Serving children in need continues to be one of Hope for the Island’s most fruitful and rewarding ministries. We are thankful for the countless ways God provide the means and people with a heart to come alongside us to help local kids find hope and life in Christ!
Recently we hand picked kids from each area we serve that were ready to grow deeper as disciples. They stayed at Hope for the Island for a 4-day camp that changed their lives! We were honored to have Sheila Flores from YWAM Philippines come in to teach. Be encouraged by Sheila’s update below, as well as a testimony from 11-year-old Jean and a short video that one of our team pieced together to show the kids at the end of the camp.
Heartline is the kid’s version of Plumbline for youth and adults. It talks about our identity in Christ and was simplified to help them understand. The children discover their own heart through God given abilities to think, feel and make choices. They learn God’s heart for them in that He loves them and can protect them.
They learn His ways & character. Their hearts and minds were opened in regards to the lies that they believed coming from authority figures in their lives like their parents, teachers and friends.
Some of these authority figures did not reflect God in their life or know how to show love to these young ones.
They became aware of the deep wounds, pain and sin hidden in their heart. They also came to see the attitudes that built a wall in their heart because of the fear of being hurt again.
Each of the HOPE team led groups that provided the kids a platform to open up and share their heart. It was an amazing opportunity to watch God work. They received healing, forgiveness and in turn released forgiveness to those people that hurt them. God’s truth came alive as they accepted His affirmation and love for them.
In our last session we talked about the Father heart of God and what it means to overcome through power and character or through Christ when facing darkness, struggle and temptation. The kids learned how to walk in and display God’s incredible love.
Being a part of the Heartline seminar with the kids at Hope for the Island blessed me. It is great to see the lives of the kids being transformed, especially how they see themselves and how God sees them.
I believe that the truth revealed to them will give more confidence & freedom knowing their identity in Christ. The seed, which is the truth, will be their guide as they grow up & learn more from Him. I am hopeful that God will use the kids as instruments for others to know Christ and to be a blessing in their family, community and the nations in the future. I was also glad to see the Hope staff really do a great job ministering to the kids during small group times. What they’ve learned & received in Plumb line in the past helped them to connect especially with regards to the heart issues that came to the surface. They became more responsible and I’ve seen the burden of God that they have for the kids.
I did enjoy my time at Hope for the Island, the people and the place that brought refreshment to me in many ways.
To God be the Glory!
Sheila Flores
YWAM PHILIPPINES
Click the picture to see the video
Testimony from Jean
Hi my name is Jean and I am only 11 yrs. old. I am so thankful to God for this Heartline seminar. I was able to open my heart and forgive my parents. My parents they leave me when I was still young and I have to stay in my grandmas. I was able to release forgiveness for the hurt in my heart and also see that God does have a plan for my life. I will now live free and in God’s heart for me. I am His child.
