Growth and Development

         I can’t believe we got back to Uganda only two weeks ago.  It’s wonderful to be back and be so near to the Cornerstone kids again. It’s awesome to see how all the children have grown older and more mature (well, most of them, haha).  I have missed being able to play Follow the Leader, Hot Potato, and Duck-Duck-Goose with them.  I have missed Wednesday Nights, where the kids are learning and sharing about their struggles with self-control and patience and other fruits of the spirit.  I have missed little Moses, who is not so little anymore, and his eagerness to tell me about the flowers by the side of the road and about his cup of porridge and about everything else going on around him.  Being with Moses and the other orphans as they continue to develop is one of my favorite parts of being back in Uganda!

         This week, Moses has been working on potty-training with Aunt Monicah and I.  Apparently, Moses is not yet big enough that he can manage the latrine holes without falling in.  So, his learning involves him going outside to a section of dirt or rocks in the yard, letting him take off his pants and having him pee there. For now he helps keep the soil in our yard healthy.  And one day, he will learn to use the latrines.  I am so glad that he is able to grow up normally now!

        

I took this picture yesterday when Moses and I were reading books together on my bed.  It’s so fun to cuddle up with him and read together!

The First Week

         What a great first week we have had in Uganda!  My mom and I were received so warmly by the children and staff last Saturday, and then again by church members on Sunday.  I had many Ugandans tell me that I am now “fat” (a way of complimenting by Ugandan standards, contrary to American culture!).  It is interesting and funny to be back in this other culture.

         Since Monday, I have started working in the bakery with my mom and Aunt Monicah (the mother to the kids at Cornerstone).  It was difficult for me to get into a rhythm of baking and cleaning and monitoring the goods in the oven.  I have only baked for fun before, so making sure each cookie and each slice of bread is exactly the same size and shape is an adjustment for me!  Also, the lack of running water (and electricity) just makes things take longer and be more labor-intensive.  But all-in-all, I think my learning curve is looking up J  I’m glad I get to be a part of this new business to support Cornerstone.

         The other major thing I’ve worked on this week is establishing time with Moses.  I am creating a preschool program for him, which includes reading books, singing songs, doing phonics flashcards, and of course, playing!  He was SO excited to come to my house this week, and play with blocks and cars.  Moses also got to read his favorite book: You Are My Sunshine.  Here’s a picture of him chillin’ on the couch with his book.  Isn’t he a charmer?

A Wonderful Surprise

         It’s so wonderful to be back at Cornerstone!  My mom and I have now been back in Budaka for two days.  I am so thankful to be back in my Ugandan home, with the Cornerstone kids. 

         As we came back on Saturday, we went through with the surprise (me).  I hid in the backseat, between 6 suitcases, under a jacket, during a pretty hot day.  BUT, it was so worth it to see the faces of the children as I jumped out of the car to surprise them.  Their excited screams and near-trampling hugs couldn’t compare to any discomfort during the drive in!

         As I stood outside the car, overwhelmed, trying to hug all 30 kids, plus 10 staff members, I felt two small arms wrap around my leg.  Moses stood looking up at me with a big smile on his face.  I picked him up and he grinned even more, and kept repeating: “Abby!  Abby!  Abby!”  I have waited 10 months for that hug!

My mom and I are heading back to Uganda in a few weeks, July 12th to be exact.  Yahoo!  It will be so good to see everyone at Cornerstone again!  I have missed the children, and especially Moses, during these last 8 months in the States.  Nobody except Pastor Rogers knows I'm coming back with my mom, so it will be fun to surprise everyone on arrival :)

When I go back this time, I get to work regularly with Moses (again).  Moses needs individual help with his speech this time around, so I get to do that with him.  I will also be helping in the bakery, teaching Sunday School, and doing whatever else needs to be done at Cornerstone.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers as this next stage in my journey begins.  I look forward to seeing what God will do in the next six months.  It's so nice to hear from friends at home when I'm overseas, so feel free to write me and tell me what's going on in your life, too!

Teaching thankfulness

We have been talking with the children at the orphanage about thankfulness.  Our hope is that they grow up appreciating what they have, what they are given, and the people who are involved in helping them.  The children have drawn pictures and written letters to some of our supporters, and we have put together programs for the Cornerstone staff and community members in Budaka, thanking them through speeches, cards, and stories.  It has been so rewarding to watch our kids thank so many people.

We had a competition this week to see how many supporters the children could remember and name.  We gave them rectangular pieces of paper to write the names on, and the winning group (made up of 8 boys) remembered 44 supporters!  Amazing.  We took all the papers and made paper chains to decorate their rooms with.  So now, they not only have something colorful on the walls of their rooms, but they have a daily reminder of people who they can be thankful for.