Paul and I spent two days apart while he was in another village doing some malaria outreach. I knew he would contact me by radio soon after he arrived but his timing was impeccable, as usual. I was doing breakfast dishes when a boy volunteering in the health center came up to our house to let me know that Sir Paul wanted to transmit with me. I ran down to the health center (where the radio set is) only to find that it was vaccination clinic day. Now, the health center is usually not a very happening place unless it is one of the few specified clinic days a month, such as this one. That means that on this particular day not only were staff and the work study students in there listening to my radio conversation, but also a bunch of mothers with their babies. I was talking with Paul, trying not to show too much emotion over the radio when he said, “I love you.” All eyes were on me as I responded, “I love you too.” Giggles surrounded me as I said, “I’m going,” and headed back home.
“I love you” is something we say every day. It comes natural. We’ve heard it since before we can remember, yet here it is something a bit more foreign. I’ve seen a man and woman hold hands once. I’ve seen a woman lean in and whisper to a man….also once. Culturally it’s not normal to be openly affectionate here. I’m sure some of the people in the village think Paul and I are crazy because we get along and talk. Even crazier is when they find out he does the dishes.
2 comments:
I'm sure you guys are the talk of the town.
We told Paul his entire life that we loved him and he never did the dishes at our house.
Ed & Janet
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