The following description and insight about the visit to the primitive Pijiguaos Indians for a dental clinic is shared by Brian McDonald.
Last week, part of the AMA team was privileged to work with the remote Pijiguaos Indians. Bob Norton, Brian, Evan and Dr. Veronica flew in the C-182 from Ciudad Bolivar to Pijiguaos. After arriving the group was met by a local Pastor and a Land Rover taxi service. The Land Rover became quickly packed with people ready to help with the dental clinic. About 13 people in all. After 45 minutes they turned off the main road. Then, the group traveled by a muddy dirt road for 20-30 minutes. Inside the cab people were bouncing and bobbing this way and that. Outside the mud was slinging, and very HOT!
Since roads are not always good, and are often impassable without a good 4-wheel drive, Toyota is a great way to travel in Venezuela. The Indian people were very inquisitive about the new arrivals. The women hid themselves on the other side of the church building, but could be seen peeking around the corner. They were very shy, but very interested in the missionary group. The men were not as shy as the women they would approach, but cautiously. The women wore little cloth skirts, and beads around their necks. Many women walked around bare-chested and nursing little babies. There were many little 
children in the village. The men wore what might be described as orange underwear. A long piece of cloth perhaps 3-4 ft long, with two large tassels on each end. They wrap this around, and around making a good covering for themselves. Since the AMA group arrived on a Sunday, many of the men were wearing shirts. It seemed as though they dressed up for church, or for the group. No one was quite sure. Tables were quickly brought inside the little church, and all the dental instruments were laid out. Dr. Veronica invited the people to come inside and receive care, but the Indian people didn't seem interested at first in having anything poked into their mouth. Many would stand at the entrance to the church, and stare inside to see what was happening. Finally, after much starring and deliberation, some brave soul ventured in to have some work done. After time, many more of the Indians ventured in and found relief from their dental problems, and pain. That day many teeth were pulled, and many people received much needed dental care. As the day progressed, AMA missionaries saw many smiling faces. The people were so grateful that someone cared about them, and offered relief from their suffering. The small group of AMA missionaries made a big difference in the lives of many Pijiguaos Indians that day. The AMA missionaries were able to share God's love, by having compassion for a wonderful group of Pijiguaos Indians. On page 22 of the book Christian Service we find the following passage, "The work which the disciples did, we also are to do. Every Christian is to be a missionary. In sympathy and compassion we are to minister to those in need of help, seeking with unselfish earnestness to lighten the woes of suffering humanity."
Brian McDonald