Four Friends International

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Recent and Future Mission Trips

MISSION TRIP

August 4-8, 2025

A team of Alabama volunteers from Marshall County and Cullman County ministered in Jalapa, Guatemala and adjacent communities last month. Activities included sports clinics, food distribution, home visits, worship services, and a tenth anniversary celebration dinner at the Los Laureles clinic. Below are some photos from the trip, including some views from Mark Brock's drone.

our team with the Guatemalan clinic staff and pastors

view of Jalapa from the downtown church, where the team lodged during the trip; the walled area in the foreground is the church entrance

the clinic at Los Laureles, built in 2014-15

The church at Los Laureles, 50 yards from the clinic

the city dump, 400 yards from the Los Laureles clinic; notice the "houses" of those who live at the dump and make their living by scavenging for recyclables and other articles

aerial view of Los Pinos during an afternoon sports clinic

at the end of the sports clinic, the children were given bandanas, refreshments, Christian coloring books, and crayons

the sports clinics were organized and supervised by Ty, Jennifer, Kayleigh, and Lawson King from Arab First Baptist Church

the team also ministered in three mountain communities: El Divisidero, Laguna del Pito, and El Chorro

Tanner Galanty at the sports clinic at Laguna del Pito

food bags were distributed during home visits, and adults had their blood pressure and glucose checked

the team with our Guatemalan partners after a worship service at the downtown church on Wednesday night; more than 500 copies of the gospel of John in Spanish were distributed by our volunteers during the week

part of the team from Arab FBC with Luis and Mynor, young associate pastors who have a wonderful ministry in the mountain communities

there was a 10th anniversary celebration at Los Laureles on Thursday evening, attended by over 200 guests

a catered meal was served

Pastor Filiberto at the celebration, offering a prayer of thanksgiving; Pastor Dani from Los Pinos is at the keyboard

Mark Brock and a Guatemalan child

A beautiful commemorative plaque was presented to Four Friends International, in recognition of ten years of medical ministry at Los Laureles, during which over 50,000 patients received free care and medications in the name of Jesus

the clinc at Los Laureles, 2015-2025

Vanessa, one of our nurses, with her infant daughter

from left: Imelda (nurse), Kelly (office), Lilian (nurse), and Karina (office) with medical equipment donated by the Marshall Medical Centers Auxillary; thank you!

Thank you, team!

from left: Jay Collins, Max Cooper, Mynor, Max Dueland, Luis, Cooper Rosewarne, Tanner Galanty, Mark Brock

Max Dueland and his mother Elizabeth Dueland, both from Cullman FBC, with Luis, Vanessa, and their daughter

Max Cooper and Mynor

Keith Collins and his son Jay (Arab FBC) with Luis and Mynor

the Kings: Ty, Jennifer, Kayleigh, and Lawson

from left; Luis, Kayleigh King, Jay Collins, Mark Brock, Max Cooper, Makenzie Smith, Cooper Rosewarne, Tanner Galanty, Mynor, Lawson King

from left: Mark Brock, Randy Stewart (Dawson Memorial Baptist, Homewood), Keith Collins, Luis, Pastor Michael Foreman (Arab FBC), Jeff Fowler (Gilliam Springs Baptist, Arab)

UPCOMING MISSION TRIP

When?

January 5-9, 2026

Where?

Jalapa, Guatemala

What?

medical missions and church support

Cost?

$1750 per volunteer

How to Register?

text or call Randy Stewart

256-302-4296

Deadline to Register?

November 15, 2025

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Ministry highlights - May and June 2025

MOTHER'S DAY MINISTRY

LOS LAURELES CLINIC

This is the report of a ministry event in May from the clinic staff at Los Laureles:

5/8/2025

Thank God, we had the Mother's Day activity today with 49 mothers, 20 babies who were with their moms the whole time, and 55 children who were with Pastors Luis and Mynor. So there were 124 people, adults and children. The children painted a beautiful card for their mothers. Snacks and candy were served. The message of Jesus Christ was presented to the mothers. It was a blessed afternoon. They all left happy with a gift we shared with each of them on behalf of Four Friends International. Thank you for you support, always. May God bless you!

A similar ministry activity for mothers was held at the Los Pinos clinic in May.

MISSION TRIP

MAY 28-31

Seven volunteers, representing four Alabama churches, traveled to Jalapa for medical and church support ministry activities. Over 200 food bags filled with one week of provisions were distributed to poor families at the communities of Los Laureles, Los Pinos, El Divisadero, Laguna del Pito, and El Chorro, as well as the residents and workers at the local garbage dump. Vitamins and other medications were given, and the gospel message was shared. At El Chorro, 150 pairs of new shoes were given to children. For most of them, this was the the first new shoes they had ever received. Other activities included a Thursday night worship service and an appreciation dinner on Friday at a local restaurant for the pastors and clinic staff.

JUNE MINISTRY ACTIVITY

LOS PINOS CLINIC

This is the report from the staff of the Los Pinos clinic:

6/20/2025

A smile is the most elegant outfit you can wear, the key that opens hearts, and the sun that dispels any darkness. Shine brightly today and always! Everything was prepared a few days beforehand, discussing with coworkers and sisters in Christ what the event would be about, and it was agreed that a talk on oral hygiene would be given. We began at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20th, hoping in God that the people invited to the talk would be able to attend. We began with prayers for each of them and for the talk to be held. Brother Luis supported us with welcome and prayers. Praise God for everything that was accomplished. We know and trust that they understood that our teeth are very important these days, and it's crucial to take care of them so that in the future they can have decent jobs, since even this is taken into account. Our healthy teeth give us more confidence when speaking and when we introduce ourselves to people who don't know us. We concluded our activity with a gospel message, prayers, and refreshments. Thank God everything went very well. May God bless everyone.