Hope For The Island

Author: Andrey Siganur

  • Hope for the Island Scholarship

    Hope for the Island Scholarship program is making a great impact on the lives of the students involved!

    Our new batch of 25 students is now regularly attending school and has been productive according to the teachers’ feedback.

    We have incorporated Math, English and Science classes as part of our after school program.  This is helping students overcome a lot of learning barriers and associated anxiety. Many students were not excelling in the past and were dropping out of school.

     

     

    Students not currently part of our Hope Scholarship, have approached our staff asking if they too can be part of the tutorial classes.  These opportunities provide ways for us to develop the trust within relationships that is needed to disciple them effectively.

    Scholars also clean our Hope for the Island property. We have also organized community service programs where they are learning to develop a heart of servant hood with a variety of opportunities to give back.

     

    Our goal is to build connection with the students’ families so we can minister to them as well. As we respond in obedience to the Lord’s example of love and compassion, we know the right doors will open.

     

    SUPPORT A STUDENT FOR ONE SCHOOL YEAR $120

  • Bibles

    “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

     

    Thank you so much to those who sponsored the new batch of Bibles. It is so great to dive into the Word of God with these young people and now they don’t need to share Bibles.

    In the three different youth groups our Hope For the Island team leads, we are working through the book of John. Each of the youth study the chapter on their own through the week and come ready to share / ask questions at youth fellowship.

    In one village, some of the youth struggled to attend Youth Group the next week because they knew that people would mock them because of carrying a Bible. Only a priest or pastor is seen with a Bible so the people will laugh at them and call them names. We need to pray for our youth that they will support one another to be bold in their faith and love for God’s word.

     

    Here is a testimony from Nerm:

     

    We prayed for Bibles, now we are blessed and thankful to God that He answered our prayer to have Bibles in our youth groups. Thank you so much for the people who supported for this.

    In another youth group, we reviewed our topic of SALVATION from last week. Many are new and have heard the Gospel but have seemed tentative to respond because of fears and peer pressures. Our staff shared their testimonies and the impact Christ has had in their lives. They were able to share the fears they overcame to trust God and walk in faith. As a result of that open heart time each of the new youth responded in faith to the gift of salvation!!! They are committed to be discipled and are excited about the changes to come in their lives!

    Youth in Siargao Island are not much different than youth in other parts of the world. There are so many distractions that pull them away from opportunities God places before them to grow in faith. In grace and love we will persevere to love and support these vulnerable youth.

    Praise Report that just came in:

    The girl with the pink top in the first picture texted Nerm to let her know she placed her trust in Jesus! She was congratulated by all when she came to Youth. She was really happy and in tears. Please continue to pray for her and that each new believer would continue to serve and grow in the Lord.

     

  • Answer to Prayer Arrives on a Boat

    From Elaine:

    We first shared the story of 23 yr. old Reshel in Dec 2016. Our hearts were moved for this young lady. I knew there was a way to help, but the solution would take time.

    My friend Angela and I set out to find a suitable walker in Winnipeg. God provided what we needed, now to get it to the other side of the world.  It was taken apart to fit in a box and left Winnipeg along with other donated blessings for the 3 month journey over the ocean to Siargao Island.

    The really awesome part of this is that the box arrived in April when our Winnipeg team of Angela & Jeff, Dennis & Charlene and Brian & I did.  Jeff was very aware as he put it all back together, the incredible impact this would have on a young girl’s life.

    What a joy to see the end result of how God worked!  We headed down the road in our Hope for the Island truck with Hope staff, to a village in the northern part of the island. In true island style we had no idea if she was home or not. You just show up and hope for the best! Reshel had no idea that we were coming and why!!!

    The walker was unloaded. Reshel shyly peered around the corner of a curtained off room.

    An explanation was given to Reshel as to who we were and why we were there. Tears flowed as Reshel took her first few shaky steps. Before long she was turning corners recklessly and soon needed a rest!

    As we prayed and got to know her, we heard that she had been promised help previously and how that promise fell through. A huge disappointment only brought this young lady closer to her God as she persevered and intensified her prayers believing for a miracle. Her faith and love for God inspired us all.

    Over and over again others and myself witness the way God works in this ministry. It gives those of us who live in the western world a visual of our God in action.

    If we are hungry we can go to a food bank, if we are sick we can go to a doctor or hospital, if we need money we can get a job or apply for welfare.  We don’t need to apologize for our way of life and the privileges we have. It does however make we wonder if I would trust God as Reshel and others on this island do every day for their daily food, family, health and safety.

    Read Reshel’s previous post 

    Witness the answer to prayer as you watch a 2 min. video Reshel Video

     

  • Welcome To Hope

    From Derek:

    We are blessed to have four young women join us at Hope for the Island. These students will be serving at Hope for two months. They are from Mindanao State University in Marawi City where conflict with radical Islamic groups and military is ongoing.

     

    From their heart:

    We are so thankful to escape Marawi City and serve for this season at Hope for the Island!

    As we prayed and prepared during travel, God gave us His Word in the book of Nehemiah. He was going to use us over this time to help rebuild. We prayed into this, as well as for those left behind in Marawi.

    War between the military and Maute/Abu Sayyaf exploded near our school. It all happened so fast and then our President declared martial law. Although we were shocked by what was happening around us, we had a confidence knowing God is with and for us, so it didn’t matter who was against us!

    The day that we planned to travel to Hope for the Island, news came that every entry and exit point on the way to Iligan had been closed. For 2 1/2 days we were trapped in our school in the middle of war with no electricity and no water. The morning of May 25th, we received a message to evacuate and go to a place where we could be rescued. As we escaped, we prayed and cried to God for the situation that Marawi was facing.

    We praise God because He ordained everything, giving us a vehicle to ride on. We left at 10 a.m. and arrived in Iligan at 7 p.m. The one hour trip turned into nine hours because of the other people also fleeing the city. We, as well as our family, thank God because we arrived at Iligan safe and sound.

    Continue to pray for Joy’s family who is still in this area. She has sleepless nights at times not knowing if her family will be killed.

    Some family did not support our decision to go to Siargao Island to serve at Hope because of fear. We know God called us to go and even spoke clearly in dreams to us. We must obey and trust God to give peace to our families. We must follow God’s greater purpose in spite of what happens to us. For us, that purpose is to serve here alongside our mentor Kuya Jerbie.

    When we arrived, it was clear that God has blessed this ministry. The Hope team has been so hospitable and kind. The warm welcome we received made us feel as if we had been here a long time.

    We are honestly amazed to see the various ministries the Hope team handle. They are ready to serve in any way and help our team develop to be more fruitful and anointed in the work God has entrusted to us.

  • Leah – YWAM Update

    Jesus Fiesta:

    Many villagers came from all over. The highlight for me was one particular lady. She approached me and asked if we had a Bible to give to her. One soul craving for God’s Word!

    Treasure Hunt:

    Along with the Singapore team we had a treasure hunt. We told the people they should first ask God for His treasures.

    There was a lady on the beach. She was watching her son swim. We told her we believed that God wanted us to pray for her. She smiled then cried. She shared that she was ready to give up. She was very depressed and needed someone to talk to, especially about spiritual things.

    We encouraged her and prayed with both her and her son. Then she gave us some money to buy food even though we tried to give it back and she always said no. She was blessed by us and wanted to bless us as well.

    2nd midterm outreach:

    Using drama and actions songs, we did Kid’s ministry with the Finland team in Pardo, Sambag and Mananga. I overcame my shyness to share the kingdom of God.

    Jail Ministry:

    Even though nervous, we entered to see prisoners who were happy to see us.  We shared a skit that spoke to their lives. Prayer with them followed testimonies and preaching the Gospel.

    I was so blessed as God reminded me that I was a prisoner of Satan who believed his lies and when I found God I experienced freedom.

    Hospital Ministry:

    We prayed for the sick people and shared the Gospel.

    Final Update:

    Personally I learned a lot how to depend and to trust God. We spread the Word of God to eight different locations. I thought I can’t do it to share the Gospel boldly in areas I haven’t been and to people I don’t know, but God gave me courage.

    The more I share my testimony the more I become bolder and God taught me that I am called to express not to empress.

    One of my highlights was when we were in Tacloban. Personally it’s my first time having a prayer walk for almost 8 hours and along the way we met different people. It really wasn’t an accident because some of them really need a prayer. There was one old lady walking in the street, she can’t talk normally and she was so dirty and smelly. Every one of us prayed for her and one of the staff asked for a nail cutter to cut her long nails and he poured the water on her nails and he started washing her feet without hesitation.

    God really rebuked me because on my own I can’t do it because she’s really dirty and smelly. When her feet were washed it reminded me how Jesus came and served the people. I prayed for her and I hugged her while praying for her.

    It was my first time doing jail ministry, radio ministry, campus ministry, hospital ministry and building houses.

    When we had our house-to-house evangelism we met a Muslim guy. He was touched by God and responded in faith to Christ’s love and salvation!

    I had a lot of highlights dancing in the different churches and singing in the street. I discovered new things about me. I’m not shy anymore when I share my testimony in front of people and act in dramas.

    God gave me more passion for the kids, seniors and orphans. While seeking God and praying He revealed to me that MISSION is not just in YWAM for 6 months but mission is a lifestyle and you can do missions everywhere.

    Going back to Hope for the Island, I want to change.  I will tell the staff what God has done in my life during my DTS (Discipleship Training School) I want to minister to the youth and kids. I want to serve like what Jesus did and walk in obedience. I will do my best to be a good example and carry what God did in my heart through this experience back at Hope for the Island.