Can you believe they actually let me drive in Ecuador!?

I read in a book before we came to Ecuador that the number two killer of people age 20-30 in Ecuador was motor vehicle accidents. It's not hard to see why! Not only do they pass on double yellow lines, a van will pass a bus with another bus coming head on and think nothing of it. It seems to be the oncoming persons responsibility to make sure everything works out ok. Lots of horn honking too! Two of the 3 guys on staff at Casa de Fe don't have a drivers license because they walk or ride their bikes, and a drivers license costs a couple hundred dollars. Thats a lot of money when you consider the working wage is about $2.50 per hour. Evidently my US drivers license is good to go here so I get to drive when Isreal isnt around to chauffer. I love this truck! Many of the cars here are diesel, even the little ones. Diesel here is about $1.00/gallon and regular unleaded is about $2.00. Its strange that GM, Chevy and Kia are the popular cars here but all are different models than we drive in the US.

Yesterday afternoon was baby time and physical therapy. The Occupational Therapist says this one got food everytime she fussed. She must have fussed a lot cuz she is a chunky little thing! Ginia and Jos get to do most of the baby time but I snag one every once in a while.

This is Josie's favoriet snuggle buddy. She and her sister are both at Casa de Fe and both have the same congenital disorder. Maybe linked to the oil companies and the mess they leave in the jungle, maybe a hereditary contidion among the folks of the jungle. Whatever the reason, this disorder is a fairly common congenital anomaly.

Not much to say about this picture. I just liked it. :)

The wood here is incredible. Hard, dense, heavy. Most things are built from concrete but everyone has a wood door on the front of their house and they are beautiful! A hand made front door costs around $200.00. This piece, that I want to smuggle home, is a board that goes under a bunk bed mattress. Every piece of wood I see has incredible grain and beauty. Ain't like the warped pine sold at Home Depot! Emery has been making fun of me every time I make a comment on the wood here but I tell him one of God's gift to us are those hidden things around us, that when revealed, show us the true power of His creation.

Ginia is getting ready to work. This morning we are all in the shop. I went to help Hernand change out fluorescent fixtures and the other 3 got busy paining. The paint here is waaaay different than in the US. They evidently don't use much latex paint. I imagine it takes too long to dry. It doesn't seem to be like the oil based paint we have either. It is quick to dry and hard to get off of hands!