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 Tuesday marks the fifth month of our stay in Uganda. I was telling Spence this morning that you would think we would be quite adjusted to life here by now, but then he reminded me that that is 5 months out of 5 years...so of course it will take time to get adjusted. We are still struggling with homesickness. Friends are getting married and getting pregnant. Spencer's sister is expecting her first this October! We are so excited to hear about all these wonderful happenings, but it is somewhat bitter-sweet when we realize that we will not be there to share in the experience. We are stuck with only words to send via email, letter, or telephone.
We are settling into life here, though. Hanging clothes on the line to dry is becoming somewhat therapeutic. Cooking from scratch has gotten easier with a little bit of planning. Language is coming slowly and our language teacher is excited about the progress we are making. Recently, I thought I was doing pretty good, until I went out to the village and realized the only one I could understand was a three year old who would say just one or two words at a time. I guess being at a three-year old's level isn't so bad. I just get worried, when I wonder how long I will stay at this level! We didn't realize that giving was going to be such a difficult discipline to learn, but in truth it has been. We are getting much more comfortable though with responding to requests. When we first arrived and even now sometimes, we would just give out money hoping whoever was asking would just leave as quickly as possible. I can see a difference, though, as we are not so uncomfortable with the many requests. We are beginning to learn how to give....money, food, medicine, prayers, etc. It is definitely a work in progress—one I am sure we will never fully master, but it is encouraging to feel growth in something you so desperately want to do right. As a team, we are still so ever grateful for each other. (Of course, no one has told us we are driving them crazy, so Spence and I feel secure in that they are still happy we are around them twenty-four seven J )! Truthfully, though, the Jinja team has been a blessing from God. We are dreading the upcoming month of June when Erika and McKensey will be returning home to the USA. We are all too aware of how quickly the time is flying. Ben and Kym and Baby Eli are wonderful friends and have quickly become family. We are in prayer about a family in Michigan (the Manrys) that will come for a survey trip this May. We are hopeful that they will be able to join the team by the end of this year. So these are just some thoughts for you from us. We are grateful to you if you were able to read this far into the letter. Blessings from us to you! Thank you for the prayers and the support. Please continue to drop the emails in when you have a moment....they are food for the soul. We love you all! Emily and Spencer
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