Jonathan

Immediately after being introduced to the workmen, they decided to change Dwight’s name to something else. Dwight is very difficult for the Ecuadorians to say. They suggested Diego, and I vetoed that…..all I can think of is Dora & Diego! They came up with all sorts of ridiculous names until I suggested they just call him by his middle name. So, Dwight now answers to Jonathan from all the Ecuadorians. They pronounce it with a very soft “j” sound, sometimes almost like a “y.”

Hopefully he’ll be able to post more on his work whenever he gets a chance to spend some time on the internet. I snapped a few pictures when I visited the work site the other day. The guy in the picture with Dwight is Pedro. He’s on a salary through the orphanage, and he coordinates the building site. He and Dwight have really had a fun time getting to know each other, and Dwight’s Spanish is improving daily. There isn’t anyone out there with him who speaks English, so he’s learning the fastest way- total immersion.

I’m amazed at the ways they adapt different materials to make things we take for granted. They keep everything they’ve used once, and they can find so many uses for them over and over again! Construction here is quite different in the states, so it’s interesting to watch them work. If you’ve never worked with concrete like this, you should come down and give it a try.
It’s quite humorous to watch Dwight with all of the guys. When they’re walking down the street, it looks like a man with some kids. Ecuadorians are generally much smaller, so Dwight looks like their Dad. One of the first days on the work site….Dwight picked up something heavy on one end by himself, and a couple of them grabbed the other one. Their eyes got big, and they kept saying “Grande Americano!”

These are the other 3 guys that work them pretty regularly. They love to joke around with Dwight....I mean- Jonathan.

Patti Sue took this pic of the Grande Americano at work.