HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
LOS LAURELES!
This week marks
three years since the clinic at Los Laureles first opened its doors to provide
free medical care every week in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since that
day, over 20,000 patient visits have occurred. All glory and praise to God the
Father!
TESTIMONIES FROM
VOLUNTEERS ABOUT LOS LAURELES
(excerpted
from Corner of the Cot: the Why, How, and
What of Four Friends International)
We were at
the dump one day and saw a lady who had just had a baby twenty days earlier.
Looking through the trash, she had found a cardboard box and was using it as
the baby’s bed. She’d placed the baby in the shade of a tree within her sight
as she continued to search through the dump. Although the baby looked healthy,
we told the mother about the clinic so she could get help there when she needed
it. Seeing situations like this is somewhat surreal and definitely
heartbreaking. I know that God has called me and prepared me, and I am
confident that He will give me the ability to fulfill Jesus’ command to be a
Good Samaritan. – MARK BROCK
After being
actively involved with this ministry, I can testify two things. First, this
ministry is working, and lives are being impacted and changed. You can see the
difference this ministry is making in individuals, families, and the
community. Secondly, this ministry will
change those who respond to the call. Being associated with Four Friends continues to have a
significant impact on my life and Christian growth. It certainly has offered to
me the most rewarding building projects of my career. – KEITH COLLINS
The
striking thing about Four Friends is
that the ministry and service continues 365 days a year. The medical and
spiritual needs that are being met there are life-changing for the residents
around Jalapa. The need is great, and I feel very blessed and fulfilled to be a
small part of the ministry. – CLAY CRAWFORD
The greatest blessing
came when I got to see the faces of those who came to the clinic for care and
to the church for worship. It wasn’t just medical care we were providing but
also care for the spirit. I realized that the medical care was secondary to
caring for the spiritual needs of each one who came in, showing them Jesus in
everything we did. Because I said “yes” to traveling to a country that is
considered dangerous, I came home as a new person, aware that my life is not my
own. – KAYE DEAN
And what an opportunity it is!
I've carried blocks. I've
mixed mortar. I've help raise clinic walls. I've
helped equip the clinic. I’ve seen two clinics
dedicated to The Glory of God. I've stood in the dump. I've
cried. I've passed out food and
medicine. I've prayed and worshipped. I've
shared the gospel. I've studied the Names of
God. I’ve learned How to be
Committed. I've studied the Aspects of
Encouragement. I've discovered new Brothers
and Sisters in Christ. These are just a few of the
moments when my life was changed forever. You see…I’ll never be the
same! – JEFF FOWLER
The highlight of the week was getting to share the message of Christ
with over 100 women. Although most were believers, they were still attentive as
I shared about the transforming power of Jesus Christ to change lives. At the
close of the evening, we handed out over 140 Spanish New Testaments! Serving in
Guatemala has been life-changing in ways difficult to express. God is at work
among the people of Jalapa through FFI,
and it is a privilege to have a small part in that ministry. – HALLIE GIPSON
I was a volunteer on the first mission trip
to Jalapa in 2011 and have returned there two more times. My prayer for the
people in Guatemala is that they will have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. That’s also my prayer for you. Too many people worry about what others
think. What people think does not matter. Please turn from your sin and pray
for Jesus to come into your heart. – JACK HAMILTON
Jesus hung out with the poor people, the
sinners, the lame and blind. To be more like Him every day is what we strive to
do. Just being there, sharing in worship, spreading the gospel and the love of
Christ, praying that souls come to know Jesus -- all this is the main thing. –
JACKSON HARCROW
Guatemala has taught me to look past language barriers,
differences in people, and difference in location and to see that we all can be
different in so many ways yet so much alike – we’re all humans in desperate
need of the same Savior. It has challenged me to obey the Great Commission, not
only in a different country but also when I am at home. – LEEAH HARCROW
On our trips to the dump, it was
overwhelming to realize how fortunate we are in America! An experience
like that gave me a different perspective on my life. It helped me realize some
things are just not as important anymore and burdens are still the same no
matter where you are. Four Friends is
such a great ministry and touches many lives in many ways. – CINDY MATTHEWS
I’m thankful for God’s grace and
love that has allowed me to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus. The
people in Los Laureles have so little, but they have so much because they
have enough. They have enough because they have the joy and love of Christ.
Physical and spiritual healing is taking place in this community through the
continued multiple ministries taking place though Four Friends International. – HEATHER PETTIT
FOUR FRIENDS GOLF CLASSIC
July 14 was a big day for Four Friends International. Over $60,000
was raised to finish, furnish, staff, and start the new clinic in Los Pinos.
Thank you to all who prepared for, played in, and sponsored the tournament.
Your graciousness will yield great fruit. Over 600 patients will soon be receiving
care every month in that clinic, just as in Los Laureles. In our next monthly update,
we will include some photographs from the tournament.
JULY AT LOS LAURELES
Nurse Lilian, Nurse Rosaura, and
the Los Laureles staff treated 631 patients in July. This continues a trend
toward 7,500 patient visits there in 2018. Here’s a daily breakdown:
WEEK 1 = 175 patients
July 2 44 patients
July 3 12 patients
July 4 40 patients
July 5 35 patients
July 6 21 patients
July 7 13 patients
WEEK 2 = 148 patients
July 9 34 patients
July 10 20 patients
July 11 34 patients
July 12 32 patients
July 13