I Miss the Rain in Africa: Peace Corps as a Third Act

Product Description

At a time when her friends were planning cushy retirements, Nancy Wesson instead walked away from a comfortable life and business to head out as a Peace Corps Volunteer in post-war Northern Uganda. She embraced wholeheartedly the grand adventure of living in a radically different culture, while turning old skills into wisdom. Returning home becomes a surreal experience in trying to reconcile a life that no longer “fits.” This becomes the catalyst for new revelations about family wounds, mystical experiences, and personal foibles.
Nancy shows us the power of stepping into the void to reconfigure life and enter the wilderness of the uncharted territory of our own memories and psyche, to mine the gems hidden therein. Funny, heartbreaking, insightful and tender, I Miss the Rain in Africa is the story of honoring the self, discovering a new lens through which to view life, and finding joy along the path.

“Inspiring and educational when it comes to what we can accomplish when we put our best foot forward, I Miss the Rain in Africa shows how Nancy Daniel Wesson and others are putting the needs of others ahead of themselves-and what we can all do when it comes to stepping out on faith and choosing to act.” — Cyrus Webb, media personality and author, Conversations Magazine
“I would think that many of us could learn or strive to live life to the fullest by following Nancy’s example. Imagine venturing into new realms-especially at a later time in life when we possess meaningful knowledge for analyzing, but also for applying a critical philosophical perspective on new experiences.” Gary Vizzo, former management & operations director, Peace Corps Community Development: African and Asia
“I Miss the Rain in Africa is an absorbing record of the exploration of self by a woman who, at age 64, enters a remote area of Africa to work with an NGO. Part adventure, part interior monologue, this is an account of a 21st century derring-do by an intrepid, intriguing and always optimistic woman who will, undoubtedly, enjoy a fourth and maybe even a fifth act wherever she may find herself.” –Eileen Purcell, outreach literacy coordinator, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, Oregon
“Wesson offers a montage of stories and experiences that introduces the reader to the colorful people and challenging life in Uganda. Wesson’s observations are shared with humor, respect, and compassion. For anyone who has ever won-dered what serving in Peace Corps or immersing oneself in a radically different life overseas might be like, this book provides a portal.” –Kathleen Willis, Retired Peace Corps Volunteer-Community Organizer, former organizational development consultant

Review

This lovely book by Nancy Wesson is a primer in how to be a human being. At 64 years of age, she went to Uganda as a Peace Corps volunteer. Her post was in an area recently ravaged by war, impoverished, full of horror. It was also full of decency, humor, incredible acts of generosity and kindness. Nancy’s lively writing will take you there and teach you many things. You will become a better person for enjoying her account of two remarkable years. But, above all, her book is fun. She gave me a laugh in the midst of the most unlikely adventure; e.g. breaking a finger or being surrounded by gun-wielding soldiers. Then there is the last part of the book, after her return: a very touching psychological journey to healing. This part is a primer in self-therapy. More entertaining than most novels, this personal account is a must-read. –Bob Rich, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Sleeper Awake
I Miss the Rain in Africa is a true and adventurous story of a wise woman of 64, who goes to Uganda as a Peace Corp Volunteer. Her account of this escapade is a rich, page- turning tapestry of events, emotions, cultural surprises and inner reflections that continue to be woven, even after returning to her home country. Wesson’s style of writing takes me right where she is-as if I am