Thank you!

In November 2011 the vision of Four Friends International was planted in the hearts of God's people. This November will mark the tenth anniversary of that call to ministry. Here is just a sampling of what you have provided over the past decade, starting with the most recent example: Kimberly's surgery.

LIFE-CHANGING TREATMENT

Kimberly was born with both hips dislocated. Her family paid for one surgery but could not afford the second. You came to the rescue and provided funds for surgical repair of the left hip. 

This is a terrified Kimberly before her operation in July...

... returning from the OR...

... and recovering at home.

She will be in a cast for three months and then will start physical therapy. The therapy sessions are also being donated through your gifts. Hopefully, when we return in November, we will be able to see Kimberly walk for the first time in her life. Thank you!

Also because of your gifts, Alberto is receiving medication to help his enlarged external ear. If the medication does not help, you have already promised to pay for corrective surgery. Thank you!

FREE MEDICAL CARE 

The clinic at Los Laureles, which started treating patients in August 2015, was funded by you. The building below was constructed and furnished through the labor of your hands. The staff here continues to treat over 500 patients each month because of your support. Thank you!

The clinic at Los Pinos (below) started seeing patients in October 2018. You funded it, helped build it, and continue to maintain it. Over 6000 patients receive free medical care and medications yearly here. Thank you!

Because of your Christ-like love, patients with diabetes, hypertension, seizures, and other chronic illnesses receive an examination and medication every month, and treatment for acute illness is available to anyone who comes.

The picture above is from the clinic at Los Pinos. Below is a young girl at the Los Laureles clinic. The smile on her face is what this ministry is all about - sharing the love and joy of Christ. You have put so many smiles on faces over the past ten years. Thank you!

CHURCH SUPPORT

The mission of Four Friends International is to partner with Guatemalan churches in the medical ministry, thus providing spiritual healing as well as physical. Above is the church in downtown Jalapa. Its congregation started mission churches in outlying areas of the city, including Los Laureles and Los Pinos. Our clinics are adjacent to these mission churches.

The church at Los Laureles (below)...

... and the church at Los Pinos (below)

Your support of Four Friends International has enabled these congregations to share Christ's love to the community in a very tangible way - providing free medical care in the name of Jesus. (You also built and furnished an apartment on the roof of the Los Pinos church for the pastor and his wife. Thank you!)

MINISTRY AT THE CITY DUMP

Located 400 yards from the Los Laureles clinic, the city dump is home to over 100 residents who gain their sustenance from the trash deposited there.

You are providing diapers and infant supplies each month to 20 babies who live in the dump. This Four Friends ministry is called Operation Amalia. The supplies are distributed to the mothers weekly at the Los Laureles clinic...

... and a bath is offered to all who come.

THE FOUR WHEELS CLINIC

But there is more! In November of this year, a vision will be realized, a dream will come true, and prayers will be answered as a mobile medical clinic begins to treat patients in the mountain communities near Jalapa.

 In places like Laguna del Pito...

 ... to people like this couple in El Divisadero...      

and with medications distributed in an open field, the mobile clinic will provide medical care to people who could not receive it otherwise. Your generosity has enabled Four Friends International to fund the Four Wheels Clinic for one year, through October 2022 (and hopefully beyond). Thank you for making this happen!

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 1:3-4

FINAL NOTES

1. The Four Friends Golf Classic scheduled for Saturday August 7 has been postponed due to the recent coronavirus surge. It will be rescheduled at a date to be determined later.

2. The next trip to Jalapa has been rescheduled for November 6-12. As of today, it is unclear whether the restrictions in Guatemala will permit a group to go. Further information will be provided in future updates.

3. As of August 1, 2021 your donations have provided sufficient funds to continue the following ongoing ministries: 

• care at the Los Laureles and Los Pinos clinics through November 15, 2021
• Operation Amalia diaper ministry through February 28, 2022
• the Four Wheels Clinic through October 31, 2022

Thank you so much for your encouragement, labors, prayers, and gifts over the past decade!