Manry Family

Okay, so it doesn't make quite the statement as "I had a farm in Africa," -- Meryl Streep's opening line in the classic Out of Africa. However, I'm quite proud of my avocado tree. It's a young tree that bore fruit for the first time this month. The avocados are plenty and I must say they are very good-just ask Tessa. She and I split one almost every day. This simple task of feeding Tessa food that I pick from trees on my compound has me remembering the many things about Uganda that I love. Most of you know how I've been homesick lately. We've lived here almost two and a half years and I can honestly say that I've experienced great joy - but joy coupled with deep sadness. I believe my current elevated feeling of being homesick is rooted in my desire for my family to experience Tessa and all her sweetness. I'm also realizing just how quickly time passes and children grow. But even though my heart longs to be home with family and friends, I have not allowed that to dominate my thoughts, at least completely! I am committed to experiencing Africa and the Basoga people and culture. I in no way want to regret how I spent my time here. I don't want to leave wishing I had done more or done it all differently. In the same way, I don't want to dismiss or neglect my feelings of missing home. These are real feelings that I'm thankful I have. I love home. I'm crazy about my family. And life without my sweet girlfriends just isn't the same. I'm glad I miss them.  Not missing them would actually be strange. And so, I choose to live in this tension of longing for home yet satisfied and engaged with where God has me right now. The word satisfied implies that I am fully content here in Jinja. I admit that isn't the case. I often have internal battles of my will verses God's will. There are days I feel trapped here and my behavior reflects that. But ultimately, I am embracing this time and recognizing the fruit it's producing in my life. I am choosing to be satisfied with God's will for me. Up close, it looks messy and full of emotion. But, I am committed to being obedient to him, and this obedience often requires me to live within a tension. And it's in this tension that I am being shaped and transformed into a new creature.

I want to share with you the things I love about Uganda and our experience here. This list is more for me than you. I want to remind myself just how blessed I am to have lived a short period of my life within this community and unique environment.

• I feed Tessa avocados from a tree outside my kitchen door.
  
• The weather is almost perfect and very consistent (Of course I hear it's been consistent in Michigan this year as well - consistent with lots of snow that is!)
  
• Life is simple
  
• We have people staying in our home on a regular basis
  
• Organic food -without the cost
  
• Our life and Mark's work is conducive to family time
  
• I'm learning what it's like to be a minority
  
• I'm intimating learning about another culture, which increases my understanding of God's global Kingdom
  
• My children attend school with Ugandans, Indians, South Africans, Europeans, Australians and Asians - and there's only 35 students in the whole school! They are 3 out of the 4 Americans. Surely this will shape them.
  
• We are known wherever we go - gotta love small towns
  
• We work with an incredible team of present teammates, Ugandans and past teammates
  
• Mark's role within the work is a great fit for him
  
• Bonnie and Janet - what would I do without them! They have become dear friends
  
• I live a few stones throw from the Nile River
  
• I went to breakfast the other morning and watched monkeys swing from trees and feed from foliage on the ground
  
• I can go to the supermarket, pick up more items than I have money and they'll let me pay later
  
• My children have been within ten feet of wild animals in their natural environment - how cool is that!
  
• I have experienced a glimpse of what it's like to live in a place where I can't control everything; okay, I don't love this, but I know it's good for me!
  
• I have a veranda - a lovely screened in porch
  
• We are continually meeting people from all over the world
  
• And finally, I must say one of my favorite things about Uganda (and I think I speak for our whole family) is Tom! 
  

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