Clinic with The First Lady

Hello Everyone from Guatemala,

First I want to update you all on Jocelyn and what is happening. I was overwhelmed with the responses to my news letter about Jocelyn. I have five families that said, "We will take her." I about fell off my chair. I also had many of you say, "We would, in a heart beat if we could, but can't so we will pray for Jocelyn and her mother Brenda." For this Riechelle and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We did go visit Jocelyn at the orphanage and she was very lonely. She of course came running up to us and hugged us and told us she does not like it there because the kids fight a lot and she got in trouble and punished for something she did not even do. All I could do was hold her and tell her we are working to help her.

Gaby and Debora with Jocelyn in the middle. We have Brenda's phone number now and are trying to contact her in Guatemala City. Please pray that her and her husband will do what is best for Jocelyn. I also wanted to give you a quick update about our well because so many folks have asked about it. The hand-dug well is now at 100 ft. deep and still has no water. It has become too dangerous to keep digging by hand so I prayed and asked several Christian business men for their help so I could have a well driller come in and drill for water. One of the men, Eddie from Maine, (Yes, the same Eddie that bought my medical bus) issued a challenge to some other men that he would give 1/3 if they gave 1/3 and they did. (They were businessmen from Charlotte NC). So now as I write, there is a drilling rig outside drilling for water. Please pray that we hit water before 200 ft., OK? Thanks.

Visit from the First Lady: About twenty-some years ago, there was a civil war going on here in Guatemala. The rebels backed by communists were killing many of the poor people in villages. The government army was also killing many innocent villagers and so the villagers had to hide deep in the jungle. That is why I have to go so far into the jungle to help villages now. They had hidden years ago and have now settled into these villages. However, some people fled Guatemala to Bolivia. After 20 years, they decided to come home. When they arrived in Guatemala the government gave them a remote piece of land and built them some cement block houses. They still have no medical care or dental care, or water, but they are better than most.

The current president, in my opinion, has been a good and honest man. I was asked by the office of the President of Guatemala's First Lady to do a medical clinic in this village, called Nueva Tiera La Libetad, which means "New Land of Freedom". She said she would like to help us do the clinic. At first I thought that was not a good idea, because I did not want to get involved with politics. (Unless she offers me a free Tee shirt or some booze!) Just kidding, about the Tee shirt, smile.

Last Friday we had four guys from Charlotte here and they said they would be glad to help us do a clinic. I thought we were going just to do a clinic but when we got there we found these 3 guys. I thought, "Oh how nice, they have come to protect me from any harm" (Then I thought for a minute I was looking in a mirror). Instead, they started asking me for medicine. They really were great guys. They were of course the First Ladies body guards.

Then about 8:00 am the entourage of vehicles pulled up in the village and the coordinator asked for me. I said, "What do you want with me?" She said, "Senora Wendy", The First Lady, "wants to meet you." When she got out of her vehicle I was the first one she greeted. Well, here in Guatemala, you are supposed to kiss the women on the cheek but I was not sure if I was supposed to kiss the First Lady. Plus, Riechelle was there and would see me make my move. What was I to do? Well she got out and came right over to me and said, "It is good to finally meet you Dr. Bryan, I have heard so much about you and thank you for all you are doing for my people." Then she kissed me on my cheek! I about fell over. Not because she is the First Lady but because not too many women want to kiss an old coot like me. (I'm kidding, I was honored).

Before the clinic started, they held a presentation and I was asked to sit up front on the stage with the First Lady. (I have been asked many times to be on a stage, but it was usually on the first one out of town). There I was on this stage in front of the whole village and reporters with cameras and TV cameras and I don't know how to speak Spanish enough to keep from sounding like a baby hillbilly talking. Then they started singing the Guatemalan National Anthem and everyone was staring at me to see if I knew it. So I started silently moving my mouth just repeating over and over, "watermelon, apples, peaches biscuits and gravy", over and over. They thought I was singing the National Anthem.

After that she gave me a certificate of appreciation from the Government of Guatemala and another kiss on the cheek. (I was pretty embarrassed because I think she was hitting on me). Of course in this picture I look like a blind man trying to shuffle up to the microphone and take it from the First Lady. Then Riechelle and Gaby wanted to get in the picture and they got their picture taken with Senora Wendy. On our way home Gaby was just bubbling. I said, "What are you so happy about?" She said, "I never imagined I would ever meet the wife of our President." So I told her I would make her a picture and she could take it to school to show all of the Spanish girls who look down on Quetchi people that she, Gaby, a Qietchi girl, was working with the First Lady of Guatemala. She just giggled and shook her head as if to say, "Unbelievable!"

We then started the clinic and Senora Wendy jumped in passing out vitamins. She was not able to stay for the whole clinic because she had 5 other stops to make that day in our area. Here she is wearing the wreath of honor the village women made for her from a vine and local flowers. I know it was uncomfortable for her but she insisted on wearing it during the clinic to show them she appreciated it.

I did get just a minute to talk to her privately and tell her how much I appreciated all her and her husband have done for the people of Guatemala. I knew they were good people and had done a lot for the poor. She looked at me and said, "Dr. Bryan, Thank You for all you have done for the people of Guatemala." She said, "We will be leaving office soon but we still want to help you." I said, "Thank you." I really believe she has a good heart and will help us in the future. I am in hopes that when we get the go ahead to build a hospital she will help us with the government permission and contacts.

We finished the clinic and then had to get the four men from Charlotte to the bus station so they could make it back to the city. It was a whirlwind. I then had to drive to the next town over for some more building supplies and then we arrived at home just in time to find the ambulance from the Fire Dept at my emergency room and the firefighters were delivering a new baby.

They said they did not have time to get to the hospital so they drove straight to my ER even if I was not there. I said, "This is great, the more you guys learn, the more I get to sleep."

Well, that's about it from here. For not having a team this month and it is supposed to be our vacation time, it sure is busy around here. I do have one request to make of you. If you know of any Christian dentists that would like to come on a dental mission trip, please let me know. I really need some. Ok guys thanks for everything.

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 12/15/07