July 11th - Update from the Post Office

(sorry, pictures did not make it through)

It's one of those Uganda days...electricity is off in Budaka (4 times yesterday off and on, this morning definitely was off!), on in certain places here in Mbale, but internet is off in the places I could use the electricity. The battery of my computer died about 3 weeks ago and so it has to be plugged in to use it (Abby said it's like carrying around a desktop computer all the time!) and the place I found that the internet is working (the post office) doesn't have any extra plugs for the computer. I am pretty sure the pictures I put on my flash drive (just in case something like this happened) will not load quickly enough,. but we will see. Ah, Uganda!

I am asking you to pray for Rogers as he got quite sick this weekend and was tested - he has typhoid. The recovery period is 1-2 weeks, but with the antibiotics he is already back on his feet and even came to Mbale today. But the fever keeps coming back. As those who partner with us in so many ways, would you also partner in praying for him today and in these next few days? Thank you.

Friday night we had Johnson and Joel. I have attached a picture of them in our front room. Both were such a joy! Joel is new, so doesn't understand so much English, but Johnson was right there to interpret. They were great fun. We have about 4 more Friday nights to get to all the kids...and then we'll take a break for awhile and have Friday nights free again. But, of course, will miss this special time with the children individually.

We finally have our 30th child at the orphanage - this is the size we can grow to at our present facilities. And the 30th is someone many of you have heard about in these emails. His name is Mutwahiru, and he is now one of our Cornerstone kids! He is fitting right in and the boys told me he was dancing for them last night. Amazing since he is on crutches and just had surgery a few weeks ago. Anyway, we're very excited to have him with us. The children have received him well and are helping him get used to all the Cornerstone ways of doing things. I have included (I hope) a picture of Mutwahiru with Uncle Geofrey, the dad of the boys. I do hope the pictures attach. If not, I will send them when the internet is better next week.

I wanted to share one Margret-ism (she's probably 5) from this past week. She is precocious and keeps all of us on our toes! We saw some birds flying overhead in a v-formation and she said, "Pastor Laurie! Look at the birds up there. They are in a line!" I agreed with her, and then she said, "When they defecate [yes, that's the word they use here!], it looks like guacamole on your head."

Now, you have to know that every Friday night when the kids (2 at a time) come to spend the night at our house, we make chipati chips and guacamole as an "American" meal for them...with some other things, of course. Anyway, they help me make guacamole and with the exception of one child, they have all loved it...even Margret. They like smashing the avocado and mixing the tomatoes and onions in in. She was just expounding on the obvious way it looks!

Hopefully next week I will be able to send the list of great things God has done here in the first year and a half. Was hoping to today, but alas, I can't get it off my computer for reasons stated above. I do want you all to have it and see how God has used your love and support for our kids.

We have a team coming in August...in about 5 weeks (yes, you Sunnyside young people and adults, we are excited about having you here so soon!!!) and we are so happy to get to see some more American faces for a couple of weeks. They will be doing 2 camps - one with our kids and kids in the Budaka area and one in Kabuna, a village about 3 miles from here. Please be in prayer for the team and the children who will be coming - 100 per camp.

God bless you all...please stay in touch!

Laurie