Feb 8th Update

Greetings, Friends!
The school has been going now for a week and 2 days and things are going well. More children have been coming each day. Our kids are really enjoying having other children with whom to interact, the teachers are getting settled into their new jobs and there is a lot more activity around Cornerstone!
Peter is doing well - his arm is healing. He was playing with some of the kids on Sunday, though, and the arm got knocked and he was in a lot of pain. Those of you who have had broken arms or legs can relate, I'm sure!
The first picture I have included is of several of our kids peeling matooke. (You can see Moses sitting on the mat in the foreground - he is not peeling matooke!) This is a skill that they must learn as matooke is one of the primary foods they will eat. They peel the green bananas, which are put in a large pot and boiled for about 2 hours, then mashed to be eaten. I peeled it one time - very sticky! It's like having sap on your hands. It was very hard to get off.
The second picture is one which Rogers took when he had just told the children he was going to send a picture for all of you to see. As you can see, they love the thought that you will get to see them! Kids in the picture are, from left: Christine, Charity, Vanessa, one of the new school girls, Oliver and in the shade is Isaac.
The election is next week, Feb 18th. The government has asked all secondary schools to be closed for the week in case there is violence. They have not required it of primary schools (like ours), but Rogers said some of the parents will be keeping their children at home during the week for fear of violence. Our kids are safe, and if it looks like that changes, Rogers and the staff will take them out to one of the remote villages where they will be away from any violence. Please be in prayer that there will be peace and the election will be held fairly and all parties will lay down their animosity and get behind the person who is elected as president.
A reminder of places and dates if you would like to see more pictures/videos and hear more of what's happening at Cornerstone. Just email if you would like to know times and locations.

Feb 17 - Hillsboro, OR
Feb 20 - Vancouver, WA
Feb 27 - Burley, ID
Mar 6 - Hillsboro, OR
Mar 13 - Olympia, WA
Mar 20 - Eugene, OR

Thank you all for your prayer and financial support - you are making a difference in the lives of these children, and many in Budaka. God bless you!
Laurie