Walking with God in 2019

Dr. John LaNoue • February 11, 2019
a blue sky with a few clouds in it
A poster for amigos mission in motion shows a girl holding a cup

 

It is Valentine Day and do I have “A Love Story”!

 

A black and white photo of a bride and groom on their wedding day

It was September 25 th , my 20 th birthday. Due to an injury, I was not traveling with the football team on that Saturday. I was trying to find the game on the radio in the Baptist Student Union, when a friend from my hometown joined me.

Lorella was a strong Christian, so the conversation turned to the Lord, His work, our experiences seeking and following His will for our lives. As we shared testimonies of how we had experienced His leadership, I told her about my off- campus activities. I was pastoring two small half-time churches in a rural area, and preaching as an interim pastor at a Black Baptist Church on Friday nights.

I realized being a single pastor had its dangers and pressures! The matchmakers in the congregations were having a heyday trying to find me a wife from the singles in the church!

I started praying for God’s will in my search for a wife. I had stopped dating for at least three months because I was convinced that God would bring the one I needed to me. My seeking the one had not been fruitful. I told God what kind of mate I wanted, I even gave Him the dimensions!

 

I told myfriend about my dilemma, and that I was wasting my time dating until I foundsomeone who was called to the ministry as a preacher’s wife.

 

 

She said shehad to run some errands, but for me to stay because she would like to continueour discussion later.

 

 

When shereturned, she brought her two roommates. One was a curly haired cutie who wasmiss personality. The other was very quiet, had Vaseline on her face, and hereyelashes and bangs were singed. She was the exhibitionist twirler and hadgotten too close to two fire batons.

 

She sprained her ankle marching in a parade on Monday. I got permission to tape her ankle, carry her down stairs, and help her to class.

 

WE starteddating and every date ended with a Bible study or a prayer meeting. I was a hotblooded Cajun, but God told me to keep my hands off because she was Hisproperty! Three weeks later she answered God’s call to be a pastor’s wife in achurch service. I asked God if this was the one? He gave me the affirmation!

 

That night, I asked her to marry me! We found each other through the will of God as an answer to prayer.

 

She said,“yes!” !!! Then I kissed her for the first time!

 

A man and woman are posing for a picture in front of a wreath.
A man and a woman are sitting at a table eating food

We had known each other three weeks and we married two months later! Since we both were from broken homes, we did not have a good example to follow, but since God created the family we used the Bible as our marriage manual.

 

We have beenmarried 64 years and 6 weeks, so its working extremely well!

 

 

Oh, by the way, I still remember those warm lips and that precious first kiss like it just happened!

 

By Victor Phiri January 28, 2026
When the Rains Fail, Hope Must Take Root Across Mulanje District, the land tells a difficult story. Seasons that once brought dependable rains are now marked by prolonged drought, erratic weather, and declining harvests. Global climate shocks—felt across East and Southern Africa—are hitting rural Malawian families especially hard. When crops fail, it is not just food that disappears, but stability, dignity, and hope.  Widows, children, and smallholder farmers are bearing the heaviest burden. Without irrigation, savings, or access to resilient farming methods, many families are forced to rely on expensive markets or emergency food aid just to survive. Yet even in this hardship, something powerful is growing.
By Victor Phiri January 27, 2026
Protecting Malawi’s Children: Our Commitment Every child deserves more than survival. Every child deserves safety, love, dignity, and the freedom to dream. In Malawi, however—particularly in rural districts like Mulanje—too many children grow up facing risks that no child should ever endure. In 2025 alone, 148,664 cases of child abuse, exploitation, and neglect were reported nationwide. Behind each statistic is a real child—someone’s daughter, son, or sibling—whose childhood was interrupted by violence, forced responsibility, or silence. Harmful practices such as child marriage, child labour, and sexual violence continue to threaten children’s wellbeing, education, and future potential. These realities are painful—but they are not the end of the story.
By Amigos Internacionales January 21, 2026
A story of generosity, healing, and the quiet power of faithful stewardship Most people assume that meaningful healthcare requires massive budgets, permanent buildings, and years of infrastructure. But in 2025, across some of the most underserved regions of East Africa, something quietly extraordinary happened. With $142,000 in donor support , volunteer medical teams delivered over $10.1 million worth of medical care —completely free to patients who otherwise would have gone without. That’s not a typo. This is the story of how generosity multiplied, how dignity was protected, and how healing reached places the healthcare system cannot.
By Amigos Internacionales January 12, 2026
For five days in Arua , something remarkable unfolded. There were no glossy hospital corridors. No insurance cards. No families with the ability to pay. There were only children —many born with conditions that would quietly steal their future if left untreated—and a group of volunteer surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, and ministry partners willing to step in. What happened next is a story of extraordinary stewardship , medical excellence , and eternal impact .
nonprofit helping Africa, clean water Uganda, child sponsorship AfricaChristian nonprofit Africa
By Amigos Internacionales December 24, 2025
Discover how Amigos Internacionales is transforming African communities through clean water, education, medical care, and sustainable development using a holistic MissionPoint model.
Woman and two children stand outside a rough building; woman in floral dress, children in worn clothes.
By Michael Ryer December 15, 2025
Where the Shadows Hide The first time I looked into the eyes of a child rescued from trafficking, I realized this issue isn’t simply about statistics—it’s about stolen stories. It’s about what happens when humanity forgets who we are and whom we belong to. Sex trafficking is not confined to distant countries or dark alleyways. It’s in border towns, business districts, and even in the quiet suburbs of America. It is the visible symptom of invisible wounds—poverty, broken systems, and spiritual disconnection. Through the work of Amigos Internacionales , I’ve seen how easily desperation becomes a doorway. Traffickers exploit the most sacred human need—to be seen, valued, and loved—and twist it into bondage. But I’ve also seen how faith and community can transform that same desperation into hope. The Crossroads of Trauma and Transformation In my book, The Choice That Can Change the World, I write that every one of us stands at a crossroads where trauma meets transformation. Survivors of trafficking know this crossroads intimately. “Every painful memory holds within it an invitation to rise above and forge anew.” — The Choice That Can Change the World When a life has been shattered by exploitation, healing begins not with forgetting, but with choosing. Choosing to believe that renewal is still possible. Choosing to accept that even in the ruins, God can rebuild something beautiful. For many survivors, the journey from trauma to triumph begins the same way faith always begins—with a choice. “Now choose life,” says Deuteronomy 30:19, “so that you and your children may live.” That command is not just for the victim. It’s for the rescuer, the leader, the bystander, the church, and the CEO. Each of us must choose life in how we lead, how we serve, and how we see those society has cast aside.
Young lady with a visible facial difference, speaking in front of a rural dwelling.
By Amigos Internacionales November 21, 2025
In the heart of Palabek Settlement, within the humble boundaries of Zone 5A, Block 5A, lives a young girl whose story reflects both the deep wounds of conflict and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit. She is 17 years old. Her name — shared with us by one of our local mission pastors — is Winning Ibalú Mario . And although life has marked her with a devastating injury, her presence radiates a quiet courage that calls us to act.
Poster for Arua Children's Surgical Camp in Uganda, featuring children and text with contact info.
By Amigos Internacionales November 14, 2025
In West Nile, Uganda, there are children who have never known a single day without pain.  Some live with hernias that keep them from running and playing. Others were born with anorectal malformations or hypospadias, conditions that make something as simple as using the bathroom or going to school deeply shameful and physically painful. Many have treatable masses, cysts, or congenital conditions that slowly steal their childhood. Their parents know something is wrong. They’ve walked for miles, waited in crowded clinics, and prayed for a solution. But surgery is expensive, specialists are rare, and for families living in poverty, the cost is simply impossible.
Poster for Nigeria eye care medical mission, 40 days to go. Featuring a child's eye, white and black text.
By Amigos Internacionales November 10, 2025
In December, we will host a vital eye camp in Nigeria, providing essential eye care services to underserved communities. Our efforts included free eye examinations, consultations, and treatments, impacting the lives of many who lacked access to such care. Thanks to your incredible support.
Gilead Clinics logo:
By Amigos Internacionales October 1, 2025
After decades of walking alongside vulnerable communities through surgical missions, mobile outreaches, and emergency relief, Amigos Internacionales and Doctors on Mission International are stepping into a new season of impact with the launch of Gilead Clinics . These monthly clinics, strategically planted at each Mission Point, are more than just health posts—they are beacons of consistent care, spiritual encouragement, and sustainable transformation.
Logo for Shiloh Sight: Blue eye with radiating yellow light above.
By Amigos Internacionales September 30, 2025
Through Shiloh Sight, Amigos restores vision across Africa with free cataract surgeries. Every gift brings healing, dignity, and hope—turning darkness into light.
Doctor seeing patients in the community Medical Camp
By Amigos Internacionales September 26, 2025
"Discover the vital connection between community health and medical centers in our latest blog. Explore the numerous benefits these institutions provide, from accessible healthcare services to enhanced well-being and support for local initiatives. Learn how community engagement fosters healthier outcomes for everyone."
More Posts

Social Media

By Victor Phiri January 28, 2026
When the Rains Fail, Hope Must Take Root Across Mulanje District, the land tells a difficult story. Seasons that once brought dependable rains are now marked by prolonged drought, erratic weather, and declining harvests. Global climate shocks—felt across East and Southern Africa—are hitting rural Malawian families especially hard. When crops fail, it is not just food that disappears, but stability, dignity, and hope.  Widows, children, and smallholder farmers are bearing the heaviest burden. Without irrigation, savings, or access to resilient farming methods, many families are forced to rely on expensive markets or emergency food aid just to survive. Yet even in this hardship, something powerful is growing.
By Victor Phiri January 27, 2026
Protecting Malawi’s Children: Our Commitment Every child deserves more than survival. Every child deserves safety, love, dignity, and the freedom to dream. In Malawi, however—particularly in rural districts like Mulanje—too many children grow up facing risks that no child should ever endure. In 2025 alone, 148,664 cases of child abuse, exploitation, and neglect were reported nationwide. Behind each statistic is a real child—someone’s daughter, son, or sibling—whose childhood was interrupted by violence, forced responsibility, or silence. Harmful practices such as child marriage, child labour, and sexual violence continue to threaten children’s wellbeing, education, and future potential. These realities are painful—but they are not the end of the story.
By Amigos Internacionales January 21, 2026
A story of generosity, healing, and the quiet power of faithful stewardship Most people assume that meaningful healthcare requires massive budgets, permanent buildings, and years of infrastructure. But in 2025, across some of the most underserved regions of East Africa, something quietly extraordinary happened. With $142,000 in donor support , volunteer medical teams delivered over $10.1 million worth of medical care —completely free to patients who otherwise would have gone without. That’s not a typo. This is the story of how generosity multiplied, how dignity was protected, and how healing reached places the healthcare system cannot.
By Amigos Internacionales January 12, 2026
For five days in Arua , something remarkable unfolded. There were no glossy hospital corridors. No insurance cards. No families with the ability to pay. There were only children —many born with conditions that would quietly steal their future if left untreated—and a group of volunteer surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, and ministry partners willing to step in. What happened next is a story of extraordinary stewardship , medical excellence , and eternal impact .
nonprofit helping Africa, clean water Uganda, child sponsorship AfricaChristian nonprofit Africa
By Amigos Internacionales December 24, 2025
Discover how Amigos Internacionales is transforming African communities through clean water, education, medical care, and sustainable development using a holistic MissionPoint model.
Woman and two children stand outside a rough building; woman in floral dress, children in worn clothes.
By Michael Ryer December 15, 2025
Where the Shadows Hide The first time I looked into the eyes of a child rescued from trafficking, I realized this issue isn’t simply about statistics—it’s about stolen stories. It’s about what happens when humanity forgets who we are and whom we belong to. Sex trafficking is not confined to distant countries or dark alleyways. It’s in border towns, business districts, and even in the quiet suburbs of America. It is the visible symptom of invisible wounds—poverty, broken systems, and spiritual disconnection. Through the work of Amigos Internacionales , I’ve seen how easily desperation becomes a doorway. Traffickers exploit the most sacred human need—to be seen, valued, and loved—and twist it into bondage. But I’ve also seen how faith and community can transform that same desperation into hope. The Crossroads of Trauma and Transformation In my book, The Choice That Can Change the World, I write that every one of us stands at a crossroads where trauma meets transformation. Survivors of trafficking know this crossroads intimately. “Every painful memory holds within it an invitation to rise above and forge anew.” — The Choice That Can Change the World When a life has been shattered by exploitation, healing begins not with forgetting, but with choosing. Choosing to believe that renewal is still possible. Choosing to accept that even in the ruins, God can rebuild something beautiful. For many survivors, the journey from trauma to triumph begins the same way faith always begins—with a choice. “Now choose life,” says Deuteronomy 30:19, “so that you and your children may live.” That command is not just for the victim. It’s for the rescuer, the leader, the bystander, the church, and the CEO. Each of us must choose life in how we lead, how we serve, and how we see those society has cast aside.
Young lady with a visible facial difference, speaking in front of a rural dwelling.
By Amigos Internacionales November 21, 2025
In the heart of Palabek Settlement, within the humble boundaries of Zone 5A, Block 5A, lives a young girl whose story reflects both the deep wounds of conflict and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit. She is 17 years old. Her name — shared with us by one of our local mission pastors — is Winning Ibalú Mario . And although life has marked her with a devastating injury, her presence radiates a quiet courage that calls us to act.
Poster for Arua Children's Surgical Camp in Uganda, featuring children and text with contact info.
By Amigos Internacionales November 14, 2025
In West Nile, Uganda, there are children who have never known a single day without pain.  Some live with hernias that keep them from running and playing. Others were born with anorectal malformations or hypospadias, conditions that make something as simple as using the bathroom or going to school deeply shameful and physically painful. Many have treatable masses, cysts, or congenital conditions that slowly steal their childhood. Their parents know something is wrong. They’ve walked for miles, waited in crowded clinics, and prayed for a solution. But surgery is expensive, specialists are rare, and for families living in poverty, the cost is simply impossible.
Poster for Nigeria eye care medical mission, 40 days to go. Featuring a child's eye, white and black text.
By Amigos Internacionales November 10, 2025
In December, we will host a vital eye camp in Nigeria, providing essential eye care services to underserved communities. Our efforts included free eye examinations, consultations, and treatments, impacting the lives of many who lacked access to such care. Thanks to your incredible support.
Gilead Clinics logo:
By Amigos Internacionales October 1, 2025
After decades of walking alongside vulnerable communities through surgical missions, mobile outreaches, and emergency relief, Amigos Internacionales and Doctors on Mission International are stepping into a new season of impact with the launch of Gilead Clinics . These monthly clinics, strategically planted at each Mission Point, are more than just health posts—they are beacons of consistent care, spiritual encouragement, and sustainable transformation.
Logo for Shiloh Sight: Blue eye with radiating yellow light above.
By Amigos Internacionales September 30, 2025
Through Shiloh Sight, Amigos restores vision across Africa with free cataract surgeries. Every gift brings healing, dignity, and hope—turning darkness into light.
Doctor seeing patients in the community Medical Camp
By Amigos Internacionales September 26, 2025
"Discover the vital connection between community health and medical centers in our latest blog. Explore the numerous benefits these institutions provide, from accessible healthcare services to enhanced well-being and support for local initiatives. Learn how community engagement fosters healthier outcomes for everyone."
A young person with severe facial disfigurement, wearing a red and black plaid jacket.
By Michael Ryer September 18, 2025
The Horrors of South Sudan’s War: Why Children Like Alfred Suffer South Sudan’s history is marked by brutal conflict and unimaginable human suffering. Since independence in 2011, the nation has endured repeated civil wars, ethnic massacres, and attacks on civilians. Hospitals and schools — lifelines for communities — have been bombed, leaving millions without access to basic care. In May 2025, a bombing destroyed the only hospital serving 110,000 people in Fangak County ( Reuters ). Reports from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum document widespread atrocities, including killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement. For thousands of children, this means living with the trauma of violence — and for some, like Alfred, life-threatening injuries that require urgent surgical care.
Children in school uniforms pose in a classroom in Africa, smiling in front of a chalkboard.
By Amigos Internacionales September 12, 2025
Transform communities through education and vocational skills. Learn how Amigos Internacionales equips underserved youth and adults with training for lasting economic empowerment.
Balaam's journey of Sponsorship with Amigos Internacionales
By Amigos Internacionales September 11, 2025
Discover Balaam’s inspiring story: how holistic sponsorship gave him education, mobility, and dignity, nurturing his spirit and empowering him to dream.
Logo for Bethel Smile. Blue text and graphic of a house smiling.
By Amigos Internacionales September 10, 2025
Every child deserves the chance to smile confidently, but for many underprivileged children, dental issues can stand in the way of this simple joy. The Bethel Smile program by Amigos Internacionales is changing lives by providing essential dental surgeries for children, offering them not just improved health but also the hope of a brighter future. This heartfelt initiative focuses on helping underprivileged children regain their self-esteem and quality of life through impactful healthcare initiatives. By sharing personal success stories and the significant transformations witnessed, we aim to inspire compassionate individuals to donate dental care and support this noble cause. Join us as we explore how a community of supporters can come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most. https://www.amigosii.org/bethel-smile
Poster for Bethel Smile Cleft Lip & Palate Repair Project, featuring a child's face, text, and donation link.
By Amigos Internacionales September 10, 2025
“Explore compassionate pediatric feeding support in Uganda. Learn how Bethel Smile restores nutrition and hope for children facing feeding challenges.”
Woman holds and feeds a baby from a bottle. They are outside a building; woman looks concerned.
By Paul Mulyamboga September 9, 2025
Discover Ojok’s story in Uganda. Learn how Bethel Smile provides cleft lip surgery, restores health, and brings hope to children and families.
A child hoeing a field of green plants, outside in sunlight.
By Amigos Internacionales September 5, 2025
In the heart of rural Africa, sustainable farming techniques are sowing the seeds of hope and resilience, transforming communities from the ground up. These eco-friendly agriculture practices are not just about growing crops; they are about cultivating a future where food security and economic stability become a reality for developing regions. Amigos Internacionales stands at the forefront, empowering communities to embrace agricultural sustainability and break the cycle of poverty. Through the stories of farmers who have turned barren lands into thriving fields, we witness the incredible power of community empowerment. Will you join us in this mission to foster a brighter tomorrow? 🌱✨ Learn more about sustainable farming
Woman in red dress holds child in pink dress; they smile outdoors.
By Amigos Internacionales August 28, 2025
Emily is 2 years 10 months and needs cleft palate surgery in Uganda. Your gift of $3,000 funds hospital care, anesthesia, and follow-up. Help her eat and speak.
Show More