1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

To be thankful in all cicumstances is a challenge I am not capable of. I know if I am thankful in the midst of trials that it is the Spirit that lives in me. This is a confirmation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirt... how incredible is that!
Tia

As for the things I miss. that would be friends, long telephone conversations, the convenience of Walmart, Home Depot, and Sam's club, fast food, hamburgers, real milk, dry weather in comparison to humidity, the security of 911(police, medical and fire) and yet my God is certainly greater and able to take care of ALL my concerns; the security of money coming in from a job. but that is a false security indeed as we do not know whether a job will exist one day to the next.
Tia Laird

Things are spinning here we got a permit to start building on the beach lot that came with the hotel. Praise God this came right before the law changed to make it unbuildable and we would have lost 65K worth of land. We scrapped a little money to buy posts and three guys from CCAV just came for a week and helped me start a foundation so now we are grandfathered in. The vision is to maybe sell this lot to pay off the hotel if we can not get another loan in 2 years (if it is God's will). The team is bigger now as my folks are here for to weeks with Tina and Avvy. If it were not for all you partnering with us we could not have made it through the last two months. You will be blessed and you are a part of all we are doing. The Church here has lost a few people but it is still growing with new faces at the same time. We just had our first Baptism with 7 people and Leah was one of them. I have started meeting with two young men in our church that are getting ready to teach God's Word to younger men here. They are on fire for Jesus and bubbling over. Please pray for them, Yourgin and Luma we need protection for this study and their ministries. Satan does not what this at all for some reason, Go figure.

In Christ
Chuck

Just as I finished my study for service tomorrow I begin shutting off lights and fans in our den. From large open windows a warm breeze engulfs my skin as I pause to gaze into the hotel’s court yard. Struck suddenly by God’s beautiful arrangement I motionlessly soaked in the night. The yard is dark with a hint of moon light mingled with shadows. Fire flies of the most peculiar green and blue dance first among the mango leaves then down along the lemon grass. The wind is blowing palm branches high above. Music from the reggae disco dance club next door floods in over powering the serenity and gentle rustles of nature. Through our fence I can see stumbling human shapes all around the outside of the club. Young people wasting life by meaningless chasing after the wind – flash, memories of my past and life before Christ strobe my mind. Filled with compassion I begin to pray for the souls at hand and deliverance from the pulls and desires of the things of this world that so easily ensnare us. Presently I reflect on how great it is to be here. What more could one ask for? I have been placed with beauty beyond reproach and lost souls that need Christ, what a blessing and a reason for hope. God is great and it is times like this when it is exceedingly joyful to serve with Jesus.
Thank you both for helping make this happen.
In His Love
Pastor Chuck Laird

There have been some times in the last two month when I have questioned this call, how easy I had life back in the States and what I am I doing bringing the family to a third world country? But never have all of us felt so sure we were right where God put us as last Sunday the 17th. We were just about to start Church with many first time faces when we were interrupted. Two young missionary girls from the mainland ran off the road and crashed into a block wall on a rented scooter. They were bare foot in beach clothes. It happened just down the road from our Son Rise Church/hotel and the driver of the car behind them knew we had "Miss Peggy's Clinic" here during the week. There is no 911 here and the hospital on the Island is scary to say the least (no running water). Taking a chance this unknown driver had the wounded conveyed to our church door steps where Miss Peggy faithfully attends. A Doctor Steve was called in who had just flown in to help in the clinic the next week. The clinic was opened as Miss Peggy, Tia and Dr. Steve tended the wounds (some serious) and the needs of the girls. I continued on with service. The worst of the two was treated by Dr. Steve. As Tia calmed this girl and asked for prayer with her the girl wept with joy and began praising Jesus. All the other places on Roatan that could provide treatment would have taken hours to get to. God had placed these two sisters in His care and used us in this place. After church we set up a hotel room for them to recover in with a movie and air. They were worried about the cost but thanks to God through His church family there was none, clinic or hotel. When these young sisters realized Gods grip and great provision again weeping and praising filled the room. Dr. Steve was in church the next Sunday worshipping with us. We serve an awesome God we thank and trust Him in being here.

ROATAN POTLUCKS We had are first Pot luck one Sunday after church ......
After church Clint hops in the truck and runs to the store to pick up a few things, on the way he passes our young members Brandy and Yougin walking home from church. As he is passing them an iguana runs into the road in front of Clint, who swerves but clips the iguana on the leg. Yougin, not one to miss an opportunity, runs up, grabs the iguana and kills it. Problem solved on what to bring to the potluck, Yougin goes home, cooks the iguana and brings it to church. Fresh road kill it was delicious and nutritious a lot like chicken and there you have it Roatan potluck.
Tammy Prins

The hardest part is the bugs. At one time I had over 70 bits but we are learning what times to get indoors and where not to go without massive repellant. Still I get at least a few bits everyday and night. Sand flees tics and skeeters are the worst, there must be 10 different kinds of skeeters all in competition for my blood. Cockroaches 4 inches long with wings always try to rent rooms but never want to pay. One foot long land crabs under the hotel keep the kids in at night and they do clean up a bit. The sea is beautiful and warm and I try to take the kids at least once a week it is only 100 yards from the hotel, but now is sea lice time and Cliffy got hit hard from head to toe. Get this, a little Windex kills them in 2 to 3 days. It might be better not to share all this too much or no one will ever come to us. But we are working on getting the state of the art mosquito zapper and the sea lice should be gone next month. Clint has been hunting the crabs at night with a machete I think for soup maybe. As for the roaches they either pay or get out.

The Holy Spirit is really doing a work in me and I am so blessed. He has totally hit me up on my negative, whiney, complaining, not trusting, etc., etc attitudes and teaching me to be filled up with the right stuff all day long. As he thinks in his heart, so is he... Proverbs 23:7 In Mark 4:24 it talks about the effort we put into our walk and knowing Him will be the amount we get back. I don't know about anyone else but I want ALL that He has for me. I'm so revived by His word and am diligently trying to memorize scripture. I praise Him for His mercy towards me.
Tia Laird