Jan 14th - Leavin' on a jet plane

We have only two more days here at Cornerstone before heading home to see many of you, to rest a bit (with running water and electricity - a real plus!) We are so excited to be back in America, but also so sad to be leaving these kids, Pastor Rogers and his family and our staff. For me, it's hard to leave the bakery and our new employees there.

We just passed our 3-year anniversary in Budaka. I have been so privileged to be a part of what God is doing here in Budaka. What an amazing journey we have been on. And, as we go forward from here, we know He will continue to do His work among us.

This past week:

Bicycle Training

Abby continues to take the 29 out to learn to ride the bicycle. A few have really gotten the balance thing - you have a picture of Ronald, one of our oldest boys, who is doing really well. They LOVE the bike.

New "Mom"

Angela, a young woman from a church in Mbale, has come to join our team as our girls' caretaker. She arrived yesterday and will take over day-to-day duties as a mom to our kids. I have included a picture of Angela as she interacts with our kids. She is talking to Beatrice with many of our kids looking on.

We have moved Monicah up to overseeing the children's programs (devotions 3 nights a week, allowance, surprises, bike riding times, Sunday School, etc.), as well as managing the bakery. She has been doing the kids' programs alongside Abby for the past year-and-a-half and began learning the baking back in February of 2012. She became the bakery manager on January 1 and goes to Mbale 3-4 days a week to oversee and teach Gerald to bake.

Church

We arrived at the church building on Sunday morning to find a dead chicken on the doorstep and its blood sprinkled around on the floor of the church. This is a part of the local witchcraft and is supposed to be a way of causing us to fail, to die or both. It was a great opportunity to teach our people about the power of God (1 John 4:4) and that the blood of chickens has no power in their lives. Nor do spells or charms from witchdoctors. We had a powerful Sunday morning in the presence of God.

It reminds us that not everyone is happy with God's work at Cornerstone. We have had many instances of resistance to the Kingdom of God and to our presence here over the past 3 years, but continue to see God working through us to touch this community with His love.

Kids' Home

Our kids' home is on schedule to be completed today or tomorrow. The latest part of the building project is to make a barrier against nefarious characters getting in to harm our children. You have a picture of it - broken soda bottles cemented into the top of the wall around the bathing area. Newfangled security systems not needed here ;).

I am bringing pictures of their new home to show you...and hopefully will have pictures of them moving in. They are SO excited, but don't know yet that they will be moving in very soon.

Okay, gotta get ready to head to Mbale - last day to go and help in the bakery. Then, back to Budaka to a party to say goodbye. Tonight and tomorrow will be tearful times for all of us. Thanks for praying and encouraging us in this time. I will see you all very soon. (By the way, you Oregon/Washington people, can you heat it up a little there?? It's 80 degrees here in my room at 6:45am. I think it will be a bit cool for us. Try thinking warm thoughts...)

Laurie