A blue name tag that says meet our staff

Amigos is building a great future with great people.   

We are looking for volunteers now!

Michael E. Ryer,  President/CEO

A man with glasses and a beard is wearing a blue shirt and smiling.

Michael Ryer, President and CEO of Amigos Internacionales, is a seasoned veteran in the realm of ministry, carrying a rich tapestry of 43 years’ experience into his leadership. His ministerial journey began in the pews of Boyd Baptist Church in Bonham, Texas, where he cut his teeth as a Music/Youth Minister. Ryer’s portfolio of service across North and East Texas is diverse, having assumed roles in youth, music, education, and administration. His academic forays are equally notable, having imparted his knowledge at Navarro College and taught virtually for Grand Canyon University, covering topics from the Old Testament to the History of Christianity.


On the global stage, Ryer’s footprint as a missionary is indelible, with impactful tenures in Israel and Guam. He has also been the driving force behind mission trips to destinations as varied as the Ukraine and Belize. At the heart of his ethos is a focus on 'feeding the Hungries,' which has led to initiatives like the pursuit of a mobile kitchen project in Belize. His commitment is mirrored in his stewardship at Missionpoint Initiatives, highlighted on https://www.mission-point.org, where he champions educational and healthcare projects, underscoring community development and sustainability.


Ryer's tenure on various non-profit boards showcases his commitment to addressing critical social issues from teen pregnancy to housing for the impoverished. His leadership acumen was especially evident during his organization of disaster relief for hurricanes Katrina and Rita victims, reflecting a hands-on approach in crisis management. Looking forward, Ryer is poised to lead Amigos Internacionales with a clear vision, aiming to scale new heights and broaden the organization's reach and influence. His journey, laden with experience and marked by a passion for service, continues to evolve, inviting others to partake in a collective mission of impactful change and humanitarian progress.  For more information visit https://www.michaelryer.com
A black and white silhouette of a man wearing glasses.

Needed Soon

Administrative Assistant:

__________________________


Amigos will soon be looking for an Administrative Assistant in our Whitehouse office.  If you are interested in this part time position, please email michael@amigosii.org.
Dr. JOHN'S BUILDING 2

DR. JOHN LA NOUE- GLOBAL DISASTER CONSULTANT AND DIRECTOR

"Dr. John” was born, raised and educated in Texas, with the exception of his Doctorate which he received in San Francisco, CA. He is the author of, Walking With God in Broken Places and Lessons I Learned Along the Way, which tells the story of disaster relief and how God answers prayer in crises. His second book, Divorcing? Remember Me! tells his story of the effects of divorce on him as a young child and what it took to overcome it, so he could walk with God in broken places. It also tells the story of how he and his wife, both from broken homes, were able to put together a marriage that has lasted 57 years. It covers what God taught him about dating, courtship, and marriage. It contains some helpful hints on how to have a happy marriage. It contains both heartbreak and humor. He and his family have traveled the world helping people in disasters for the last 40 plus years. He and his wife, “Dr. L.”, have two children, John La Noue, Jr. MD, a pediatric surgeon, and Lydia La Noue Slinkard (Mrs. Todd Slinkard), a housewife and mother of two girls: Rebecca and Laura, in New Jersey. He has been a pastor, college minister, a denominational worker with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Lifeway Christian Resources. He has been in North Korea so much they call him “Halabaji” (Grandfather) John. Many have called him “Indiana Jones with a Bible and a skillet”.
A man in a blue shirt is standing in front of a thatched hut.

Patrick Kibwota, Ugandan Director of Operations

     PATRICK KIBWOTA, born on 29th August 1989 is a Social Worker with more than five (05) years of extensive experience in Child care and Protection, Skill-based Teaching Pedagogy and Management, Training and Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Guidance and Counseling, Documentation and Advocacy amongst others, and has lived in Gulu, Northern Uganda from childhood.

    Since 2017, he has been the Ugandan Operations Director for Amigos Internacionales, Inc. leading the operations team to efficiently and effectively support program delivery at scale by running Financial Compliance, Procurement and Logistics, Administration Support, Events and Field Support. Patrick is also the School Administrator of Open Hands Academy, a school established by Amigos Internacionales, Inc. in rural Uganda (Ogul Village) in 2020 dedicated to providing low-cost quality education by cultivating and tending the love of learning to the impoverished rural children right from pre-school/kindergarten. 

     His passion is for young people’s overall development with a focus on community collaboration. He brings a consistent track record of working successfully with individuals, families, and groups.  This experience within a variety of settings has led him to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles over the years. Patrick received his Bachelor of Development Studies from Gulu University in 2013.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH HIM ON:

Email: patrick@amigosii.org

   www.facebook.com/kibwota.patrick 

   @kibwotapat

   www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-kibwota-a51b34119 

   @kibwotapat

   Whatsapp: +256 775591182
A man and a boy are posing for a picture in front of a car.

KIBLOLA CHRIS, AMIGOS SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

 Chris has been with Amigos for 6 months now and is our main contact between sponsors and our children.  He works with the families and does lifeskills classes with the students in between semesters.  As our main Child Sponsorship Coordinator, he is our go to guy for getting the ministry done.
Dr. Paul Mulyamboga

Dr. Paul Mulyamboga, MD

Director of Medical Services, 

Amigos Internacionales


Dr. Paul Mulyamboga joined Doctors on Mission International in early 2024 and quickly became a driving force in community-based medical outreach across Uganda.

 

His ministry centers on bringing physical healing and the hope of Christ to underserved populations.  


From his base in Mbarara, Dr. Paul has led medical and surgical camps serving over 100 rural communities and performing more than 400 life‑saving pediatric surgeries. He trains local healthcare teams and empowers them through sustainable clinical education—ensuring impact long after each mission concludes.  


With a heart for vulnerable families, Dr. Paul integrates community health care, surgical outreach, and faith-driven service. His work is rooted in Isaiah 6:8 and Habakkuk 2:14, believing that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” 

hifa.org

In his new role with Amigos Internacionales, Dr. Paul will:

  • Lead strategic Medical Camps at our Missionpoints
  • Develop permanent Medical Clinics in remote African regions
  • Launch and guide a medical ministry across Burundi

His vision aligns seamlessly with Amigos’ mission: restoring hope, dignity, and health through Christ-centered, sustainable care. 
A man in a suit and tie is smiling for the camera.

Ernest Izard,

Director of Ministry Care:

Ernest joins us as a volunteer, bringing extensive training and experience in working with these most disadvantaged. A native Texan, he will be providing support in our national prayer support ministry.  And  his main task will be working with our counselors in Uganda as they prepare our children to become functioning citizens in their communities throughout their lives.


He has been a pastor, an educator at the university and public-school levels, a national trainer and consultant.  Internationally, he participated in launching a theology school for pastors in Siberia and he cross-culturally tested a listening skill model for evangelism in Ukraine.


Ernest was married to his first wife, Anne, for 42 years.  They have two children, Brian and Sarah and 4 grandchildren. Three years after Anne’s death in 2016, Ernest reconnected with Camille Simmons, a long-time ministry colleague and friend.  They were married in September 2020.


For the last 18 years Ernest has worked in the field of trauma, developing a congregation-based ministry for a cadre of courageous Christians to participate in the healing from abuse of trauma survivors in their local church and in the communities they serve.


Ernest’s guiding verse of Scripture is Philippians 3:10 NIV — "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,…”
A man wearing a starboy shirt is surrounded by children

MOSES AGABE, SOUTHERN UGANDA DIRECTOR

 Affectionately called the "Chuck Norris" of Uganda, by his American peers, Moses is one of the newest team members to come to Amigos Internacionales.   
A woman with a bun on her head is smiling for the camera

GLORIA ADONGPING, SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

Gloria has been helping Amigos for the past three years now and works with Amigos to find and coordinate a new child that needs to be sponsored.  Gloria is doing a great job!