One book has many chapters and my pages are turning.

    Well it's been a little more than a week since we left Uganda. I'm so glad to finally be home and be with my family and friends! I definitely missed them more than I could have ever imagined! It's so strange being back home! No longer do I have to wait 15 minutes for warm water, use a candle when the sun goes down, or walk everywhere I need to go. I love the simplicity of Africa... but i'm not gonna lie... I love first world conveniences!
    It's amazing how quickly I'm jumping back into reality! I spent last week at RYM and tomorrow I'm going to my college orientation at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA! Yes, that's right, my college orientation! I can't believe how quickly high school has flown by! I can't possibly be old or mature enough to leave home and go to college! Especially to a school that's 10 hours away! But I'm convinced the Lord has amazing  things ahead of me and I couldn't be more excited!
    Being home has really allowed me to sit and contemplate all that the Lord has been doing in my life this summer. KK and I both prayed that God would not let us return home the same... and He definitely answered our prayers! I know for me personally my time spent in prayer and in the word while in Africa gave me such a renewed love and desire for God! He taught me so much about myself and about my own brokenness and as a result my great need for Him! God is so good and knew exactly what lessons I needed to learn before going off to school. My prayer for this next year is that God will continue the work He has started within me and that He will use me as a instrument for His glory on Liberty's campus and in every other area of my life.
    Thanks to everyone who supported us this summer! We can't say enough how immensely blessed we were and are by all of you! I hope that through this blog you were encouraged by the work being done in Uganda just as much as we were!
    I want to say a special thanks to our families who allowed us to go. Mom, dad, Mr. and Mrs. Payne you have no idea what an opportunity it was to spend 7 weeks in Africa with Kadie Allen! I have returned a new person with greater zeal and passion for Christ! That would have never happened if it weren't for the four of you. Thank you for your trust in us but even more so your trust in the sovereignty of God! 
    With every end comes a new beginning. The "high school" chapter of my life has come to its end and thus a new chapter begins, the "college" chapter. I look forward to what lies on the pages to come!

- Mary Grace

   
   

Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary!

    Welcome to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary! KK and I, along with the Ebys and their friends visiting from North Dakota, visited Chimp Island yesterday! The island is located within the beautiful Lake Victoria! It is the largest lake in Africa and borders three different countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania! The island is located 23 km offshore Entebee. Once we arrived we were debriefed on the chimps by our guide Joseph. We learned that the island is a safe haven for more than 40 orphaned chimpanzees.  Most are there due to deforestation and poachers. 

    After our debriefing, we were able to watch the chimps being fed. I'm sure you've seen the recent Planet of the Apes. Well, imagine the screams of the apes as they are escaping their cells and attacking the city... That's the sound I heard as I walked towards the electrified fence. They were well aware feeding time was approaching and were becoming very impatient. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't scared. My heart pounded anticipating a similar escape and attack. But, thankfully, all was well. We stood for about half an hour watching their behavior... It was fascinating to say the least. They all stood, raising their arms when they wanted more. Some even made funny noises with their mouths getting the attention of the volunteers feeding them... almost like their very own "chimp whistle". 

The chimps would stand like this when they wanted food thrown at them!

    One of the African volunteers wore a shirt that said, "98.7% Chimp". I immediately remembered Mr. Miller's argument towards evolution informing our class that our DNA is 30% similar to a banana's. So i'm happy to say that African is also part banana. 

    We saw many other animals on the island including a Nile monitor! A giant lizard! Oh it was so cool! The nile monitor is a native to Africa and can grow up to 9 feet long! I couldn't help but think of all those days from my childhood, watching The Crocodile Hunter... I felt one step closer to my dreams of growing up to be Steve Irwin! The island is also home to more than 150 different species of birds! We even caught a glimpse of some extraordinary weaver birds and their nests!

    All in all, we had a fabulous day getting to see the beauty and intelligence in creation! On the boat ride home I caught myself singing, "Waves of mercy, waves of grace, everywhere I look I see your face! Your love has captured me! O my God, this love, how can it be?" Everywhere I look, especially in Africa, I can see God's face! 

Obviously this picture doesn't need much explanation...
but, here is the boat we road from Entebee to Chimp Island. 

Check out our sexy life jackets! Safety first! 

- Mary Grace

Two Weeks is Too Little....

Another week has FLOWN by, and we're now to the "count down" days. Only 5 more days left of teaching our incredible kids, 2 more biblestudies with the girls, 2 more Sunday afternoon biblestudies, and 14 days left here in what now feels like our home, Uganda. It's a wonderful feeling and such a blessing to have TWO places I now think of as home and have my heart in. I am eager to see return to America and be with my sweet family and friends again, but my heart hurts at the very thought of having to leave the Eby's, the children at Zana, or this country in and of itself. It is truly something I thank the Lord for though, that He has given me an abundance of things to be thankful for on both sides of the world, in two opposite countries.

Lets see though, this week was filled with craziness at school as we administered mid-terms to the children each day. A mid-term for my Top Class tests their skills in language, social development, mathematics, and English. Unfortunately though, a lot of the material that was on the tests, were concepts that the children either had not understood when being taught, or had never even seen. Many words like "pineapple" and "sugarcane" were far above their reading level, making the questions that required them to draw these fruits quite difficult. It was hard for me to ignore their requests for help, and I can't lie, many times, I aided them and helped them along on a question until I was pretty much just telling them the answer myself:) I also couldn't help but smile when they were obviously NOT supposed to be helping each other, but the more intelligent ones would whisper the answer to those that are not quite as far along in the learning process. How could I discourage teamwork and being a good friend and helper? It just seemed wrong;) Needless to say, it was a full week, and one where I am thankful that the children are getting an education at all, but it also made me think about how much I would LOVE to stay here and give my life to helping educate these children in numerous ways and with various techniques that aren't used here yet. I just realized as I watched them take these tests, how important education is for them, how it is the only way that they will be able to help support themselves, their families one day, and even help influence their community and country. I am praying that if the Lord ever gives me the opportunity, I could come back and have a class of my own to teach, loving them each through their struggles and successes:) My heart is wrapped around these sweet children, to leave them in a week is going to hurt more than words can say. But it is such a comfort as I sit and look around the room everyday praying for them individually, that I know that even when I leave our great Heavenly Father will still be present here and will take care of them far better than I ever could!

Besides school everyday, we had wonderful biblestudies on Tuesday and Thursday on Purity and being ready for the coming back of Christ. The girls in our biblestudy asked many more questions this week, and we are so so encouraged with how we see them wanting to know more of the Word and what living for Christ looks like tangibly. There are many that are already so full of wisdom and know so much about the Scripture, and they are a constant encouragement and joy for me to listen to and learn from also. We also took another little outing on Tuesday to Kampala with Joel and Rebecca, as we made our way to the Cineplex downtown for a half-priced movie:) After two hours of waiting in traffic, we walked into the movie, hands full of popcorn and cokes! When we walked in Mary and I didn't know the movie had started (seeing how Joel had chosen the movie and we really had no idea what we were even seeing!). We sat down, talking pretty loudly, laughing, commenting on how much we loved a certain actor on the screen, thinking the whole time that we were watching the previews, and like all Americans at movies, you discuss each preview right?! Welllllll we soon learned, with a little bit of embarrassment, that this WAS the movie, not a preview, and we mine as well have been disrupting the whole place! I am sure every Ugandan in there was thinking, "Ignorant Muzungus" haha! We had a blast seeing "Battleship" though, and the four of us sang the whole way home, windows down, just enjoying a beautiful Ugandan night.

In our afternoons, Mr. Dave has pulled out some different movies for us to watch on Mormonism and the Jehovah's Witnesses lately, and they have been so educational and just fascinating, yet saddening to watch too. As we have learned about these people, we have seen men and women who believe they must kill each other for blood atonement, or a family that almost let their baby girl die because their belief in being a Jehovah's Witness did not allow for their daughter to be given a blood transfusion. It is heart breaking to see what choices people make due to the ideas and false teaching that other religions provide. While watching these though it hit me, why was I, Kadie Allen Payne, chosen by the Creator of the entire Universe, to be His daughter? Why wasn't I born in to a family that did not raise me to be a Christian? Where I might be in a home where they believe that their faith and actions are getting them to Heaven, but because they are not following Christ, their eternity is really in hell right now. I have been pondering so much on why do I get to be a Christian, saved by grace alone, who gets to spend eternity with the Father? Every bit of the Gospel: being chosen, being crucified for, I'm absolutely so underserving of and it baffles me beyond belief. This thought though, this recognition of how undeserving I am to have been chosen by God Himself, gives me such inspiration to share the Gospel more. One, because if I've been saved and chosen by this great price, then my only "debt" or "job" is to bring much glory to God. That's it, that's all God asks of me. That in return for Him giving up His perfect and blameless Son, He asks that I live a life that brings complete glory to Him. What deal could possibly be better than that?!:) But secondly, if I get this incredible blessing, I want to share it with as many as I can. I have know this my whole life. I know that there are non-believers, I know there are people going to hell. But I was once told that we should preach the Gospel to ourselves EVERY single day, and I think it' so true. Because with every single day, the Gospel becomes more real to me. And with that reality, comes a burning desire to share this Truth with those that are lost, so that they too can feel the incredible love and grace of what it means to be a daughter or son of the King.

On a sad note, I was told a story about one of the little girls in my class yesterday that brought me to tears. I have 35 children in my class, and although I love them all so much, it is hard to not want to hug on and love and laugh with the ones that are a little more outgoing and reciprocate the love. There is one sweet girl in my grade though whose name is Esther, and she is a little more reserved and less "lovey", but still so kind and always respectful and gracious. Yesterday, I was told about her life's story. A few years ago, when Esther was around 6 years old, she was seen limping with a cane on the side of the road by an MTW missionary here. The next day, the same missionary saw the her dragging herself now along the road, and so he stopped to see what was going on. Esther's leg was broken, and torn open, to the point where she had to have surgery and was hospitalized for 5 months to recover. It is said that he mother is absolutely crazy, like insane, and while the leg had been broken, she may have even taken part of the bone out of her daughter's leg. (This isn't actually 100% proven, but those I spoke to said this is what they heard). When Esther was better, her and her sister were taken back home now that she was healed. Within a day or two, the two sisters had run away from home back to the MTW missionary and another Pastor that lives here that had aided in Esther's recovery. The girl's mother had threatened to break Esther's leg again, and for years had been sending the girls out alone at night to get things for her, all along knowing that they were continually being raped by men in the town. The girls were removed from their home and are now in a safe living place and doing well in school for the most part. As I sit here and think about this story though, I am speechless when I think of all Esther has endured in her 8 years of living. I have not experienced HALF the pain that she has, half of the scars she will be left with, and I am twice her age. Although I already did love her, my heart goes out to her even more now, as I want to just hug her and wrap her up in my arms and tell her how much I love her. What I mostly pray though, is that Esther grows up not with resentment or bitterness, but instead a realization of how much Jesus loves her.

In hearing all this, I thought about how many other kids here have stories like that. How many teenagers or young children here have stories of violence or rape or have lived in the streets with nothing to eat before, no one who cares a thing in the world about them? It is hard to know, especially because many of my kids are limited in their ability to communicate in English. But it has opened my eyes to how much I want to show endless love and compassion and joy to every single individual I come in contact with, because you have no idea where they have been or what they are coming through. I pray that this realization will not only apply for me here, but that I will be convicted of this even more so in the US. It is so easy for us all to go about our busy days, and to love those that are maybe more talkative, show US love, or are involved in the things we are involved in. But I think about how every individual has a story, every person feels the effects of sin in this world, and has pain and suffering to some degree. I pray that my eyes will be opened to those that need encouragement and help, and that a day will not pass where I do not take the time to speak to a stranger, encourage someone I come in contact with, and take time out of my day to love on someone else. My biggest prayer here is that it will always be "less of me and more of Christ; less of me and more of others." I ask that you keep Esther in your prayers please, and also that this might challenge others like it has me, to reach out in love and gentleness to those the Lord places in our path.

Two weeks, that is all we have left from this exact day. My prayer is that these two weeks are filled with compassion, love, humility, teachability, grace, mercy, joy, and a desire to have God reveal more of Himself to us everyday. I continue to thank you for all the prayers, and hope you have a blessed Lord's day.

KK

A Day at Zana!

    Here's a glimpse into what I do everyday at school...
    KK and I arrive at school around 9 o'clock each morning. It's been said that, "Americans have watches and Africans have time". Well we've grown quite accustomed to "Ugandan time"... so our 9 o'clock arrival time now ranges from 8:30- 9:30 depending on the morning.
    Once we arrive at school KK and I go our separate ways. In my baby class I help teach, "mark" the books (which i'm doing in the picture on the above), keep the children quiet, prepare the lessons in the books, and whatever else that needs to be done.

    Around 10 o'clock I begin preparing for break. I set out the mats and retrieve the porridge from the kitchen and the water from the well for the children to wash their hands. The picture on the left shows the children all lining up to wash their hands before taking their "eats". They sing, "Wash, wash, wash your hands! Wash them everyday! Soap and water, soap and water! Takes the germs away!" to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat"!

This is one of my babies named Rina. She is probably 3 or 4 years old.
She's a very sweet little girl! Always smiling! 

Here is the porridge most of the children take at break. I haven't been brave enough to try it...
but by the looks of it i'd say it is close to a watered down version of our grits. 

   

The children sitting on their mats taking their "eats" at break.
This is when teacher KK and I usually go to tea with the other teachers. 

    After more grading... more yelling... more crying (not me, the children)... The day is over and it's time to line up outside for pick up. Getting the children outside with all of their things is definitely a challenge. They usually have on the wrong shoes or another students sweater so it takes some sorting out but eventually we get it! I've got to give them credit though... for a group of 3-6 year olds they do remarkably well!

    Lunch time rolls around at 1:30... Unfortunately, no fortunately, we only eat at school on Tuesday's and Thursday's because we have Bible study with the secondary girls.
    Take a look at the picture on the right! That, my friend, is our "Thursday special"! Mmmmmmm.... We get mitoki (the yellow), pocha (the white), and fish with the peanut sauce (the red). Mitoki is a cooked banana mash... The texture is more or less like mashed potatoes but it has a really sweet flavor. I'm not entirely sure what pocha is... I think it's maze but you'd never guess because it's utterly tasteless! The peanut sauce is made with red, African g-nuts. They boil them with water until they become soft and then, using their hands,  squeeze them into a soupy sauce... and finally, boil in some fish giving it a nice fishy-peanuty flavor... It's actually rather delicious.

    Walking to and from school we see many animals! Cows, chickens, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, birds... everywhere! And where there are animals... there's poop... and lots of it! So we have to be very careful where we step!

I can't believe I'd made it this far without getting something! But, lo
and behold, ringworm! We think I got it from one of my babies...
They love to touch and hug! But it's all worth it! 

- Mary Grace

Dear Dad,

Dear Dad, 

    Happy Father's Day! I'm sending my love from Africa! Here's a BIG, cyber, bear hug!!! I love you so very much! I've been thinking a lot about all you said on the eve of my graduation and it is making college seem like such a reality. On August 15th, I will move into my dorm...and will officially live 10 hours (13 hours if an Owen's driving) away from home! Although I don't know everything my future holds, I am certain of one thing... I will miss my daddy immensely! I hope you have a splendid Father's Day! Wish I was there to celebrate with you! 

   

- Mary Grace

It's Like Disney World!!....Ugandan Style:)

    The close of another week is here, and I literally can’t believe that three weeks from tomorrow we will be boarding a plane to come back to America. I am not going to lie, the idea of getting to see my sweet family, friends, boyfriend, church family and sorority sisters excites me!.... but the void I am going to feel in leaving the children I teach, the Ebys, this culture, this country, is immeasurable. Although, let me tell you, food might be the only thing that can really make Mary and I leave Uganda.:) Everyday we go running we talk about the food we miss! We are always looking up different recipes to make (usually involving oatsJ), my pinterest food board has increased by like 100 pins as I am CONSTANTLY looking at pictures of American delicacies, and I even dream of food: pancakes, sweet tea, watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, chocolate covered strawberries, zoes salads, street café, Pannie George’s ( a restaurant in Auburn). It’s almost become a little ridiculous! Ha as I am thinking about this now, this is so not important to anybody really, but thought instead of sharing my heart today, I would share with you the thoughts of my stomach!

    Anyways, totally going to diverge off of the subject of food seeing how it is SO unimportant, and instead tell you about our past week! We have had a wonderful 4^th week, and as always, God has continued to bless our efforts and our relationships here. Teaching Top Class becomes more fun with every morning, and I am so proud to officially know all of their names finally! I am getting very close with Teacher Dorkus as we spend each day grading and preparing books with one another, and I love asking her about her childhood, her family, culture, and anything else I can to gain insight from her. The kids continue to steal my heart away as we sing, dance, laugh, clap, read stories, spell, count, and just love on each other. I can’t believe I am only getting 10 more days to teach them. It will be a very emotional day that Friday that I see them last. I never knew I could become so attached in this short of a time. Although I love them all, I have become particularly fond of Silver, Rino, Alliya, Patricia, Anisha, and Smile. These children have filled my heart with so much joy and I thank God for the promise of Heaven, because Lord willing, even if I never see them again here on earth, I will be given eternity with them.

    Mary and I led our bible study with the older girls this week on “love”, and what that looks like as a godly young woman. We focused on the greatest example of love that we have been shown, Christ Jesus and His death for us. But then we also dove in to how our greatest love and passion should be living for Christ, and how to check our own lives on whether or not Christ is at the center, and if we are loving as 1 Corinthians 13 tells us to. What a wonderful opportunity to help them grow, but also be reminded of these truths and challenges for our own lives also. I pray that these girls see the brokenness of Mary and I both, but the power and strength that God is able to display through our weaknesses. He is so so good.

Our Fearless Teahers: Jennifer, Dorkus, and Jovis

Eager to Ride their First Rollar Coaster!

    Most exciting of this week though was WONDER WORLD!! On Friday, the five of us baby class and top class teachers took 34 students to the amusement park here, Wonder World. We arrived at school an hour early (at 8) like instructed to, because we would be leaving around 8: 30. That of course was without taking Ugandan time into consideration, so we actually were picked up by the bus at 10:30. We loaded everyone on the Zana church bus and drove about 30 minutes to this so-called park, one that I had zero expectations about. As we pulled up, it was a little different than our typical Disney World theme park, but it looked full of exciting rides nonetheless! We unloaded everyone, once again 34 kids, aging from 2-8 years old. After eating our snack in the parking lot, we proceeded inside, where we helped the kids board their first ride, the Caterpillar Rollercoaster! Watching the children was absolutely priceless. Some were laughing, yelling, loving it. And others were crying, going ballistic, begging to be let off. Needless to say, it was the only ride of the day for some of the younger ones after such a traumatic event!

All Smiles!

    We spent the whole day leading them from ride to ride, laughing with them, hugging them, holding their hands, taking TONS of pictures of them, keeping up with them, counting heads every two minutes, correcting them, telling them “no” to the ice cream cart or going down the water slide. Most of all, I got to feel like a mommy for a day, and I absolutely loved it. It was so beyond wonderful to spend a day with the children outside of the school environment. I was filled with such joy as I watched their faces light up with every ride, every sight they saw, and the soda they so enjoyed at lunchJ After hours of running and playing, we waited outside for the bus to come pick us up at what was supposed to be 4:00. Of course, he was there at 5:30. We loaded the 34 exhausted, some sleeping, many hungry, children onto the bus and made our way back home after an unforgettable day.

    The thing I am most amazed by is how God once again just shows me His faithfulness and love. On Thursday, I had been a little bit homesick at night. It is now a month since being home and with those I love, and I was feeling a bit sad. I woke up Friday and was praying during my quiet time that I would remember God’s promises. I know that dwelling on God and having Him as the center of my heart and mind produce joy and contentment. I also know that God says He will never forsake me, He is always present no matter where I am or what I am doing. With both of those being said, I know that I can be joyful and content no matter what because I have the love of God at all times! I watched God give me a day like yesterday that I will never forget with these children I love dearly. As we rode home yesterday, I looked around at 34 little faces (many asleep on my lap), and thanked God for them. I looked out the window at a country that speaks more of God’s creativity and beauty than any other place I have ever seen. I saw people and a culture that are full of graciousness and compassion, and that I am blessed to even get to be a part of for a small time. I saw God once again showing me that HE alone is joy and happiness. He is ALL I need, because He gives the greatest blessings I could ever imagine!

Three of My Absolute Favorite Kids: Silver, Anisha, Rino...I Will Cry When I Leave Them

My Precious Anisha Loving the Swings

    On a funny note, being at the park did have it’s interesting moments. At the first ride, the Ugandan worker there handed Mary and I his card and asked if we could meet him Saturday to hang out. He also said he would be coming to the states soon and wanted to know if maybe we could meet up. Ha, we were both like “ummmm…I don’t think that is going to happen, sorry!” Then at the next ride I had a man hand me a little girl and hold up a camera to take a picture of us. I said, “Sir, I don’t even know this little girl, she doesn’t go to Zana.” He knew that, but still pressed for the picture. It wasn’t that he wanted it of the little girl, he wanted it of the American, me. This trend continued as countless other male teachers approached us asking if we could come teach at their schools also, or if we could send friends back from America to teach for them. To all these requests and questions, I finally learned to say the word “NO” quite fluidly;) The funniest part was too, that we were almost part of the fair as a spectacle for the other school kids at Wonder World. I forget that we stick out like a sore thumb sometimes, because to our children we are just “teacher KK and teacher Grace”, but the other hundreds we were constantly waving and yelling “Muzungu, Muzungu!!” All of these events added up made for a day I will never forget, and one I am more thankful to have experienced than words can say.

    We are looking forward to church tomorrow, and praying that God allows us to continue to seek Him in all we do with these last 3 weeks. That we will not be complacent ever, that nothing will feel “comfortable” necessarily, but that we would be given opportunities to be bold and courageous for Him everyday! Please keep Mr. Dave in your prayers also as he begins his return for home from Atlanta tomorrow afternoon.

My Favorite Man in The Entire World!

    Lastly though, it is almost midnight here, and therefore it is Father’s Day already! I wanted to say Happy Father’s Day to my own dadJ Dad, I hope you have the most wonderful day, and I am sorry that I am once again gone on this special day for you!;) I hope you know how much I absolutely adore you though, and how much I tear up from happiness at the thought of getting to see you in three weeks. I can’t begin to express my thanks to you in letting me take this trip and being such an encouragement throughout it all. I will never be the same because of this opportunity. Not a day goes by where I don’t thank God for your leadership, strength, work ethic, providing for our family, humor, love, zeal for Christ, and most of all your example for me of what a godly husband and father look like. I pray fervently that God gives me a husband who fears the Lord like you do, and I thank you for loving me unconditionally everyday. You are my dad, the first man I ever loved and the longest lasting of my loveJ I hope you have a blessed Father’s Day, and even though I am 8,000 miles away, know I am thinking about you, praying for you, and can’t tell you enough how much I love you.

KK 

Adorable Alliya and Rino Posing:)...couldn't make this one fit up top, but too cute to cut out!

When I am weak, then I am strong.

    "I looked back at Bobby, who was steering the boat and smiled. How strange that I had gotten to this place, that I felt the way I did about these people. It was God who had brought me. I never would have come myself. And even if I had wanted to, I could never have made it past all the problems, past the loneliness, past the danger. In fact I never would have left my home in Minneapolis if I had not had His powerful, determined Presence inside me." - Bruce Olson, Bruchko
    As a boy, Bruce Olson was the definition of a weakling. He had contracted bronchitis as a young child and never regained full strength. His body was tall, lanky, and uncoordinated. His piers nicknamed him "bug-eyes" and "four-eyes" because of his thick glasses. His favorite place to be was alone in his room surrounded by books. And he had only one friend, Kent Lagne.
    When he was fourteen years old, he asked the question, "Who is my God?" He began reading his Bible in search of an answer and came across a verse that "sent  electricity jingling through [his] body". "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." He remembered a verse in Romans that said, "If thou shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him [Christ] from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
    He couldn't believe salvation was as easy as believing. He talked with God, praying that he would be changed and made new. Bruce says, "I knew that I was being saved. I felt miserable and broken, and sick of myself. But I also realized a peace coming into me. It wasn't something dead and passive, that peace. It wasn't just a silence ending the war inside me. It was alive, and it was making me alive. I could feel that I was going to be able to like myself. And I knew that I didn't ever want that peace, that stillness to go away."
    God began to give Bruce a hunger for the scriptures. He attended church with his friend Kent  and began to grow in spiritual knowledge. One week the church had a Missions Conference. Bruce remembered a missionary who spoke, "Jesus wants more of you. He wants more than your lip service to the great cause for missions. It's your responsibility to take the Gospel of Christ to these people. Otherwise their blood will be required of you." After hearing this Bruce was anything but attracted to missions. He prayed, "Listen, God, these missionaries are ridiculous. They wear tennis shoes in the pulpit. Their prayer letters aren't even written in English. And their theology. They're always talking about hell and damnation. Where is their love for the people they're living among? They're failures, Lord. They can't make it in normal life, so they go off to be missionaries.... But I can succeed here, Father. Everyone agrees. Why should I have to work with naked, starving people?.... Why can't I be your servant here in Minneapolis?"
    Bruce Olson had a life of success ahead of him. He was on his way to becoming a professor of languages, get a Ph. D in philology. But something inside of him said, "That isn't what God wants you to do."
    Bruce Olson was called to missions.
    At nineteen years old, Bruce Olson left home against his parents' wishes and travelled to South America. He has lived with the Motilone Indians since 1961. He has reduced their language into writing, translated several New Testament books into the Motilone language, taught the Motilones health measures, agricultural techniques, and the value of preserving their cultural heritage. His efforts have won him the personal friendship of five presidents of Colombia, appearances before the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and many honors for his contribution to the medical and social wellbeing of the Motilone Indians.
    Bruce Olson's life is a testimony to the weak. "How strange that I had gotten to this place, that I felt the way I did about these people. It was God who had brought me. I never would have come myself. And even if I had wanted to, I could never have made it past all the problems, past the loneliness, past the danger. In fact I never would have left my home in Minneapolis if I had not had His powerful, determined Presence inside me."
    Here, I find myself in Uganda serving and teaching at Zana Community Christian School. Three weeks in and I am becoming weary. As time goes on, the days grow longer and the children all the more difficult... and I am reminded that I am weak.
    Like Bruce Olson, I find it strange that I am here in this place, that I love these people the way I do. Although I wanted to come, I could have never made it on my own. Past the problems, past the loneliness, past the danger. I am here only because of His powerful, determined Presence inside me.

- Mary Grace

Jesus Loves the Little Children!

In our typical fashion, we are once again a little behind on the blogging. BUT we have a good excuse this time, seeing as we have only had power for a couple of hours in the past 5 days, it has been near impossible to keep these posts up to date! Therefore, as always, I have a million things to say, and because I didn't space them out over many days like I should have, I will just pile them all into one blog:)

Let's see, so Wednesday as school was finishing up for the day and Mary and I were about to make our walk back home, Patrick (the Zana school Headmaster) offered to give us a ride home because it looked like it was going to rain. I was of course like, "Oh no, we're fine, we'll just walk don't worry!" But he insisted, and so just as we pulled out of the school in his car, it began to rain. But not just rain, I mean like it began to absolutely POUR!! We were having to take another teacher to a school about 15 minutes away, and let me tell you, it was one of the scariest car rides I have ever been in. The rain was coming down so hard that the road were becoming rivers, everything was flooding, you could not see 2 feet in front of you, and to make matters worse, Patrick's windshield was fogging up horribly. It was literally like driving a car blindly, and with Ugandan traffic, you do NOT want any more factors to be added to the already crazy roads! All to say, we made it home safely, and I am SO grateful for Patrick's wisdom in not letting the little American girl walk just because she thinks she can:) With that storm though, our power was knocked out, and besides it coming on for a few hours Saturday evening, we have been without it since Wednesday until this very moment. There are times when it is fun to brush your teeth or read by candlelight, or eat dinner with candles, but then there are those moments in the middle of the night when you need to get to the bathroom realllyyy badddllyyy but you run in to four walls trying to get there... doesn't seem as fun then. Needless to say, I will not be taking the power here for granted anymore and am EXTREMELY grateful for the days it is working!

The past few days we have continued to enjoy teaching, learning more and more of the what the children are like as individuals, learning personalities, and FINALLY memorizing all the names! They continue to wear me out with their energy and at the age of 6, everyone loves to tattle on their neighbor. Thus, I get a constant stream of "Teacher, this one's beating me!" "Teacher, teacher, this one is shouting!" "Teacher, give me rubber!" (which is the eraser). It is constantly overwhelming for sure, but I continue to do my best to teach them things like sharing and forgiving. It is so funny here too, because being from the south and just having been raised with manners, I am all about saying "Please" and "Thank You", but that is not something that they really say here culturally. So every time the kids want something, they say, "Give me this one." "You go away" "Hand me!" I am constantly telling them, "Say Please", but I am not exactly sure it is going to stick. I have just had to come to terms with the fact that they are not being rude at all, they  just say things by their tone of voice rather than words.

We had our first biblestudy on Thursday afternoon with ten of the 16 and 17 year old girls, and I am SO encouraged and excited to have this opportunity to be with them. Mary and I are going to go through what a Proverbs 31 woman looks like, and really challenge them on what it means to be a woman of God.  They were so precious, and already I can't wait to be asked questions and teach them, but also ask them questions and learn more about their culture and ideas too. On Sunday afternoon, we began our other biblestudy we are doing with the girls that board at Zana School. We had 18 girls come, and spent time singing worship music, praying together, and just answering any and all questions they had for us. We are going to be spending time going in depth on the fruits of the spirit these next few weeks with them, and learning how to apply them to our life, and then pray for each other to be filled with these fruits also. All these girls, younger or older, are constantly thanking us for our time and for wanting to teach them. What I wish they could understand is how much of a blessing and honor it is for Mary and I to even be given this opportunity. The Lord has opened doors for us to teach the young children, and now minister to the older. It is just such a testament of the countless ways the Lord is allowing us to be His vessels!

So that is kind of a summary of the highlights of the past few days, but the biggest news for me personally is about Anisha! After talking to the school, I discovered that Anisha does not have parents paying for her education, and in fact, she has not even paid for this past term and was about to be turned away for next semester. Although my heart is broken for her and her story, I am thanking God so much for opening a door for me to help her and be a part of her life! I have no idea why God placed her so heavily on my heart, or why I ended up getting to teach her class, but I am thrilled by how the Lord can use me and my family in her life! Sunday, Patrick took me to go to her home and speak with her aunt who keeps her. As I heard the aunt tell me her story, my heart broke. Anisha's father died years ago, and when this happened, her mom realized she couldn't provide for her anymore. Her mother lives in a very very rural village about 80 miles away, and gets to see Anisha VERY seldomnly, whenever she can save enough money to make the trip. Anisha was sent to live with her aunt in the city, in Zana. The aunt does not even have the funds to take care of her really either, and the best she can do is have her a meal to eat every night. Neighbors have helped buy her books occasionally, or her uniform, but at the end of the day, Anisha plays a guessing game of when the school will tell her she can't come back because she hasn't paid. This little 6 year old girl has had to drop out of school once before when they ran out of money, but my prayer is that through me and my family, she will never have to face that situation again! I am talking with two organizations this week about what sponsoring Anisha will look like, and how we can make this tangibly happen. My parents have been incredible, and are all on board for us being a part of this precious girls life!

Anisha, her aunt, and myself at Anisha's home!

After watching a movie on the Lost Boys of Sudan the other night, my eyes were really opened to so many things, and Mr. Dave said something that was such a great reminder, "To whom much is given, much is required." As Americans, we have been blessed far beyond most, but with that, we are called to give freely and help increase the Kingdom of Heaven. To help keep Anisha in school, with food at lunch, a uniform, books, pencils, and a medical checkup, it will only cost roughly $30 a month. THIRTY DOLLARS A MONTH!? Think about what $30 usually means to you. Going to two movies maybe. Eating out 2 or 3 times. But, that money is also enough to help give children here a future and an opportunity to be educated and continue to be taught the Word of God at Zana. Anisha is not the only one who needs help financially. There are countless children who do not have parents, or have families that can't provide for them no matter how hard they try. I just want to challenge everyone to have an eternal outlook, and to really ask the Lord where you can begin to give your money, time and life away to. I know not everyone can adopt a child from another country, and some may not even be able to sponsor them financially, but you CAN keep these children in your thoughts and prayers. It has been overwhelming to watch the joy that these children have, when they literally have nothing possession wise. I know people say that all time about 3rd world country kids, but I truly mean it. There are two girls at Zana, Queen and Howa, who are sisters. Years ago, their father abandoned them and their mother is an alcoholic who won't take care of them. They were always seen peaking into Zana school, when finally Patrick asked if they wanted to attend school there. He took a leap of faith, that God would provide, and he allowed them to begin school as he paid for it little by little himself. The girls were Muslims, and have now become Christians. When they were given their first Bible's they took them home, where their mother took them from them and tried to sell them for money for alcohol. The girls now live at Zana, in a more safe environment, and the mother has nothing to do with them any longer.

I want to share these stories, because I hope it stirs you to realize how incredibly blessed we are, but also how God calls us to love and take care of the orphans and widows, and maybe through this God can pull at your heart to help a child just like He has for me and my family. I am in not asking everyone to call me up and ask to sponsor a child, (although I would LOVE if you did!...seriously!), but mostly I ask that you keep these children close to your heart through prayer, and that you do not forget that Jesus is our ultimate joy and satisfaction, just like these children display for me everyday. God is doing incredible things through Zana school, the leaders who give their time and love so freely, and I am humbled beyond belief to even get to be a small part of it. God is opening my eyes to so many of my own sins and complacency, and my greatest prayer is that I never return to Montgomery or Auburn the same, but that I will always remember His faithfulness while here, and the things I have seen. Please keep Anisha in your prayers also, and that God would give me guidance and direction on how to best serve her and show her the love of Jesus!!

As always, this is way too much for people to read again, but I want everyone to see the splendor and love and graciousness of our God that I am getting to see everyday here! We are excited about this week ahead of us, and can't believe how quickly it is all flying by. Also, please keep Mr. Dave in your prayers as he files to Atlanta for a few days on Wednesday. Praying that God is more real to you all with every passing moment, and that you cherish Christ more everyday.

-KK

Fickle Mother Africa

   "Fickle Mother Africa"

Fickle Mother Africa, you keep me on my toes, 

Whether or not to pack an umbrella, no one ever knows, 

I thought for sure I'd found the secret to your weather game,

Thinking it was all in the way the children and cattle play,

If they were restless and bucking all around, 

Yelling, screaming, and stomping on the ground,

There was no need to account for what the skies might say, 

We were sure to have a wet and rainy day. 

Fickle Mother Africa, you keep me on my toes, 

Whether or not to pack an umbrella, no one ever knows,

Knowing for sure I'd found the secret to your weather game, 

I paid close attention to the way the children and cattle played, 

They were restless and bucking all around, 

Yelling, screaming, and stomping on the ground, 

Although assured by what the skies did say, 

Not a drop of rain fell from the Ugandan skies today. 

We took our "eats" inside the classroom for fear we might get caught outside in the rain. 

The children were so wired that it was impossible to do actual school work.
So, instead, we watched Garfield! Ah, one of the many beauties of my baby class! 

- Mary Grace

   

Week 3 for a Weak 2

    KK and I are both blogging today in order to make up for the lost time. I don't want to be that person that makes excuses but the reason we haven't updated in a while is because we've been down with... well we're not exactly sure. The Eby's seem to think our malaria medicine, Lariam, is making us sick. Some  side effects we've been experiencing are: fever, chills, nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue, sore muscles, loss of concentration, loss of appetite, the inability to sleep, and some others that I think I'll leave up to your own imaginations. I am convinced I'd rather have malaria than take the drug to prevent it.

    Thankfully, Mamma D is taking care of us! We went down to the drug store at Quality yesterday and replaced our Lariam with a more mild malaria preventative, Doxycycline. Yes, the same drug used back in the States to treat acne. Let's just say, KK and I aren't complaining. 

    With hopes of becoming well and achieving beautiful skin, we start our week off with optimism. We have a lot to look forward to these next seven days! Tony's wife, Angel, will be returning to the compound any day now with a new, healthy baby girl! There is a Bible conference down at ABU (African Bible University) that we will be attending in the afternoons. Two of the speaking pastors, Dr. Dennis Johnson and Pastor Fletcher, are staying here on Plot 2 with us. We had the privilege of hearing Dr. Johnson preach yesterday at Zana Presbyterian Church and enjoyed a time of worship last night led by Pastor Fletcher. We're getting a taste of that L'Abri-like atmosphere Mrs. Darlene was telling us about on our arrival here in Uganda. 

    Tesara, a California local who's been teaching at the school for 3 1/2 months, is leaving on Wednesday. We part with mixed feelings; sad to see our new friend go but excited about what her departure will bring! We will be taking over two of her bible studies this week with children from Zana Community Christian School. Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will be meeting with a small group of older girls. Our plan is to study Proverbs 31 and really delve into what it means and looks like to be a godly woman. On Sunday afternoons, we will be meeting with the boarding school children studying various bible stories and finding ways to practically apply those lessons to our lives.

    I believe KK has already introduced you to her "special" little girl. I wish I could say I haven't picked any favorites but some children just have a way of stealing your heart!... Ayabale is the child who has stolen mine.

   Well, that's all for now. 

                                                                                                                               - Mary Grace

     

    

Just Trying to Keep My Mother Happy;)

Welllll, it's been about a week since we last blogged, and although that doesn't seem too bad to me, according to Brenda Payne, it is just downright unacceptable:) Although, now that I am sitting here trying to recount an entire weeks worth of events, it seems a little more difficult than I had imagined. Anyways, lets see, I'll just talk about the things I can remember, which will mostly be random and sporadic of course, but here we go!

All last week we continued to go and teach at the school every morning. We are becoming more accustomed to everything now. The schedule, the children, whose good and who needs discipline, the teachers, tea time, and even the little chants. One of our favorites is when the kids do something correctly, everybody sings, "Lovely, lovely, and NICE!" It is quite adorable, and far different from the "way to go" we give American kids:) As we spend more time down at the school, my heart is continuing to melt, and I am finding myself wanting to bring back more and more of the children from my class. I even spent today teaching them "I love you" in sign language, and the rest of the afternoon they went around flashing it to everyone. It was adorable. There is one child I have become particularly fond of, in fact, fond doesn't even scratch the surface. I am head over heels in love with this little girl, whose name is Anisha. She is beautiful with the most wonderful smile I have ever seen. She is also extremely intelligent, finishes her work quietly and promptly, has a kind heart towards all of her classmates, and also treats me so respectfully and lovingly. I am honestly just a sucker for her! Ha there are times even in the middle of class when I am teaching and she will just walk up and start playing with my hair and stroking my arm gently. All of the kids are yelling, "Teacher, teacher, Anisha is not sitting!" And yes, I know I am supposed to be a fair teacher and send her back to her seat...but I just can't! I instead almost fall asleep as she pets my hair, and hug and laugh with her as she flashes that smile at me. I am already a push over when it comes to African children, but this one, gosh, she's got me heart and soul. I ask you to please keep Anisha in your prayers as I long for her to continue loving the Lord and being a light to all she meets. I also ask that you pray for God to give me an opportunity to serve and care for her. I am talking to the heads of the school this week to find out more about her background and family, and see if there are any needs, even her education, that I could help or assist with financially. I long to see this incredible little girl continue to grow both in her knowledge and education, but also in her love for Jesus every year!

My precious baby, Anisha:)

Hmmm but ok, straying from that little tangent, lest see...Wednesday night, everyone here at the compound had a banquet to attend all night at African Bible University, and so Mary and I had the great pleasure of enjoying a "girls night" together. We watched "Little Women", snuggled up on the couch, and even indulged in one of our favorite things to eat here, peanut butter with apples;) The rest of the week I can't remember too clearly, as we had 5 Malawians move in to the bunk house here, and Dr. Dennis Johnson from California also move in to the house. All in all, we are once again a full home, and meal times are fun with usually 15 to 20 people eating dinner here each night. Oh, thats another thing! Thursday was sweet Mr. Dave's birthday and so we had many Ugandan friends over, and Mrs. Darlene prepared a WONDERFUL meal of green beans, cole slaw, tilapia, steak, and we even made chocolate dipped frozen bananas. It was such a wonderful time of fellowship, and I can not even begin to tell you what a blessing Mr. Dave is, and how thankful I am for the life he has led for Christ and the example he has set before me. It is truly a privilege to get to stay with the Eby's and soak up all the wisdom I can from them while here.

Friday was a tiring day as the end of the week always is. The kids were extra crazy, and even more unwilling to obey than usual, but Mary and I did our best in keeping their attention with songs and her guitar playing for chapel and much of break. That afternoon, we enjoyed the Eby's porch, vigorously reading our novels, and excited to start the series "Love Comes Softly" on dvd that night. Unfortunately though, after enjoying popcorn we had so eagerly purchased, and finishing two movies of the series, I began to feel awful. Thus, for the past 3 days, both Mary and myself have been sick. We are not sure with what, it could be a little bug, something maybe we picked up from the kids at school, or most likely it is the Larium drug we were on for Malaria. We both spent 2 days in bed sleeping, feeling nauseas, having hot and cold flashes, seeing black spots when we stood up, and honestly being drained of all our energy. Although, we didn't do much but rest, we are now feeling MUCH better this morning, and have also switched to a different, not so strong, Malaria pill that will Lord willing cease the aches and fatigue we were feeling mostly likely due to the side effects of Larium.

In spite of not feeling well yesterday, we did try to go out a little, and attended Zana Presbyterian Church with the Carsons, and Dr. Johnson, who was preaching. The church building is at the same place where we go to school, and it was so fun to see many of the teachers and students there that we see on a daily basis at school. This church was vastly different from Bukwinda (where we went last week), and was just as wonderful and enjoyable! They have a solid building, microphones, a choir, a screen to help people like us read the Lugandan words (thank goodness, because Mary and I have just been making up gibberish this whole time!), and we even took communion yesterday. Dr. Dennis preached on Philippians 1: 12-26 and did a wonderful job! It was a great reminder of just how we are to have one goal and that is to glorify God. We may have other goals, good goals at that, like providing for our families or parents wanting to give their kids a good education, but beyond those goals our SUPREME goal must be to bring glory to God with our whole life. He talked about how for Paul, the choice between life and death was a choice of the greater of the 2 goods, not between good and bad. Because in Paul's mind, living meant more fruitful labor, more time to advance the kingdom and glory of God. But to die, meant to be WITH God, to spend eternity with Him forever. Everyday should be a day we put the needs of others above our own though. Paul exemplified this when he wanted to stay on earth to continue the work of the Lord, although selfishly he wanted to be with His Father in Heaven. Jesus of course exemplified selflessness to the upmost by dying for us. That is why my prayer after yesterday has been that God would rip me of my selfish desires, and that He would engage my heart with His causes!

While I'm on this little streak of a sermonette, I mine as well spill my heart about what the Lord has been challenging me on lately. Mostly, I have just been struck with how absolutely selfish my own heart is and how fleeting my emotions are as a human. I know that when I was in Auburn in school, ALLLL I longed for was to be in Uganda! Then when I was home for those 2 weeks between school and Africa, I just wanted to be back in Auburn with my friends! And now that I am here, absorbing this incredible opportunity the Lord has given me, I sometimes find myself thinking of home and thinking about how excited I am when I get to see my family. Don't read me wrong, I wouldn't trade a day or minute of being here, I am just showing you how fleeting my desires can be though! When I really noticed this the other day, I literally laughed out loud, and was absolutely disgusted at my own selfishness. I mean, in all those situations, what is the one common them? ME. It is a total disregard of being 100% content wherever the Lord has me. Instead, I am now continually asking the Lord for a renewed heart and mindset, one where I find absolute joy and peace and contentment in every circumstance, no matter what, because the Lord is faithful and good in ALL things! It is so amazing to me, how God is just continuing to pull back the layers of my awful, sinful heart,  but doesn't leave me there. Instead, He shows me my weaknesses, and then shows me even more His power through them;  my absolute and utter need for Him.

I always laugh when I leave Uganda, because I come here thinking "Oh, Lord let us help others and change their lives and have left an impact!" Instead, although I pray we do impact many here, I always see my own life altered and changed more when I return home. I realize when I come back, everyone always wants to know what "Mary and I did" and all that we got to witness or be a part of. And yes, all of that is wonderful to recount, but what I am realizing is that most, actually all of my stories, will involve recounting the MANY wonderful things God did! The lives He changed, the blessings He bestowed on us and others, the opportunities He made available to us, and mostly, the way He continues to refine me. Dr. Johnson talked last night, as all of us here at the compound sat in the Eby's din after dinner and had a time of worship and preaching together. He said something that I have known forever but struck me hard last night, and that is that I bring absolutely nothing to the cross, my hands are empty of anything and everything. In our world, if I want to give something to others, I give my time or talents or help with whatever gifts the Lord has bestowed upon me...but even those I can't quite "offer" the Lord because He is the one who gave them to me in the first place! Ha I don't know if this is making sense to you like it did to me:) I guess I just realize how absolutely helpless I am, how in debt I am to the King of Kings who laid down His life for me, and at the end of the day I have nothing to give, nothing but my entire life. That is all God is asking. He died, so that we might live, and in that we are just called to live for Him. It is so simple, so freeing, a deal such in our favor that is unfathomable. How great and awesome and loving is our God when you really truly sit down and think about what He has done....

Ok, well I'm off of the seriousness now, or at least somewhat pointed babbling:) My sweet parents and Cole and Mary have to listen to my thinking out loud constantly, but I am so thankful for their patience, and all in all, I hope in some way this has encouraged someone as it did me. School today was splendid! Mondays are usually best as everyone seems well rested from the weekend and ready to learn again. A really cool thing we witnessed today though, was the giving away of Operation Christmas Child boxes at school. Yes, we do realize it isn't anywhere close to Christmas, making it a bit confusing. But it WAS so cool to witness children in a 3rd world country actually RECEIVING these boxes that us Americans usually make. The children were thrilled to have new toys and shirts and shoes, and it was such an encouragement and inspiration to realize that the time we take to serve others in America, really is impacting lives here! Just a cool thing to have been on the side of making the boxes at ECS years ago, and then being on this side as we watched the faces of children who were receiving them from somewhere!

Anyways, this is what happens when I don't blog for a while, my post ends up being like a mile long:) Please continue to pray for our health, our efforts at school, and for the conference that is taking place this week that Mr. Dave and Dr. Johnson will be preaching many nights at. Missing all my sweet friends, but continually excited to exchange stories of all God has done in our lives this summer when I return!


With tons of love,
KK

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words :)

KK on the road we take to Zana school. 

The baby and top class building.

The student's bathrooms... lovely pit latrines. Complete with flies and consistently soiled grounds.
Thank goodness KK and I  have access to the teacher bathrooms. 

My baby class! :)

My baby class hard at work! :)

The verse the children pray daily. 

This is where we have our Friday chapels and where my babies nap. 

Our bedroom!

Front porch of the Eby's home. Great place for devotions and coffee in the mornings.

Check out the view from my hammock! 

The Eby's front yard... Absolutely flourishing with exotic plants!

We strung up our hammocks on the front porch... they make for a perfect afternoon rest!

Meet Zach, Zeke, and Zed! 

President Museveni

Textile merchant's hub in Kampala.

The vast sea of taxi's!

Where we found our taxi's yesterday.

Traffic in Kampala... is crazy!

- Mary Grace