The Great Jackfruit Escapade

Sometimes life in Uganda is like a box of… jackfruit candy. Wait! Is there such a thing? If not, I should get this idea out there, because jackfruit is everything. If you have a Trader Joe’s around you, I strongly suggest you go jackfruit hunting, because, as I mentioned, jackfruit is…. everything. Imagine a childhood filled with juicy fruit gum, and sunshine rays drenching you at the neighborhood pool while you smell burgers on the grill. Jackfruit is delightful childhood memories, sunshine and sweet lovin’ goodness, in God’s very own fruity creation. Did I mention that I love it?

My dad and some of his cohorts even attempted a stealth jackfruit growing mission in NC for me, which is not working out too well. It matters that they are trying though, and if we learn how, we promise to share our fruit! 

I suppose jackfruit is wafting through my mind because of the recent escapades of some of our boarding kids. Boys. To be sure. #frontal cortex, NOT closed. Even so, they must love jackfruit as much as I do because they made a radical decision one night last week. I think that jackfruit goodness had bewitched their imaginations much like it does mine and hijacked their good sense. I call it the “Great Jackfruit Escapade” because… that sounds awesome. 

Every child, including myself has been eagerly watching the jackfruit tree for signs of new fruit. This tree doesn’t grow fruit all year long, so it becomes even more special as we are forced to savour it while it lasts. We have one of these magnificent creations growing almost smack dab in the middle of our football pitch. The children kick their ball around it while also sneaking glances up at the interior for signs of life. It feels like we have been waiting forever. 

This is why I have such sympathy. Around midnight, the caper began. The boys got the attention of the guard who was keeping his dutiful watch over our “innocent” ones late that night and tried to convince him of their good plan. “We are hungry!” they said, “We want jackfruit!” they chimed. “Please help us!” Oh, how I understand. 

I can just picture our boys, bound together by the magic of this fruity delicacy, in their pj’s, joining forces to escape. For some odd reason, (wink, wink), the guard decided to succumb to their boyhood cravings for adventures and sweets, and led them OUT, down the dirt road to their midnight cravings. I guess no one is safe from the jackfruit magic.

Once they arrived at the tree that beckoned them, they climbed up to try to cut the fruit that had ripened. Honestly, it looks like some dormant creature from Monster’s Ink, but alas, what is inside is as sweet as Sulley. As they shimmied their way up the huge trunk, propelled by the jackfruit adrenaline that had gotten them this far, they found the treasure they had been seeking. The boys ripped open that fruit, (at least this is how my imagination sees it) and sunk their teeth into that yummy goodness, one seed at a time. Were they smiling at the success of their crafty plan? Probably. After all, a hungry boy has to eat, yes? I imagine that bellies full, adventure sorted, and guard ready to go to sleep, they sauntered back to their bunks like kings at a feast. 

I am sure they slept well that night dreaming of their jackfruit exploits, and brotherhood fun, and to tell you the truth, I am kind of envious of their adventure. Never fear, they probably won’t do that again, but shhhh!!!! , I believe it was worth it. 

The joy of the Lord is our strength! Nehemiah 8:10