Roatan Alive Mission

She is clothed with strength and dignity;   she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. - Proverbs 31:25-26 Thursday July 17 & Friday July 18 - At our church, Cornerstone, we talk a lot about making space - our mission statement is "Making Space for Jesus to shape people together in God's love." We see this happen all the time on trips like this. People work together to take on different roles and fufill different tasks to ensure those who come to programs can be present with Jesus.  I saw this play out in a special way this week during RAM's Women's Conference. For two nights, women gathered to be in community, worship, and hear from the Lord. Many kids came with their moms and we created space for them. A group of teens from our team and from the community lead this space, played with kids, and made sure each kid felt seen and welcome. There were some crazy moments, but it was a lot of f...

  Tuesday July 15 - As part of the activities for this week, we went out to an area of the city to hand out invites to promote several of the activities planned for Roatan Alive 2025. It was hot and humid. Scorching sun and melting humidity walked with us. We took a bag of stuffed animals, invite cards, our bottled waters, and an expecting heart to the streets. Smiles and invites were exchanged, while people observed the swarming team of yellow shirts making their way through people going about their lives, driving to their destinations, having lunch with friends and family, or coming in and out of school. And then came the woman... and D. All I remember is the sudden detour from the sidewalk and hurriedly going up a set of rough cement stairs. An unfinished building besides another just like it, on top of stores. No furniture. Just a veil curtain separating the rooms. Poor, rough, and hot. A young woman explains in desperation how her brother, а tremendously beautiful young man na...

Sunday July 13 - After a good night’s rest, we started our day off with a morning worship led by Kimberley and a devotional led by Darla where she reminded us to be willing to do whatever God calls us to do (Exodus 35). We then headed off to our first church visit at First Baptist Church of Coxen Hole where a team of us led worship and Pastor Darryl gave a message on how there is a purpose that we are here, uniquely made in God’s image in his living design (Psalm 8, Gen 1:27). We proceeded to prepare and host our first event of the trip - God’s Girls and Daughters of the King. These events are specifically dedicated for the youth girls between ages 9-12 and ages 13-16. We led worship, there was a message given by Minister Tara and Bibi and the girls got opportunities to join different workshops that emphasized how they were created in God’s image. Some of these workshops included building out selfie pictures frames with words saying they are loved by God, decorating mirrors, buildi...

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? - Rom 10:14-15 Saturday July 12 - The majority of the Roatan Alive Mission team started their journeys to Roatan during the wee hours of the morning today from different cities in North America. They appreciated prayers for travelling mercies to the island. Meanwhile, preparations continued this week for the first two events, "God's Girls" and "Daughters of the King", which will be held on Sunday afternoon. The speakers will be Minister Tara Owens and Bibianna Green (Spanish). In the morning, the team will attend First Baptist Church for a church service with Pastor Rupert Solomon. The Roatan Alive Worship team will participate by leading a praise and worship time and Pastor Darrell Owens will bring a message from the Word.  Please pray for all wh...

Thursday  July 10 - Two more sleeps before the RAM Toronto team takes flight for Roatan for the 18th edition of the Roatan Alive Mission. This year's mission theme verse is "Created in God's image" from Genesis 1:27. The team was preceded to Roatan by leaders Darla and Charles Sutherland who were able to receive the shipment of donations and mission supplies coming via the Florida contingent of the team. With the help of a group of eager volunteers, the supplies were quickly packed away in preparation for the team's arrival this weekend. - Darren The Toronto team wrapped up their preparations by having a final prayer and preparation meeting on Wednesday. The entire RAM team are thankful for and covet your prayers for the various events and outreach activities that will occur as well as for those who the Lord will call and use.

Wednesday July 24 -  Day Camp – Day 3 -  As we wrapped up Day Camp, some students had learned the memory verse and were able to recite them with enthusiasm and pride. A simple prize like an HB pencil motivated the students to sit quietly, listen, participate, and memorize the verse. My Spanish counterpart and I taught the lesson based on the memory verse found in Romans 12:2 (“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”)  The first day of camp, we discussed what the verse means. The second day, we looked at the conversion of Saul to Paul. Finally, we studied the calling of the twelve disciples; how they were transformed from fishing for fish to “fishers of men.” It never ceases to amaze me how children as young as four years old can grasp the message of stories from the Bible. Please pray with us that these children will co...