Ministry highlights - May and June 2025

     

MOTHER'S DAY MINISTRY

LOS LAURELES CLINIC

This is the report of a ministry event in May from the clinic staff at Los Laureles:

5/8/2025

Thank God, we had the Mother's Day activity today with 49 mothers, 20 babies who were with their moms the whole time, and 55 children who were with Pastors Luis and Mynor. So there were 124 people, adults and children. The children painted a beautiful card for their mothers. Snacks and candy were served. The message of Jesus Christ was presented to the mothers. It was a blessed afternoon. They all left happy with a gift we shared with each of them on behalf of Four Friends International. Thank you for you support, always. May God bless you!

A similar ministry activity for mothers was held at the Los Pinos clinic in May.

MISSION TRIP

MAY 28-31

Seven volunteers, representing four Alabama churches, traveled to Jalapa for medical and church support ministry activities. Over 200 food bags filled with one week of provisions were distributed to poor families at the communities of Los Laureles, Los Pinos, El Divisadero, Laguna del Pito, and El Chorro, as well as the residents and workers at the local garbage dump. Vitamins and other medications were given, and the gospel message was shared. At El Chorro, 150 pairs of new shoes were given to children. For most of them, this was the the first new shoes they had ever received. Other activities included a Thursday night worship service and an appreciation dinner on Friday at a local restaurant for the pastors and clinic staff.

JUNE MINISTRY ACTIVITY

LOS PINOS CLINIC

This is the report from the staff of the Los Pinos clinic:

6/20/2025

A smile is the most elegant outfit you can wear, the key that opens hearts, and the sun that dispels any darkness. Shine brightly today and always! Everything was prepared a few days beforehand, discussing with coworkers and sisters in Christ what the event would be about, and it was agreed that a talk on oral hygiene would be given. We began at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20th, hoping in God that the people invited to the talk would be able to attend. We began with prayers for each of them and for the talk to be held. Brother Luis supported us with welcome and prayers. Praise God for everything that was accomplished. We know and trust that they understood that our teeth are very important these days, and it's crucial to take care of them so that in the future they can have decent jobs, since even this is taken into account. Our healthy teeth give us more confidence when speaking and when we introduce ourselves to people who don't know us. We concluded our activity with a gospel message, prayers, and refreshments. Thank God everything went very well. May God bless everyone.

A similar ministry activity was also held at the Los Laureles clinic in June.

FUTURE MISSION TRIPS TO JALAPA

(to register, text or call 

Randy Stewart

256-302-4296)

August 4-8, 2025 

cost: $1750

registration deadline: July 15

activities:

sports clinics

food distribution

home visits

worship service

hypertension and diabetes screening

10th anniversary celebration at Los Laureles

January 5-9, 2026

cost: $1750

registration deadline: November 15

activities:

medical clinics

food distribution

worship service

evangelism

VBS

Bible studies

 

Update: January and April trips

In early January a team of 13 volunteers, twelve from North Alabama and one from Honduras, ministered in Jalapa and its surrounds. Medical and dental clinics were offered, worship services conducted, and food bags distributed. Another trip in April was primarily for organizational and administrative purposes. Due to Guatemala governmental regulations, it was necessary to form Four Friends of Guatemala, a subsidiary of Four Friends International. This will enable the nursing and office staff to receive government-mandated wage and retirement benefits. Completing the transition was the reason for April's visit. There was enough time, fortunately, for some ministry as well. The photos below come from the January and April trips. 

Our Pastors 

From left: Associate Pastor Luis, Pastor Danny and wife Adela, Pastor Filiberto,

and Associate Pastor Mynor

Home Visits

Pastor Filberto led members of our team on home visits in Los Laureles, Los Pinos, and the three mountain communities. In this photo, he presents a bag of food to a young mother.

Pastor Danny gave a food bag to this widow in the mountain community of El Divisidero.

This lady suffered a severe burn to her hand during a seizure. She had been without her medication for several days. We treated her infected wounds, resupplied her with seizure medication, presented her a food bag, and offered a prayer in her behalf.

During this visit, there was an opportunity to share the gospel with this gentleman who had recently suffered a leg injury in a motorcycle accident. 

The City Dump

We visited the city garbage dump and gave food bags and vitamins to the people who work and live there.

Children's Bible Study 

Over 50 children came to Los Laureles on a Thursday afternoon to hear a Bible study, participate in recreational activities, and enjoy refreshments.

A Dental Clinic

Reyna Craft became the first dentist to accompany us on a Four Friends mission trip. She examined patients to determine if any extractions were needed. About 45 teeth were pulled, and many others received instruction about dental hygiene.

Jalapa, Guatemala 

This is a westward view of Jalapa while standing under the mountainside JALAPA sign.

a view of Jalapa from the nearby mountains

A Meager Dwelling

A recently baptized mother and her seven children live in this 4 meter x 6 meter sheet metal structure in the El Terrero subdivision of Jalapa. During the summer rainy season the house is flooded, and in the winter the family is cold. Preliminary planning is underway to replace the sheet metal with concrete walls.

Our Clinic Staff

The staff of our three clinics includes four nurses, five office workers, and a housekeeper. This is nurse Vanessa with her young daughter. She is married to Associate Pastor Luis. They reside in the rear apartment at the Los Pinos clinic.

Planning for August 2025 trip

Amalia and Ismael, our mission trip coordinators, met with me at a local restaurant to make preparations for mission trips to Jalapa in May and August of this year.

Coming Events

May 28-31    mission trip

August 4-8    mission trip

October (date TBD)    charity golf classic

November (date TBD)    mission trip

February 2026 (date TBD)    mission trip

May 2026 (date TBD)    mission trip

August 2026 (date TBD)    mission trip

November 2026 (date TBD)    mission trip

Thank You!

Your generous gifts to Four Friends International make this ministry possible. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ to the people of Jalapa, Guatemala.

Four Friends International: 2025 Preview

Happy New Year!

As Four Friends International begins its 15th year of ministry, here’s a preview of 2025:

Mission trips 

Two teams will travel to Guatemala this year. The first is tomorrow! On January 6-10 fifteen volunteers will be in Jalapa for a week of ministry. We will serve via medical and dental clinics, food distribution, home visits, worship services, and church support. On August 4-8 another mission trip is planned. Highlights will be a sports clinic for children and youth and a celebration of ten years of ministry at Los Laureles.

Golf tournament

The annual FFI North Alabama Golf Classic will take place in September. The date and site will be announced as the time approaches. The tournament has become well-known for Christian fellowship, good food, great prizes, and competitive golf.

10th anniversary celebration

The clinic at Los Laureles opened its doors on August 5, 2015. More than 50,000 patients have received free examinations and medication since that day. During the August mission trip, a celebration and thanksgiving service will be held at the clinic. 

New mountain community

In 2021 Four Friends International started a mobile unit, called the Four Wheels Clinic, that now serves three small mountain communities near Jalapa. Plans are underway to add a fourth mountain site in 2025. More information will be provided as details are finalized.

Charitable contributions

Statements for 2024 will be mailed in mid-January. If you have not received anything by the end of the month, message or call me (256-302-4296). Thank you so much for your generous support of Four Friends International.

The Barnabas Project 

All donations to Four Friends are designated for medical ministries. During the past year, a second organization was formed for the purpose of funding non-medical needs in the Jalapa area. It’s called The Barnabas Project, and it seeks to mirror the compassion and generosity of the early Christian leader who sold a parcel of land and gave the proceeds to the church in Jerusalem (Acts chapter 4). Through this satellite organization, the salaries of four pastors have been provided, a roof has been placed on a poor dwelling, and children’s activities and an adult Bible study have been started in the mountain communities. The Barnabas Project is funded by several individuals committed to the growth of the church in Jalapa and its surrounds. Please pray that this outreach will yield huge dividends for God’s kingdom.

More Four Friends Updates 

An update will be sent once each month in 2025. New feature articles are planned that will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the ministry. The February update will include a report and some photos of this week’s trip. 

Mission Trip: July 27-July 31

Eight mission trip volunteers from north Alabama recently ministered in Jalapa, Guatemala and nearby communities. The team consisted of Jeff Fowler, Jack Hamilton, Paul Murphy, Meredith Roy, David Skidmore, Janet Skidmore, Mary Skidmore, and Randy Stewart. All eight had previously traveled to Jalapa at least once. The purpose of the trip was medical missions and church support. Below is a review of the week in photos.

THE TEAM

From left to right: Jeff, David, Randy, Jack, Paul

left to right: Meredith, Mary, Janet

Ronaldo McDonaldo wanted his picture taken with a famous person.

DOWNTOWN CHURCH: SUNDAY WORSHIP 

nurse Vanessa and her infant daughter

Luis and Mynor, two young men preparing for the ministry.

Jeff and David with translators Samuel and Daniel 

THE CLINIC AT LOS PINOS

Kimberly, born with two dislocated hips, is now walking after two surgeries funded by Four Friends International.

Before patients were treated in the clinics, the gospel story was shared.

THE CLINIC AT LOS LAURELES

The eyeglass table was a favorite place for adults (and for kids).

 

This tiny lady, 90 years old, came to the Los Laureles clinic for medications.

Jack, age 85, sharing his testimony. He was part of the Arab FBC team that first visited Jalapa in November 2011.

THE GARBAGE DUMP AT LOS LAURELES 

cookies, candy, and juice for kids  

EL DIVISIDERO: A MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY

Manuel, the mayor of El Divisidero, with one of its citizens.

Amalia, one of our translators, with Mary

A bag of candy is guaranteed to draw a crowd!

520 people worshiped and then were served a free meal at this community center on Tuesday night. 

Let us not grow weary in doing good! 

 2 Thessalonians 3:13