The Marriage Proposal

Yes, it's the dead of night so therefore I am awake and bored as usual. I once thought that insomniacs were all liars. Now I understand. Jet lag is going to be the death of me.

Marriage proposals are usually rare for me. Especially in foreign countries. Maybe my uncomfortable moment can amuse you. So I will tell the story.

On Tuesday of my trip to the Philippines we had a Pastor's conference. I had just walked over to this when I was approached by this guy. He came over, introduced himself, shook my hand. His name is Moses. Interesting.

Before I go on, I need to explain a little about the Filipino culture. Men and women do not show any signs of public displays of affection. Even if they are married, they do not hold hands or touch in public. It would be equivalent to like making out in public or something. Also, they don't date. Girls will have one boyfriend who they met in high school and that's who they marry after college. No such thing as dating. They think Americans are kinda skanky for dating. Maybe we are.

Ok, so we were having a "rolling brown-out". This happens several times a day when the power goes out for sometimes a few minutes or about 8 hours. So the lights went out, no one even flinched because they are so used to it. And Moses and I are talking. He's telling me about all the instruments he can play. He can play so many different instruments that he can't even think of all of them. Uh, huh. So then the conversation turns down a bumpy road.

Moses: Have you left a husband or boyfriend in the United States?

Me: Oh, no.

Moses: Oh, I thought you were married. It looked like you had a ring on.

Me: Umm. No this ring is on my pinky finger and it's made of plastic. hahaha. (uncomfortable laughing)

Moses: Are you searching for a husband?

Me: What?? Searching?? ummm no

Moses: You don't want to get married?

Me: Maybe someday. I wouldn't use the word 'searching' maybe just 'waiting'?

Moses: Well, maybe, Melissa I could pray for you and you could pray for me.

Me: Um sure.

Moses: I think that you could pray that God might bring us together in marriage.

Me: Umm.

Moses: I am wanting you to be the mother of my children.

Me: No, no thanks.

Moses: I think you should pray about this. And ask God if we should marry.

Me: Nope. I don't think so. Sorry.

(Really uncomfortable silence.)

Me: Well, I need to go find my friends.

Moses: Maybe, we could just be friends and I could get your email or phone number.

Me: No, I'm not going to do that. Sorry. Goodbye.

Now I think I should mention some important things. Moses is not Filipino. He is African. Later I found out that he is an "African prince" and he proposes weekly to every girl he meets. Nice. Everyone else thought this story was hilarious. I just avoided all conversations with guys for the rest of the trip.