From Elaine:
We are so very thankful for God’s hand of protection over Siargao Island. In spite of the fact that all weather maps and satellite showed them taking a strong hit, there has been no loss of life that we are aware of. Winds topped 150 km and the ocean surge was approximately 50 meters from high tide. Many throughout the Philippines are facing horrendous loss of life and property. You have shown your heart for our family and the ministry that God has entrusted them with.
From Elaine
We are so grateful for your phone calls and emails. As parents we felt helpless as we watched the “worst storm of the year” unfold. Other storms had bypassed Hope for the Island, but this would be different. Less than 24 hours before the typhoon hit Derek was still trying to decide if he should evacuate or ride out the storm. We prayed for wisdom for our son.
Love requires action.
Early in 2013 Hope for the Island started feeding severely malnourished children a healthy meal per day. We anticipated success and the results have been incredible. We have always fed children healthy meals on our weekly outreaches because many kids are under nourished. However, for the severely malnourished we needed to step it up and fast.
With no intervention, many of these children die each year. The need for this outreach became clear during the follow up visits with the pregnant women who are part of our Prenatal Care program. When visiting these villages, we started hearing stories of kids who are neglected and eventually die. As we sought out more information, we were led to homes where we encountered these precious children in such horrific conditions.
From Jing:
As head teacher, I am very much grateful to God. He has always been our strength and our teacher and knows what is best for this ministry. He is always at work and we want to be sensitive in our response so as to see fruit and growth.
God reveals Himself in simple ways to children and they have grown to understand Him as a good Father that loves them. Parents testify how happy they are with our school. Students learn academics but also about Jesus, the name above all names. Students are applying what they have learned at school in their homes. They are taking the lead giving thanks before even a simple meal at their house. They remind their parents what God’s Word says during trials. Their parents are proud of them and God is using them mightily! Some students live in an environment that is not Christ centred. One or both parents may not be Christians or may be new in their faith. Parents testify that when their children hear someone cursing or they witness their father drunk, their response now is to pray and repeat what they have learned from their teacher and God’s Word.
It is hard to know where to start and how to put words to the mix of emotions I have for God’s faithful hand of guidance and provision. Serving Him is amazing! It is really an honour to have been with Hope for the Island for 10 years and 3 months. The ways I have encountered God in this ministry I will treasure in my heart forever.
Back 10 years ago, before the day I graduated from Bible School, I prayed that God would send and use me in a simple and peaceful place. God answered that prayer when Derek and Jenn invited me to help pioneer Hope for the Island. The beginning days were filled with struggle. The ministry was birthed by faith. Each day we trusted God to meet our needs and lead us. Although it was a beautiful place it was also dark spiritually. The area God provided for Hope for the Island was known as a place of bad spirits and many people were afraid.
Many of the stories people shared discouraged me and caused me to consider leaving and not turn back. By God’s grace and strength, we persevered and it became my training ground. It was training for ministry and for all areas of my life.