Ken

Kenneth is a young man that God brought into our family at a time when he was lost and very troubled. My relationship with Kenneth has been an amazing journey and one that allowed me to get a better grasp of the Father heart of God. I am blessed to see Ken confident and walking out his identity in Christ. Below is his testimony in his own words. I pray it inspires anyone who may feel like someone they love is beyond reach and they are losing hope.

Derek-

I started working at Hope for the Island 2008. First year, 2nd year, 3rd year of work, I could say it’s a blessing working with Kuya Derek and Ate Jenn together with the other staff. They considered me as their family. I worked at Hope for the Island with no questions in my heart, I don’t even think of money. I worked as the maintenance of the property of Hope and driving the staff to the ministry areas.

At the time also I started hanging out with surfers, youth and helping them understand the Bible as much as what I understand also. Those times I was enjoying. Then my fourth year of working at Hope something happened in my life. The enemy start causing me to be discouraged, I had a struggle, I had a family problem. Those things satan used them to put me down. I started being lazy at work. I was just surviving at the time; all I think is money that I would receive each month. I lost my joy in serving God. And that’s when Kuya decided to give me a break or rest from work.

I left hope with a rebellious spirit, full of pride; my heart at those time was totally lock. Doesn’t want to listen to anyone. All those attitude that I showed staff was affected, surfers group that I handled at that time was affected, they don’t understand what happened to me, so I decided to go to Surigao City looking for work. Then I have a friend in Surigao suggested me to work in a music bar. Since I was looking for money I agreed to work there. Months passed by I realized I totally turned my eyes to the worldly works. I started smoking; I was using a drug called Shabu and I got addicted to those things. Nights after nights thats what I was doing drugs.
Then I came to the point where I asked myself why am I doing this again? When I was doing it I thought I wont have a chance to change it. I was so guilty. I was so afraid to acknowledge God about all these things because I was too proud to acknowledge it. I was too proud to go back to the Bible, praying was too hard.

One night while in a bar working I felt the deep sadness. I missed being in the presence of God. God reminded me how He takes care of me even at those lowest point of my life. That same night I asked God “what do you want me to do God? The whole night I had that feeling of emptiness inside me. That night a group of customers came and ordered their alcohol, when I opened the freezers to get their drinks, one set of 5 bottles of beers slipped from my hands, and it all fell and not broken and all the lids are off. And I asked myself how did it happen. I still served those to the customers and went out and I smoked and thinking what’s happening in me right now. But I keep working that night. Same night the next happens was someone’s ordering a drink and while I hand them their drinks I heard a voice said “instead of giving them my words you are giving them poisons. That very moment I was so scared that I asked my boss if I could go home because I’m not feeling good at all. When I arrived home I cried so hard that night and asked God to forgive me for everything that I had been doing, and I had wasted my time. And I asked God to give me another chance to serve Him. I started praying. That instance I decided to follow and to listen to God once again, I started not to smoke anymore, and stop having drugs. 3 months later after that happened God blessed me. God used Kuya Derek’s life. He never gives up on me. He does have a Fathers heart. God used him for me to be reminded that God loves me.

God used Hope for the Island to send me to Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Antipolo Manila for Discipleship Training School (DTS). There I was disciplined, corrected and molded hard. It hurts so bad but I submit to God because it was my hearts desire to follow God. And pain was part of my training so I be more like My Father God. My first love for the Father was restored. And after training God used me to spread His love to the people. Until now I thank my God because He is using me now as a new person. Glory and honor belongs to God.