Good day friends and family, I haven’t had to write out an update with pen and paper under candlelight since our early days on the mission field. Our entire island is on day 7 without power and may still be weeks before the power is restored. The 40-yr old underwater submarine cable bringing power to our island was extensively damaged and the parts needed for repair are coming from other countries. We don’t mind the frequent one-day power outages. It’s a great way to slow things down like life used to be when we moved here. It forces a shift away from technologies we have become so attached to, allowing us to connect with others and focus on the simple. This lengthy power outage, however, is creating many challenges on the island. So many have been without water and work. We have had very limited access to water. With a generator on the way soon we will be able to have enough water again for our ministry needs and to share.
A more significant test has come in the form of persecution we have faced for 7 months. This has given opportunity for our faith and witness for Christ to be tested. We are enduring well by God’s grace, experiencing greater unity as a team and being sanctified further in the process. Although it causes grief, we can see God working His purposes through the heat of our circumstances. I can see why David so readily welcomed Gods testing because of the great benefit to the disciple of Christ. God is glorified when in faith we respond rightly. We have been strengthened in God’s word as a team. We just finished up Hebrews last week and found such encouragement in the testimony of those who walked by faith in face of incredible tribulation. They set an example to follow not cowering under pressure or reacting in flesh / walking by sight. We started our study of 1 Peter the other day and again encouraged in the Lord. We see the common thread of God ordained heat that we are to endure and greatly rejoice in because our consistently tested faith will be found to the praise, honor and glory of Christ at His soon return (1 Peter 1:6-9}
Here is a snapshot into recent happenings:
Kalinga house is officially done construction! God has blessed us with a home that will soon provide temporary safe housing for vulnerable children in our island. We are in the final stages of paper works, training and hiring of social workers. Our goal is to receive children in need by the end of January. A documentary about Kalinga house was done by the donor as a 1% for the Planet project. See the videos: Kalinga House Video 1 ………….. Kalinga House Video 2 Make sure you turn on the volume.
Our basketball court has seen a lot of traffic through the years. It was built in the early days as a way to provide a safe faith-filled place for us to connect with the community. With a love for basketball and a warm welcome the court area is regularly filled with locals and tourists and many ministry opportunities. We recently had an artist contact us expressing his desire to include our court in his plan to give a facelift paint job to 100 courts throughout Philippines. All for free which sounded great to me. The painting crew ended up being with us for an entire month because of so many rainy days. At the end we were blessed with a new beautiful court and gained some new friends who are now back home and reading Gods word for the the first time. They are seeking to know and follow Christ in faith. They were impacted by the love and faith they heard of and saw in action while at Hope for the Island. A documentary of this Maya100 project, featuring Hope for the island is being worked on by The Filipino Story. They are one of the artists’ supporting partners.
Hope for the Island Organic farm has finally come back to life after a few years of being idle. Our flourishing and profitable farm was destroyed by typhoon Odette. With so many other restoration needs, we were not able to focus efforts at the farm. We are so thankful for the amazing organized local group of farmers God allowed us to meet. The farm is being revived and at same time providing way for 30 families to grow food and generate income for their families. Produce harvested is sold at an affordable cost to locals struggling with spike in food costs. On our end Hope for the Island gratefully receives some share of the income and produce that helps meet some of our unsupported ministry needs.
We are smack dab in our busiest time here with yearend wrap ups in all our ministries. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate and remember Christ with all those we serve. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, with the mission to seek and save the lost! The theme and teaching have centered on Jesus as the Life and Light of men (John 1:4). I loved witnessing the joy and hope that now fills the hearts of many women new in faith. They attend our weekly Bible study and came to party so eager to present scripture memorized, skit presentations and their testimonies of growth in Christ!
The kid’s ministry party had over 300 hungry and over excited kids flood in Hope for the Island this morning. God’s word is having an incredible impact on our local kids and their families. I was touched when a father emphatically thanked me afterwards for sharing Gods word to the children of Burgos all these years.
Lastly, Jenn and I praise God for sustaining our marriage for 25 years! We celebrated with a two-day trip to a nearby island last week. God has been so gracious in blessing our marriage. We have a lot more to grow in together in the years to come 🙂 Another 25 yrs celebration is coming up in January 2025. Hope for the Island has been serving Siargao for 25 years. God deserves all glory and thanksgiving for the work He has done and continues to sustain ❤️
Thank you for all your prayers and support,
Derek and Jenn Vanryckeghem
