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Amigos is building a great future with great people.   

We are looking for volunteers now!

Michael E. Ryer,  President/CEO

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Michael E. Ryer serves as President and CEO of Amigos Internacionales, bringing nearly five decades of ministry and nonprofit leadership to the organization. His calling to serve began in Bonham, Texas, where he first stepped into ministry as a Music and Youth Minister at Boyd Baptist Church. From there, he invested in communities across North and East Texas, serving in youth, music, education, and administrative roles that deepened his understanding of people and strengthened his ability to lead with compassion.


Michael has also served as an educator, teaching at Navarro College and Grand Canyon University. His courses on the Old Testament, the History of Christianity, and leadership gave him the chance to shape the next generation of Christian leaders. Students often describe his teaching style as approachable, practical, and rooted in real-world ministry experience.


His reach extends far beyond the classroom. Michael has lived and served in Israel and Guam, and he has led mission efforts in Ukraine, Belize, and other nations. One of his hallmark projects is the development of a mobile kitchen in Belize, designed to meet urgent needs for food while building community resilience. As founder of Missionpoint Initiatives, Michael continues to expand sustainable solutions in education and healthcare across underserved regions, always tying practical help to the message of hope in Christ.


At Amigos Internacionales, Michael directs programs that meet critical needs in clean water, education, health, and faith. He has overseen disaster relief operations for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, served on nonprofit boards focused on housing, teen pregnancy, and community development, and built partnerships that bring lasting impact. His leadership is marked by a hands-on style—he doesn’t just organize efforts, he steps into the field to serve alongside others.


Michael’s lifelong commitment has been recognized nationally. In 2024, The Top 100 Magazine named him one of the country’s top innovators and entrepreneurs, honoring his ability to connect faith, leadership, and practical action. He also shares his vision through writing, including his book "The Choice that Can Change the World", which calls readers to live intentionally and align their lives with God’s purpose. His personal life verse, Deuteronomy 30:19—“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”—shapes his approach to ministry and leadership.


Those who meet Michael quickly sense his sincerity and vision. Beyond his titles and achievements, he is a pastor at heart, leading by listening, caring, and reminding people that their lives matter. He invites others not just to support Amigos Internacionales but to become part of a shared mission—to restore hope and dignity to families and communities around the world. Learn more about his work and speaking ministry at https:www.michaelryer.com.
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Needed Soon

Administrative Assistant:

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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.

Board of Directors

The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.
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Dr. JOHN'S BUILDING 2

DR. JOHN LA NOUE- GLOBAL DISASTER CONSULTANT AND DIRECTOR

Dr. John LaNoue, affectionately known as “Dr. John,” is the founder of Amigos Internacionales and a pioneer in global disaster relief. Born and raised in Texas, he dedicated his life to walking with God in broken places and bringing help and hope to people in crisis. He earned his Doctorate in San Francisco, California, and has since spent more than four decades serving on the front lines of disaster response across the world.


Dr. LaNoue’s ministry journey included roles as pastor, college minister, and denominational leader with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Lifeway Christian Resources. But his calling extended far beyond church walls. He and his wife, known as “Dr. L.,” traveled the globe responding to disasters, building relationships, and showing God’s love in practical ways. Their shared commitment shaped both their family and the foundation of Amigos Internacionales.


An accomplished author, Dr. LaNoue has written two books that reflect his life and lessons learned in service. His first, Walking With God in Broken Places and Lessons I Learned Along the Way, recounts stories of disaster relief and how prayer makes a difference in times of crisis. His second, Divorcing? Remember Me!, shares his personal story of childhood trauma from divorce and how God’s healing transformed his life. It also tells the story of his marriage to Dr. L., which endured for 66 years until her passing. Filled with honesty, heartbreak, and humor, the book offers practical wisdom for dating, marriage, and building strong families.


Known for his fearless service, Dr. LaNoue has been called “Indiana Jones with a Bible and a skillet.” His work has taken him into some of the most difficult places on earth, including North Korea, where he has served so faithfully that locals call him “Halabaji” (Grandfather) John. Whether in war zones, disaster sites, or remote villages, he has been a steady presence—offering food, care, and the message of Christ’s hope.


Dr. LaNoue and Dr. L. built a legacy that continues through their children and grandchildren. Their son, Dr. John LaNoue Jr., is a pediatric surgeon, while their daughter, Lydia LaNoue Slinkard, is a wife and mother of two daughters, Rebecca and Laura. Just as importantly, their legacy lives on in Amigos Internacionales, which today carries forward the mission of restoring hope and dignity through clean water, education, health, and faith.


To those who meet him, Dr. LaNoue is more than a leader or consultant—he is a friend, mentor, and example of a life fully given to God’s work. His story continues to inspire generations to choose service, compassion, and faith in the face of hardship. Many have called him “Indiana Jones with a Bible and a skillet”.

The Legacy of Dr. John LaNoue

Founder, Servant, Visionary

  • Global Disaster Relief: Over 40 years responding to crises worldwide, from hurricanes to famine, war zones, and earthquakes.
  • Author & Teacher: Wrote Walking With God in Broken Places and Divorcing? Remember Me!—books combining personal testimony, biblical wisdom, and practical guidance for life and marriage.
  • North Korea “Halabaji”: Known by locals as “Grandfather John” for his repeated service and faithful presence.
  • Faithful Marriage: Married to “Dr. L.” for 66 years, modeling resilience, love, and faith through every season of life.
  • Family Legacy: Father of Dr. John LaNoue Jr., a pediatric surgeon, and Lydia Slinkard, a devoted wife and mother. Grandfather to Rebecca and Laura.
  • Indiana Jones with a Bible and a Skillet: Admired for his fearless, hands-on approach to serving in dangerous and difficult places.
  • Founder of Amigos Internacionales: Established the organization to restore hope and dignity through clean water, education, health, and faith.

Favorite Quote from Dr. John’s Writing:


“God is always present in broken places, and He calls us there—not to avoid the pain, but to bring His healing into it.”
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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,…”

Marketing Team

Overseas Team

Mendel Casanas, new Director of Marketing

Mendelsshon Casanas

Director of Marketing

mendel@amigosii.org

We are thrilled to announce that Mendelssohn Casanas has joined Amigos Internacionales as our new Director of Marketing. He will be leading our complete marketing strategy—bringing fresh creativity, data-driven decisions, and an unwavering commitment to our mission of restoring hope and dignity to underserved communities.


Who He Is

Mendelssohn is a visual storyteller, digital strategist, and audio-visual craftsman with wide-ranging capabilities. His expertise spans graphic design, video production, branding, photo editing, and content creation. He has a strong eye for visuals and a solid grasp of how to build compelling narratives across digital platforms.


What He Brings to Amigos Internacionales

Creative Strategy + Brand Identity: Mendelssohn’s portfolio demonstrates success in creating cohesive visuals and brand stories that resonate. Whether designing logos, graphics, or promotional materials, he ensures style aligns with mission.

Multimedia & Content Creation: From polished video editing and motion graphics to photography, he crafts high-quality assets that capture attention and stir emotion.

Digital & Social Media: Mendelssohn understands how to meet people where they are—on social platforms, through shareable content, and via campaigns that engage both head and heart.

Innovative & Mission-Centered Approach: He designs not just to impress, but to inspire action—supporting Amigos Internacionales’ work in education, health, faith, and community empowerment. His work always circles back to the “why” of our mission.


What Having Mendelssohn Means for Amigos

With Mendelssohn at the helm of marketing, we are poised to:

Amplify our storytelling so more people understand who we are and why our work matters

Elevate brand consistency across every touchpoint—online, in print, in events

Improve how we engage supporters, partners, and the communities we serve through strategic, compelling content

Lean into innovations and digital tools that extend our reach and deepen our impact


Contact

You can reach Mendelssohn at mendel@amigosii.org

 for any marketing-related inquiries—including collaboration ideas, content requests, or feedback.


We are excited for this new chapter. With Mendelssohn’s leadership, Amigos Internacionales will not just tell its story—it’ll move people to join us in restoring hope and dignity in every community we touch.
John Paul, new Director of Marketing

John Paul Quirante, 

Social Media Coordinator

johnpaul@amigosii.org

John Paul is a seasoned multimedia professional with over five years of experience helping businesses and individuals grow their online presence. With expertise spanning SEO, video editing, social media management, and graphic design, he delivers high-quality, tailored solutions that drive measurable results.

Throughout his career, John Paul has developed a diverse portfolio that includes social media campaigns, logo and brand design, short films, advertising reels, book covers, and product promotions. His skills also extend to website design, podcast and audio editing, product listings, and digital ad design for platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

Passionate about creating content that captures attention and elevates brands, John Paul approaches every project with professionalism, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. His ability to merge strategy with creativity makes him a vital leader in advancing the mission and impact of our organization.

Reach out to him at johnpaul@amigosii.org

Victor Phiri,

Country Director, Missionpoint Malawi


Victor V. Phiri is a compassionate leader and development practitioner from Malawi whose life story reflects the power of transformation through love and opportunity. Having grown up in poverty and experienced the life-changing support of sponsorship, Victor carries a deep commitment to empower vulnerable communities, children, and families to rise from hardship with dignity and hope.


He holds degrees in Business Administration and Theology, along with a Diploma in Community Development and specialized training in sustainable development and climate resilience. With extensive experience in project management, community empowerment, and leadership training, Victor has served in various leadership roles across both corporate and nonprofit sectors.


At Missionpoint Malawi, Victor leads with humility, faith, and vision—mobilizing teams and communities toward sustainable change through education, clean water, livelihood development, and spiritual growth. His life and work continue to inspire a legacy of kindness, empowerment, and transformation across Malawi.
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Patrick Kibwota, 

Ugandan Director of Operations

patrick@amigosii.org

     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

Medical

Dr. Paul Mulyamboga

Dr. Paul Mulyamboga, MD

Director of Medical Services, 

Amigos Internacionales

drpaul@amigosii.org


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.” 

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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. 

Child Sponsorship

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GLORIA ADONGPING, DIRECTOR  OF SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

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!
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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.
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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.