Charlene Derkach is a Hope for the Island Canada Board Member and shares her reflections on a mission trip to Hope.
In September God once again provided a way for me to journey across the world from Canada and be a part of the amazing move of His Spirit at Hope for the Island. I am moved to tears once again as I arrive at Hope and sense immediately His Presence Love and Peace. So wonderful to see familiar faces that are now my extended family – Derek & Jenn, Brison & Makana, Let, Jing, Joan, Cristina, Cora, Nermilyn and Kenneth. My stay is always too short as it has been the last 2 times as well being only 2 weeks on the island. But what an amazing 2 weeks! My servant heart wanted only to be immersed in life at Hope for the Island and be the best extension of Him that I could be.
I was able to be a part of the pre-school which was such a delight! The children enrolled in the program come faithfully each day wearing their uniforms, pledging allegiance to their country and their God and then dispersing to the various classes. I spent most of my time in Cora’s class. Her dedication and passion explodes in the class as she works alongside each student whether it be reciting the alphabet or guiding them thru a workbook exercise. Being so young the children have a limited attention span at times but Cora lovingly brought their focus back to their studies each time. Friday was gym day with games and laughter. I had a blast playing duck duck goose with those precious little ones as they ran into your arms with laughter. This pre-school is truly a gift from God for these little ones as it prepares a firm scholastic as well as a spiritual foundation that they will take with them when they start school in Burgos.
I took many walks to Burgos saying many hellos along the way. I was able to see Nanay Obong once again. She is frail but her eyes are bright. We spoke for a while then prayed with her. With limited strength she raised her hands in praise to her God and asked God to bless us. It was a moving time as I know days on this earth are short and soon she will be with her Saviour in Heaven.
It was truly a trip that centered on building relationships and being a servant for Him. I so cherish the time I was able to spend with Derek and Jenn, Makana and Brison up at the house. There is so much that needs to be done on a daily basis at Hope that the girls and Kenneth are responsible for. So at the mission house Natascha and I took on washing dishes after each meal with much joy. Whether it was chopping kangkong or peeling carrots to sweeping the floor or helping tidy the compound I counted it all joy! Early each morning after breakfast we partook with the girls and Kenneth in devotions and took our turn sharing as well. Quiet moments were found on hot afternoons or the cool of the evenings after supper fellowshipping and listening with those around, hearing their hearts and rejoicing with them for all God is doing and is going to do in their lives. And on Sunday a corporate time together found us all in the mission house worshiping together in song unto the Lord with such a sweet aroma of praise being raised to our God.
The needs are great at Hope for the Island from the immediate need to build a new mission house for the girls and Kenneth to reaching the youth, ministering to the children and bringing visitation and provision to the elderly while taking each and every opportunity to share with all who will hear of the love and saving grace and salvation our precious Lord can give. But I know God shall supply all their needs according to His riches glory by Christ Jesus. He is able and He is faithful to accomplish all He wants to accomplish at Hope for the Island. I welcome with much joy the opportunity for God to send me again to Hope. Each time I leave with tears and hugs knowing that I have to go back to Canada so He can send me back to Hope.
Charlene Derkach
