====== David and Jonathan ======
David is about two years old; Jonathan is less than one year old. Both parents are originally from Romania. Now both Romanian- Americans citizens. Beautiful and lively little boys with blonde hair and blue eyes. The parents married in Romania. I don't know how or why they came to Vilcabamba, Ecuador - this happened months before I came. I came to know their situation when the owner of Piccola Italia introduced me to  Mirella Christina  - the mother of the two boys who was staying  in one of the spaces she rents out; that were once part of the restaurant. I learned that shortly before my arrival the relationship of the couple completely broke down and the husband was either deported or chose to go back to their home in Oklahoma leaving mom and two kids behind. I tried to help her rather desperate and money-less situation of this mom and two kids by providing her information on her rights as a US Citizen for assistance through the American Consulate.  By operation of California law she was my client for those issues and therefore I shall limit myself to state facts that are publicly know here,  and that I did not learn in confidence.

I went to see her once in the two room space she occupied in Piccola Italia, and I was appalled at the dingy and dark look of the place. I must have expressed my feelings somehow because she asked me if I had ever being in Romania.  She explained that she had seen and lived in worse conditions in Romania. I stood corrected. I must admit I have seen worse in Africa. This is a woman in her 30s whom I am told is quite educated. and has a reputation for being a good mother.

My hosts and I let her use Skype to call her parents in Romania for economic help, while county processes in Oklahoma for child support are on-going. She told me today that her husband has made a point of calling members of her family in the US, Canada and Romania with the claim that she has kidnapped his kids and that he will send her to prison.  But the latest sin is what struck me most. He is now accusing her of living with Catholics.  What a horrible thing to do in a country that is 90+% Catholic! It turns out that her husband is a Seventh Day Adventist; and her parents as well.  It is amazing how new doctrines like Evangelism and Adventism create more narrow true believers than the missionaries that brought them the message.