Jenn and I are so thankful for each of you. We are blessed by the commitment you have made to pray and support us in the ministry God has led us in. The last couple weeks have been full! Your prayer is appreciated, it is so needed, and it has availed much as you will read!
As mentioned in our previous update we had a mountain of paperwork ahead of us as we set out to recover Hope For The Island documents that were destroyed in the typhoon. Some of that work involved fulfilling requirements unsettled due to 2 years of strict lockdowns. We are so thankful for favor granted within each of the agencies visited. It was a rough couple of weeks, but we are now 10 steps ahead of where we were before. With God’s continued help we will accomplish all that needs to be done by June.
While in that region, I took the chance to make trips up the mountain to visit farmer friends I haven’t seen for a long time. Opportunities to share Gods word with each of them came with readied hearts to receive! They also put me to work harvesting and separating sweet peppers 🙂
– Eating with farmers
-Video- Muslim call to prayer for prayer regularly filled the air. Throughout each day we heard these Muslim calls over loud speaker. Although disturbing it reminded us of the need to pray for them and to be a good witness that day for Christ.
Jenn at an office
Hope for the Island team along with each of our ministries were not spared from the tests the globe faced due to covid related challenges. Lockdowns really did a number on the islanders. To add challenge upon challenge, super typhoon Oddette ravaged the island, turning every life upside down.
With each trial we know full well God is faithful, fulfilling His purposes for His name’s sake. I was incredibly impressed with the resolve, maturity, and joy in the Lord that I have seen our Philippines team display since we arrived. I love seeing when scripture is fleshed out by God’s children. Our team revealed that trials faced in joy and faith does indeed develop perseverance. Obediently enduring in the face of trials brought our team into a place of deeper communion with God and with it a maturing of character. Many in Siargao island have not fared as good through these tests. These past 2 years have caused far too many to unravel, falling deeper into hopelessness, despair, and sin. The need to share the good news and shine the light of Christ is even more critical!
With our existing team and a retuning couple in leadership, we are preparing to embark on some new and exciting ministries. We met with the Mayor of Burgos the other day. She is excited that we were finally able to return and assured us we have full support from her and the local government with anything we plan. The fruit from 20 plus years of ministry has built trust and provided open doors to serve in new areas of community need.
-Jerbie and Irene are returning to serve with Hope for the island!
Hope for the Island also has a long-standing working relationship with Department of Education. For years we ran an Early Childhood Education Center. We also conducted agriculture trainings at our organic farm for many students. Department of Education is now allowing us to go into the elementary and high school each week to promote spiritual development of their students. This is a blessing as you can imagine and one that we have been praying and preparing for. The faculty are aware that discipleship is our focus. Beyond teaching in the school, students will be invited to our nearby Ministry Center for after school sports clubs that will further help meet the school’s goal for physical development. It will allow for us to further disciple those students God draws to faith in Him. Thank you, Lord!
Hope for the island Kids Ministries
Another pressing need was brought to our attention not long after returning and with it the request for help. Interestingly this too is something we have been praying, asking God to prepare us for since 2000. We are currently working towards establishing Kalinga House. Kalinga is an old Filipino word that means to care for and protect. This house will receive and minister to abandoned, neglected, and abused children throughout the island. Sadly, a big increase of sexual and physical abuse incidents are surfacing. This too it seems in part a result of long lockdowns. Currently there is no organization equipped to intervene nor is there a home to place kids if they were pulled out of harmful situations. Violators are not being held accountable. They continue in their wicked way and reoffend without concern. Cristina is a woman that we initially took in as a child at Hope for the Island who have served with us ever since. She currently sits on our board. We paid for her education, and she recently graduated. She is now employed with the local government as a social worker. We are equipped and ready to respond to this need! Part of this program will involve visiting and providing counsel to the families and perpetrators involved. There are several scriptures that give us direction from God on how to respond in these circumstances. Two of those being…
Ps 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Ps 12:5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
Over the course of February, we will continue to make steps towards these 2 ministry plans.
Meeting with the Mayor of Burgos
Over the course of February we will continue to make steps towards these 2 ministry plans.
By the end of February Jenn will head back to Canada for a month with Brison to tie up loose ends in order to make the move full time to Asia. Brison has a desire and plan to live with family friends in Kelowna for a season to finish up his studies and work.
Makana has been excited to return to Philippines for many years. It was so exciting for us both when the borders opened to travel back here. She is back home where she grew up in the ministry. It has been a joy to see her reconnect with Hope family and the friends she missed while away. Makana will be staying at Hope for the Island full time to help in part with new ministry plans, develop social media / communications and to prepare to receive 3 mission teams scheduled to come in.
God bless and keep you in His grace!
Derek and Jenn Van Ryckeghem
