It was an incredible joy spending time with Cristina who is like a daughter to Jenn and I. We missed her dearly over our first year away In Canada. Before leaving the Philippines Cristina lived with our family for 2 years of her schooling. We are so proud of the way she has placed her life in the Lord’s hands and pursuing her dreams. God is using her life incredibly even as a student. God’s favor found each step of the way as she humbly walks in faith and obedience. Below is a beautiful testimony from Cris revealing again God’s goodness.
Derek
God has been so faithful in my schooling!! Everything that I need from financial, psychological, and spiritual God has graciously provided. God never fails to support me through the people who believe I can achieve what God has planned for me.
This is my third year in social work. With each passing year the excitement and anticipation grows. I am so blessed to be doing what God desires for me. As a third year student our subjects are field based as we learn how to handle clients in different circumstances. Helping the people who cannot fight for their own is my passion. God is always reminding me that I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know. He does this daily!! God sustains me with the wisdom and strength needed to persevere in God’s purpose for me. I have been in awe of God! He creates opportunities and makes things possible even through my impossible outlooks. Over this year I was appointed as a President over the whole social work program. Being appointed as leader of the program is a big responsibility. At first I doubted myself, thinking i couldn’t do it.
God used Hope for the Island to train me and enhance my leadership skills. The many experiences at HOPE helped me believe God and envision transformation especially for those vulnerable. Being the leader of the social work program is stretching me in many ways. There are lots of reports, planning and supervising different programs in relation to my profession. I find it kind of funny that I did not even run for this position. My program dean said she saw my heart and potential. I am thankful to God for allowing me to have this experience while I am still in my schooling journey. He placed me there so I know He has a purpose. The field experience is helping broaden my understanding and giving me a clearer vision as I pray for my future work and ministry in Siargao.
Each break back to Hope for the Island helps me get the rest I need, but also provides many opportunities to apply what I am learning. This way the staff and ministries can benefit and develop. While back I spent a lot of time with the widows. They hold a special place in my heart especially since I have known most of them since I was a child. Many widows / elderly suffer with little dignity. I spent time with them to help them know their value and rights within the community. I also spent time helping to refine some of our approaches to serving children in the community. At HOPE we want to connect and share life with all that God places before us. Immersing ourselves in the lives of those we serve brings a lasting impact. I also spent time with a child that opened up to me about the years of sexually abuse she endured on behalf of her father. Abuse is far too common and almost always goes unreported. HOPE will continue to educate children and be there to protect and counsel the most vulnerable. Once I graduate and am in a position of authority, I can further help restore and protect children against such injustices.
To those people who support and pray for me thank you so much. I still have one more semester to finish this school year and one final year of field practicum. Please continue to pray that my grades will remain in the high 90’s . Thank you and God bless you.
Cristina Espanto
“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put 
your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10,11
John 13:35 tells us that the world will only recognize truth and Christ in us by the way we live in the example of love in Christ. When we ignore this truth, our christian niceties fall on deaf ears and God’s purposes through us are hindered. Nothing promotes union in the current divided and distracted church like a deep and common concern for all especially the destitute created in God’s image.