Coming back into the Philippines, I was grateful for the strength God quickly restored to me. With an intensely busy start and an overwhelming heat wave I have needed His strength.
Within the same day of my arrival three American young adults arrived at Hope for the Island ready to learn and serve alongside our team. They applied to be part of our new Mission Equip Program. This is something we were looking forward to re-start because of the impact it had on the participant and for the ministry and staff. We usually house those coming to serve in our mission cottage, but that was obliterated by the typhoon. Jeffrey, Abbey and Allysa have taken over our house along with Makana. Jenn and I moved into the guest suite next door to give adequate space for them during their stay.
A year and a half post typhoon, we are in a position where we have to replace housing that was destroyed. I have reached out to local and Chinese prefab companies for quotes on housing options. Update soon…
A few days after arriving back at Hope, we had our first team meeting. Four of our long-term staff gave their notice. They informed me that God has opened opportunities for them to step out in faith to grow and serve in other ministry capacities.
Jing, who has been with us since 2003 and her husband Randy have been regularly taking trips back and forth to his home place in Luzon since they got married. He definitely has a gifted calling for Evangelism and regularly travels to preach in the Northern Philippines. Recently Randy was invited to Pastor a church that they have related to for some time. They felt a real peace from the Lord as they sought Him in prayer. Confirmation came with the timing of our return to Asia and the return of past leaders who have history serving at HOPE.
We were thrilled to hear their excitement and truly bless them in these endeavors! Many, including our family, will miss Jing. She has been such a pillar of strength and leadership for so many years.
Jing will continue to serve on HOPE Board, and they will stay connected as our HOPE family, living and serving on another island.
Nermilyn grew up in our HOPE ministries. HOPE is where she matured in Christ and ministry work. She has felt God preparing her to step into some new mission ventures off the island. She has been praying for this step for over a year and praying for someone who can step in to replace her.
Hannah too is venturing out soon. She has served on and off for many years and is ready to further her education at a great university in southern Mindanao.
Each of them will be dearly missed, but we know we will see them again as Burgos is their hometown.
We are trusting and believing God to direct those leaders He has already been preparing to join Hope for the Island. I anticipate welcoming into our family those who are ready to grow with us and lead out in the new ministries God has entrusted us with. I prayerfully look forward to introducing you to them in our next update.
We have been in prep mode as well to receive a team of eight coming in from YWAM Maui May 1 for forty days!
As you can imagine some flexibility is required to make space for everyone at HOPE. We are currently converting a living room into a bedroom to squeeze in four guys.
Our Hope team is shifting around bed space to make available two of their current rooms to house the four girls. It is a joy to host visitors and show hospitality, more so in this culture and we are called to be hospitable!
Thankfully, we were able to organize a way to receive teams. It has been a while and we have missed having them minister alongside us. They too will need to be flexible and learn new ways as they adapt to our current post typhoon set up.
Ministry with the Police…Leaders at Hope have been asked to be on call to preach God’s word at the local Police Department.
The day after I arrived Jerbie got a call to do just that! He arrived there excited and prayed up to speak God’s truth to those entrusted to serve and protect our community. The Police were very responsive and thankful for the encouragement and challenge that Jerbie brought them.
Campus ministry is gaining momentum. When we visit each high school, we share God’s word with the students. It is such a blessing to see those who normally wouldn’t be exposed to the Bible, hear it in a classroom setting. We challenge them to obey God’s word. We have continued to be invited back each time, praise the Lord!
I met with the principal from a school on Siargao Island after our Grade 7 ministry time. She reiterated how thankful they are for this support. She went on to share the many challenges her students are facing in their academics and amongst peers.
Burgos is the town Hope for the Island is based in and where we do Campus ministry. We will be meeting with the principal next week to share our vision to start After School Clubs to disciple students and provide additional means for them to develop physically and grow in character.
The clubs we are proposing to make available will include tutorial, music, volleyball, basketball, surfing and an adventurer club. It is our prayer these plans will be well received, and students can get school credit for their attendance and participation.
We have moved forward testing the waters with afternoon volleyball and evening tutorial sessions. Students coming have been thrilled to overcome areas they have been challenged in. One group came looking defeated and walked away from Tutorial class determined and confident to present their thesis.
One of those students, sent testimony back to Jerbie, praising God for a successful outcome. Tears ran down Jerbie’s eyes hearing that he was used by God to help someone overcome challenges. I loved seeing his heart for Jesus and the fruit that comes from obedience to Christ.
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We have been praying for growth in our Kid’s Ministry. We have been visiting and ministering to each child’s family in their home!
The children are especially excited and happy by the visit. The families express gratitude and are inviting us to come back again! Those who repent and give their life to Jesus are being plugged into a Bible sharing group to ensure their growth!
Saturday Kids Ministry report from Jing
The boy in the red shirt is Roper Beloso. He has been coming to Kid’s Ministry each week since we started up in his village a couple of months ago. He expressed how he felt so loved and privileged when we chose to visit his house. He was skipping along quickly as he proudly guided us to his house. His adoptive parents were pleasantly surprised to see us and welcomed us into their home. We enjoyed talking and laughing together as we got to know them and hear their struggles. Roper spent time with Abbey outside. Abbey serves in our Mission Equip Program. This freed Randy and I to have the time needed to minister to the couple. They heard the living word of God and obeyed repenting of their sin, turning their hearts to Christ in faith. The harvest truly is plentiful Lord! We pray you bring forth your faithful workers to help!
Grateful for your financial support and prayers.
