As the old idiom goes, “One man’s loss is another man’s gain.” So it was with many after Ecuador’s devastating earthquake last April. Many lost lives and family members and many more lost homes and businesses. But, those who were in the business of building or repairing homes and businesses could not keep up with the boom.
Such was the case for our friend, David Fernando Zambrano. David is a contractor and maestro (especially in the area of plumbing and water lines) and following the earthquake he was called upon by many for needed repair work. For several weeks he was busy throughout the area working on homes.
But, David (the plumber and handyman extraordinaire) has much more to him than meets the surface.
Almost two years ago we published a post of David supervising the painting project on a fishing boat. We learned that David had come up with the artful design on the boat and his nephew showed me a book full of David’s drawings. You can see the fruits of David’s artistry here: https://johnandmarylivingitupinecuador.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/pintura-del-barca/
David either completed or oversaw much of the work done on our friend’s Joe and Nancy’s home. They used to live across the street from David. But even they were surprised to learn that David was a closet artist. See:
for details.
When we moved into our new home after the earthquake we called upon David to come and repair the toilets in the unused bedrooms. He was very busy, but showed up the next morning and worked for several hours fixing and replacing parts on four malfunctioning toilets. He charged me the exorbitant price of $20.00 for his half-day’s work!
So. we were all devastated to hear a week later that, while working on a home in San Alejo, David had fallen through the roof and broken his back. As soon as he got released from the hospital we went to his home and expressed our grief and concern for his injuries.
Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story…” and I like to call, “The Slice of Life!”
David’s wife, Martha Elena Zambrano set up a bed in his front room so that he could receive visitors. He was so immobilized at first that he could not even work on the Sudoku books that we brought to him. For many weeks it looked doubtful that he would ever be able to walk or even sit up again. Elena had to take a job as a server at the cafeteria of a school in Charapotó and left David to himself for several hours each day.
One day I was out with another ex-pat named Rick delivering some items to earthquake victims. On the way home Rick asked me if I knew of place in town that made photo-copies. I went with him to Victor’s Cyber Cafe and Rick made several color copies of fairy houses he and his wife, Leigh had copied from the internet or from magazines. Rick told me that he and Leigh had come up with the idea of giving the pictures to David to see if he could make similar fairy houses at his home. (Sure seemed like a better idea than Sudoku books!)
And so it was!
A month or two later Rick and Leigh posted on Facebook that David was selling Fairy houses that he had created from wood, melons, pine cones, coconut parts, beads and berries! I went over and bought some and began the collection that now adorns the top shelf of our television stand.
A closer look shows the work of a true artist working with what is at hand!
David was confined to his bed for three months, but began getting up (with limited movement) after that and was still pretty much disabled for the next three months. But David (and his sweet supportive wife Elena – together with their teen-aged daughter) kept working on fairy houses and even expanded into other artful crafts.
Yesterday, Leigh announced that David was conducting a showing of some of his latest artwork. I went by and got some pictures!
David has recently started making and painting fish from rocks and shells. Some of his work adorns his walls.
Some of these he has mounted in bowls and on stands.
Many of these are hand painted, while others a left to show the colors and shapes of the natural shells.
I particularly like this little guy!
He has many more in the works!
In addition he has begun creating owls and other birds from melons and other natural material.
His original oil painting hangs on the wall behind his collection of birds and turtles.
And David has continued on the path shown by Rick and Leigh making many more fairy homes!
Elena proudly showed me these little houses that are designed to be mounted near the door with hooks for car and house keys.
All of these are for sale! David told me he sells things for less than five dollars (for the small fish) on up to thirty-five to forty dollars for the fairy houses.
But do not fall in love with the long beaked hummingbird (about the size of the owls) in the picture.
I bought that for Mary and it now sits on the bookshelf between our two desks.
David and Elena are friends and they spoke freely with us. When asked if they had insurance coverage, they said, “No.” When asked if the government had helped, they said, “No.” When asked if family helped during David’s recovery, they said, “Of course, but most of them had even bigger problems and were living in tents.” Elena did not complain about having to go to work and David did not complain about having to change his profession.
Both Elena and David praised and thanked God for David’s life, for family, and for friends.
They also told me that they were very grateful for all of the help that so many expats had given to them.
If you know of a way to help market David’s art or want to help we have the contact information.
It is really such an honor to live amongst such loving, positive, God-fearing, salt of the earth people here in San Clemente where…
Life is good in Ecuador.
Excellent article, great pictures of David’s artwork,,,,,what a wonderful family,,,
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Nancy – David and Elena both asked about you and Joe. They hope you are well and happy. The whole neighborhood misses you guys. Glad you liked the pictures and post. Thanks for writing. JandM
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When life gives you lemons…make fairy houses, fish, and owls. What an amazing man with loving and supporting family and friends. With such a positive outlook, he is sure to make much progress. I love your slice of life posts!
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It is refreshing to see people pull themselves up and make do with what cards they have been dealt. This couple is pretty amazing though and a great example to all of us.
And we love your “people” posts. It is always good to take a few minutes to look more deeply into people and their lives. Keep up the good work!
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So wonderful! (Great article!) I want to meet him!
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No problem. The family lives very close to your home. About three roads north and then turn toward the ocean. I will introduce you guys some time soon.
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I love those things he makes! So talented.
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Thank you, Jessica. He has a lot of talent and enjoys staying busy. Hopefully he will find a way to market the art to more people than just our little area. Give our love to the kids!
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A true artist who is getting to show his talent…I love the owls….
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Thank you, Eileen. David (and his wife) are good examples of one’s who, like you, keep a good attitude after an injury. He is healing well and we are glad to hear that you are doing better all of the time too. God bless and hello to Jeff!
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Another good read which tugged on things mired in the heart. I do rather enjoy also getting to digitally meet the people in your Ecuadorian life. there are so many, seems like. David and his wife sound like wonderful people, and great examples on how to maintain an attitude of praise, even when they probably don’t feel like it. I admire that. And it’s what God tells us to do in the Thessalonians, I believe. Be thankful in all circumstances. Rejoice always. It won’t make any sense to people who don’t know the Lord, but to those who do, it is a game changer!
Tell David he’s got one more bloke up in Minnesota praying for his back. And that he makes a pretty sweet fish!
Blessings,
PotP
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One of the things that people who visit here from the USA or Canada often ask us is, “How do these people stay so happy when they seem to have so little?” You answered that question in your comment. Know the Lord, stay close to loved ones and family, and keep your priorities straight. Makes no sense to people bent on getting “stuff”, who love only themselves, and have no natural affections. But, it makes sense to we who share those values.
I will let David know you are praying for him and I know that he and Elena will smile and be grateful.
Have a great day!
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Yeah, truth John in Ecuador! My wife did a missions trip to Kenya a few years back, and she came home with many of the same observations. Just goes to show you where the true source of happiness comes from. Often times I wonder to myself if maybe a good place to do a missions trip then, would be right here in the USA and other stuff-seeking places.
At any rate. Yup, already prayed for David! Will do some more!
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Thank you and God Bless you and your family. I always felt that the best place to start spreading God’s word was right there in the home and neighborhood. “Let your light so shine” sort of thing. Take care, my friend.
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What a wonderful story. Amazing people. I think here in North America if that happened all there would be is complaining. So love the fish. Good luck to them.
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You are so right. One in a similar situation in the north would be looking for someone to sue, making insurance claims, or holding out their hand to the government demanding that they be helped. David and Elena teach us that people can be happy and make do with what they have. It is refreshing and uplifting. Thanks for commenting and have a great day!
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A very beautiful story about a family who has faith in God and knows what true values should be. They are a wonderful example to all of us. But, I am confused that they did not get medical assistance. My husband was in an auto/motorcycle accident and was treated very well in the public operated Ecuadorian hospitals, with good follow-up care. We only had our standard motorcycle insurance. Hopefully they do not have any outstanding medical bills to deal with. God Bless them.
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Thank you for your comment. You are right that David did get great medical care after he fell and was taken care of during his rehabilitation and follow-up visits. What we were referring to was that he had to learn to walk and find a new way to support his family after he got up out of bed. He did not get a big insurance payment nor disability payments for his injuries. Health care is great in Ecuador, but we are talking about long-term assistance for disability.
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What an amazing family! He is a true artist and now has avenues for that expression. I praying for his healing as well. I wonder if there is a local FB that expats follow in Ecuador that you could list his items for sale. I know it would be cost prohibitive to ship them to the US by having a site such as etsy.
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Yes, we have some local ex-pat facebook pages that get the word out on local artists, etc. I believe that you are right that international sales are out of the question as it would cost too much for delivery, etc.
David is doing well and his family will survive. He may even be well enough to go back to work. We will see. Meanwhile thanks for your prayers. Have a great day!
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oh my goodness…. what a great man, and those creations are fantastic!!!! thank you for sharing his story and showing his unique pieces of art!
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It was our pleasure. David and his family have been an inspiration to many of us and his art creations are beautiful. Thanks!
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[…] David and Elena […]
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