Hope For The Island

Author: Andrey Siganur

  • February 2023 Update

    February 2023 Update

    Jenn and I are so thankful for each of you. We are blessed by the commitment you have made to pray and support us in the ministry God has led us in. The last couple weeks have been full! Your prayer is appreciated, it is so needed, and it has availed much as you will read!

    As mentioned in our previous update we had a mountain of paperwork ahead of us as we set out to recover Hope For The Island documents that were destroyed in the typhoon. Some of that work involved fulfilling requirements unsettled due to 2 years of strict lockdowns. We are so thankful for favor granted within each of the agencies visited. It was a rough couple of weeks, but we are now 10 steps ahead of where we were before. With God’s continued help we will accomplish all that needs to be done by June.

    While in that region, I took the chance to make trips up the mountain to visit farmer friends I haven’t seen for a long time. Opportunities to share Gods word with each of them came with readied hearts to receive! They also put me to work harvesting and separating sweet peppers 🙂

    – Eating with farmers 

    -Video- Muslim call to prayer for prayer regularly filled the air. Throughout each day we heard these Muslim calls over loud speaker. Although disturbing it reminded us of the need to pray for them and to be a good witness that day for Christ.

    Jenn at an office 

    Hope for the Island team along with each of our ministries were not spared from the tests the globe faced due to covid related challenges. Lockdowns really did a number on the islanders. To add challenge upon challenge, super typhoon Oddette ravaged the island, turning every life upside down.

    With each trial we know full well God is faithful, fulfilling His purposes for His name’s sake. I was incredibly impressed with the resolve, maturity, and joy in the Lord that I have seen our Philippines team display since we arrived. I love seeing when scripture is fleshed out by God’s children. Our team revealed that trials faced in joy and faith does indeed develop perseverance. Obediently enduring in the face of trials brought our team into a place of deeper communion with God and with it a maturing of character. Many in Siargao island have not fared as good through these tests. These past 2 years have caused far too many to unravel, falling deeper into hopelessness, despair, and sin. The need to share the good news and shine the light of Christ is even more critical!

    With our existing team and a retuning couple in leadership, we are preparing to embark on some new and exciting ministries. We met with the Mayor of Burgos the other day. She is excited that we were finally able to return and assured us we have full support from her and the local government with anything we plan. The fruit from 20 plus years of ministry has built trust and provided open doors to serve in new areas of community need. 

    -Jerbie and Irene are returning to serve with Hope for the island! 

    Hope for the Island also has a long-standing working relationship with Department of Education. For years we ran an Early Childhood Education Center. We also conducted agriculture trainings at our organic farm for many students. Department of Education is now allowing us to go into the elementary and high school each week to promote spiritual development of their students. This is a blessing as you can imagine and one that we have been praying and preparing for. The faculty are aware that discipleship is our focus. Beyond teaching in the school, students will be invited to our nearby Ministry Center for after school sports clubs that will further help meet the school’s goal for physical development. It will allow for us to further disciple those students God draws to faith in Him. Thank you, Lord! 

    Hope for the island Kids Ministries 

    Another pressing need was brought to our attention not long after returning and with it the request for help. Interestingly this too is something we have been praying, asking God to prepare us for since 2000. We are currently working towards establishing Kalinga House. Kalinga is an old Filipino word that means to care for and protect. This house will receive and minister to abandoned, neglected, and abused children throughout the island. Sadly, a big increase of sexual and physical abuse incidents are surfacing. This too it seems in part a result of long lockdowns. Currently there is no organization equipped to intervene nor is there a home to place kids if they were pulled out of harmful situations. Violators are not being held accountable. They continue in their wicked way and reoffend without concern. Cristina is a woman that we initially took in as a child at Hope for the Island who have served with us ever since. She currently sits on our board. We paid for her education, and she recently graduated. She is now employed with the local government as a social worker. We are equipped and ready to respond to this need! Part of this program will involve visiting and providing counsel to the families and perpetrators involved. There are several scriptures that give us direction from God on how to respond in these circumstances. Two of those being…

    Ps 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

    Ps 12:5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

    Over the course of February, we will continue to make steps towards these 2 ministry plans.

    Meeting with the Mayor of Burgos

    Over the course of February we will continue to make steps towards these 2 ministry plans. 

    By the end of February Jenn will head back to Canada for a month with Brison to tie up loose ends in order to make the move full time to Asia. Brison has a desire and plan to live with family friends in Kelowna for a season to finish up his studies and work. 

    Makana has been excited to return to Philippines for many years. It was so exciting for us both when the borders opened to travel back here. She is back home where she grew up in the ministry. It has been a joy to see her reconnect with Hope family and the friends she missed while away. Makana will be staying at Hope for the Island full time to help in part with new ministry plans, develop social media / communications and to prepare to receive 3 mission teams scheduled to come in. 

    God bless and keep you in His grace!

    Derek and Jenn Van Ryckeghem 

  • Hope January 2023 News Letter

    Hope January 2023 News Letter

    Hey guys, thanks for patiently waiting on news from Philippines 🙂

    It was surreal making our way through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. We finally made it home to the Philippines after 3 long years! God graciously led us through immigration with no restrictions on our entry despite all the policies and warnings that we are not allowed to stay longer than a month.

    From Manila we flew to Cagayan de Oro city. We were able to catch up with long time friends and there picked up a reconditioned KIA bonggo truck. This truck came in as a donation for Hope for the Island. We also loaded 2 refrigerators that were donated and made the 10 hr drive north to Surigao City.

    The ministry has been without a vehicle and refrigeration since the devastating typhoon a year ago. We stayed overnight in Surigao to buy all the ministry supplies and gifts for Hope for the Island Christmas parties. At 3 am we drove the truck onto the barge bound for Siargao Island. It was incredible watching the sun rise as we passed the many beautiful islands along the way.

    Jing who has been leader in charge at HOPE went to Surigao to meet and travel back with us. On that 4 hr. trip Jing was able to share her heart, struggles and victories in life and ministry. We were surprised to meet a Filipino couple raised in Siargao that have been living for the past 15 years in Surrey, BC. The husband Pastors a church there. Our conversation started when they approached us to share the gospel 🙂 We quickly became friends. They visited us and the ministry a couple days later with their relatives. Thankful for that special connection and other ones like it since arriving. New opportunities to network and serve together in the future.

    In Siargao Island the effects of the typhoon are still quite evident even a year later. The landscape has changed dramatically and people are still recovering from the extensive damages and emotional trauma. Driving through the towns on our way up to Burgos, people were surprised to see our family after us being away so long. As is custom they yelled our names welcoming us home. We too were warmly welcomed by our Hope for the Island family who had a spread of Filipino delights waiting for us. It has been incredible spending time with them and the locals on island hearing of their stories. They have endured a lot and appreciated being able to share and be encouraged in the Lord.

    Over Christmas we were overwhelmed by a tropical storm that brought with it torrential rains and high velocity winds. We spent many days including 24th and 25th mopping our flooded house all day and night. Rain was coming in faster that we could clean in up. Thankful for a break in weather, we were able to put on Christmas programs for the Widows and Kids Ministries. It was such a joy for me to see these kids truly worshiping God with all their heart.  They love the Lord and His word as a result of our team faithfully ministering week in and week out. I had opportunity to share Gods Word with the unsaved family members of our staff at a party we invited them to. After a follow up visit days later, some of those attending responded in repentance and faith!

    A highlight for me was sharing at the local prison. This is a Hope for the island ministry that started years ago while we were out of the country. Our team goes in to share regularly along with Pastor friends in the area. It was my first time to visit and share God’s Word. It definitely won’t be my last! The inmates were incredibly responsive to the Word.  It was evident that past ministry amongst them has been fruitful. I trust many of them will find the freedom Christ came to proclaim and offer!

    We have spent the last week discussing and praying with our leaders about ministry plans for 2023. In our next update we will highlight some of those details along with other exciting news for our family.

    Please pray for us as we head back to Cagayan de Oro city January 2. We will have our hands full of challenging work. We will be working to recover all the important documents washed out by the tidal surges that came through during Typhoon Oddette. Many ministry requirements / submissions have also been on hold due to travel restrictions over Covid. It will be a joy however to connect with farmers in the area where we have developed relationship and ministered in the past.

  • Hope’s December Update

    Hope’s December Update

    Thanks for patiently waiting on this update. I love seeing how God orchestrates circumstances to bring about His good purposes. This trip has been filled with these situations as expected. God intervening with the boat on the way out was one big stand out. So thankful how God directed each step to preserve Jenn’s life.

    I personally have been excited for some time to step back into life and ministry in an Asian indigenous context. It’s where we lived. It’s where we were taught by the Lord, matured and bore fruit in ministry.

    Below is update from Jenn in relation to her time in Borneo. My update will follow. I tend to be a little long winded so need to split it up

    JENN……

    It has been 4 years since I have been in Borneo, Malaysia. Derek and I made this trip with our kids and some of their friends. I went in to serve with hands and heart open to what the Lord has for us.
    The local church pastor, headman of the village, and various leaders have been inviting us back to Borneo relentlessly for the past 3 years. As many of you know my first 2 times in Borneo in 2017-2018 were marked with much difficulty. Loneliness and hunger was a daily battle for me. God gave Derek a deep love for the people and a burden to minister. He was sure God had something great in store for us as we set out on the journey into the rain forest. With a peace from the Lord to go we set out.

    The new headman of the village (Douglas) and his wife were so hospitable to our family. Over a year and a half ago Douglas reached out to Derek. They kept in touch encouraging and praying for each other. As soon as restrictions lifted Douglas sent message that the time to return had come. Derek had no idea through that period of time that Douglas was set to take lead as Headman. The developing relationship and trust between these two men set the ground work for what took place during our time in long kerong village. When Derek traveled out from the village I stayed at the long house where Douglas and family live. During my time with the family I came to understand Penan local laws and the beautiful aspects of their culture. These have been documented in a policy book that Douglas was able to show me and explain in English. I got to spend time and pray with them. I heard his testimony and his heart for His people. These events gave me insights into the needs of the community with a clear invitation from him to help.

    A light lunch

    I was able to spend time with others in the community and build more relationships because the long house is for everyone in the community to come fellowship.
    We intentionally brought games and a guitar as a way to move beyond language barriers and build relationship. I practiced the guitar everyday and got to know more residents in the village because of my eagerness to learn. We practiced worship songs with easy chords and the language barriers were once again broken.
    As I was praying and considering what God may have for us in long kerong beyond this trip, I was invited by the pastor to visit his farm. It was there that God made things more clear for me. The pastor explained many needs they have as a church and community, with an invitation for us as missionaries to be part of the solution.
    At Pastors farm I also saw their need to learn basic natural farming techniques like IMO, composting, etc. Most of the farms I previously visited didn’t have materials I was looking for. At Pastors I saw a lot of new area and materials I needed. If became clear how God can use me even in this remote village in Borneo.

    We are now in transition in Thailand. Derek has been working with our immigration attorney friend in Philippines. He is helping secure our quota visas that happened to expire while we were away. Many covid restrictions are still in place in Philippines. As a result we will be allowed max one month entry. We have a tentative plan to travel there Dec 6 to avoid outlandish prices departing over Christmas / New Years. We are praying for God to use our time at Hope for the Island. It will be great to serve and minister in a place we lived and served for many years. We ask that you continue to diligently pray for us. We are trusting God to make His way clear for our family.

    Jenn Van Ryckeghem

  • Evangelism at Hope

    Evangelism at Hope

    Greetings Hope for the Island friends and supporters!


    We find ourselves with heavy hearts this week as we mourn the loss of our dear brother and HOPE board member Titing Oraliza. Titing served with Hope for the Island since our pioneering days of ministry in Siargao island. Titing worked for Dept. of Education and played a critical role in helping us successfully operate a local school for many years. Those who knew Titing knew him as a man strong in faith who loved the Lord and others well. He was well respected inside and outside the church and will be remembered for his gentle spirit, kindness and generosity.

    Suffering and loss is a normal part of what we encounter ministering on our island. We had for many years a sign posted on our refrigerator stating, ‘Bottom line – souls for Christ! Our priority has always been to preach the gospel, calling people to repent from sin and respond in faith. Discipleship is woven into every outreach and program we operate. Our hope is found in no one other than Jesus. Randy Villarde married our long standing leader Jing and together serve faithfully with hope for the island.

    Short Video of Randy preaching on boat. (Video)

    Randy preaching at Titing Funeral
    Randy Preaching at Titing’s Funeral
    Randy Preaching on the boat to the island

    It is a joy to have Hannah Gona back serving with Hope for the island part time. She has been a part of the team for many years. She served on and off during her studies at bible school and while working. Hannah was one of many kids who grew up attending our ministries and still stands strong in faith serving well. Interestingly Hannah is the granddaughter of the original owner of hope for the island property. Francisco Gona resolved to sell to hope for the island because he had confidence that the town he was once mayor of would be impacted through the ministries plans we presented. Not only was Burgos blessed but many of his grandkids came to faith and continue to walk with the Lord. Pictures are of Hannah teaching kids and helping them memorize scripture (Video).

    Hannah and the Hope Team
  • April and May at Hope

    April and May at Hope

    April and May have been fruitful months at Hope for the Island. With the monsoon wind and rains behind us, our team has taken advantage of opportunities to gather people and serve outdoors. It was a blessings hosting a large 3 day Youth Camp with local leaders. It was great to see these young people break free of covid and typhoon fatigue. There was much joy and encouragement as they set their hearts afresh on the Lord!

    There is an extra measure of urgency felt amongst our team as well as our Pastor friends to seize opportunities to share the gospel whenever and wherever possible. This has been happening regularly with individuals and with large crowds on the streets. This has been our focus with islanders waiting in travel terminals and with passengers on boats. It has been exciting!

    John the Baptist was faithful to his calling preparing the way for Jesus. He preached repentance and baptized all who responded. We too are called to be like John preparing the way for Jesus’ soon return. We have a responsibility like the watchman in Ezekiel 33. The watchman trumpets warning of approaching danger. Those heeding the warning prepare, find refuge and live.

    There is no greater joy than choosing to boldly and unashamedly proclaim the Way, the Truth and the Life drawing souls to God and Salvation. 

    Please continue to pray for the elderly and widows we serve weekly. Many of them are very weak and sick. With no care facilities to support the aging so many are afflicted with health concerns. It’s a blessing to pray, serve and ease burdens for those God loves dearly.