In many African languages, there are phrases for “your fathers” or “my fathers.” Yesterday a friend came to help us at the house. When I was asking him about his kiosk he had just opened, he said, “Oh, yes, my father helped me.” I had to ask to find out whether this was his biological father or one of his father’s brothers. You see, the idea is that children will honor their biological fathers but also honor their uncles as additional fathers. It is also expected that these fathers will help whenever they can. “Fathers” have helped their “children” get educated, get started in a trade or a business, and in so many other ways.
For many in Saboba and Damongo and even in Kumasi, Bob Young is considered one of their fathers. Over the years, Bob has welcomed a steady stream of young people into our home where he has helped feed them, educate them, clothe them, and encourage them. Even today, Bob still gets phone calls and messages from these children who are now adults with families.
Bob is the one who makes the family phone calls to our kids in America, to his cousins and to his remaining brother. For those of you who are sad because you haven’t been able to have elaborate celebrations for birthdays, etc., welcome to our world. Over the years, we have missed countless such celebrations as we have continued to work at the AG Hospital in Saboba. Not once has Bob complained about our being unable to be with family at all of these special times. We miss our families terribly and must settle for phone calls and prayers and messages on Facebook.
Being married to a surgeon is a really tough proposition. Until the last few months, I was on call on a regular basis and even now I am still on back – up. This means that I can be called at any moment, and that in turn means that Bob might be wakened up at any time. My commitments to my patients have meant that we could not take the in – country vacations that other missionaries have enjoyed. Not once has Bob complained.
Bob is the spiritual head and high priest of our household. We pray together. We worship together. But in the final analysis, if a decision has to be made, we pray about it and Bob has the final say.
This Father’s Day I wish to praise God for giving me Bob Young as a husband. Bob, I love you! Let us go forward together with Jesus!
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