laurie