Month: July 2019

In our health restoration visits, we are happy to see this mom walking out in joy and she presents us with her son who is gaining weight and doing well. The weekly visits to the home are such an important part of this ministry. Being able to visit and listen to things going on in their lives, sharing Bible verses and praying is the core part of this ministry. We are so thankful for the amazing responses we have from families in this health restoration program, a partnership between our ministry and the daily love and care of the single mom or dedicated parents is key for success. We thank God for the opportunity we have as missionaries in our communities and to be welcomed into peoples home for weekly visits is only because of God’s favour on this ministry. 

The next couple of months are very hot, but it’s also a time where everybody is planting nutritious food. It is easier for kids to gain weight when everybody has some extra vegetables from what they planted. Generally speaking, the hardest time of year for the kids in our health restoration program is during the rainy season- That is December-March. 

We try to visit Rachel as often as we can, since she lives close to the market. Rachel tries her best to keep reading the Bible for truth in her life. Her situation is difficult but she admits that God gives her strength. Please continue to pray for complete healing in her body, and also for continued strength and provision for her mom who actively serves her daughter everyday. 

We look forward to summer because we can have longer times with the kids during our Kids Ministry on Saturday. We gathered the kids that live near to Hope for the Island, the middle of town, and the far end of town. In Burgos, we have three different areas of Kids Ministry every Saturday, plus we drive to 4 others villages with the staff and the assistants. 

We are so thankful to the amazing group of woman in Winnipeg, who made hand knitted dolls for the kids.  To be honest, most of the kids were in shock they received a doll and a book because it’s not Christmas! We wanted them to know God loves them so much, so we planned a fun day for them and gave them a gift for summer. I can’t possibly put into words the effect that the Kids Ministry is having in our community. We value the kids in our community and what we have seen over the years is that the seeds planted in the hearts of these kids now is not lost, but can be seen growing in their hearts for years to come. 

Some of these kids will be full time missionaries at Hope for the Island or on another mission field one day. 

Please continue to pray Jeremiah 29:11-13 over these kids.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart

We pray these kids learn about God in such a way that they can walk out in the meaning of this verse. 

From Jennifer Villarde (Jing),

This is our team that goes to the jail every second Monday of the month. This is a ministry that started over Christmas when God burdened our hearts to love and bless the prisoners.  It was a moving experience that led to regular prison visits. We worship with the prisoners and are allowed to share the word of God and pray over them. The prisoners have a lot of fun after when we do activities to see what they received from the word of God. Those who answer get vouchers to buy needed toiletries.  

Most of the prisoners have never had a visit from their family.  They are lonely and suffering health problems because the jail does not provide hygiene products.  We so look forward to our visits unlike the beginning days where fear would creep in.  The inmates are happy to see us each time.  They are responding to God’s love and compassion. They feel encouraged and special to know we care enough to keep coming back.  They especially anticipate hearing the Word and being prayed for. 

One prisoner had been suffering for months with horrible bed sores.  We used donated Polysporin antibacterial ointment to treat wounds and almost all of his open wounds are healing!

Recently 2 prisoners finished their sentence and were released.  They sent us an update on how they are doing.  One of them sought out the Christian church in his village. It was a place he once avoided in search of trouble. The other got home and found his wife had left him. He returned to his home place and instead of reacting in anger he too chose to plug into a local church to stay on the right path. It is encouraging seeing lives being changed and freedom coming to those once enslaved in darkness!! 

Over the month of March and April, Eli and Anna (American couple in back row) served as interns with Hope for the Island.  They joined in on our prison outreach and other ministries.

Note: Picture cannot be taken inside of jail or with the prisoners.

Teaching youth in this day and age is not easy. Getting youth in Siargao Island together on a Saturday afternoon, when the surf is good, almost seems impossible. These youth in Pacifico were once the active kids in Pacifico Kids Ministry. 

Nermilyn started teaching them when they were in elementary school and continued when they moved on to Youth Ministry. The youth group fluctuates in attendance every week, but the love and care from their leader remains constant.

When you think of the youth in Siargao Island, please continue to pray for our leaders at Hope for the Island. Our leaders know the world is changing but God’s word remains the same. Teaching the Bible to the youth is such an important part of our Youth Ministry. Many of the them have confessed that when they are going through temptations or problems in their life, they remember the Bible verses they have been taught since they were kids. If you ever come to visit Hope For The Island, please bring an extra Bible in your suitcase to give one of the young people in our community.