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http://www.ktvb.com/news/Laura-Silsbys-background-called-into-question-83697722.html

Laura Silsby’s background called into question

by Ysabel Bilbao

Posted on February 5, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Updated yesterday at 3:46 PM

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MERIDIAN — Laura Silsby has her supporters. They say her work is in the name of God and that she was simply trying to help children. But now there are others who paint a different picture of the Baptist missionary.

“They have been in our church for a couple of years,” Central Valley Baptist Church pastor Clint Henry said. “But somewhere during that period of time they began talking about what they were envisioning to do, this dream that they had.”

Henry is referring to Laura Silsby and Charisa Coulter. In a previous interview with KTVB, he said the women, both members of his congregation came up with the orphanage idea on their own.

“So our church is not a key player in making the orphanage happen, that is, that is, everything they have done,” Henry said.

The church’s role in this trip to Haiti was basically providing volunteers, which they saw as a ministry opportunity for the congregation.

“So we agreed to partner with it and decided to go because we have people that love doing stuff like that and touching people’s lives,” Henry said.

Laura Silsby and her employee Charisa Coulter were in charge. They claim their documents were in order, but government officials in Haiti say that is not the case.

Silsby’s former employee Brian Jack says he’s not surprised. “It’s a lack of foresight and planning, once again she did that in her business life and it sees to follow in personal life.”

After being laid off, Jack found work with Silsby at her company, Personal Shopper. He says the business was not making money and would often go weeks, even months without getting paid.

“The last time I received a check has been approximately two weeks ago and it was for the pay period for April the 20th of ‘09.”

But Silbsy’s financial problems go much deeper.

Her Meridian home is being foreclosed on.

“They moved in a hurry like they were running, they were throwing things in their cars,” said Chris Wentzel, a former Silsby neighbor.

“Right now shady comes to mind, unscrupulous, ultimately she is out for herself,” said Brain Jack.

The fallout from the mission trip has many asking questions, specifically why the group was transporting children with parents, when their mission statement said they would be helping those left without.

“They want to bring kids out who have no home, who have no parents, who have no hope,” said Brenda and Mel Coulter, parents of Charisa Coulter.

“Our team went down with no intention of doing anything illegal,” said Pastor Clint Henry.