Jun 28th Update

Wow - I can't believe it's less than a week to the 4th. I still feel like I am in the same season as when I got here since the weather doesn't change much...and the light thing - only 12 hours per day of daylight. Always makes me feel like I am in winter time. Such a conflict inside me...winter or summer???
Well, today, I am much later writing to you as we had a visitation for families of our orphans this morning, so didn’t get to Mbale till quite a bit later. We have planned these for the last Monday every other month. The kids were so excited to see their guardians! The first picture you have is of our 4 kids who are from one family with their mother and grandfather. The kids' names are, from the left, Margret, Peter, John and Dovico - the ones in uniforms. Their mom is on the far left, 2 sisters are between John and Dovico and their grandfather on the right. This is the mom who had 7 children and her husband died in November. She is illiterate and only feeds her family what she can grow, then sells the little that is left to get $ for soap for washing. So, she was unable to continue feeding her family and asked us to take 4 of them. Today was the first time I have met the grandfather - he is their father's father.
The 2nd picture is of food that the kids’ guardians brought for us – there is maize, guava, oranges (they’re green here), G-nuts (like peanuts only smaller), cassava (a root starch vege, like potato). At the back of the picture is charcoal for our charcoal stove and in front of that is potatoes, both of which were already in the store room. The guardians were and are SO thankful for what we are doing with their children. I greeted them from all of you and told them there are people in the States who are loving their children. They all started clapping. I told them you see pictures of their kids each week.
The sad part of the morning was for Hellen, whose guardians did not come. We found out that her grandmother died yesterday and the burial is today so no one could come see her. She was the only child who did not have a visitor - we tried to make it up to her, but it just isn't the same! Please pray that the Lord will guard her heart from this heartache. Hopefully someone from the family will come and see her before the next visitation day.
The children are doing well - everyone is fairly healthy. We have a couple with ringworm and a few headaches here and there (theirs, not ours!), but other than that everyone is well. Our nurse, ironically, is sick and has been for a week or so. She has malaria (so common here...and deadly in some cases). Please pray that God will heal her. Her name is Mary.
Yesterday at church we had 49 adults and 45 kids - we're so evenly split between adults and kids! - and had a great time worshiping and hearing the Word. We led the congregation also in prayers for Uganda. For those of you who don't know, 2011 is an election year here and there are very heated exchanges and threats to various people for political views. Please pray with us for peace in Uganda.
Last night I had the sweetest thing - I often will sit on one of the benches and have the children come over and sit down. I rub their backs and talk with them. Well, last night, Charles came and sat next to me and started rubbing my back and said, "I love you, Pastor Laurie." It was so sweet to see he had internalized the affection and was doing it back to me. Brought me to tears - so sweet!
Okay, better go now, but please know that we pray for you. Thank you for your prayer, financial and email support. You all are the greatest. So nice to know there are others doing this work with me.
Laurie

BTW - many have asked, so let me tell you, I have not seen another snake. HALLELUJAH! May it be so for the rest of my days...

Jun 22nd Update

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So, I came to Mbale and wrote an email yesterday, but as they say here, the internet "refused." So, here I am again today to try and send it. Power is off on one side of the street, but I am on the other at a new internet cafe. Oh, Uganda!
So, here's your Monday email...1 day late:


Hey, Everyone!

It's Monday afternoon here (early Monday on the west coast) and here I am in the internet cafe once again. It's been an interesting day already...

This morning we had to deal with the staff about "tribalism." Some who are of the Bugwele tribe (those who are from the Budaka area) are talking bad and excluding those from Buganda (from the west of Uganda) and others I can't remember the names of. Who'd have known? Sounds like things that happen in the States (on church staffs at least - maybe not at your work). Anyway, we shared the Kingdom concept of being in unity regardless of the tribe (from Galatians 3 and 1 Corinthians 1) and there were tears - unfortunately not of repentance, but of anger that we would call them on this. Please pray for us as we walk through this. We told them that this ministry is just beginning, but it must be built on unity of purpose and the Spirit. Makes me realize we need to teach the children this concept. They are all Bugwele, so we have to introduce NOW to this next generation. Rogers says this whole thing is very common here and causes lots of problems around the country. There are 40 different tribes in Uganda...a country the size of the state of Oregon.

Re: pictures: The first picture is of Brother Stephen who is making chapatti. He has made the dough and the balls which then are rolled out flat (with the rolling pin – sitting in front of the tray of dough balls - Mom, these always remind me of your rolls before they are cooked) and cooked over the charcoal stove (to the left of Stephen…yellow with an orange handle). They are cooked one at a time and he makes 40-50 for the meal. It takes 2-3 hours from start to finish for 2 people to make them (you can see a part of Christine on the left of the picture). Chapatti are like tortillas and are quite yummy.

Behind Stephen, to his right, is the area we keep firewood in. We buy a truckload (about Shs200,000=, or $100) at a time and have been using 1 load every 3 weeks, but with the new rocket stoves, it should cut our consumption down to about ½ that.

The children are doing well - a couple of have colds now, but we have no one with malaria. People in the community are saying that they are getting very "fat." We would say "normal" in America. But they don't have stick legs and arms anymore. Next Monday is visitation day for the guardians and extended family members. The kids have a program ready for the adults and kids who will come. I will get a picture. That also means I probably will not be on the internet, or at least not very long - will try to write an email earlier. The kids are so excited to see people from their home villages and churches. I get excited just because they are!!

The 2nd picture is of Johnson - it's one of those "missing pictures." You have to find what is missing. Can you see?

Okay, I will tell you - the bottom 2 buttons on his shirt are missing. Which brings me to this: I have found myself having to do SOOOOO much mending. I spend about an hour a day (sometimes more!) sewing buttons back on clothes, putting new elastic in waistbands, stitching up tears in clothing, etc., etc. The kids LOVE the attention and all gather around and say "Me, Pastor Laurie, me!" meaning they want me to fix their clothing next. I think maybe they tear off the buttons so I will sew them back on for them :-) So, after I took the picture I sewed back on his 2 buttons. Anyone want to come over and repair clothing?

I am so enjoying my days here...hope you are enjoying yours! Let me know how you are doing and what is happening in your neck of the woods!Love,
Laurie

Jun 7th Update

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So, this time it's been a week since I wrote...and since I've been able to get to the internet. So much happening - let's see if I can catch you up:
Last Monday I wrote about the mice in my room. The poison worked on one of the mice, and thankfully it didn't die in my room. But, it did die in the house and the smell was atrocious after a day or so. We finally found it (in Betty and Rogers' room) and now the smell is better. The other mouse jumped into a cabela (plastic bag) and I asked Prossy to take it outside, so it is now living in a better place. And I haven't heard them for 5 nights or so. BUT...
That brings me to the next living creature story. Last Monday night I went over to sit with the kids during devotions, but was too late and didn't want to disrupt, so I went into my office. From there I decided to go back to the house and get my ironing (has to be done on my desk in the office). As I left, I closed the large iron door (all are like that here) and it was really hard to close, but I kept pushing until I could get the padlock on. I got my ironing, returned, opened the door and went and hung my ironing on the hook. Turned around to close the door and saw something out of place. Come to find out it was a snake that had been caught between the door and the cement step. I had apparently squished it when closing the door the first time. It was only about a foot long, maybe a little longer. But I called Rogers and asked him what I should do with it - it looked lifeless. He said he would be right over. He came and said it was still alive...and it that it is a poisonous snake. AAACCCKKKK! I want to come home. (Just for the moment, I'm okay now, one week later.) He got a stick and smashed it's guts out, then threw it far away. So, my daughter was in Uganda for over 1 year and never saw a snake. I've seen 2 in 4 months. Not fair! And, let me tell you, I use a light everywhere at night now...and look at where my feet are going at all times.
Last Thursday, the 3rd, was Uganda Martyrs' Day. It commemorates 22 people who were burned alive because they would not denounce their faith. This happened in 1886. So, it's a holiday and the kids were off school - I got to spend some good time with them during the day and we had the turkey (offering from last week!) and juice (koolaid). The kids were so jazzed about the meal, and I talked to them about the people who loved God so much that they were willing to give up their lives. Interesting to teach them about their country's history - no one else who was around knew the whole story. They were interested in what I was saying also. I learned it from the newspaper that day. (Rogers does know the story, but was out of town that day.)
Special thanks to the kids from Abby's Sunday School class at ECC. You guys wrote letters to each of the children and staff at Cornerstone and made videos for them. They were so excited!! I have sent videos of Cornerstone kids greeting all of you - sent it off this morning. It hopefully will make it there in the next couple of weeks. The kids LOVED getting letters from you. They are not yet able to write well enough to send messages back (except Brenda, who wrote to McKenna), but hopefully within a year or so they will be able to write back.
The picture you have is of the kids in formation for the start of school last Tuesday morning. They start this way each day and get general instructions for the day, work on something that all of them can do, etc. That's the time Rogers and I will go and talk and give encouragement or correction (more of the former!!) to the kids. They stand in 3 lines (sort of...) and seem to enjoy the time.
Okay, so much more I could say about this week, but don't want to bore you. Will write more next week...or perhaps this Friday or Saturday - there is overnight prayer at the church across the street, so I will be coming to spend the night in Mbale :-).
Thanks for all your love, prayer, support and emails. I feel encouraged and loved...and ready to march back to Budaka (well, actually we will take a taxi) and continue in the ministry God has called all of us to there.
Love you all!
Laurie

May 31st Update

Hey, Everyone:
 

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Just had to let you know about a couple more things...and send a couple of pictures for you too.
First, yesterday was the first time in my 34 years of ministry to get a turkey in the offering. I noticed the turkey (live, of course) near the back of the "sanctuary" and it started squaking, so Rogers' wife went and moved it to another room. I wasn't aware why it was there until during the offering (in which everyone comes to the front to put their items in the basket), a woman came and laid the turkey down at the bottom of the "pupit." It's legs are tied so it can't go anywhere and it just laid there. So, someone carried it home and now we decide what to do with it. I think we are going to slaughter it (sorry to all you weak of stomach) on Thursday and have it for Uganda Martyr's Day (ironic, eh?), which is the next holiday around here. It will be the special meal we have for the children that day. [One note: in the afternoon, the turkey was in our back yard while we were having family game time down at the Inn and apparently was attacked by some larger animal - feathers everywhere, the turkey hurt. But, apparently will heal, according to our nurse, who apparently doubles as a vet :-)]
We now have a teacher who comes on the weekends to teach the kids traditional crafts. You have a picture of the kids' first day. She taught them to string beads - the first step in learning to making the beautiful paper bead necklaces some of you saw when I was in the States. Everyone did well except Margret, who (being 4), grabbed hers by the other end to see what would happen and all the beads went bouncing on the cement. She was heartbroken, but then began again and has a completed one now.
In the last email, I told you about the mouse and lizard. Mistake! It is 2 mice...and they got into my good chocolate Ab sent for Mother's Day!!! BAD MICE!!! But, I guess they can't be all bad - they like dark chocolate. Anyway, today while I'm in Mbale, Auntie Betty is putting poison out for the mice. Hopefully that will take care of them. I slept with earplugs (thanks, ECC!) in all night last night again, so the mice may have taken more things...
The second picture you have is of Aunt Betty, Hope (4 months) and Prosper (5) after church yesterday. These are 2 of Rogers' 7 children (4 biological and 3 relatives' children that he has taken care of since they were small). Just thought you might want to see some of the family...
Okay, enough for today. Sure love you all! Keep those emails coming - I love hearing from you.
Laurie

May 28th Update

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Hey, all my friends:
Okay, you all are getting this update before Monday because of jet lag. I wrote all the stuff below at 3:30 in the morning when my body woke up and said, "let's go for the day!" Ha! So, now it is almost noon here and I am starting to get a little tired :-). But I'm sitting at the internet cafe and so won't sleep now.

• I have enclosed a picture of the staff with their new shirts (they were SO excited), as well as a picture of Margret this morning after bathing. Is she cute or what??
• The items I took with me were sold (almost all of them – there are still 2 framed batiks for sale and a couple of pairs of sandals). We made about $600 after our costs. I was very encouraged! As most of you know, this is one of the small business ventures we are trying. These business ventures will be what support the work in a couple of years. That brings me to my next point:
• I am praying for the Lord to give us someone in the States to handle our sales there. This person would receive craft items from Cornerstone and distribute them to various individuals and churches who have agreed to sell them. The person would then collect the money and channel it through ECC back to Cornerstone for the running of the orphanage, church and school. If you feel an inkling to be involved in this way, would you let me know?
• We begin 2 other business ventures this next week: 1) we have hired a part time person who will teach the children to make baskets, bead (paper) necklaces, and other traditional crafts. 2) we have hired a tailor who is coming to begin working to make clothing that we will sell here.
• As many of you know, I was in the States to begin a dialogue to raise funds to purchase land so that we will be able to expand our work and take more children, build a home and school for them and have a place for the church to continue to grow (last Sunday we had over 100 and have growing pains!). It was a great trip in beginning the dialogue with individuals and churches about the need here. Some of you asked how you can help, so if you, or someone you know, would like to contribute to this, you can send the funds to Evergreen Christian Center and they will make sure we get it. Just write “Uganda growth” on the checks so we can designate it from the regular monthly income for Cornerstone. The total need is about $178,000. This will buy the land and build the orphanage, school and offices needed to grow. (The church will meet in a large hall we will build at the school. At a later date, we will build a church building, as the Lord directs.)
• I know I'm back in Uganda - this morning when going to bathe, a mouse ran across my path. Ah, Uganda. Also, last night right after I went to sleep, I heard a little animal or something in one of the plastic bags on a shelf in my room. I used my flashlight and went over and a lizard came running out. Not only do I know I'm in Uganda, I know I've been here awhile as neither incident shocked or scared me.
• Thanks for the pedometer! I now know that I have walked about 3 miles a day when I don't go to the church or into town - just to the orphanage and back several times a day, one trip down to Wilta Inn, etc. Also, the church is 3/4 of a mile from the house - that means 3 times a week I walk 1 1/2 miles going and coming. So good for me! I actually missed walking when I was in the States.

Thank you all for your prayers, financial support and your emails of encouragement. It is great to continue working in God’s kingdom with you, even though we are so many miles apart. May the Lord bless you.

Laurie

May 24th Update

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This past 3 weeks has been quite a whirlwind of activities here in the States. But I get to go back to my kids this morning! I have missed them so much!
The attached picture is one of several of the kids one morning before I left. They are always so cold in the mornings - have to get those sweaters on! The kids are, from left to right front row: Bright (in the red coat, not really in the picture - he is our cook, Christine's son), Margret, Charity; back row: David, Johnson, Junior and William. Every time I get my camera out, the kids start crowding around - they love to have their picture taken and then to see what they look like. Then, as they look at the pictures, everyone giggles. I have several videos, which cannot be sent via email (too big a file), but wish you could see them when they are playing.
I also have included 2 pictures that I took in the States of fundraisers that many of you are involved in for Cornerstone. The first is of a pancake breakfast that Broken and Mending Ministries (BAMM) in Fremont, CA did for the kids. They sold tickets for the breakfast, and had a raffle with prizes that had been donated from several businesses and individuals - plus a basket from Uganda that I brought back over when I came. It was a great success and I heard from several BAMMers that it really helped them all pull together for a cause bigger than themselves. Thanks, BAMM, for caring for the children and staff in Budaka.
The second picture from the States is of a can that is used to collect bottles and cans from Evergreen Christian Center in Hillsboro. These cans are turned in for money and that money is sent with the express purpose of buying books for the children's school. They have raised almost $500 so far for books - that will go SO far in Uganda, and we will be purchasing lots of books for the school. Thanks to all the ECC members who collect cans and bottles each week.
I packed last night (with Abby helping - thanks, Ab!) and am taking so many things back for the children - thank you all who participated in buying and getting me supplies for the orphanage and school. We are taking books, chalk, pens and pencils, markers, batteries and rechargers, a printer with extra ink cartridges, underwear and other clothing for the kids, T-shirts for the staff and so much more. There was so much (I'm only allowed 23 kg-about 50 lbs per suitcase) that Abby is keeping 1 1/2 suitcases worth of stuff that will come with the next person or team that comes over. I am overwhelmed! Thank you so much for all the support.
I'm excited to go back now and I know that the children and staff will be delighted with what you have sent. THANK YOU!!!
My plane leaves just before noon, but I have to be there by 9am to check in, so now need to go and get ready. It's so hard to say goodbye to all of you on this side of the world, but please know that I will once again be sending you emails on Mondays beginning next week. It has been wonderful to see many of you on this trip. May the Lord bless you.
Love,
Laurie

May 3rd Update

Greetings, my friends!

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You probably noticed that there was no update last week. I actually went to Mbale 2 times to send out an email, only to find out that the internet was "down" in all of eastern Uganda for several days. I spent 1 1/2 hours sending out one short email with a picture for a pancake breakfast that BAMM was holding for Cornerstone down in Fremont. Oh, Uganda!!
So, the reason now that this email will be much quicker is, as many of you know, I am back in the States for a couple of weeks. I got here on Saturday night and will be leaving on May 24th to go back to Budaka. I will be meeting with some church leaders and individuals about the next step for Cornerstone and how we can work together to accomplish all that the Lord wants to do in these children's lives. We want to be able to expand our help to orphans in Budaka and to do that, we will need to have a larger facility. So we are asking the Lord now for how that is to be accomplished...and that brings me to being here. The money was provided for me to be able to come and meet face to face with many people about our dilemma.
Things are going really well at Cornerstone. I talked with Rogers on the phone this morning and he was on his way back from Mbale, doing the weekly shopping for fruits, fish and bulk items (rice, maize flour, etc.). He said the children were well and everyone is doing their job. I left on Friday from there and am missing the kids and staff. It feels so much like a family. On Thursday night, after devotions with the children, I was praying for them individually as I tucked them into bed (actually tucked their mosquito nets in under their mattresses - see the picture attached for what it looks like before being tucked in). I had asked all of them to also pray for me that night since I was going to the States early in the morning. One boy, Johnson, who is usually quite mischievous, sat up after I tucked him in and reached out his hand through the mosquito net and put it on my forehead and began praying in Lugwele for me. It was a very touching moment - I praise God for what He is doing in the hearts of these guys.
On a lighter note, the other picture that is attached with this email is a picture of my lunch last Thursday. This is a typical lunch at the orphanage. On the right are 3 large sweet potatoes that have been boiled. In the same bowl you can see at the back a piece of avocado. In the bowl on the left is g-nut sauce, what I have described to several as hot peanut butter soup (sounds great, eh?). It is peanuts that have been ground into a paste, then cooked with water, tomatoes and onions. You take a bit of the potato and dip it into the sauce. Not my favorite thing to have, but I've learned to enjoy eating it, and for sure the kids enjoy it. By the way, the kids get just as much as you see here - 3 large sweet potatoes. The only difference is their sauce is poured on top of the potatoes and there is a bit less of it.
I am hoping to get to see most of you who are from around here...or in California as we will be down there in a couple of weeks.
Thank you so much for your continued support in finances and prayers for these 20 children and the staff. Each month you have faithfully prayed and sent in money as the Lord has directed you and all our needs are being met. May the Lord continue to bless you for your sacrifice. Please continue to pray for God to have His way in each one of us, adults and children.
Talk with you again next week! I'd love to hear from you.
Laurie