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Mark 2:3-4
And they brought to Jesus a paralytic, carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him. When they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralyzed man lay.

Monday, July 24, 2023

Four Friends International update

 

MISSION TRIP

This Saturday (July 29) twelve volunteers will travel to Jalapa, Guatemala for a week of ministry. This will be the first group trip since 2019 due to the pandemic. The week will include medical ministry in Los Laureles and Los Pinos, our two stationary clinics, and in the three mountain communities that are served by our mobile clinic. Church support activities will include a VBS, home and school visits, evangelism/discipleship, and food distribution. Our next update will consist of a report on the trip, including photos. Here are the details:

PURPOSE: Medical and Ministry/Church Support

Medical Services and Medicines

Evangelism

Family Visitation and Food Distribution

Vacation Bible School

Ministry Development


VOLUNTEERS:

Koben Craft - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

Reyna Craft - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

Eliot Craft - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

Liam Craft - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

Denise Vasut - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

Randy Stewart - Dawson Memorial BC, Birmingham

David Skidmore - Southwood Presbyterian Church, Huntsville

Janet Skidmore - Southwood Presbyterian Church, Huntsville

Mary Skidmore - Southwood Presbyterian Church, Huntsville

Jeremy Yates - Baptist Church, Arab

Meredith Roy - First Baptist Church-Arab

Jeff Fowler - First Baptist Church-Arab


SCHEDULE:

Saturday, July 29

Flight from Birmingham to Miami to Guatemala City

              Travel by van to Jalapa 

Mission Trip Volunteer Meeting @ Downtown Jalapa Church

Sunday, July 30 - Los Laureles

Morning Worship at Downtown Jalapa or Los Laureles Church
Afternoon: Clinic / VBS @ Los Laureles Church
Monday, July 31 - Los Pinos

Morning: Clinic / School and Home Visits / Food Ministry

Noon: Food Ministry to the Residents of the City Dump

Afternoon: Clinic / VBS @ Los Pinos Church

Tuesday, August 1 - El Divisidero 

(mountain community)

Morning: Clinic / School and Home Visits / Food Ministry

Afternoon: Clinic / VBS @ El Divisidero

Wednesday, August 2 - Laguna del Pito 

(mountain community)

Morning: Clinic / School and Home Visits / Food Ministry

Afternoon: Clinic / VBS @ Laguna del Pito

Evening: Bible Study at Downtown Jalapa

Thursday, August 3 - Casario el Charro 

(mountain community)

Morning: Clinic / School and Home Visits / Food Ministry

Afternoon: Clinic / VBS @ Casario el Charro

Evening: Meal with the Guatemalan Clinic and Church Staffs

Friday, August 4

Travel by van to Guatemala City

Flight from Guatemala City to Miami to Birmingham



CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

Four Friends International's annual North Alabama Golf Classic will be held on Saturday October 28 at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. The event has earned a reputation for warm fellowship, fine food, and great prizes. Here is the pertinent information:

Date: Saturday, October 28

Time: Shotgun start at 8:00 am

Format: 4-person scramble

Cost: $400 ($100/player)

Food: Lunch and Prizes after golf

To Enter a Team: Call or text Jeff Fowler 

(256-714-1203)



THE MINISTRIES OF FOUR FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL

Los Laureles Clinic 

- opened in 2015;

- treats patients every week from Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturday;

- provides free medical care and free medications, including ongoing treatment for patients with diabetes, hypertension, and seizure disorders;

- has an rear two-bedroom apartment where a nurse resides;

- 500-600 patients receive care each month.

Los Pinos Clinic 

- opened in 2018; 

- treats patients every week from Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturday; 

- provides free medical care and free medications, including ongoing treatment for patients with diabetes, hypertension, and seizure disorders; 

- has an rear two-bedroom apartment where a nurse resides; 

- 500-600 patients receive care each month.

Four Wheels Clinic 

- started in 2021; 

- treats patients in three mountain communities every week from Monday through Friday; 

- provides free medical care and free medications, including ongoing treatment for patients with diabetes,hypertension, and seizure disorders; 

- 400-500 patients receive care each month.

Operation Amalia 

- started in 2017; 

- provides diaper supplies and hygiene for infants whose mothers live and/or work at the city dump;

- 20 infants are enrolled in the program and receive supplies each month. 

Church Support 

The Life in Jesus Baptist Church in downtown Jalapa has mission churches in Los Laureles and Los Pinos, and our clinics are adjacent to these churches. Four Friends International has partnered with the downtown church and provides church support activities during mission trips. The long-range plan is to start mission churches in the mountain communities served by our mobile clinic.



THE STAFF OF FOUR FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL

Los Laureles Clinic

Lilian (nurse)

Cleydi (nurse)*

*divides time between the two clinics*

Mynor (office)

Kelly (office, part-time)

Karina J. (office, part-time)

Pablo (night security) 

Los Pinos Clinic

Imelda (nurse)

Cleydi (nurse)*

*divides time between the two clinics*

Wendy (office)

Karina L. (office, part-time)

Brenda (office, part-time)

Luis (night security)

Sonia (cleaning)

Four Wheels Clinic

Vanessa (nurse)

Pablo (driver/office)


FINANCIAL FACTS

1

Four Friends International has no paid administrative employees.

2

The only major expenses in the United States are accounting and insurance fees.

Therefore, over 97% of funds donated to Four Friends International are sent to Guatemala for the medical ministry.

4

It costs only $7.50 per patient to provide free care and medicines, and this amount includes staffing, property taxes, and utilities.

5

Four Friends International is a 501c3 organization. All monetary donations are tax deductible. A charitable contribution statement is forwarded at year's end.

Four Ways to Give
1. Send your donation, designated for Four Friends International, to:
Four Friends International 
Randy Stewart MD, President
2101 Lane Parke Court
Mountain Brook, Alabama 35223
-or-
2. Make a one-time or recurring online donation on this blogsite, as follows:
From your computer, select the appropriate Donate button and follow the directions.
From your phone, click on "View web version"at the bottom of the page; then select the appropriate Donate button and follow the directions.
-or-
3. Send your donation, designated for Four Friends International, to:
First Baptist Church
502 North Main Street
Arab, Alabama 35016
(256-586-3153 - arabfbc.org)
-or-
4. Send your donation, designated for Four Friends International, to:
The Baptist Foundation of Alabama 
     7650 Halcyon Summit Drive 
Montgomery, AL 36117 
Phone: 334.394.2000
Fax: 334.394.2039
Email: tbfa@tbfa.org
7
At the end of this month (July 2023), Four Friends International will have funds sufficient to provide ongoing operations through January 2024. Thank your so much for your generous contributions to this ministry! 

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