YEA!! ITS A PARASITE!!

You wouldn't think we would be happy if we got a parasite - but we are!  We learned earlier this week that Taylor has a parasite - which is the cause of all of his problems - well not all of his problems. :)

He had a colonoscopy and an endoscope on Friday which was entertainment for the week!  We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am. We bought a newspaper while we were waiting and opened it to see this heart breaking picture:

Three healthy new born babies placed in a box in the hospital as they had no beds for them. Luckily for us this hospital is just down the road from the hospital we are in!  Taylor did get a bed - not a box - but after he had been back in the surgery room for about 20 minutes, they wheeled him back out - IV in his hand - but they hadn't done any procedures yet.  It seems his parasite was "a very resistant and nasty one" and they only have 3 scopes - so in order to protect the other patients - they wanted to do them first - so they wouldn't have to use the same scope they used on him???  We were laughing and gagging at the thought that he would now get the "used and dirty" scopes!  The nurse assured me they washed the scope between patients but his would have to be sent out for deeper cleaning after his procedure - so because they didn't want to contaminate the other patients - they would do him last. All we could do was smile and sat "This is Africa!".

In the past year we have had malaria, spider bites, food poisoning and parasites - but we wouldn't trade this experience for the world!

Earlier this month we went to Port Elizabeth.  This is a city on the Indian Ocean about a 10 hour drive from Cape Town.  We stayed at a hotel on the beach - it was absolutely beautiful!

While we were there (yes we were working) we visited the Red Location Township.  This was the first township the black people were sent to after the war here.  It was so sad to see the conditions these people live in on a daily basis.  It was Saturday and the streets were busy with people just hanging out talking.  I couldn't help but think what a difficult life this would be, and how hard it would be to raise children in these circumstances.

We were also fortunate to have a little extra time one afternoon and we decided to drive to Addo - an area where elephants are protected.  It was huge!  While driving on the road we came upon several elephants crossing the road right in front of our car and this little baby nursing.

Only 2 1/2 more months till we come home!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  TJ - aka Elder Hartman#1 (as he likes to be called) will be home on December18th!  We were so excited to all be re-united for Christmas!

We will all probably struggle a bit when we get home and then eventually we will assimilate ourselves, one memory at a time.  But I hope as we start again taking our ease for granted we will remember with a clear mind - all the blessings, the people and the memories of this incredible adventure.