To all volunteers and supporters:
I’ve waited until now to send
January’s update in order to provide you with the latest news after the Advisory
Board meeting on January 6. Prayerfully consider the following review of 2018
and preview of 2019. May you be doubly aware of God’s grace this year!
Randy Stewart
Four Friends International
2018
Last month we celebrated our sixth birthday as an organization. And what a six years it has been! Patients who otherwise could not receive medical care are now being treated daily at our clinics in Los Laureles and Los Pinos. Infants at the city dump are receiving diapers and other supplies weekly through our Operation Amalia Project. Churches adjacent to the clinics have partnered with us, and our patients know that the love of Jesus Christ is the foundation of this ministry.
Financial support of Four Friends International over the years has been nothing short of amazing. Your generosity has enabled us to build the two clinics and to provide ongoing care at Los Laureles. Now that new construction has been completed, all monetary gifts in 2019 can be used to treat the 15,000 patients who will come to Los Laureles and Los Pinos this year seeking care.
Thank you so much for making the vision of Four Friends International a reality. Every gift and prayer, past and future, is appreciated. We praise God for you! By picking up your corner of the cot, you are doing your part to bring the sick to Jesus.
2019
As 2019 begins, Four Friends International stands at an important crossroad. Before us are both an opportunity and a challenge. The purpose of this update section is to let you know what lies ahead and what you can do to help.
The challenge we face is to be able to continue care at the two clinics. Each month, medications have to purchased, the clinic staff needs to be compensated, and utilities must be paid. In addition, there are periodic maintenance expenditures and annual property taxes. Taken together, the projected cost in 2019 to operate the two clinics is $250/day ($125/day for each clinic).
A wonderful opportunity also lies before us this year. A very generous donation has been received for the purpose of starting a third clinic. At the same time, doors for ministry have opened for us in Haiti, and preliminary steps are being taken to see if this is indeed a possibility. The Advisory Board of Four Friends International is prayerfully evaluating this option. You will hear more about this from us in the coming months.
So what can you do in 2019 to help? Our most pressing need is for people to provide a day of care at the clinics. As of today, we have enough funds to treat patients through March 13. Each gift of $250 will enable us to provide another day of medical care at both Los Laureles and Los Pinos.
Our goal is to fill the entire 2019 calendar with $250 donations. Any gifts beyond this will be set aside for Haiti. At each fourth-of-the-month update this year, I will tell you how close we have come to filling the calendar.
Pray for the ministry in Guatemala and for God’s direction in Haiti.
December at the Clinics
As 2019 begins, Four Friends International stands at an important crossroad. Before us are both an opportunity and a challenge. The purpose of this update section is to let you know what lies ahead and what you can do to help.
The challenge we face is to be able to continue care at the two clinics. Each month, medications have to purchased, the clinic staff needs to be compensated, and utilities must be paid. In addition, there are periodic maintenance expenditures and annual property taxes. Taken together, the projected cost in 2019 to operate the two clinics is $250/day ($125/day for each clinic).
A wonderful opportunity also lies before us this year. A very generous donation has been received for the purpose of starting a third clinic. At the same time, doors for ministry have opened for us in Haiti, and preliminary steps are being taken to see if this is indeed a possibility. The Advisory Board of Four Friends International is prayerfully evaluating this option. You will hear more about this from us in the coming months.
So what can you do in 2019 to help? Our most pressing need is for people to provide a day of care at the clinics. As of today, we have enough funds to treat patients through March 13. Each gift of $250 will enable us to provide another day of medical care at both Los Laureles and Los Pinos.
Our goal is to fill the entire 2019 calendar with $250 donations. Any gifts beyond this will be set aside for Haiti. At each fourth-of-the-month update this year, I will tell you how close we have come to filling the calendar.
Pray for the ministry in Guatemala and for God’s direction in Haiti.
December at the Clinics
3rd-8th
– Los Laureles: 203 patients, Los Pinos: 112 patients
10th-15th
– Los Laureles: 143 patients, Los Pinos: 133 patients
17th-22nd – Los Laureles: 131 patients, Los Pinos: 127 patients
24th-29th – clinics closed to allow our nurses to visit their families
TOTAL: Los Laureles: 477 patients, Los
Pinos: 372 patients
From Lilian,
nurse at Los Laureles:
Thanks to God, I was able to be present the days of Christmas with my family, and today (January 3) the staff of the two clinics is back working. We are hoping in God that in the New Year the Lord Jesus will supply all of our needs and will give all of us who serve these ministries the wisdom and health to continue leading both clinics. I love you all in the love of the Lord. Thank you for your trust and support in helping me continue to serve the Lord here. Blessings to all of Four Friends International!
3 Ways to Give to Four Friends International
Thanks to God, I was able to be present the days of Christmas with my family, and today (January 3) the staff of the two clinics is back working. We are hoping in God that in the New Year the Lord Jesus will supply all of our needs and will give all of us who serve these ministries the wisdom and health to continue leading both clinics. I love you all in the love of the Lord. Thank you for your trust and support in helping me continue to serve the Lord here. Blessings to all of Four Friends International!
3 Ways to Give to Four Friends International
- Send donation to: Four Friends International, c/o Randy Stewart, President; 1310 Lane Parke Court; Mountain Brook, AL 35223
- Send donation to: Arab First Baptist Church; 502 North Main Street; Arab, AL 35016
- Send donation to The Baptist Foundation of Alabama. Visit tbfa.org for more information.