In the beginning...
Our Story
The Foundation for International Missions was founded in 2004 by a small group of individuals from St. Petersburg, Florida who had been traveling to Honduras on mission trips for several years. During those trips, they conducted health fairs in small villages, providing blood pressure checks, and blood glucose screenings.
Over time, they realized something important: although they were identifying serous health concerns, many villagers were unable to pursue treatment because there was no local access to ongoing medical care.
With a shared vision and a bold step of faith, the team committed to establishing a permanent medical clinic in the region they had grown to love. It would be staffed by a Honduran physician and serve the community year-round. That vision led to the founding of the Foundation for International Missions in 2004, followed by the opening of a temporary clinic in La Joya in 2005.
Six years after FFIM was founded, the journey to a permanent clinic had not been easy. The original location in La Joya faced serious challenges, including conflicting local interest and even threats to our staff. After much prayer and discernment, the difficult decision was made to close that location and place the equipment in storage in Tegucigalpa.
But the mission was far from over. Feeling called to continue, the team explored nearby San Francisco de Orica, just a mile away. A small house was renovated and reopened as a second temporary clinic in 2006. Land was later purchased and plans began for a permanent facility. In 2010, by God's grace, the doors opened to the brick-and-mortar clinic we know today as La Clinica Nueva Esperanza.
Today, we serve over 5,000 patients each year. Approximately 50% of all patients are unable to pay for their medical care but for those people, we still treat them for free. We provide wound care, women's wellness exams, diabetes management, vaccinations and minor surgeries. Our lab performs critical testing for thyroid disorders, hepatitis, cholesterol, arthritis, liver and kidney disease and much more. Our dental clinic serves over 2,000 patients each year performing extractions, fillings, cleanings and root canals.
This one little clinic makes a very big impact on these communities in Honduras.
We cannot do it alone! We must raise at least $175,000 every year just to keep the doors open. Donations made to FFIM go directly to the support of the Honduras Clinic. Your involvement in our organization is welcome and your donations are treasured. Click here to give today.