Rio Dulce and Fronteras

The trip down the river was amazing. We sat on deck and enjoyed pointing out small villages and thatched roof homes along the way. We passed many natives- young and old- paddling down the river and fishing in their canoes. We could hear all types of wildlife in the jungle- including screaming monkeys and wild birds. We made it down the river in a day and a half and found a spot to anchor outside of a town called Fronteras. We made contact with Bryan and Riechelle, the Jungle Medic Missionaries and arranged to meet up with them . On Sunday we went to their home/dormitory (above) and had a great time of fellowship. Brian and Riechelle are an amazing couple. (as you would know if you have visited their website- www.junglemedicmissions.org). Their ministry focuses around the medical needs of the Guatemalan people. The hospital that normally serves the Guatemalans is difficult to get to, often unhelpful and overcrowded. (We heard a story about women in labor being doubled up in beds due to lack of room.) The Guatemalan people, are basically helpless without this Missionary effort. The Buchanans have opened a clinic where they offer treatment and medicines free of charge. There are about 40 villages that they regularly serve. They see everything from rashes to sore throats, baby deliveries to potentially fatal machete wounds. The stories they shared with us are amazing! While we were at there home we watched as Guatemalans would show up for walk-up treatment. Kyle made balloon animals for the waiting patients. The Buchanan’s are on call 24-7, and are willing to drop anything in order to help people in need. We were introduced to their new facility that is only a year and a half old, and still in progress. Having practiced in their home for four years- often on the kitchen table says Riechelle- they have been blessed with the funds to build a dormitory complete with an apartment for them to live and a small clinic. We were able to spend great time with Bryan and Riechelle and their three adopted Guatemalan children, who were abandoned when their mother died about a year ago. We had so much fun getting to know their children. We were able to encourage them in their ministry and to unload some precious cargo that we had carried just for them. If you remember back in Key West, Pastor Bill the street preacher gave us six large boxes of IV fluid to take with us. Brian was incredibly appreciative and told us that we had no idea how much it would help him out! Also, the motor that the Cubans gave us off their refugee boat has been transferred into the hands of one of Brian’s Guatemalan friends. Pedro, is a Christian and was in need of a motor for his canoe. Apparently he has had a very tough time fishing for his family without a motor, and this has caused him great difficulty. We were able to bless him with this gift... from a Cuban refugee boat! How awesome is that... two cases of necessary cargo transported by Faith, that we didn’t even start out with!
Brian and Riechelle house missionary teams in the dormitory while they visit Guatemala and do everything from construction work to medical and dental clinics. Right now they are hosting a team from Maine who is here doing construction on nearby churches in the area. We were able to meet these guys and have dinner with them and encourage them in their work. They helped us unload the IV’s from the boat. Since then Debbie and I have helped to cook a meal for the team and serve these other missionaries! It is truly a privilege to serve those who serve! We have been inspired by the Buchanans and their ministry and are looking forward to working with them over the next two weeks. They have invited us to stay and work with them later next week. We plan on helping out with a medical clinic and taking balloons, beads, games etc to minister to the natives at the end of the clinic. We will also help Brian and Riechelle get ready for the next missionary team that is coming and have made our selves readily available to any needs that they might have. (There is even talk of a possible haircut and highlight in store for Riechelle :) It’s been awesome to serve others in this way and we are looking forward to many more opportunities in the next two weeks.
One last addition... This morning we planned on meeting Bryan and the team from Maine at a place called Denny’s Beach for a medical clinic. We motored to shore but couldn’t find anyone. Unfortunately the lake ended up being too rough for the team to make it across the water so they are having to reschedule. We were a little disappointed, but then ended up being able to share a smile, friendly conversation and a tract with a worker at the Denny’s Beach Restaurant. He was very appreciative and took to reading the tract right away. Who knows... if there we had been in the middle of a clinic we might not have had the chance to talk to him! All for His glory :) Keep us and our plans for the next few days in your prayers. We will be seeking out opportunities to minister in the native schools and villages!