They met when they were 15 years old , and since then he has considered her as the love of his life, but he had to wait four years and four months to make her his wife. Four years and four months is enough time to grow a feeling that has been alive for almost two decades ,as strong as a deep- rooted tree.

Today, Laura and Luis Enrique are too far away from each other. Since last October, their passion has revived through sporadic emails or phone calls. Along with 53 Cubans, Luis Enrique Lemus Padrón is in Liberia spreading a different expression of love but, like the one he feels for his wife, this love face the distances does not ask anything in return.Luis Enriquez is a General Doctor from Guira de Melena Township and is member of the second group of medicine collaborators who went to Africa to fight Ebola virus. Previously, this cuban doctor served a humanitarian mission in Venezuela, for five years. Upon his return, he became director of Health Service in Batabanó Township for three years. He began working in San Antonio de los Baños Township. Then, he had this new opportunity to offer his solidarity overseas.

"I expressed my desire to be part of Henry Reeve medical brigade . I think that all medical missions are important, but this one stands out for being ebola virus a highly lethal disease that could spread throughout the world if it is not stopped and eradicated. I did not think it twice to volunteer as a white-coated soldier who honorably serves his Homeland."

About the work of Cuban doctors in Liberia, he comments: "Upon arriving in Monrovia the press showed that Ebola was already down because Cubans had arrived. In fact, we had not started working, but it highlights the reputation we have earned worldwide due to our work.

"We share a unique experience with other colleagues from Liberia, the African Union and other parts of the world. Interpersonal relationships are magnificent, based on respect, a high- level professionalism and ethics. In our brigade there are doctors who who train health workers from Liberia to get rid of the virus. They trust us due to our high level of training and the mastery of medical procedures. We have raised the survival index, despite some patients’ delay to look for medical assistance."

Recently the media released the news of a possible vaccine to cure such lethal disease , in this regard, Luis Enrique says: "Unfortunately the medicine has side effects that invalidate its use in patients , so we continue developing our work intensely. For the time being , the only vaccine is the mankind’s prevention and its commitment to fight the epidemic."

Family support is essential for the medical brigade and makes its members stronger . . In Cuba , at home, Laura and his two children are waiting for him: a 16- year old and a 18-year old. They both are proud of his father ‘s work , Laura says: "At the beginning it was difficult. We always fear that he gets sick , but when we talk on the phone , he tells me that they are very careful. He also speaks about sick children and other diseases that exist there and we are not accustomed to face here in Cuba."

"We communicate with our family every day through internet or telephone and sometimes through videos, letters, postcards. The latter can be sent by the Central Unit of Medical Cooperation. I thank the colleagues who perform this work in Cuba who make us feel happy in important dates such as : December 3(day of Latin American Medicine , New Year and January first, "said Luis Enrique, who keeps in touch with his parents, who suffer from Alzheimer's.

"I take care of her father, and I visit her mother . His mother starts crying every time she talks to Luis Enrique. His dad sometimes asks me about him, because he forgets that Luis Enrique is serving an internationalist mission. His father asks me, where is Tite living now ?

"Once , Luis Enrique was going to talk to his dad on the phone , the call failed and we asked a family friend to act as if he were Luis Enrique , and happily his father did not realized the difference," recalls Laura, concluding the story with a smile.

For her, as for many wives, children, parents, friends, think of the noble task of saving lives, carried out by the Cuban internationalists, the sacrifice is worth. They all are part of a great work of immeasurable love, without boundaries.

Translated by LMMS