Hope For The Island

Author: Andrey Siganur

  • Nermilyn

    Nermilyn

    My name is Nermilyn M. Oraba, I am 31 years old. Living and serving on Siargao island through Hope for the Island. I joined HOPE outreaches as one being ministered to. I looked forward to each week when the team would come teach us Gods word and show His love. I continued to attend regularly the fellowship every Saturday until I decided to be one of their disciples without hesitation. I responded in faith to Christ and grew in the Lord. Jesus became not only my Savior but also my Lord. 

    HOPE staff began training me to be part of the Kids Ministry Program. I had doubts at first. I doubted if I would be capable to help as needed. I was very shy and the idea of standing in front of a crowd scared me. I was regularly encouraged by the staff that I can do anything through the grace of help of God. 

    I stepped out trusting God and bonded well with the kids. I gained confidence teaching kids at Alegria where I helped for many years. In 2008 one of Hope for the Isand leaders approached me asking if I would be open to serve as one of the preschool assistant teachers. Before approached I had been considering going to Manila to look for employment. God had different plans for me! One month after I accepted the offer to assist at the preschool I become one of the lead teachers. I then became one of the full time team and felt privileged to be part of this family. 

    At this moment I have been serving at Hope for 13 years and counting. Being in the service at HOPE I have experienced the goodness, favour and miracles of God!! God allowed me to experience so many things I would not have outside.

    I was able to help educate many kids that are now successful and serving the Lord. I was able to go outside the country on missions sharing the good news. I have been trained in many ways including being supported to go to YWAM discipleship training school.

    I accompanied Derek and Jenn to Malaysia Borneo to minister and extend the love of Christ to the Penan deep in the jungle. Hope for the island helped me to know Christ more and serve the community with a heart full of compassion. I know I am very blessed to be part of this team. God has used all ups and down in serving God to grow and develop me. God’s grace continues to be sufficient as I handle my responsibilities as one of HOPE leaders. 

    I have been trying my best to grow in my abilities as a photographer for all the ministry reporting. I am thankful for ways I have learned and am able to share all that God is doing here. I am praying that God will provide a DSLR D6500 CAMERA so that I can enhance my skills and be better equipped to do ministry reporting. I also want to help those who have no camera to be able to capture their important memories.

    Mark 11:24 whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have recieved it and it will be yours.

  • Christmas Far Away

    Christmas Far Away

    Our annual ministry Christmas parties looked a little different this year! We are so thankful to our Mayor who considers our ministry “essential” during these times of restrictions. 

    Although restricted in numbers, thanksgiving and joy filled the air as each part of the Hope for the Island body came together to celebrate Immanuel – God with us! Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was exalted well this season! The open-air design on the second floor of our mission house is the perfect space to continue assembling as His church under the current restrictions. 

    Christmas parties at Hope are not complete without red hotdogs and fried chicken. It is a sure favourite! 

    KIDS MINISTRY        

    Siargao Island Covid restrictions are always changing just like the rest of the world. Thankfully, we have been given favour by the local municipality to continue reaching our community through discipleship and ongoing relationships.

    Nermilyn (staff) reached out the family of a child in our Kid’s ministry. (including siblings and cousins). She reminded the kids to trust in God as it says in Psalms even though the whole world feels like it is falling apart. Many families are struggling financially because they are not able to work or travel to get work during the lockdowns.  

    One of the moms in the community recently messaged us saying how happy she was that Hope for the Island didn’t forget them during this time when people are told to stay at home. She shared that at home she is always arguing with her partner about finances and had forgotten it was Saturday- the day most join Kid’s ministry in the community. This mom said she brought her child to the place where the Hope staff were gathering the kids. She stayed and watched her child now happy and singing the song “The love of Jesus ….sweet and wonderful”. The tired mom said she felt convicted.

    For most, home life has been very stressful. Family struggles on this already impoverished island have increased significantly with loss of work and limits on travel for work. As you watch the kids worship in the videos, I want you to know that these children are going through so much during this time of restrictions. We have had many deaths lately in our town of Burgos, not from Covid 19 but from other health complications. People are struggling financially and it’s very difficult to find work. That being said people are planting and using land space that they have, but the weather is so inconsistent it’s quite hard to make ends meet in Siargao. 

    The Hope team found creative solutions to let the kids know that they are loved and should continue trusting God, even when you don’t understand what is going on sometimes. Our Hope team made Scripture bookmarks to give out to kids in our community. The benefit of living in a small community where Hope for the Island has been established for twenty years, is that when you walk into the town of Burgos, you are guaranteed to see some kids that are active in our ministries. The kids come out of their houses when they hear their “ates” calling them. (Ate is added to the name of a respected girl or woman older than you are) The kids were excited to see their Kid’s ministry teachers after another recent lockdown just ended. 

    Be blessed, knowing these beautiful children are really growing in the Lord and are confident that God knows what He is doing in our lives and in the world. It is our prayer; we all respond in faith and obedience like the children Jesus encouraged us to be like.

    YOUTH MINISTRY

    Youth came to ministry with a lot of pent-up energy that they were happy to release. It was a celebration filled with fun and laughter.  This Christmas celebration wrapped up with the message from Jesus to repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!

    HEALTH RESTORATION & WIDOWS

    Ten of the widows we support and serve weekly came to celebrate Christmas with HOPE.  They shared testimony of struggle and at the same time joy in the Lord as they trust God in these times.  Those unable to attend due to compromised health were visited by our team bearing gifts.


    FROM JENN

    Thank you all for your prayers and support.  Please continue to uphold Hope for the island and consider how you can partner in supporting the ministry as we move into 2021.  Hope for the Island celebrates 20 years of God’s faithfulness in January! 

    I miss Burgos and Siargao Island so much! Derek and I are in regular contact with the Hope Team and we are so thankful for technology, but it is not the same as regularly visiting Hope for the Island and being a part of ministry on the ground. Currently, there is still a travel ban for foreigners trying to enter Philippines.  Continue to pray for us here in Canada as we seek and follow God’s plan for us while in Canada. Please pray alongside our Hope staff who are seeking God for His continued favour to do ministry during a time when people need it the most.

  • Kid’s Ministry

    Kid’s Ministry

    Hope for the Island Kid’s Ministry has been greatly affected by Covid restrictions set for gatherings. During the last brief break in restrictions, permission was given for kids to assemble with their neighbourhood friends. The children were so excited for the brief freedom to worship and be taught God’s Word.

    Siargao Island’s average household has 6 children and a typical neighbourhood consists of your cousins, siblings, grandparents and aunts and at Hope for the Island.

    Cristian led a group of children at our Hope for the Island ministry center. Leah led another small group in the community.

    Hope for the Island Kid’s Ministry has been greatly affected by Covid restrictions set for gatherings. During the last brief break in restrictions, permission was given for kids to assemble with their neighborhood friends. The children were so excited for the brief freedom to worship and be taught God’s Word.

    The five other Kid’s ministry locations also met in small home groups homes.  Each child was so attentive and expressed missing weekly times to grow together. This weekly gathering of the kids, as the church to study scripture and learn spiritual disciplines, has helped sustain them through these times. In the video Leah is sharing how Jesus miraculously calmed the storm. It was a timely message for these kiddos to look beyond the wind and waves that are building in this world to the peace, security and hope found in Jesus alone. 

    Please continue to pray for these future leaders.

  • Covid Style Local Celebration

    Covid Style Local Celebration

    In Siargao Island our ministry team has made the most of every opportunity to visit and encourage people in the communities we serve. The continual lockdown orders hinder these important visits. Currently our team is on lockdown and only allowed to go out on visitation under a color-coded schedule. We are called to operate as God calls His body to, and this makes it very difficult.

    Many people rely on the goods we deliver and the heart to heart discipleship ministry we provide. During the last lifting of restrictions, our Hope team was busy delivering relief goods and doing follow ups.  In a time of uncertainty and fear God calls us to trust in Him. We encourage those struggling to always look to the life-giving truth of God’s Word. Hope and peace will only be found in Jesus, especially so as the day of His return draws nearer. 

    These are a few of the bags we bring on a weekly basis to the widows in our community. Rice is a staple that keeps many alive and just as important as water to many Siaragaonon locals. The best rice comes fresh from the farm. 


    It’s amazing what a simple act of love can do to lift burdens and bring light to someone’s day. Our team blessed and celebrated with one of our dear widows on her birthday. The birthday snack is best enjoyed by putting noodles on a slice of bread along with freshly squeezed Kalamansi (a small local lime). They fold it up and enjoy with a glass of Coca-Cola like a local. It is important to enjoy with them what we agree may not be seen as a healthy choice. Happy Birthday Nanay! 


    We cherish each moment when restrictions lift in Siargao Island. We continually look for creative ways to serve and minister in the face of ever-changing policies. Being open to the Spirit’s leading will be critical in the months ahead should things continue down the same trajectory.

    Thank you to each of you who partner faithfully with us. Let us continue to stand together in prayer and obedience as we fix our eyes on Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith! Let us run with endurance the race set out for those who call on His name.

  • A Miracle for Samantha!

    A Miracle for Samantha!

    We are all thrilled at the transformation we have seen with Samantha!! As many of you know Samantha was near death when I visited her during my trip in February. It was shocking to see her in that deteriorated state.  We were concerned she may not even make the land and sea travel needed to get to the hospital. It was touch and go for a while, but she started responding quickly to treatment and has been making great strides since then.

    God has made a way despite the challenge of getting to the mainland for checkups, medications and therapy due to Covid.  Continue to pray for God’s good purpose over Samantha’s life. Her doctor is even saying there is hope she may walk one day 🙂 Amen to that!

    Please see previous post concerning Samantha.

    https://hopefortheisland.org/hope-for-the-island-october-weekly-snapshots-part-2/

    Derek