July 4, 2013 It’s Independence Day

It’s Independence Day at home in America, but here it is just another day.  Sister Dell did call and wish us a good holiday, however.  She seems to keep track of all of that kind of thing. 

Today is the day Ntombiyakhe Dayile comes to clean at our flat.  We had gone to the grocery store early before she was to come but when we got back, she was waiting for us by the door.  As she was walking in she mentioned that her baby was sick. When I asked her what was wrong, she showed me her babies face.  It was horrible, raw, infected with the skin just falling off.  We asked her if she had taken her to a doctor and were told that she took her to the township clinic Monday and they said they couldn’t help her. The doctor she would normally go to when the township clinic can’t help was not in town. Now here it is Thursday and she hadn't gotten any help for the baby. We put her in the car and took her to the doctor we see. When they saw the baby, they took her in right away.  It turns out she was born with a skin condition that doesn’t present a problem if treated. She should have been seen on Saturday when it first was starting and it wouldn’t have gotten bad.  We told her next time to call us.  She says she feels bad for causing trouble…which she is not.  Anyway, the doctor gave her some medicine and ointment and cleansing soap type stuff and wants to see her again on Saturday.

Elder Zarbock, one of our former AP’s, is coming with his family to have dinner here and stay the night.  He is going home from his mission and his family flew over to pick him up and see some sights. Elder Zarbock originally wanted to take us to dinner with his family as they passed through Port Alfred but we suggested that they spend the night with us and we would make them dinner.  He accepted the invitation in behalf of his family.  They are a very nice family, but definitely high energy.  

They enjoyed our food and we enjoyed the desserts they brought, seems like a good trade to me.  Elder Zarbock asked if there was anything his family could bring from America for us and Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix and Crystal Lite were at the top of our list.  They were grateful to be able to stay here and were fun to visit with.  We are glad they came. Elder Zarbock was the trainer for our newest elder, Elder Andersen.  

Elder Andersen and Elder Tennant stopped by around 8:30 to say “hi” and they were able to visit for a while.  Pictures were taken, of course.