Update on Jungle Kids Program

Luke 9:6 - They Set out and went from Village to Village, Preaching the Gospel and Healing People Everywhere.

Hey Guys,

I hear the East Coast is getting cold again. What's going on up there? It's hotter than Blue Blazes down here. Weather is getting crazy huh?

I wanted to give you an update about the Jungle Kids program because so many people have written back and asked me about it, that I realized I had just told you about the UCLA team and have not had time to sit down and write about the other projects going on here.

As most of you know, we work very closely with David Alvarez and the Centro Chrsitaino Cultural De Guatemala Church in Guatemala City. One of the things that impressed me to want to work with them was their work ethic and commitment to long term projects. So many churches and missionaries come down and do an emotional night church service and then run and tell everyone how many people got saved but then have no long term relationship or follow up program to teach the New Christians, “How To Be a Christian, and provide no long term Bible Teaching”. So consequently, people go to church here that do not have real Biblical based teachings and just are screamed at every night at the church service to follow the rules. Like women can't cut their hair or they literally get punished for 3 months. Some of the things the churches do here are just so much under the law that the people don't really go to know or learn about Christ, they just go out of obligation to religion.

So, when I saw the results of David's feeding program to the kids in the slums, I realized he had found the key to long term changes, and that was long term teaching and commitment. The kids in the programs were growing up and becoming the leaders of the very program they had been a part of as a younger person. We realized this was the key to bring the Christian life to the people.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

So, that is why we started the Jungle Kids Program. It is a 10 year commitment to (right now) 4 target villages. My work covers 37 remote Mayan villages on a somewhat regular schedule. But more are asking for help everyday.

We are now on our third month of this program and the results are already coming to fruition. Each Saturday of the month, a team of 10 people drive 5 hours down on Friday night from Guatemala City in the back of the church pick up. They stay over night at our dorm and have dinner. They then load the truck with all of the supplies and equipment for the feeding program, a propane camping stove, 300 plastic stools, tables, food, suitcases with dishes, forks, spoons bowls, vitamins, etc etc. They usually get to bed around midnight.

Then at 5:00 am, they leave for the villages. The first thing is to set up the tables, stools and eating utensils. They then go to work preparing the food for breakfast. The reason for this is that these kids only eat tortillas every meal of their life and so they are mal-nourished. Also feeding them and giving them vitamins improves their health so they can begin to learn. You cannot imagine how fast this nutrition works and makes a difference.

Then the kids start coming in and they are served breakfast. Each Child is given a name tag so we know their names and call them by names instead of just a number. This is what makes the difference between long term commitment and one night church services. Then the kids are divided up into three different classes.


Here, they are learning scripture and stories from the Bible.

Let me explain something here because not everyone on my Junglemedic Newsletter list has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (since it is on Yahoo groups anyone can join) and so I am often asked why do you have to bring your religion into helping the people? I am not trying to change their customs, culture or heritage. Not that I agree or understand all of it, but I do have to respect that this is their country and their village and their kids. But no matter what customs or culture or country, some things are just bad and wrong. A man should not use his wages to buy alcohol get drunk and then beat his wife and rape his daughter. I don't care who you are, that is not good, right?

So, we know that when a person gives their life and heart to Jesus Christ, they become a new person. I have seen men change and want to become a good husband and good father, but not through social programs or government programs. It is by changing his life and becoming a Christian.

Here is the problem. It is very hard to change the older people. But if you can teach the Children moral absolutes and give them the option of learning about Jesus and the Bible, many will. Do I think every child will turn his life over and become a Godly person? Of course not. I know they are not robots and God has given man a free will and they, as we, have the right to choose to live for God or not to. But we can give them the option and the teaching.

This is Carlos. He lives in Guatemala City in the slums behind David's church. When he was much younger, he fell under a moving bus and had his leg crushed and it had to be removed. You may notice he does not have crutches. He literally hops on one foot and can run faster than me! (No comment please).

Carlos was a member of the gang in the church area. He has been going to the church feeding program since the beginning. He was involved in things you would not believe if I told you. But now. here he is for the first time out of the city in Rio Dulce. On Vacation? No, he is here helping with the JungleKids program. Why? Because someone took the time to give him love and a long term commitment to change his life and bring him Gods Word. It changed his life. Now he is giving back to others. So this is why we teach the Bible.

Last week while we did medical work and worked on children to get them the surgeries they need, the JungleKids teams stayed over night in the villages and did dramas and teachings. After the days activities they showed a Movie from the Billy Graham Ministries and the entire village came to watch.

Lives were touched, and we will be there over and over for them for the next 10 years if the Lord does not return first. (Some days I wish He would come sooner rather than later huh?)

Then the team slept on the cement floor of the school.

What blows me away is they love it and count it a joy and honor to serve the Lord. (I start complaining as soon as I find out there is no bathroom and I have to use the woods). Us Americans are soft, huh?

The children also are given classes on health and hygiene and Biology as to why they have worms and parasites and how to prevent them. They are also taught the importance of nutrition. (Samuel the team leader will not let me tell them about the wonders of BBQ Fritos and Spam). I think he is a health nut or something. Can you imagine? They also have classes on leadership skills and games that teach them these skills in fun ways. Here Roberto is giving the class. He is funny and the kids love him, but those of you that know Roberto, who doesn't love him? He also has a special gift and way with the gangs in Guatemala City. He goes in gang areas even in Zone 18 where even the police don't go. He has helped so many of them that they protect him when he goes into the gang areas. I truly believe they feel the love of Jesus in him so much they can sense it.

So, the bottom line is, is it worth driving hundred of miles and not sleeping in on week-ends and getting stuck in the muddy roads and sweating all night while swatting mosquitoes, and living here where we don't have a theater or Mall? Me and My family and the people of David’s church, Centro Christiano: Yes it is worth every minute!

Matthew 18:14 - In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

So, now the moment all missionaries dread. How do we pay for the food, the vitamins, the dishes, and the fuel that it takes to do this work. Well, we pack up and go to the States and beg from church to church. It is very humbling and embarrassing to ask for money. When I was a business man in the States and had money to give, it was such a good feeling to help others, but now as a missionary on the other side, having to ask for funds, wow, it makes you feel like a bum. (yes, yes, I know I am a bum, but that is not the point).

Riechelle and I cannot just pack up and take off for the States anymore as we have responsibilities of raising the kids and we are the Emergency Care for the people here. There are people who support us on a regular basis and for that we are extremely grateful. Our needs are being met, so I am not asking for anyone else to send us support. What I am asking is if there is anyone who could spare a few dollars a week to help us buy the food and supplies for this long term program to change these kids and villagers lives.

Look, I know you are bombarded by every one and their brother asking for money. So if this is not a good time because you are already trying to make ends meet, I can relate and don't sweat it, I totally understand. But if you can spare a few dollars a week to help us buy food and supplies for this long term program that changes people's lives in these villages, I know it will be an investment in the Kingdom of God that will not go unnoticed.

I don't want to sound like a televangelist OK, but I can tell you from experience of having to live by faith that you cannot out give the Lord. If you are interested in helping with this program or if you are related to Bill Gates, please let me know OK? You guys know my e-mail address. I am setting up a special account for this project. (It is in Switzerland but don't let that bother you, (wink) get it, Swiss bank account?) Sorry, I joke too much huh?

Seriously, I do want to thank all of you who support us and pray for us and send us your e-mails with words of encouragement. It means more to us that you can ever imagine. Thanks for working the fields with us.

God Bless,
In His Service,

Bryan & Riechelle and Kids

Junglemedic Missions
Rio Dulce, Izabal
Guatemala Central America

E-Mail: Bryan@JungleMedicMissions.org
Web Site: http://www.junglemedicmissions.org/

This page was last updated 04/16/07