Hope For The Island

Month: August 2017

  • My Schooling Update

    From Cristina: Hope for the Island Staff

    I would like to report what is happening for me in Cagayan de Oro. Although Kuya Derek’s family is no longer living here with me, I praise and thank God for His favour and grace. He has worked through all the transitions in ministry at Hope for the Island and in my life as well.

    It is different living alone without the Van Ryckeghem family, but I know that God is with me. God always has a reason for how He works.

    I am also thankful for the knowledge and wisdom that God has given me even though we are loaded down as Social Work students.

    I am thankful that I passed the preliminary examination with the second highest score! I was also elected Secretary for the Junior Social Worker Association of the Philippines. All glory; honour and praises belong to God.

    Please keep me in your prayers. I miss you all but it is not about me but my Abba Father.

    Thank you

  • The Team Grows

    Hope for the island has some new faces!

    Our family spent some time with them at the farm before we left for Canada.

    We recently accepted to the team some new passionate people with a heart to serve. We are excited for what the Lord has in store!!!

  • Hope for the Island Scholarship

    Hope for the Island Scholarship program is making a great impact on the lives of the students involved!

    Our new batch of 25 students is now regularly attending school and has been productive according to the teachers’ feedback.

    We have incorporated Math, English and Science classes as part of our after school program.  This is helping students overcome a lot of learning barriers and associated anxiety. Many students were not excelling in the past and were dropping out of school.

     

     

    Students not currently part of our Hope Scholarship, have approached our staff asking if they too can be part of the tutorial classes.  These opportunities provide ways for us to develop the trust within relationships that is needed to disciple them effectively.

    Scholars also clean our Hope for the Island property. We have also organized community service programs where they are learning to develop a heart of servant hood with a variety of opportunities to give back.

     

    Our goal is to build connection with the students’ families so we can minister to them as well. As we respond in obedience to the Lord’s example of love and compassion, we know the right doors will open.

     

    SUPPORT A STUDENT FOR ONE SCHOOL YEAR $120

  • Bibles

    “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

     

    Thank you so much to those who sponsored the new batch of Bibles. It is so great to dive into the Word of God with these young people and now they don’t need to share Bibles.

    In the three different youth groups our Hope For the Island team leads, we are working through the book of John. Each of the youth study the chapter on their own through the week and come ready to share / ask questions at youth fellowship.

    In one village, some of the youth struggled to attend Youth Group the next week because they knew that people would mock them because of carrying a Bible. Only a priest or pastor is seen with a Bible so the people will laugh at them and call them names. We need to pray for our youth that they will support one another to be bold in their faith and love for God’s word.

     

    Here is a testimony from Nerm:

     

    We prayed for Bibles, now we are blessed and thankful to God that He answered our prayer to have Bibles in our youth groups. Thank you so much for the people who supported for this.

    In another youth group, we reviewed our topic of SALVATION from last week. Many are new and have heard the Gospel but have seemed tentative to respond because of fears and peer pressures. Our staff shared their testimonies and the impact Christ has had in their lives. They were able to share the fears they overcame to trust God and walk in faith. As a result of that open heart time each of the new youth responded in faith to the gift of salvation!!! They are committed to be discipled and are excited about the changes to come in their lives!

    Youth in Siargao Island are not much different than youth in other parts of the world. There are so many distractions that pull them away from opportunities God places before them to grow in faith. In grace and love we will persevere to love and support these vulnerable youth.

    Praise Report that just came in:

    The girl with the pink top in the first picture texted Nerm to let her know she placed her trust in Jesus! She was congratulated by all when she came to Youth. She was really happy and in tears. Please continue to pray for her and that each new believer would continue to serve and grow in the Lord.