BENSON - by Nancy Chuang
February 16, 2009
The first thing that struck me about Benson was his desire for affection, but his simultaneous need to hide that desire. Rosemary warned us in advance that Malawi doesn't have a huggy culture, but immediately upon introduction Benson began leaning against me or putting his arm around my shoulders—all the while studiously avoiding eye contact. Unsmiling and serious most of the time, he would gamely chuckle when I made a joke—whether he understood it or not. And when the times to hug arose, he hugged so hard.
We arrived the first evening at Pastor Peter's in near-silence. Hoping to break the ice, I offered him the opportunity to play with my camera.