Roatan Alive Mission

Saturday July 29 -  The majority of the Canadian team returned home today feeling very thankful and praising our Lord for allowing them to carry out the planned goals of sharing the Good News and love of Jesus Christ through every ministry and more. Beyond the pre-planned events of kids camp where over 800 attended over 3 days, women’s and men’s conferences with over 100 attending each, a marriage conference, teens and young adult ministry, where many reaffirmed or made a decision to follow Jesus. The team were also able to visit communities and schools to hand out essential needs such as groceries, almost 300 bags, and school supplies to those in need. We also brought clothes and shoes to a boys’ orphanage and toiletries and basic hygiene products to local clinics which the mission has supported for years. The impact was not just spiritual but met needs in a very tangible way.  We had the opportunity to pray for the receivers while handing them these gifts.  It was truly...

Friday July 28 - The team from Florida departed today but not before a final brisk morning walk lead by Sam and a devotion under the Dome. Tia Darla called on each person to share what they were thankful for from the mission trip. As we went around the circle, it was quite evident that each had been strongly impacted by being a part of the team. The team was comprised of individuals from a variety of cities in Canada and the USA, came from different backgrounds and churches, were united with the common mission to spread the Good News of Jesus and expressing His love through serving and discipling the people of Roatan. We each take away very special memories which will impact us for the rest of our lives as and connections that will last for eternity!

Thursday July 27 - With all official mission events completed, the team were able to enjoy another rest day where they were able to go sight seeing and enjoy the natural beauty of Roatan. In the afternoon, the team came together to hear the testimony and celebrate the baptism of two women, 15 year old Joy from the team and Connie, the niece of Tia Darla. Connie and her sister, Sharon, have been pivotal the past two weeks in keeping the team well nourished by preparing delicious lunches and dinners. Each had come to this point in their faith journey through different paths but their act of obedience was the same. Pastor Darrell and Minister Tara administered Connie’s baptism and Pastor Joel, Joy’s, which coincided with her parents’ Michelle and Luke’s wedding anniversary. Michelle who had celebrated her birthday earlier in the week was truly double blessed on this day. Gloria a Dios! Later that day, the entire team was invited to a special dinner by a friend of Darla’s and RAM supporter...

Wednesday July 26 - After morning walks and devotion, the team would be divided to distribute supplies at a local clinic, school supplies to two primary schools and bags of groceries to an area titled “El Swampo” which is a community built on top of what used to be swamp lands. This trip used to be a regular one for Pastor Rupert and his team of boys during the pandemic when the need was very great however thankfully not as urgent now that tourism is thriving again on the island. Praise God for the generosity of RAM supporters who funded these distributions. Those who received are always thankful for the unexpected provision from the hands of the Lord! Day 3, the final day of day camp saw almost 400 children come through the gate at ESBIR. Some of these are the baby brother or sister of a camper or counsellor under their care so some of the RAM team were willingly called into babysitting duty so that they would be able to attend camp. The day’s story was about the Prodigal Son; childre...

Tuesday July 25 - Today we started the day with our usual daily devotion under the Dome but then helped to distribute donated bags of food and dry goods to the communities of French Harbour, First Bight and Mount Pleasant. 268 5 lb bags which were packaged up by boys from the orphanage and distributed by Pastor Rupert and the team over the next 2 days to families in great need. It was day 2 of day camp when over 300 children attended to do much the same as the previous the previous day. You can well imagine the controlled chaos that camp coordinator, Darcie, the leaders and over 30 camp counsellors had to deal with. The lesson of the day was on Jairus’ faith in Jesus to heal his sick daughter,  the miraculous healing of a woman who had been sick for 12 years, as well as, raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Shortly after day camp, the men quickly turned around to prepare for the Men’s Event. This year’s RAM team had a large contingent of men who would serve the men of Roatan fro...

Monday July 24 - Today was Day One for Day Camp, which is a fun day for over 100 children from ages 4 to 12 to come learn about the Bible and experience the love of Jesus through activities such as worship music and dance lead by Ashley, Jasmine and hometown singer, Erick, sports, crafts, memory verse and a Bible lesson, today’s was from 1 Samuel 3, God’s calling of Samuel while he was under the tutelage of Eli. Groups of children were lead by counsellors from the RAM team, such as Isaac, Joy and Niya, along with local teens who were previously campers themselves. 12 children invited Jesus into their hearts and 2 made professions of faith.

Sunday July 23 - Today marked the end of the first full week of ministry. Bonnie started our day off with a powerful devotion on staying true to the Lord; exhorting us all to do so despite any circumstance. The team attended service at First Baptist Church on the Wesr End where we were warmly welcomed. We would say good bye to a number of our team including Kimberley and Dan but not before they had lead us in worship. Pastor Darrell preached a sermon from John 5, the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda, on faith. Darla and Charles were given an opportunity to invite the church to our remaining events this coming  week. The Youth on Fire event lead by Erin and Pastor Joel was attended by almost 90 teens from various parts of the island. They were engaged through worship music, a team building activity requiring them to work together in a balloon relay and creative art activity to design a hand which would later be put on a poster; representative of the diversity of this commu...

Saturday July 22 - The second day of the women’s conference was entitled “A day set apart for women”. The women were ministered to body, spirit and soul, through the teaching from the Word by minister Tara and Gianina, worship music and dance, a picnic style lunch, panel discussion and creative workshops and one on health and wellness. The event ended with sharing from a couple women on how enriching the conference and RAM had been to them. Glory to God! What a refreshing day we had in the Lord today! Approximately 60 women attended the second part of the 15th annual women's conference.  The praise and worship felt like a taste of heaven.  The conference had a holistic focus on catered to the spiritual, physical, social and creative needs of the women. Dr. Stacey led a wellness workshop about healthy eating and diabetes prevention.  The women were then served a nutritious lunch that reflected the principles in Dr. Stacey's workshop.  A special thank you goes out to t...

Friday July 21 -   Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8 Today will be one of the signature events for RAM, the women’s conference, which will be spread over two days. Darla (“Tia Darla” as she is fondly known) started this mission 16+ years ago because of God’s prompting her to minister to the women in her community in Roatan. Since then, the ministry has grown to serving all demographics in Roatan and involving teams from Canada, USA, lead by Haydee, and Switzerland. The event will be held, as with most events at ESBIR, which has been generously offered for use by the mission for years by the Galindo family. Approximately 110 women from across the island of Roatan attended a "Worship and the Word"  evening held especially for women.  The women's praises could not be contained and we all truly felt like heaven came down during our time of worship, both in English and Spanish.  We want to give God ...

Thursday July 20 - Each RAM trip is packed with activity each day, from morning until night however there are natural breaks in between these where the team get opportunities to catch a breath, enjoy fellowship with one another and to share and unpack how God has been working through the mission. Today was a rest day for the team to be able to enjoy some sight seeing or spend a quiet time of reflection, devotion or worship. All are for building bonds with the other that will be eternal, starting now! Gloria a Dios!  Jazz jam session with Dan and Geraldt between sets 

Wednesday July 19 - Some of the team have been meeting up by 6:30 am to go on walks in the morning. During these walks, they have been able to experience the beauty and quietness of the West End area of Roatan. This morning they were blessed by seeing a double rainbow which was a reminder of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises to us.        Daily devotions are held after breakfast under the Dome. Today, Kimberley lead off on “Do not be anxious!”  The morning and afternoon was spent preparing for the Trail Blazers event for young adults. Today was another powerful day for the Roatan Alive Mission. We are beyond overwhelmed at the movement of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the young adults we served today.  The "Trailblazers" is a relatively new ministry of RAM and this was the third year we hosted a special evening filled with fun, food and fellowship. About 30 young adults along with the team gathered from across the island for an interact...

Tuesday July 18 - Today started with the morning devotional under the Dome, followed by a visit to a local clinic to distribute care packages to patients. The worship team spent the afternoon preparing for the marriage conference later that night.  The marriage conference has become a very special night for couples to come in their finest for a night out with their spouses. Over   50 couples attended the conference, this year entitled "Fanning the Flame." The couples were treated to a delicious dinner, a special photo shoot and a powerful exercise facilitated by Pastor Darrell and Minister Tara.  The evening concluded with a precious time of couples renewing their vows and partaking in Communion together.

Monday July 17 - Day 2 started, as always, with a devotional and prayer time under the Dome at the hotel where the team is staying. The team would be divided up to prepare for the marriage conference on Tuesday, visit local schools and the men would lead the Sons of the Kingdom Soccer Event. In the evening the entire team visited the children's orphanage that RAM has supported for many years.

  Sunday July 16 - The full team attended and served at Sunday morning service at First Baptist Church in Coxen Hole. This would be the first full team event for the mission so everyone brought their best  before the Lord. The afternoon event was God's Girls and Daughters of the King at the Roatan Bilingual School (ESBIR) where the majority of the RAM events are held. Please pray for all these young girls of Roatan who attended that they may come to know the love of Jesus and His heart's desire for each of them. Some girls only go to school on weekends so are not able to attend church on Sundays.One of the girls who was able to attend a private school from Monday - Friday mentioned that she really enjoyed Sunday school because the teacher would take their time to explain everything. Jasmine had a great time leading the braiding and beads workshop. She gave the girls an opportunity to pick their own colours, which they loved, because it gave them a chance to have some autonomy!...

Saturday July 15 - After months of prayer and preparation, the majority of the Toronto team were packed and prepared to leave for Roatan! All were brimming with excitement whether they were first-timers, such as Joy, Michelle or Anka or veterans like Evelyn, Shirly, the Gordons, Mullins, Nelsons and Sutherlands. Final preparations included securing the boxes containing supplies for the mission for the journey via Atlanta. The team arrived bright eyed at Toronto Pearson Airport in the wee hours of Saturday morning for their 6:45 am flight. God’s favour was shown on the team as the Nelsons were able to reschedule their cancelled flight to join the rest of the team on their flight. Everyone arrived safely in Atlanta and the flight to Roatan was also without issue. Please pray for good health, encouragement, strength, unity and God's blessing of the fruit of the Spirit for the entire team, which all arrived safely on Saturday to join the team from Florida/New York for the next two week...