February mission trip

When those four friends brought the paralytic to Jesus, they wanted Jesus to heal him. But the first thing Jesus addressed was the disabled man's spiritual needs: "Your sins are forgiven." After this, he proceeded to heal. 

Over the past decade, Four Friends International has treated over 80,000 patients at our two stationary clinics (Los Laureles and Los Pinos) and at three mountain communities (via our Four Wheels Clinic). We have partnered with the Life in Jesus Baptist Church in Jalapa in this effort. Now, with these medical clinics organized and operational, we want to direct more prayer, energy, and activity toward the spiritual as well as the physical. 

Last month,  a team from Four Friends International ministered again in Jalapa, Guatemala. Here are some photos and comments:

Below, Jeff Fowler guides Carlos, one of our translators, through the gospel story.

One of the greatest blessings over the years is to observe the spiritual growth of our Guatemalan volunteers. Many of these wonderful Christians had not even reached their teens when we first came in 2011. Today, they serve our patients and our Lord faithfully. The picture below was taken last year but is included here to emphasize the spiritual impact of the ministry. On the first row (left to right) are Vanessa (nurse), Karina #1 (office), Cleydi (nurse), Patti (office), Karina #2 (office), Lilian (nurse), Brenda (office), and Adela (pastor's wife). From left to right on the back row: Amalia (translator), Luis (security guard and a seminary student), Pablo (security, driver, and a seminary student), Mynor (office and also a seminary student), Jesus (driver), myself, Danny (pastor), Filiberto (pastor), and Kelly (offfice). 

We provided 300 coloring books and crayon packs to children to help introduce them to Bible stories.

After a patient was treated in the clinic, each person had the gospel presented to him or her in the church. Below: Dr. Bill Rogers, retired UAB cardiologist, provides spiritual counseling and presents the good news to a patient.

While the gospel was being presented, children less than 10 years old were busy coloring.

Below are our two newest nurses. Imelda, right, is the nurse at Los Pinos and lives in the apartment at the rear of the clinic. Cleydi splits her time between the two stationary clinics. Both are active in the church as well. They are great additions to our team.

The young girl below was recently diagnosed with a heart murmur but could not afford the echocardiogram recommended to diagnose her condition. Funds were provided during the trip, and she will travel soon to Guatemala City for the cardiac ultrasound.

Dr. Paulette Rogers, Bill's wife, is a seminary graduate and has a Ph.D. in Education. She is a wonderful teacher and communicator who provided spiritual training to our Guatemalan volunteers and spiritual counseling to our patients. Below: Paulette shares her testimony during the Wednesday night worship service.

Below is a teenage girl who lives at the city dump near the Los Laureles clinic and church. This is her view of the world. Please pray that our ministry will be able, through the power and love of our Lord and Savior, to change her worldview, both inside and out.

After providing drinks and cookies to the dump residents, we left the city dump. But, as is always the case, we left part of our hearts there as we departed. 

Below: Luis (security guard at Los Pinos, called to the gospel ministry) shares the gospel story to the children. And he prays with adults in the counseling area.

From left: Tony (driver), Jeff Fowler, Jesus (driver), and Carlos (translator). The Guatemalans are not residents of Jalapa but have served there with us many times in the past.

Below: Vanessa, the nurse of the Four Wheels Clinic. Another photo of the city dump. And Amalia, one of our translators who does live in Jalapa, teaching the kids.

MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL MISSION TRIP

July 29-August 4, 2023

For the first time in over 3 years, Four Friends International will take a team of medical and non-medical volunteers to Jalapa for a week of ministry. Here are the details, including costs and deadlines. 

Organization: Four Friends International 

Website: fourfriendsinternational.blogspot.com

Date: July 29-August 4, 2023

Location: Jalapa, Guatemala

Volunteers needed: 
1. medical (physicians, dentists, optometrists,  nurses, pharmacists, etc.)
2. non-medical (Christians who will work with children, youth, or adults)

Purpose: 
1. medical clinics
2. VBS for children 
3. Evangelism/Discipleship 

Schedule:

1. Saturday 7/29: travel to Jalapa 

a. arrive by air in Guatemala City at

approximately 1:00 pm
b. lunch in Guatemala City
b. 3 hour drive in vans to Jalapa

2. Sunday 7/30: worship and preparation 

3. Monday-Thursday 7/31-8/3: clinics, VBS, and church support

4. Thursday night: dinner with the Guatemalan team at a local restaurant 

5. Friday 8/4: travel home
a. leave Jalapa 7:00 am 
b. arrive at airport 10:00 am
c. flight at approximately 1:00 pm
d. arrive in Alabama before midnight 

Cost: $1700
1. non-flight expenses: $900 (includes meals, lodging, ground transportation, translators/drivers, bottled water, clinic medications, most VBS materials, and travel insurance 
2. flight expenses: $800 (for volunteers in Southeast United States); this fee may be more for volunteers who travel from a farther distance. With permission, volunteers may arrange and purchase their own flights

Requirements for Participation:
1. Send a $100 deposit (by check) before April 15, 2023 to Four Friends International. Write “July mission trip deposit” on the memo line. (Registration forms will be sent after the deposit is received.)
2. Send $1600 (by check) to Four Friends International before May 15, 2023. Write “July mission trip” on the memo line. (Those who have been given permission to secure their own flights will send $800.)
3. Make the above checks payable to “Four Friends International” and mail to:

Randall K. Stewart, MD

Four Friends International 

2101 Lane Parke Court

Mountain Brook, AL 25223 

write on the memo line: "July mission trip"

4. Up-to-date Tetanus and Hepatitis A immunizations (recommended but not required)
5. Up-to-date passport (color photocopy must be provided by July 1, 2023 via email to randystewartmd@yahoo.com.)

Notes:
1. Weather in this mountainous region is temperate year-round (high 80s, low 50s). July is the rainy season. It will probably rain most days but not all day.
2. What to bring: casual clothes, knee-length skirt for ladies for Sunday worship, scrubs for medical volunteers (optional), light jacket, toiletries, sunscreen/cap, Bible, personal medications, passport, driver’s license, $100 (for souvenirs, snacks, miscellaneous expenses — this can be converted to Guatemalan currency in Jalapa), insect repellent (for a trip to the city dump), some personal snacks, candy to hand out to children.
3. What not to bring: towels, shampoo (unless you need a particular brand), soap, bottled water, bedding, pillow.
4. Purchase of clinic medications will be supplemented by Four Friends International and by local churches.

Call or text if any questions.

Randy Stewart (256) 302-4296

Financial Update

Because of your generous donations, Four Friends International has sufficient funds to continue our ministries through September 15, 2023 . Thank you so much for you faithful support!