Can you believe it’s been 9 years?
In November of 2011, a medical missions team from Arab First Baptist Church traveled to Jalapa, Guatemala. God’s Spirit moved in the hearts of the volunteers during that week, and a year later Four Friends International was formed. From the beginning, our purpose has been to partner with Guatemalan Christians to build medical clinics in impoverished areas. As we move toward the tenth anniversary of that inaugural mission trip and of FFI‘s formation, we will review below where we have been and preview where we are going.
The Life in Jesus Clinic at Los Laureles
Located fifty yards from the Life in Jesus Baptist Church, the clinic in Los Laureles started seeing patients on a week-to-week basis in August, 2015. The clinic is open Monday through Friday and a half-day on Saturday and is staffed by two nurses, two office workers, a nighttime security guard, and a housecleaner. It has a lobby, office area, three exam rooms, and a pharmacy stocked with over sixty medications. In the rear is a two-bedroom apartment where the nurse resides. All medical care, including medications, is free and is offered with the love of Jesus Christ. Over the past five years, there have been over 35,000 patient visits to this clinic. Most recently, 601 patients were treated in September, and in August 532 patients received care.
The Life in Jesus Clinic at Los Pinos
Located on the opposite side of Jalapa, the clinic at Los Pinos opened its doors in 2018. The layout, hours of operation and staffing are identical to the Los Laureles clinic. In keeping with our mission statement, Four Friends International also purchased land adjacent to the clinic for a new church, which construction crews from various churches completed last year. An apartment for the pastor and his wife has been built on the rooftop of the church. Since the clinic opened two years ago, more than 12,000 patients have received free medical care and medications in the name of the Great Physician. Last month 551 patients were treated, and in August 433 patients received care.
Operation Amalia
The Los Laureles clinic and church are located 400 yards from the city dump. Over a hundred people live and work in this dump, rummaging through the trash to provide income and daily sustenance. Several infants reside at the dump. Three years ago, a little girl named Amalia especially touched our hearts. Her diaper rash was severe, and thus Four Friends International started Operation Amalia. This ministry provides free diapers and supplies every week to mothers of infants at the dump. At the present time, fifteen mothers are receiving weekly infant supplies.
The Jalapa Churches
Four Friends International partners with the Life in Jesus Baptist Church in downtown Jalapa. This congregation has started mission churches in three nearby poverty-stricken communities: Los Laureles, El Terrero, and Los Pinos. Our two Life in Jesus Clinics are supervised by these churches. In addition, the downtown church has begun to minister to several mountain communities near Jalapa in hopes of starting churches there too.
The Advisory Board of Four Friends International
Four Friends International is a faith-based 501(c)-3 organization and has an Advisory Board that oversees and directs its activities and finances. This board meets twice yearly (except for 2020, with only one meeting planned due to the coronavirus). The present Advisory Board members are Mark Brock, Keith Collins, Kaye Dean, Jack Hamilton, Shannon McGee, Millie Sebek, and Randy Stewart. Ex-officio (non-voting) board members are Jeff Fowler, Jackson Harcrow, and Leeah Harcrow. Each of these board members has been to Jalapa at least once.
Jalapa and COVID-19
The good news is that the coronavirus has not been as widespread in Guatemala as in the United States. The unfortunate news is that the Guatemalan government has enacted nationwide restrictions since March in an attempt to keep the virus at bay. The economic impact on the country has been devastating, including the Jalapa area. Four Friends International sent funds twice this year to purchase food for those most affected. In all, over 700 families near Jalapa have received a week’s worth of food in the name of Jesus, the Living Water and the Bread of Life.
Update on Travel to Jalapa
Commercial flights to Guatemala City were restarted in August. Based on advice from the Guatemalan Christian leaders, mission trips in 2020 (May and October) were canceled. A small group (five or less) will travel to Jalapa again in 2021 as soon it is deemed safe to do so. If this goes well, larger group trips will ensue. Meanwhile, funds are being forwarded to Jalapa every month for the clinics, and medical care continues every week.
Charity Golf Tournament
Due to the pandemic, the Four Friends Golf Classics in Fairview and Birmingham were postponed this year. Hopefully, we will be able to hold these events next year.
Financial Update
Not surprisingly, 2020 has been a challenging year for charitable groups. Fortunately, Four Friends International has not had to cut back on any of our mission projects. Generous donations from Christian supporters have continued despite the pandemic. In addition, the financial efficiency of FFI has helped to keep our ministries intact. 98% of donations to FFI are directed toward the clinics in Guatemala and only 2% toward necessary insurance and accounting services. About one-third of our budget usually comes from the golf tournaments, so the challenge of 2020 remains. As of today, Four Friends International has enough funds to continue our ministries through January 4, 2021. We are confident that God will continue to supply all our needs through the grace of Jesus Christ.
How to Give to Four Friends International
1. Many are now donating through the DONATE button on our blog-site (fourfriendsinternational.blogspot.com).
2. Some are continuing to donate through The Baptist Foundation of Alabama (www.tbfa.org).
3. If your church has a budgeted line item for Four Friends International, you may give through your local offerings. The church will then forward your donation to FFI.
4. You can also give the traditional way—by mail. Checks should be written to “Four Friends International” and mailed to: Four Friends International -- Randy Stewart, President -- 309 Edgewood Blvd -- Homewood, AL 35209.
Donations to FFI are tax-deductible. Everyone who gives via #1 and #4 above will receive a record of charitable giving from FFI in January. Those who give via #2 and #3 above will receive their statements from The Baptist Foundation or their church.
Future Ministries
As has been reported in previous updates, Four Friends International is considering adding a medical clinic in Haiti and a clinic-on-wheels that would serve the mountain communities near Jalapa. Of course, sufficient funding is the principal obstacle to overcome. Again, we are trusting in the providential grace of God. We are convinced that, if this is His will, He will bring it to pass.
A Personal Message
Over the past nine years, over a hundred of you have traveled with me to Jalapa to treat patients and to share the gospel. Hundreds more have supported our ministry through financial donations, pill-packing, prayers, and encouraging words. As I reflect on the cooperative effort that has made Four Friends International a reality, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you, Paul Murphy, for inviting me to travel to Jalapa in 2011. Thank you, volunteers, who have experienced within your hearts what I felt that year in mine. Thank you, brothers and sisters in Christ, for ministering in so many ways over the years to the wonderful people of Guatemala.
The Apostle Paul once asked the Thessalonians a rhetorical question (1 Thess. 3:9): “How can we thank God in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you?” The implied answer was, “We cannot find words to do so!” Today I find myself in a similar state of mind. There is no way I can express to each of you the depth of my gratitude. I pray that God may reveal this to your hearts in ways I cannot.
Next Update: December 2020
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