Radio Installation

Chad was recently able to fly Juan, one of our avionics technicians, into the jungle to work on a radio system.  MAF has more than 60 radios in the jungle.  Not every community has a radio, but there are radios nearby most communities.  They just might have to walk a bit.

I'm not sure if he's getting enough to eat!

Solar panel for the radio

Tiweano Trip

While my parents were here, they decided that even though they've been to the jungle, they hadn't visited a Waorani community.  So, we rounded up a few other visitors to make the trip complete.  As always, the people in Tiweano were super welcoming and a joy to introduce to our friends.

Oma - one of the elders/pastors in the community

My dad showing off his "mad" blow-gun skills!

Pegonka - another elder/pastor in the community

Lizi looks like she's enjoying sharing the germs on this blow-gun!  
(Lizi is from England and was here working at the orphanage as a physical therapist....I think!  
What do I know, I just play Frisbee with her!)

Duncan gettin' 'er done!  (Duncan is a nurse anesthetist working at the hospital.)

Some people throw the spear with a bit more finesse than the rest!  
(Kyle is about to graduate from college and was here volunteering at the hospital.)

Chad with an unfair advantage.  
I'm sure he acts like he's never thrown before with each group he takes into the jungle!

What determination!

"Super" hanging out with his bread.
Super got his nickname last year at Compassion International's Waorani summer camp.
He does everything "super" enthusiastically.
Chad usually suggests that groups take in bread for the community instead of candy.
They don't have ovens in the community and the candy isn't too great for their teeth. 

Sisters - Nemo and Gima (also, Oma's daughters)

Kiwia - another elder/pastor of the church

My beautiful mom.  It seems that she put her makeup on in the dark!

The group.  Notice Dyuwi (next to Kyle) has his bread tucked in the waistband of his shorts!

Far Apart

As I mentioned before, Chad is in Nampa, Idaho at MAF's headquarters for some chief pilot/instructor pilot re-standardization.   He's been gone a week and a half and we have about that much left to go.  Being apart stinks, but it does help us both appreciate what we bring into each others lives.  I can say that I haven't laughed near as much as normal since he's been gone....and come to think of it, no one is laughing at my jokes!

Here are some pictures he sent me from his cell phone last week.  Imagine that the photography geek didn't want to take his camera with him!

Chad and his instructor, Scott