The new Hope for the Island Organic Farm sign couldn’t have come
at a better time. Many islanders have been watching us build and plant
for over a year. Our sign is warm and inviting. We are located adjacent
to the major roadway for the island. Curious travelers have been
stopping by the farm and purchasing fresh produce or simply inquiring
about what we are growing and why.
It was exciting to see our latest harvest of cabbage, cucumber, string beans, radish, carrot, squash, kangkong, sweet basil,
watermelon and papaya!
This blessing of fresh and healthy produce was used to feed over 400 kids and 100 youth at our 2 day camps, “Summer Shine Kids Camp” and “Making Jesus Lord Youth Camp”. They love the healthy variety of snacks especially when we mix in the dehydrated apples and vegetable soup mix from Gleaners in Canada.
boots and building a rack all came about as the result of a rather interesting morning. Herdell woke up as usual earlier than the others to visit the nursery. It was a cool and foggy morning. With a quick stretch he pulled on the boots from under his bed and felt something in it. Thinking it was a rock he shoot his foot. Something cold slithered around his foot. He flung off his boot and out came a shiny poisonous red snake! Frozen in fear, he watched as the snake slithered away. When the shock wore off, everyone at the farm was awakened by Herdells’ dancing and praising God that he was not bitten.
During the summer season Hope for the Island Preschool goes on break and so do our teachers. Well not really a break! All our preschool teachers enjoy setting aside their uniforms and curriculums to creatively plan and minister to the kids and youth. Thus far the summer has been very fruitful and God honoring! Let me explain…
I would like to tell you that my kids are collecting rock specimens to observe under a microscope- but they are not. They have been climbing trees and cliffs looking for big spiders that they can put in their little spider boxes. Each spider is given a number and then competes against another spider on a stick. The kids gather around and watch the spiders fight. During rainy season you can drive anywhere around Siargao Island and you will see kids and youth of all ages staring aimlessly up at a tree or scaling a cliff-don’t panic, they are just looking for spiders!