It is important to again acknowledge just how grateful we are to all who have participated in the typhoon relief efforts thus far. I can’t imagine the state people here would be in without the generosity and compassion from you. Thank you!!! The impact can clearly be seen as many groups continue doing what they can to help bring restoration. There is still a long way to go. We are thankful to see support efforts have not dwindled.
With recent donations Hope for the island received, we bought materials to help 8 widows with urgent repairs so they can stay warm and dry.
Translation of first video: “Sir have pity on me. Help me. I need to repair my home. As you know I have no husband and my children are not with me. They are far from me in Manila”
Thank You
Our team continues to minister during the week throughout the northern communities. Each day is filled with unique challenges but the joy experienced overshadows it all. Many hearts once cold, are now responsive to the Lord. It’s our prayer that the seeds of God’s Word find their way into good soil producing lasting fruit.
Materials that arrived in the last shipment are now being used to construct living quarters at Hope for the Island for our team. Thus far they have been sleeping in tents and are regularly exposed to bad weather.
Thankfully the extra tarp we had left over was enough to help a local church and pastor friend temporarily repair the roof. Now they can fellowship again on Sundays!
It has been an incredible blessing to see God move through the many tests encountered pre and post typhoon. God’s Word reminds us to take joy in face of various tests and trials. At Hope for the Island, we do rejoice because God is at work. We never walk through any trial alone and in them we discover God’s good purposes.
The initial week after the typhoon, communication was down and we had no contact with our team. Thankfully, we met someone online who was in our village at the time of the typhoon and found a way to travel off island to gather needed supplies. We saw pictures and heard reports of mass destruction and despair. We were able to act quick, sending funds to buy emergency items for the community and our team. For many weeks most donated supplies were held up, while people were exposed to bad weather without shelter. People suffered from hunger, dehydration and disease.
Thankfully, most people came through the typhoon without serious injury or death. Everyone tirelessly worked to retrieve anything salvageable that didn’t get destroyed from wind and tidal waves. Our team though traumatized and distraught themselves, prayed that God would use them to be salt and light at their darkest hour.
We were able to organize a second truck filled with emergency supplies of food, water, tarps and meds bound for Burgos. This is the town where Hope for the Island was established and the location super typhoon RAI made landfall. Due to extensive damage and road blocks, the north remained isolated for too long. Thankfully the aid supplies once held up started to make there way into areas not yet reached.
Consistent heavy rains continued weeks after the typhoon, triggering trauma and anxiety. Sadly, many temporary shelters were blown away from north winds and torrential rains that continued.
Churches we connected with in other parts of the Philippines organized themselves to send relief teams to minister to our crew at Hope for the island and come alongside them to serve the community! The mission team along with all who have donated, have been an incredible blessing and comfort to those afflicted. The local mission team has now come and gone twice with supplies. They came with readied hearts to serve! The team is currently on island with another truck load of supplies and serving well. Hot meals, food packs, meds and clothing are distributed daily. In each area visited, people eagerly gather ready and open to hear the Word of God and receive counsel and prayer!
Each day is filled with unique opportunities to be comforted by God and bring comfort and strength to others (2Cor:1:3-4) With 90% of the island destroyed, it will be a long time before significant progress is made. It can be overwhelming if we get caught up in the emotions that come with such a daunting task, yet each day God is moving and good things are happening as the community comes together!
Please remain steadfast in prayer! Support is still needed to keep pace serving the many needs around us. Donations to rebuild Hope for the island are also being received at this time.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the vulnerable who already struggle to endure with covid restrictions. Lockdowns keep the elderly isolated at home with no way to get out to gather their daily needs from the mountain or ocean. Vegetation from the mountainside and small ocean life are their sustenance.
Thankfully our team is still allowed to visit the most vulnerable. Last week Nanay Tansya was trying to get up the mountain and lost her footing. She slipped and slid down a rocky portion hurting her back and getting cuts. She struggled to make it back to town. Often the elderly never recovery from such falls, deteriorate further and die. She was eager for our visit and prayer. God touched and restored her over the week we spent cooking for her and sharing God’s Word. Nanay has good grandkids who have recently housed her to support her. Please pray for the widows and elderly as monsoon season approaches. With this season usually comes hunger and many sicknesses.
Kids in our Discipleship Programs are always excited to learn and be challenged in Gods Word. Apple, Glaiza and Charis in the picture with teacher Leah worship, study the Bible and memorize scripture together. Even the brother Gian, who regularly listens in has memorized 2 verses. These kids live in Brgy. Tambacan San Isidro. We travel to minister to kids in that area each Friday. As these kids are renewing their minds in truth God is changing their hearts and using them to minister to their families. From the mouths of children and infants you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger (Ps 8:2)
During our home visitation with one of the mothers in our Health Restoration Program, Hope for the Island continued to encourage and support her. Sadly, Almira lost her youngest son recently. Diarrhea and vomiting could not be controlled in time. She is currently having a hard time taking care of her other 3 children. Little Lawrence is one of the kids in our Health Restoration Program. He was 17 lbs and is now 25 lbs 🙂 Please keep them in prayer as this family trusts God and endures suffering. They have come to faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour and are plugged into a Christian church!
Attached is a video taken during a recent visit with Samantha and her mom. It was beautiful to see her responding to Randy affirming how special and beautiful she is to God. It’s hard to believe she is the same girl that was so close to death not long ago. Physically and emotionally she has changed so much. We pray she continues to develop well and touch the lives of those around her.
Jing is one of our long time staff at Hope for the island. She has been with us since the early pioneering days, thus experiencing her fair share of tests and heartbreaks ministering to people. In face of opposition and challenges we can find ourselves doubting whether our words and service have the desired impact. As with the disciples of Christ there is always a mixed bag of reactions from those on the receiving end of the gospel. God reveals truth to those He is drawing to Himself. There is unspeakable joy that comes when God transforms someone as result of sharing God’s word. Reymart Pabas pictured with Jing was one of those naughty distracted kids that came in and out of our Kids Ministry many years ago. Reymart did not continue with Youth Ministry and our team lost touch with him. It was a surprise for Jing to see him standing at the pulpit preaching in a church recently. He is now the Youth Pastor in the same village he grew up in. Jing was able to sit down with him after the service to hear of all that God has done in his life. He testified that he came to know Gods love and forgiveness through Hope for the Island. He was drawn to grow in his faith in his youth and committed to study Gods word.
