Crash & Burn

I have two short stories to relate. The first is about a crash, and the second is about something burning.

The Crash
Many of you who keep up with us will know about Ariel. Something that you may or may not know is that he REALLY likes bicycles. In fact, he spends more of his free time and money on his bike than anything else. The bike that he has now is one that he bought from me, but over the last several weeks it has had various issues that needed repair. Most recently, while jumping his bike off a one foot high incline, the rear gear shift got completely demolished - somehow the chain got stuck between the gears and the wheel and bent the gear shift; almost tearing it off. So Ariel spent the next few days working and earning some money. During this time, he and our boys "found" some spare wood and built a ramp...this was no small ramp either! After finally getting his bike in smooth working order he wanted to try out the ramp...note here, that Nate thought the ramp made a nice slide. So before going to the young people's meeting Saturday night, Ariel set the ramp up and several neighborhood kids poked their heads out their windows to watch the amazing jump. Ariel hit the ramp and went flying several feet up in the air, but his front tire hit the ground first with Ariel's head hitting next! Thanks to Levi for running to get the helmet prior to the jump! After the bike and Ariel rolled on the ground, he gets up checking himself and repeating, "I'm fine. I'm fine" (yes, in English). He walks over a few meters to me and we look down at his left wrist and arm and I ask him if he can move his fingers. He shakes his head no, so we rush off to the hospital. After two and a half hours, the doctors have a temporary cast on (the full casting to be done on Monday morning), and we return home.

Yes, Ariel arrived at the hospital with this helmet and he left the hospital with this helmet. 

The Burn
Lord's Day morning we sat together as a family enjoying the morning services, and then an older Waorani lady comes to sit down next to me. I quickly smell the all familiar scent of "smoke" on her and her clothing, then a subtle smile creeps on my face. I lean over and whisper my findings to Alesha who also reveals a smile. The smoke smell is likely not what many would expect; it is the smell of campfire smoke. Having been to Makuma and learning some of the ways of the indigenous, we can appreciate her unique scent:

This lady likely rose up early and kindled or rekindled the fire from the night before and started to heat up breakfast for herself and her family. The breakfast consisted of some hot herbal tea to drink and yucca and potatoes and maybe some rice to eat. We should also make note, that this fire is not large enough to heat up multiple things at once, so she spent a significant amount of time juggling the various pots to keep them warm as the family came in to eat at varying times. Once all the food was gone and the dishes clean, she quickly made her way to the meeting, and since it was a cool morning she kept her jacket on which held the most potent smell of smoke. 

Therefore, we had to smile and enjoy a brief moment the campfire smoke smell and all the work and joy that came with it. I did end up talking with the lady after the meetings, but since she only spoke Wao, the conversation was enjoyable, emotional, and short-lived.

Enjoy!
TaylorH