As I went "out back" (Ugandan euphemism for going to the latrine) the other evening, I couldn't help but think we were in Egypt instead of Uganda...and many years in the past. There were frogs everywhere in the yard! (Sometimes there are as many as 20 frogs on our front porch in the evenings.) When I got to the latrine, there were gnats galore on the walls, the floor and even on the toilet seat. Earlier in the day there had been flies in the hundreds (okay, maybe dozens) also in the latrine. So, we have 1/3 of the plagues that God brought on the people of Egypt. (And, of course, don't forget about our chickens dying last year. So, actually almost 1/2 of the plagues!) Checking jerry cans for any water that has turned to blood...
Okay, on to more serious issues.
Today was the first day of 3rd term at Cornerstone Primary Day and Boarding School. Our kids have had a great vacation time, but they are always anxious for their other friends to return for school. However, when they had to get up at 5:30am to get ready, they were not so excited ;)
Our Leadership Kids (10 of our older children who are being trained as leaders) came 3x a week during the holiday to do traditional crafts down at the visitors' side of our duplex. After their craft time on Saturday, they were playing on the sand hill outside our front door. I have included 4 pics of them playing King of the Hill. Well, the first one I asked them stand nicely so you could see them...and the 4th one was after they were tuckered out from playing and throwing each other off. Just thought you'd enjoy seeing our kids being kids!
Also on Saturday, we bring a group of 4 or 5 kids to our house for some extra-curricular fun school work. This week we had 4 of the youngest ones: Lisa, Isaac, Magdalene and Doreen. I have included 2 pictures - one where they are playing with legos and the other where Teacher Abby is reading to them. Many of you gave the Legos last year for us to bring. Thank you again for this help with learning colors, spacial relationships, sharing and talking about things you have made. Many of you also gave books for the kids to read. We let them each choose a book and then we read each of their books to all of them, pointing out words, colors, shapes and animals they may know. They LOVE to be read to...even the older kids really enjoy when either Teacher Abby or I read to them.
Thanks to all of you who pray for us. Some of you know that I have been quite sick this week...first they thought malaria, then TB. But, turns out it's "just" an acute upper respiratory infection. Glad to be able to come to Mbale today after 4 days of bed rest and 2 days of minimal activities. Thanks again for praying!
We have 2 new staff members, Noah and Jackson. They replace Guster (the "dad") and David (the cook) who has become now the night watchman. We are looking for an additional person now who can be a sales person for the bakery, who will be paid a minimal salary with commission for sales over a certain amount. I'd like to have someone in place within the next 2 weeks so we can begin training him/her. The bakery is at a juncture and with the right person can expand exponentially now.
It's time to go home and rest again, so I will say goodbye for now. Thanks to all of you who write and tell me about your lives. I love hearing what's happening in the States with all of you. Thank you, too, to all of you who support Cornerstone in so many ways. I appreciate you!
Laurie
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