Hope For The Island

Month: August 2016

  • 600!

    Help us reach a new goal – 600 BAGS OF HOPE!!

    Summer will soon draw to a close and we will look back on all the memories that were made.  With that goodbye to summer, you will say hello to September with the return to schedules and routine.

    Part of that preparation is shopping for school supplies. We are asking you to consider those who will never have that opportunity but nonetheless have needs on a daily basis for such items. If each member of your family or workplace could put together one Bag of Hope we would be most grateful.

    Your participation in our Bags of Hope has been such a blessing. We find the need for these blessing are increasing as God brings more and more children and families into our path. Each child or family that is blessed with a Bag of Hope is presented with the gospel and there is follow up with the family. It is incredible to watch as they realize all that is in the bag is truly theirs!

    2 WAYS TO Bless a Child

    1. DONATE $30 per bag to cover contents & shipping.

    Receive a tax receipt for each bag sponsored.

    1. SHOP & FILL YOUR OWN BAG – Click for contents org/bags-of-hope

    No tax receipt issued.

    Bags of Hope Gallery             Donate

     

  • God Uses Children

    It is never an easy thing for someone to step out of their comfort zone and be bold in their faith. It takes knowing and trusting Jesus and a resolve to obey God.

    Children in the island are often persecuted for their faith and shamed if they take initiative. Within scripture and even in many parts of the world today we see how persecution often causes a believer to be strengthened in faith and opens doors for God to move. I would like to share about 2 girls who are rising above adversity and walking out their identity in the Lord. 1 Tim 4:12 reminds us “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity”

    Derek

    Two young girls Laika and Janna, from our Kid’s Ministry recently attended the Heartline Seminar weekend at Hope for the Island.  See A Child’s Heart

    Both of them were impacted deeply and were challenged to rise up in faith as God’s children. They have since been used by God to heal another girl who was sick. They felt God telling them to pray for the girl and before their eyes she was healed!

    On another occasion they stepped out in faith and prayed for an elderly woman. She shared with us how blessed she was by these little angels.

    Laika and Janna also gathered kids in their neighborhood throughout the week and taught them what they learned from the Heartline Seminar. Without any prompting, they took it upon themselves to share the fruit of what God did in their heart!

    Pray that God will continue to use these and other children to bless the island. Please pray as well for Leah (Hope staff) who is mentoring them.

     

  • Equipping

    Cristina currently lives with us in Cagayan de Oro and is studying to be a social worker. She longs to be better equipped to serve the Lord and meet the needs of those suffering. Cristina has matured in the Lord through the years ministering through Hope for the Island and has shown herself an approved worker (2 Tim 2:15). This update is from Cristina after her first 2 months of College…  Derek

    Each day as I go to school I am amazed at God’s goodness and I still have a hard time believing this long time prayer to God has come to pass. God used His people to support my schooling.

    I take serious the responsibility entrusted to me and am gaining so much knowledge.  I can already envision myself as a social worker.  Although I have been serving and meeting the needs of the poor through Hope for the Island, I will soon be better equipped to help those who are suffering, find the dignity they deserve.

    It is even more heartbreaking now as I come to understand the real injustices that the people we serve face. Sadly the poor among us are not given the rights they deserve and are taken advantage of, oppressed and looked down on.

    I know God put this burden in my heart and made the way for my schooling. I am excited for what the future holds! Please continue to pray for me.

    Pray that I can handle the workload and that I can retain what I learn. Pray also for my exams that I can pass each subject.

    Thanks and God bless!

    Cristina