Hope For The Island

Author: Andrey Siganur

  • Hope October Update

    Hope October Update


    Hope for the Island Youth Ministry – Transformed by the renewing of mind! (Rom 12:2)

    Hope Staff and Assistants

    In this update I will only feature our youth ministry. What we are witnessing here, I pray will be experienced by churches that are praying for and serving this struggling generation. In the last few weeks we have seen the fruitful result of months of prayer and diligent effort to lovingly serve and preach to the youth over the summer. We had floods of youth coming through Hope for the Island attending our gatherings, summer camps, sports clinics and our growing tutorial program.

    The youth found a safe place at HOPE to process their internal struggles and find refuge from the barrage of tempting influences. In the name of the Lord we sincerely loved them in word and deed. We opened God’s word with them at every opportunity. We were expectant and believed God to fulfill His good purposes according to His word in their lives. Now into October we praise God because those seeds of truth found place in many hearts ready to receive it. The Spirit convicted youth of their sin.

    They repented and courageously responded in faith and obedience!! It was a reminder just how critical it is to declare God’s goodness and the good news of His salvation day by day (Romans 2:4; Ps 96:2). God drew to faith those who were not seeking Him. Faith came by hearing the life giving word of God regularly. (Rom 10:17,20; John 6:44; Ps 65:4). Baptisms were held last Sunday on the beach in front of Hope for the Island. Those baptized have committed themselves to God and to godly leaders to be discipled. These and many more we pray will rise out of the darkness that permeates society. We pray they are equipped with every good thing to do His will. God is working in them what is well pleasing in His sight, through and for the glory of Christ (Heb 13:20-21).

    Jerbie meeting with a parent

    It is for freedom that Christ sets people free. It is in that true freedom we can stand firm (Gal 5:1). Truth is found alone in Jesus Christ. Truth alone breaks through the confusion and lies that prevails in the world. It was especially rewarding to see some young men from this new batch of disciples break free of the lies and pressures they had succumb to in relation to gender transitioning. These young men are now secure in who God designed them to be as men and eager to learn and walk in His ways for them!

    Seven youth disciples have committed themselves to learn alongside our leaders. They will help assist our Kids Ministry leaders each Saturday. When visiting the disciples parents, each of them were thrilled with changes they have witnessed in their child and supportive of their commitment in the Lord. Praise God because most of the parents are not in faith yet.

    We are one month into High school classes resuming. With that has come the restart of our Campus Ministry. It is great being back inside the school opening God’s word with the senior high students. The faculty are thankful for the positive impact we have had in the short time working with their struggling students.

    Although they may not be aware of the spiritual fruit we have experienced with many students, they see and testify to changes in behaviour and in academic performance. Our tutorial program ran through summer months and takes place inside and outside the classroom.

    Additional Praise Reports:

    -Brison is healing quicker than what Doc’s expected. He is even back to some work. Thanks for prayer.
    -Hope staff Jerbie and Irene are pregnant!

    • LoveJoy has joined our HOPE team!
      -Donations allowed us to buy an initial batch of much needed bibles. We don’t want anyone to be without a bible who needs one.

    Prayer:

    -Jenn and I are in some pain and healing from rib injuries after a motorbike accident a couple weeks ago.
    -Provision for Jenn and I to make a trip back to Canada Dec 10-Jan 10 to spend much needed time with our kids and to share about growing ministry needs and updates on typhoon restoration plans.

    • Christ’s name always be magnified in all we do @Hope for the Island.

    Thanks and God bless guys!

    Derek and Jenn

  • Hope for the Island August Update

    Hope for the Island August Update

    Hi friends and family, thanks for prayer covering over the last month! Please keep us and the ministry in prayer. It has been incredibly fruitful yet very challenging. Below is our latest update…

    This is the season we have been anticipating when kids and youth have no classes. Lots of time and effort went into creatively planning camps and sports clinics. Our HOPE team has been going strong conducting these summer programs and at same time hosting a large team. All the while in a big staffing transition. Thank God for His strength and sufficient grace!!!

    First things first please meet Rodelyn. She is our newest members to HOPE family. Interestingly Rodelyn was discipled by a man my mission team shared the gospel to back in 1998. This man grew in faith, served the community and discipled Rodelyn and other children. Rodelyn now has years of experience in ministry and recently graduated with a community development degree. She has a long standing connection with Hope for the Island and was thrilled to be led by the Lord to come back to serve with us full time!   

    God brought us a large team of Jesus loving Filipino students from a ministry up in Manila called Youth Lab. YL is a Ministry under Kids international Ministries (KIM). Mutual friends connected us with KIM last year and a great long term ministry partnership is emerging. 

    YL Team at the Mayor’s Office

    YOUTH CAMP – It has been great to keep momentum going over the summer by creating opportunities to pour into the youth that regularly come to HOPE. 

    The YL Team addressed the real struggles and needs resulting from many radical changes the island faced with extreme lockdowns, a super typhoon and the islands rapid increase In tourism. With that a massive culture shift has taken place and new ungodly influences. The 70 youth attending the camp were encouraged to return to the word of God where life is found in the true vine. Hope is found in no other than Jesus and He calls each one to repent for the remission of sins and to believe on Him. We are thankful for the impact the gospel is starting to have on our local young people. Through Christ freedom will come and with Him the power to overcome!  The theme of the camp was Run with purpose. Much of teaching times focused on 1 Cor 9:24-27. They were all challenged to ready themselves in faith and through obedience run well and for the right purpose. As we overcome victorious in faith endeavors we have His promise of reward – imperishable crowns for the faithful! 

    KIDS CAMP – was a hit as well! Although only catering to children that surround our ministry center we had 150 plus kids register!They came full of energy and so thrilled to be attending a camp all together. Each received a very nice practical educational gift to help as they get ready to go back to school. During the teaching sessions the kids were incredibly attentive. Faith is rising strong in many of these young hearts and minds as they learn and apply truth from God. 

    SPORTS CAMP – we had a Christin professional basketball player from Taiwan contact us wanting to serve and teach locals while visiting the island. Stevo came in with his wife and brother and had a great day teaching the kids and youth new techniques and most of all encouraging them to seek God and trust Him alone in the high and low times. Thankful for the many godly influences this summer break! 

    Jenn and I are officially empty nesters as the saying goes. We went up to Manila last week to say goodbye to our daughter Makana. She has scholarships needing used and within a months time enrolled and packed up to go to Trinity Western University in BC. Praying for both our kids as they learn and grow outside of our home. 

    Please especially lift Brison up in prayer. He had a significant brain injury a month ago that slowed life down considerably. He is recovering slowly but still struggles. Not being able to work and accomplish final schooling tasks is cause for some strain and discouragement. We are asking the Lord to work His good purposes through these circumstances! 

    While in Manila we got to see Jing and Randy. After leaving HOPE from almost 20 years serving, they hit the ground running in Manila. They stepped in to help a church recover through many unsettled trials. It was great to see them full of faith despite the hardships and new tests being faced. 

    We also reconnected with the family that first received us in Manila 20 plus years ago. We had great times of sharing Gods word and in prayer together. One sister is a Supreme Court judge. Her and her sisters do prison ministry as a way to prevent further offenses / relapse. Many lives have been set on right path and in faith. Jenn will be helping judge formulate the first of its kind recovery program. It is based on principals that were successful for those in recovery that we worked with 2017-2021 while in Canada. Makana, Jenn and I went into the women’s dormitory section at the Manila City jail. We went in with Judge, Jing and Randy. We were warmly received by all the guards and given freedom to preach boldly the gospel and minister openly with the women incarcerated. It was evident that ongoing ministry is happening inside those walls because of their clear hunger for truth and witnessed fruit. 

    Our last report shared the  struggle many widows have with their strength really fading. These last weeks we have celebrated birthdays with and even danced together with some of our widows. It is a blessing to see some renewed strength and joy resurface in their eyes and smiling faces. 

    We are thankful for your continued prayer for us and each person being ministered to through HOPE. We rely on Holy Spirit to enable us and trust God for provision each week for ministry needs to serve our communities. God truly is faithful!!

  • Ministry Continues!!

    Ministry Continues!!

    From Derek:

    As most of you know, over the last month I have been just a wee bit excited about Jenn’s return ♥️ She arrived back in Asia on May 17 after a long but fruitful three months apart! It is taking some time for her to adjust and settle in as she arrived exhausted. Jenn took on a lot of work to better prepare us for the transition to living and serving again full time overseas. What didn’t get taken care of we will try to do from abroad or when we return for a visit some day. We are back to living by faith in a cross cultural ministry environment. We have always lived this way and it is more familiar and in line with our mission leading experience.

    Note from Hope the Island Canada. Living by faith means that Derek & Jenn do not receive a salary from Hope for the Island and live entirely dependant upon God’s provision through personal donations.  Their income is dependant on donations specifically indicated for them personally through Youth with a Mission or Hope for the Island.

    Arriving with Jenn was our furry Canadian turned island girl Daisy 🙂 It was a long and tedious process but Makana’s dog Daisy has made the move. She is adjusting incredibly well to a very different world with all the new sights, smells and humidity.

    Jenn & Daisy

    Before departing the smog of Manila we were requested to make a personal appearance at the Bureau of Immigration. We have been trying for months to recover our permanent residency visas that expired while we were out of the country as requested by the Canadian Embassy when the area we were in became dangerous for foreigners.

    After an exhausting eight hours of being sent from office to office, our visas were signed and approved! Having our residency secured is critical because of the nature of the work we are involved with here.

     Bureau of Immigration

    As mentioned in our last update we are preparing to fill every livable space at HOPE with those seeking to temporarily serve alongside us.   The Ywam Maui team and our mission equip crew have been with us for a while now. It has been a joy to get to know and mentor them as they develop in Christlikeness. They are nearing the last couple of weeks on their discipleship training journey in Philippines. Each one on the team has been eager to serve and help wherever needed. There have been consistent tests that made way for growth. As they’ve stepped out in obedience and faith, God has been using them. As a result of their team building relationships with high school students, up to fifty youth have now been coming out to HOPE weekly! We are creating a space where everyone coming is welcomed and treated like family. That has and will continue to be where we see long term spiritual fruit.

    Serenading Livia on her Bday

    High School visit to invite students to ministry night

    Youth evening at HOPE

    We are currently in a staffing transition that we know God will provide for.  We had an incredible celebration honouring Jing’s 19 years serving with us at HOPE. Jing and Randy leave for Manila with our love and support. God has been preparing and leading others to fill some much needed leader role boots.

    Randy & Jing

    We will soon have Sherben and Joh An with their young son serving alongside us. They are moving to HOPE from a neighboring town.   They contacted me the day after I heard about Jing and Randy’s plan to take the Pastor role at a church in Manila. Sherben and Joh An have longed to join the HOPE team for years. God’s timing!! This couple love the Lord and come with recommendation because of their God honouring character and experience serving faithfully in their village.  Thank you God for your provision!

     Sherben & Joh An

    Our Home Visitations / Bible studies have been growing. There is such a positive response in part because of the great need and new found struggles people have experienced since the typhoon devastated our island. Each week some of those being ministered to come to visit and fellowship with us at HOPE. Now saved, they desire to know God and open His Word.

      Home Visitation

    Home Bible Study

    Neighbors have already been persecuting them as a result of these new steps taken to follow the Lord and take their faith seriously. There have been requests asking us if they can come for consistent fellowship at HOPE!! This is confirmation as to what we have felt God preparing us for. We are planning and preparing at some point to open up one afternoon each week to hold a church service at HOPE that welcomes everyone God is drawing. We will call it HOPE Family Fellowship. This will provide a consistent space for those we already minister to. They will be part of the body where they can grow and serve. We anticipate God drawing many others to faith and fellowship who are currently alone, struggling and blinded by sin.

    HOPE Campus ministry and After School Clubs have been operating for a few months now. Beyond access to high schools, we have also been invited into the local elementary school. This weekly ministry is with the grade 4, 5 and 6!  Unfortunately recent campus ministries were cancelled by the Principal and Department of Education due to super typhoon MAWAR that loomed over the Philippines.

    The Principal gave us a list of student who are struggling and in desperate need of tutoring!  Jerbie is passionate about helping others overcome barriers because of all that God helped him overcome.

    With Jenn back we will start the volleyball club. This will develop students physically and provide us more opportunity to open God’s Word to disciple these youth.

    Kid’s Ministry is fruitful and has expanded again into a neighbouring town.  Adding this new area has brought with it opposition and persecution from some religious groups who feel threatened by our programs there. Pray for wisdom and courage as we continue to serve in face of this threat. Pray for me as I seek God for the right opportunity to meet with the leaders of these groups. I will share our love for Jesus and the vision of our Kid’s Ministry.

    Loving locals

    Continue to keep our widows in prayer. So many of them express that they feel their strength really fading and the end drawing near for them. The intense summer heat is not helping with this struggle. In tears and with slurred speech Nanay (mother in our language) Etan said she feels so weak and is trying to hold on until her birthday in July. 

    Nanay Etan with Makana

    Widows Ministry

    Prayer & Encouragement for Nanay

    Tatay (father in our language) Baquero loves to worship the Lord and prays intently. He is almost deaf. Jerbie felt prompted by God to give Tatay his own new hearing aid. It was incredible to witness this sacrificial act of kindness and the joy it brought Tatay to hear again!

    Tatay Baquero

    Nanay Linda faces age related health challenges and is always in fear. She is ready to leave her home because of the abuse at the hands of her own son. The son became unstable mentally after an infected appendix years ago. The first abuse came in an attack of biting. That incident left her with out the tip of her nose and a mangled ear.

    Nanay Linda

    These dear widows and many others are so precious to the Lord! Pray we can effectively and compassionately care for each of them. Even at this late stage of life we encourage them to trust and grow in Christ until they see Him face to face where they will be conformed spiritually and physically in His glorious image.

    In Christ

    Derek & Jenn

  • Hope May Update

    Hope May Update

    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. 

    “Stay up to date by following our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheisland/

    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. 

  • Hope March Update

    Hope March Update

    Hello!

    It has been a full and fruitful month since our last update. It started with a special birthday serenade for me 🙂 Derek

    The custom here is that those people close to the bday celebrant arrive at or under your bedroom window between 3 & 4am!

    I was awakened to songs and encouraging words with breakfast to follow. It is such a unique thing to experience and has brought many visitor unaccustomed to such a tradition, to tears. For those who don’t like early mornings it might bring on different kind of tears!

    We have purchased our desperately needed new outreach vehicle with a fabricated roof cover that was welded to it. The cover is vital for ministry outreaches we do and to transport recent visiting mission teams during the torrential rains.

    New truck

    We had three back to back teams serving with us through February! It was a lot to coordinate but the timing was again perfect. The teams helped out in each of HOPE’s ministries and did some much needed typhoon restoration work. This involved taking down shredded metal roofing, jackhammering concrete rubble and cleaning debris from the surroundings.

    Having teams in is also a blessing because it provides us the opportunity to encourage them in their faith and further equip them for ministry!

    Speaking of teams, the final members of our Canadian team that left at the end of October included Brison’s friend AJ. He was a joy to have along with us. He became like a son to us and we were proud of the ways he and Brison responded in the face of challenges and helped out.

    AJ & Makana

    The Filipino DTS team from Antipolo was here to help us launch our Campus Ministry. We were initially invited by one local high school but now there are four areas open for us to come and share Gods’ Word with the students each week!!

    We know this incredible opportunity will have lasting impact. Each location that we have gone into launch, we were well received! Not only did we have time to share and present to the student body but we were allowed break out ministry groups with students and even had time ministering with the teachers!

    They were all very thankful and look forward to this being an ongoing ministry! Please continue to pray for God to draw students and faculty to faith in Christ and for wisdom in how to approach follow up / discipleship.

    Sharing the Word

    Makana & students

    Team

    Meeting with school

    One thing we love to do at Hope for the Island that we don’t report on often, is to encourage and support the local churches and leaders on Siargao Island where we are located.  Currently we do not have a Sunday gathering at Hope for the Island.  We split up to attend and support the local churches in the community. I had the privilege of sharing God’s Word at one of these churches last Sunday.

    Derek at local church

    Recently Jenn and I invited a Pastor and his wife over for dinner. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship, counsel and prayer.

    Jenn has returned to Canada with Brison and AJ. She will have much to take care of while there. Brison plans to stay behind in Canada to live there.

    Makana has plans to stay at Hope for the Island to continue to minister.

    Please pray for us in this season where we will be apart as a family. Please pray for provision as we trust the Lord for all the financial needs that have arisen since  the super typhoon hit our island.

    One day our HOPE team felt led to serve our seniors.  They split into two groups. One went to bless 88 yr. old Nanay Nitang who lives alone.

    Cleaning property and Nanay Nitang

    Cleaning property
    Nanay Nitang

    She is one of the widows included in our weekly distribution. Our team worked all day to give her surroundings a much needed cleaning. This is important to keep at bay unwanted critters, snakes and bacteria. She was so grateful for the help considering her age and that she can’t afford to pay someone to help.

    The other group went to serve another dear elderly widow Nanay Unsay. The focus was to help with her little garden. At first she really tried to refuse help offered because she has nothing to pay and not even enough provisions to give a snack (very cultural).

    Although hard for her to accept help, she conceded seeing the teams sincerity. Each time she was asked what to do next, she tried to stop them. Thankfully they were able to get all the work finished. Nanay was beaming seeing the end result and humbly thanked them and the Lord!

    It was a fun and enjoyable day with the opportunity to provide a blessing from God for those in need through His children. Widows are clearly on the heart of the Lord. James 1:27 says acts of love and service to the orphan and the window in distress is considered pure and unblemished religion to God. Matthew 5:16 also reminds us to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. That is always our prayer that our witness for Christ will be used to bring glory to God. We have seen many drawn to faith in Jesus by such acts of love and service!

    Salvation and discipleship is the goal of Kids’ Ministry  every Saturday. When heavy rains come, which they do often, kids are not allowed out. In the past our ministry morning was often canceled because no kids came. Now, with our new covered transportation, the HOPE team takes the opportunity on rainy ministry mornings to visit the homes of different kids.

    In the Kapatagan area they visited a regular attendee who has three siblings. With prepared ministry snacks in hand they shared nourishing spiritual food as well! The team spoke of the goodness of God and His desire that all would turn from sin to faith in Christ. God touched this family. They opened their heart and responded in faith at the hearing of His word!!

    Our team gave account of the beautiful time it was to pray for this whole family inside their home. As the rain poured outside bringing refreshing to the land, God’s mercy and grace brought refreshing to souls that morning. Acts 3:19 speaks of repentance that blots out our sins and brings with it refreshing from the Lord.

    God we pray you bring more to the truth and hope found only in Jesus!

    Grateful to be in the Lord and part of His body!

    Derek