Hope For The Island

Author: Andrey Siganur

  • Discipleship In Action

    Discipleship In Action

    My name is Leah and I’m 24 years old and proud to be part of Hope for the Island (HOPE) family. I was one of many kids who were touched by HOPE ministries in the early days. I have been serving full time now almost 9 years. Let me share my testimony how God changed my life 😊

    I grew up in a non-Christian family. I lived in fear every time my Dad got drunk which was often. We experienced physical and verbal abuse. It was difficult witnessing my mother being abused. My father has never been a father to me with my siblings and at no time a good husband to my mom. At school I also experienced being bullied because of my height and dark complexion. I grew up desperately longing for love and attention from my parents.

    At the age of 10, I met this girl named Makana and learned that both her parents were the missionaries who moved into our village to pioneer Hope for the Island. Makana invited me to join Kids’ Ministry every Saturday. I found it very interesting and fun and was happy they served us snacks. The snack was how I convinced my cousins to join. I really appreciated all the Ates who served us. They took good care of us. I really felt love and attention that I won’t forget. I remember I looked to the HOPE mission house and as a little girl said to myself, “one day I will live in that house and teach the kids also. “I stayed active through the Kids’ Ministries and into youth programs. I knew lots of verses to memorize. I knew how to open the book and chapters in the Bible but was reserved and didn’t come to have faith and know Jesus until later.

    When I was in 2nd year high school my family already poor was really struggling financially. I ended up being a working student for a year. I quit because of bad treatment at home and the family I worked for. I was drawn to a group of friends outside Hope for the Island. They accepted me and I felt some relief from all my problems, but I overlooked things because I so longed to be loved. If they skipped classes I would go with them. We started going to other towns that had parties. That led to me being molested and even feeling emptier.

    I left that group and was received back with my true friends at HOPE. After graduating High School one of HOPE staff approached me asking if I would be open to be trained in a new junior staff program at Hope. It wasn’t an easy decision because at that time one of my uncles approached me offering to help me study in college. Since I was so young and didn’t feel a peace to leave, I decided to grab the opportunity to be a junior staff. I also felt it important to be able to help support my family financially through the honorarium I was given.

    As I obeyed the Lord amazing plans and blessings unfolded in my life. God used people to help me heal and know what true unwavering love is. Staying at Hope I experienced the love and care of family that I always dreamed of. The people I lived and served with were so kind. I committed to follow and serve God. I wanted to help other kids who were like me so they also can have hope in Jesus. I was baptized in the ocean. I was overwhelmed with joy and peace that I never experienced before.

    After serving for some time I was chosen by Hope and supported through the Discipleship training school at YWAM. That experience gave me many good tools. God really dealt with me in a deep heart level especially in forgiveness. I developed my gifts, talents and my character towards people. I went out sharing the gospel and thankfully lost my fear of man. Being comforted and led by Holy Spirit was amazing. I was brought back to my words as a kid that, “One day I will live in that house and teach the kids. “ God fulfilled what He put on my heart and my simple words and faith. I am so thankful to God how he chose to use me and HOPE team for His glory.

    I love opportunities to teach kids and youth 😇 I have taught in churches, preached to prisoners in jail and have even performed night vigil at a funeral. I have enjoyed growing in music and leading praise and worship. I have disciples and life is good. Many of my family members now go to church. My mom, dad and brother have not responded yet. I do appreciate how my family now respect my faith in Jesus. If I eat with them, they ask me to pray and share testimonies.  I am thankful for real Christian friends who are always there to listen and to pray with me.

    This coming Sept I will work part time at Hope for the Island and do online schooling to pursue my dream to teach. I know God can be trusted as I take these new steps to develop myself and be ready for His purposes.

  • Widows’ Ministry

    Widows’ Ministry

    Widows’ ministry continues to be one of our most rewarding ministries, yet always heart wrenching witnessing the suffering most endure. Social welfare that would care for and protect the aging isn’t available in Siargao. Thankfully we can take confidence knowing it is God who is father to the fatherless and protector of widows (Ps68:5). God watches over and upholds them (Ps 149:9) As we take God’s word to heart visiting the orphans and widows in their affliction, God deeply ministers comforting them in their loneliness and physical need. It is important to our God that the vulnerable are protected. 

    Hope for the Island will continue to place high value on this ministry to the widows, defending them in their oppression and pleading their case (Isaiah 1:17)

    Recently Nanay Angelita (pictures) passed away. She always loved to hold hands with whoever ministered to her. She loved the warmth that radiated from their touch. Thankfully Nanay passed away with dignity and comfort. It is our prayer to be able to say like Job, “I caused the widows heart to sing for joy”! 

  • Our Local Police

    Our Local Police

    Since COVID lockdown occurred in 2020, Hope for the Island has not been allowed to do Jail Ministry anymore. The jail is still closed to visitors.  

    Early this year, Pastor Jonathan, who is part of our ministry outreach, heard there was three prisoners at the police station in Burgos. He asked the chief police if he would allow us to minister to the prisoners and the police officers as well and he agreed!

    After our first visit, the chief police mentioned to Pastor Jonathan, that in the past when he was the Chief in Butuan City, the chief allowed Pastors to minister to policemen. Pastor asked if the chief would also allow the same for the Policemen of Burgos. He agreed and it was arranged for Randy from Hope for the Island to minister with him! 

    Please pray as we minister every Monday morning to our local policemen. Our local Pastor Gona joins us to minister as well.

    Randy & Pastor Jonathan are grateful for the changes Jesus has brought about in their own personal lives. They reflect in gratitude how before they gave their lives to the Lord that the policemen were chasing them but they are now the ones honored to minister to the police!” 

    We thank God for this privilege and the fruit evident as a result of God’s Word being proclaimed!

  • Our Dear Samantha

    Our Dear Samantha

    Please enjoy this encouraging testimony from a couple who have partnered with Hope for the Island supporting Samantha in her health restoration journey! 

    Dear Derek & Jenn,

    We asked to write to you, sharing our experience and support of Samantha’s rehabilitation process over the past couple of years, as follows:

    We were living and working in Qatar when we first came across Samantha’s story of a life-threatening condition and prognosis on the Hope for the Island website. We initiated support in Feb 2020.

    Having been involved in rehabilitation cases previously, we assessed that the challenges Samantha faced were severe and that she required immediate and sustained medical attention in order for the healing process to be completely successful.

    Standing in the gap for Samantha at Hope were Jennifer Van Ryckeghem along with Jing and her husband Randy, with whom we discussed the initial requirements and planning of follow-up visits to Surigao City on another island, for medical and chiropractic care.

    Subsequently, Jing and Randy undertook weekly visits to Samantha for prayer and encouragement and to give the required medical supplies and essentials. Samantha and her mom travelled to Surigao City for chiropractic therapy. 

    We were kept updated on Samantha’s progress and the changes were dramatic, not only in terms of Samantha’s mobility, but also the smile that was growing her little face – unseen previously.

    With the advent of the Covid Pandemic, Samantha and her mom were no longer able to travel to Surigao, however, Samantha’s mom had observed and learned the techniques used to manipulate Samantha’s limbs and she successfully continued the treatments at home.

    Samantha’s most recent pictures are of a happy and restored child, of similar weight and proportions for her age. Much work remains; however, we know by faith, that in Christ Yeshua, all things are possible.

    Our thanks to Jing, Randy and Hope staff for their steadfast love and application of the Word both in Samantha and her mom’s life as well as  their village and greater community; and for the guiding hands of the Van Ryckeghem family.

    All honour and glory to YHWH and to the Kingdom.

    With much love and many blessings 

    Berger Family 

    Siargao Island

    Philippines 

  • Jolly and His Family

    Jolly and His Family

    We first met Jolly and his family in Dec 2020 while reaching out to malnourished kids in our health restoration program. We were drawn to them and spent time listening to their story and hardships faced.

    They felt so encouraged and hopeful with our time of care and concern. That set in motion regular weekly visits to spend time doing practical helps, share Gods word and pray for them. It was their first time to have people share the gospel and word of God. Each week they are more responsive . Tears well in their eyes as the truth of Gods word speaks to their lives and need. Continue to pray for them spiritually but also in their great physical struggle they are enduring.

    Jolly had intestine surgery a month before we met. They were so overwhelmed because he was supposed to have important follow up surgery but it was cancelled due to covid. He hasn’t been able to get back to the hospital because of all the protocols.

    Due to his health, his wife is the only one laboring hard for their needs. With 5 children, this is extremely challenging and disheartening. Jolly can’t  do anything to help his wife, which is very hard for him. Both feel very depressed because of the hard time that has fallen on them. He sits helplessly watching his wife struggle carrying the load of responsibilities.

    January 2021 we started giving them rice and groceries from leftover stock we had from our widows and malnourished kids ministries. This helped bring some much needed relief.

    Two weeks ago they finally were clear to travel to the city for his surgery but the doctor refused to operate since he himself had not been vaccinated yet. Please pray for God’s right time for this surgery to happen. Pray also that they turn in faith to Jesus! Only through Christ will they find the source of life, hope and strength.