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