Tuesday morning I went to the dining hall and met Nate and Vicki who were already there. We soon discovered that Grace had been sick all night and was in no condition to go to the clinic. Normally that meant neither of us would go, since we ladies weren't allowed to venture into town on our own at that time. Vicki suggested that I could still go since Nate could escort me...but then she wondered if that would be culturally inappropriate--single man, single lady riding into town together. I blushed as I glanced at Nate, who also looked a bit embarrassed. Finally we decided that I should go ask Abebe what he thought, as an African man. I did and he smiled and said, "No problem! You can go."
And so, we went! Just the 2 of us got to cycle into town together. I thought to myself, "Now is his chance to say something to me if he wants to!" We chatted leisurely as we rode into town and went to the clinic. We went in and greeted the staff and I introduced Nate to them. They started calling him "Doctor" because he was white and coming to the clinic, which he enjoyed! I found him a chair to sit on so he could observe what I was doing with the patients.
It was a fun morning. I remember just loving my interaction with the mothers and children that day and really feeling the presence of God with me. I knew I needed Him...it was my first time to see patients at the clinic without Grace or Vicki there to consult with and I also didn't have any translator for the first hour so I had to make do with my limited M. language. Nate helped me out with his Arabic a couple of times. I felt so happy and comfortable to have Nate there watching me--everything felt so right. It was one of those moments where I knew without a doubt that I was where and with who God wanted me to be. Nate will tell you that this morning in the clinic was when God also spoke clearly to his heart, saying "This is the one for you."
When it was time for us to leave, we said goodbye to everyone at the clinic and I told Nate that we usually go over to the soda shop in the market after we finish and have a cold soda. I asked him if he'd like to, and of course he agreed! So I guess you could say this was our first date. Nate will tell you that he made that 300 ml Pepsi last an extraordinarily long time and I did too! He was saying to himself, "Now's my chance! I need to talk to her. Come on, say something man!" (my paraphrase!) but he didn't! We chatted for probably an hour and then went to buy bread. We continued to talk as we sloooowly cycled home. I was thinking, "Come on, Nate, say something to me! This is our last chance!" I even took us the long way around, via the road rather than the path, so we could continue to talk as we rode side by side.
We arrived back at the compound for lunch and then I believe we sat and talked in the dining hall for the rest of the afternoon. Again, we were left alone for the most part and had great conversation, but neither of us said anything about our feelings for each other. Both of us were wondering if the other was just being "nice".
By supper time, I was pretty upset. I thought, "We had all this time alone all day and we haven't said ANYTHING." Nate's time there had changed my life. I wanted to be with him and I didn't know how I would handle it if he left the next morning and I was left hanging. I prayed, "Lord, please help me to wait and to trust You."
After supper, everyone stayed around the table and talked for a while. I made Sudanese hibiscus tea and we had sesame halva from the market. After a while, people started getting up and going to their tukuls to retire for the evening. I stood up and started slooowly clearing up the table, very thoroughly. Nate stood up and started helping me. Pretty soon, we were the only ones left. We finished clearing up and then stood there, talking. Neither of us moved toward the door. After a little while, when I thought it wouldn't be too obvious, I sat back down on a chair, signaling that I was very interested in continuing to talk. Nate remained standing for a few more minutes and then sat down across from me. I needed to use the latrine BADLY but I didn't want to end the conversation by doing so.
Finally, a transition took place when I leaned back in my chair and noticed a sizable scorpion crawling under the table, heading between our feet. I jumped back and pointed it out to Nate and he got up to find a stick to kill it with, while I took the opportunity to run out to the latrine. Phew!
I returned to the dining hall to find a dead scorpion on the ground and Nate sitting down in his chair again. I sat down and we just looked at each other and smiled. Somehow I knew the big moment had arrived. His opening line was, "So Kassu thinks I should stay here for a few more days..." and I knew exactly what he was getting at. He looked terrified and almost backed out of what he was going to say next so I encouraged him by unleashing my own feelings and telling what the past 5 days had meant to me. Then he did the same and pretty soon it was all out in the open. One thing he said still stands out to me. He said he'd been feeling this "exciting peace" throughout the last 5 days when he was with me. I understood what he meant and thought that was a perfect way to describe our interaction.
We were serious and didn't waste any time--obviously, since you're reading this a year later and we celebrated our 4 month anniversary yesterday!
I went back to my tukul after we said goodnight and excitedly emailed my parents with the news. Nate went back to his tent and slept peacefully for the first time in 5 nights!
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