Roatan Alive Mission

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...

Tuesday July 23 -  It was day 2 of day camp when over 220 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! Shortly after day camp, the men quickly turned around to prepare for the Men’s Event. This year’s RAM team contingent of men  served the men of Roatan from different parts of the island.   

Monday July 22 - The day started out with preparation for the first day of day camp. As we got all the groups set up, the children started to come. Like a flood they poured through the doors and in no time we had over 100 kids and they were all very excited for camp. We started out with worship songs to get the children warmed up to the camp feel, then we took our group through all the different stations. There was sports, lessons, memory verses, snacks and face painting, and crafts. Lots of kids were super excited and were very engaged in all that we were doing.  During a lesson, my group was very moved, and when Pastor Paolo asked if anyone would like to commit their life to Jesus, one boy raised his hand right away. Then another girl raised her hand, and before I knew it, most of the kinds from my group were up at the front, praying in a circle, accepting Jesus into their lives. It was really a God moment to see them so open and willing to let Jesus into their lives. We ended th...

  “Hear, my child, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” - Proverbs 1:8-9 Sunday July 21 - Sunday Worship Service: This morning our team split up and attended 3 different churches across Roatan. We covered the island as one group was in the east, one in the center, and the other in the west.  Some of us had the opportunity to attend Iglesia Bautista Luz del Puerto in French Harbour. Starting off the morning with worship, the church’s team led us in powerful praise. It was beautiful to sing the lyrics in both languages, uniting multiple churches and peoples to give glory to our God. During the service we also celebrated a birthday and praised God through dance and song from some of the members of the church. One special moment was gifting certificates to Tia Darla and Sister Haydee for all the work with the Roatan Alive team and the partnership they’ve had for 13 years. It’s ...

  Saturday July 20 - Day 2 of the Women's Conference. Minister Tara challenged women to choose how we want to live this life..as the wise or as the foolish, as the Bridegroom is coming. How are we using the time He has given us? “God gave us 24 hours in a day because He knew that was just what was needed.”  In the afternoon, we enjoyed a time of prayer and recommitment of all the female leaders in the churches across the island who attended the conference. Praying for the spirit to strengthen them so they can continue to serve Him faithfully and they could continue to extend their impact to young and old, for His names sake. Tara also encouraged leaders to come together and be united in their mission and calling. The commissioning time with all the women at the front of the stage was such a precious site to see. God is pleased and glorified. We ended the afternoon with lots of fun workshops with the women including lantern making, tote bag decorating, crafts using chopsticks a...

  “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue" - Proverbs 31:26 Friday July 19 - Approximately 200 women attended the first day of the Women's Conference.  What a powerful move of God tonight. This is just the beginning. The worship was awesome to God be all the glory. The interview hosted by Haydee and Darcie of Ms. Cheryl and Tia Darla was great. We heard the story of how Roatán Alive came to fruition by the partnership of their friendship.  Darla heard the call from God and Cheryl has  generously provided her school ESBIR, where most of our missions events are hosted.  The praise dance was  phenomenal .  The word of God spoken through Bible Teacher  Melissa Spoelstra and translated by Bibiana was amazing. We learned to give our ashes to God and He will make beauty out of it (Isaiah 63:1-3). In everything, we must have a prayer life. We have to make sure that our lanterns keep burning and that there’s enough oil so we are ...

“ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour.” - Ecc 4:9 Thursday July 18 -  it was a  great time for team building today! A great opportunity to build intentional connections amongst Ontario and Florida team members. Thankful for time to enjoy sharing our stories together!  Last night after dinner, we enjoyed a precious time together. We went around reflecting and sharing God stories and highlights from the last few days. It was so beautiful to be reminded of all the glimpses of God at work amongst us and in us and through us. May He receive all the Glory. Can’t believe all that has taken place in just 5 days!!! We are filled with gratitude! - Joanne

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3 Wednesday July 17 - The day started with our daily morning devotional, followed by a visit to a local clinic to distribute care packages to patients. Today there were seven boys who made a profession of faith at our soccer event! More to come about that! One boy travelled on foot for two hours to participate in the event. Another two boys borrowed horses from a friend and arrived with a grand entrance on horseback. That was a first! They travelled from near and far to participate in the Roatán Alive Mission, Sons of the Kingdom event. It's soccer outreach ministry for boys ages 8-15. Soccer is the most popular sport on the island and the boys always have a fun time together. There were 85 boys in attendance with 4 games running at the same time at Kix Soccer Arena in Coxen Hole, Roatan (Honduras). A few days ago, we ran a day long program called Daughters of the King for the young girls. Before the soccer games, we...

Tuesday July 16 - Today, our team had the opportunity to visit the Integral Health Center CIS Flowers Bay, a clinic in Roatan. We toured the clinic and heard about how much the clinic has grown and has been able to help people in the area, to meet physical, medical, dental, laboratory, mental health and social service needs. It was a beautiful story of how the community came together to support the building up of the clinic into functioning condition, with the support raised by the nearby church, community and the mayor.  Earlier in the morning, we made care packages with essentials like shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, and much more. One special moment was handing out these packages to the patients in the clinic. My mom, sister and I had a chance to connect with two girls waiting inside the clinic. One of the girls shared with us about her recent back pains which was impacting their daily functioning and shared with us her personal story. It was so h...

  Monday July 15 - Today, bright and early in the morning, ministry began at breakfast! Our dear sister Gianina chatted with our waitress Judith and shared her very own journal. As we can see, Judith was blessed and touched to receive such a personal gift. Sister Haydee led us through a devotion on Revelation 3:20, encouraging us to respond to Jesus' invitation: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” The passage is an invitation for us, as much as it is for the people we are ministering to. Haydee also shared her beautiful story of how her family helped establish churches, medical care, and the first grocery store on the island. After devotions, we had the chance to hand out invitations and gospel tracts in the local community. Three local women led us through neighborhoods, translating and sharing the invitations alongside us. We handed out invites to every woman, man, and ...

Day 2 - Sunday July 14  Early morning walking crew 6:30am - Great to get exercise together and explore the town before it got too hot. We enjoyed building community with other team members as the Florida and Toronto team unite to serve together. It was so precious to hear team members’ stories of how they came to Christ and how God led them to serve in this mission. We were encouraged to see how God had orchestrated and ordained for each person to be here, each with different skills and different passions and different gifts to share. Morning God story Our team met the hotel wait staff who were serving us breakfast in the morning. She asked us what our group was doing for the day and we were able to share with them about the different girls camp events we would be running this afternoon. She shared with us that she has 3 daughters and right away we gave an invitation for her daughters to attend. The waitress politely declined as she doesn’t have the financial resources to pay for t...

  Saturday July 13 - It's TIME!!! RAM 2024 is in flight!!! After months of prayer and preparation, the majority of the Toronto team were packed and prepared to leave for Roatan! Lead this year, by Dan and Kimberley, all were brimming with excitement whether they were first-timers or veterans. What is so impressive is the number of youth that will be participating this year. God is raising up new workers! The Canadian team arrived bright eyed at Toronto Pearson Airport in the wee hours of Saturday morning for their flight. They will be joined by the rest of the team who are travelling from Florida, New York and Texas.  Please pray for safe travels, that flight connections will be made, luggage arrives safely, good health, encouragement, strength, unity and God's blessing of the fruit of the Spirit for the entire team. We pray that all will arrive safely in Roatan where there will be a welcome party worthy of these sons and daughters of the King!!! Gloria a Dios!!! The Cana...

  Wednesday July 10  - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:2-3 Tonight, the Roatan 2024 mission team's Canadian contingent gathered for their final prayer night before leaving to fly to Roatan in two short days.  The theme of our meditation tonight was Ephesians 4:2-3. We discussed the importance of being ready to be kind, patient, humble and unified so that we may be an effective fifth gospel.  This hybrid prayer meeting had team members zoom in from Roatan, London, Ontario, Ajax, Ontario as well as Texas! We are grateful for the spirit of unity and prayer that we felt across the Americas. Pastor Jeremy prayed us out by encouraging us to follow Mother Teresa's enduring advice: "Do small things with great love."   Lord, we are ready. Use us!!! - Marianne

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Roatan Alive Mission (RAM)!!!  Monday July 8th - This year's theme was impressed upon team leader and ministry co-founder, Darla Sutherland, during her devoted prayer time for the mission earlier this year. The Lord impressed on her Matthew 24:44 - "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Are you Ready? is the theme for year 16 of the mission trip. This year's trip will be the largest contingent ever going, with over 50 committed; about half being from Canada and the other half from the USA. The team is comprised of members attending a variety of churches from the Greater Toronto Area, parts of southern Ontario, Florida, New York, Texas and as far as Switzerland. Planning, preparation and prayer meetings have been well underway.  A bake sale and team commissioning ceremony were held on Sunday June 23rd at one of the two mission sending churches, Cornerstone Christian Community Church ...