We will have our last clinic day tomorrow! It seems impossible in many ways that our time here is nearly finished. I was talking with Joey, my translator from Congo, he was sharing with me his experiences over the last few months, seeing teams come and go. When the first team had to leave, he was not prepared to say good-bye. He talked about how he wanted to "weep too much". He says he now knows that each time he meets someone new, that soon they will be leaving and he tries to remember that so it won't be so difficult. I hope that philosophy works for me tomorrow but I am certain I will weep too much.

Yesterday, we had a little accident on the way to Nakivale to the clinic. Apparently it was the day that many schools were resuming their session and the dirt road we travel was very busy. Many small cars that serve as taxis were on the road. They will cram 9-10 people in a Toyota Corolla!! A car like that came over on our side of the road hit the front of the Land Rover, then the back, which knocked us off the road. Peter, our driver, was very quick to recover and we were up on the road right away. Fortunately no one was injured, but the Toyota Corolla suffered serious injuries! These drivers are so careless. (not our Peter) So Ian and I were late for work!

I worked in the antenatal clinic with Loida, the midwife. Joey and I helped gather weights, BPs, and registered new patients. I also gave all the mamas their tetanus vaccine. There are so many mamas!!! Part of the antenatal program is to provide HIV testing for all the women so if they are positive they can be given the medications to help decrease the transmission of HIV to the baby. Unfortunately, yesterday a mother tested positive. Hakim, the nurse that does the testing, told me that each clinic (Monday & Friday) there has been at least one positive and sometimes 2-3) Sometimes the women will not return for follow up, which is so tragic because with the medication transmission to baby is very low.

Malaria is on the rise in Uganda. David Alula tells us that last year, in the months of June, July , and August, there was a 100% increase in the number of Malaria cases. Already this month the WHO is reporting a 65% increase. Money for testing kits which cost approximately $1.00 per kit, medications which cost $8.00 per treatment, and mosquito nets is needed. You can help by giving to Medical Teams International. Just visit their website: www.medicalteams.org. Okay that was my PSA!

This trip has been an amazing experience. I pray that I will use this time as God desires. Thank you to everyone for your prayer support, to my family for loving my kids while I am away, to my Ste. Genevieve OB buddies for their love and support, and to Jon for always letting me go where God leads me.

Mungu akubariki!