On Saturday afternoon, Mary and I arrived home to UCU campus in Mukono after spending 2 nights near the airport in Entebbe. We were greeted by smiling faces and hugs from our neighbors and friends who came by to greet us.
I have enjoyed getting to familiarize myself with the campus and had the opportunity to meet several of the faculty and staff the last few days. Warm and welcoming are the trademark characteristics of the people here in Uganda.
We also have some four-legged neighbors who like to avail themselves of the fruits in our garden and also the fruit in the nearby trees (mangos are everywhere right now). While more exotic (to me), people talk about the monkeys like we do the squirrels in Texas, a little perturbed that they are eating our fruit or in the squirrels’ case, hiding nuts in our flower pots. At a barbeque with the Entrepreneurship faculty last night, my favorite quote of the evening was “We can’t sit outside because the monkeys may throw mangos at us.” These monkey friends like to pick mangos, take a bite, and if they are not yet ripe, throw them down to the ground below.
This is a picture borrowed from Wikipedia because I haven’t gotten a close-up photo of one of these guys yet! They’re always on the move!
Yesterday, I woke up to a rooster crowing on our neighbor’s patio. A few hours later, this neighbor kindly brought over some homemade chicken in a tasty broth and matoke (a traditional Ugandan dish of steamed bananas that tastes a little like mashed potatoes) to share.
Our back patio is one of my favorite places at this new home. It’s surrounded by a garden full of herbs and fruit (thyme, basil, parsley, strawberries, gooseberries, leeks, eggplant, cucumber, green onions, and more). It will be fun to cook with such a fresh assortment just outside the kitchen. It’s also a lovely location for quiet time with the Lord and for our group prayer and bible study each morning.
It looks so beautiful! And monkeys, how cool!
I’m laughing at the idea of getting hit by a mango at a bbq. I love the garden for your devotions!
Gooseberries. One of my favorites. My grandmother’s garden in England had them and she would makes pies with them… Sometimes I was allowed to eat one before it went into the pie.
The monkeys remind me of our squirrels. Before we cut down our pecan tree, they would take one bite and drop it into the pool…
The picture of the garden looks so inviting and peaceful. Thank you for the update!
Indeed, welcome, Jessica, to your new home! May the Lord richly bless your ministry and life at Uganda Christian University.
It looks amazingly peaceful.
It is absolutely beautiful! How amazing and what a gift from God!!!!!
Love hearing and seeing this new adventure the Lord has taken you on. Can’t wait to hear more! Praying for and thinking of you often. Love that you love your new environment! You Go GIRL!
Jess–I love these descriptions of your new lifestyle! My Dal girls are kept quite busy with the squirrels and bunnies–can’t imagine what they’d do with monkeys and mangoes! Take care! Joyce
beautiful pic of the garden! I can see why it is your favorite! I would bet the fragrances are amazing as well!
Blessings to you in Uganda. Your backyard space looks like a peaceful place to spend time with the Lord!
My mouth is watering! What a lovely place to call home for the summer.
I enjoyed your update. Looks like you are surrounded by beauty. Anxious to hear of your cooking adventures.
Wow!! What a beautiful back yard! Jimmy uses a sling shot on the squirrels here. Have visions of the monkeys reversing that there. Prayers for you, sweetie.
Wow! I can’t believe you’re there. God has moved so mightily in these past several months. We are praying for your time there and all God is doing in your heart and through your service.
Jessica, what a wonderful beginning to the journey on which the Lord is leading you. I look forward to hearing more details about your life there. Prayers continue!
Dear Jessica…..thinking of you often! Aren’t you glad you answered Gods call! What a beautiful place surrounding you.
Monkeys are funny but scary too! I resonated with Christine’s comment on the gooseberries. I particularly loved gooseberry jam!
You’re in my prayers and I wish you continued joy in Jesus!