An Unchanging Foundation, A Refined Vision

Dear Friends and Supporters of Hope for the Island,         As we come to the close of this year, we want to pause and thank God—and each of you—for faithfully standing with us. This year has been a season of refinement for Hope for the Island, bringing greater clarity and confidence in our calling. Above all, we remain confident that the Bible and its teachings remain the firm and unchanging foundation of every ministry we steward. Hope continues to be a unique place on the island—a property where children, youth, and adults are welcomed through our programs to learn, grow, and be discipled with God’s Word at the center. Throughout the year, we have gathered for daily community devotions, discipleship classes with our assistants, and ministries that encourage Scripture memorization. We have also intentionally addressed the difficult and confusing issues young people face today, choosing to speak truth with love and biblical conviction. We are deeply grateful for the support of our local community and government, which allows us the freedom to teach openly and live out our faith. Our scholarship program continues to emphasize not only academic support, but good moral character, discipleship, and accountability—equipping the next

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Darkness to Light: My Journey to Knowing Jesus

Hello everyone! My name is Jerome, and I am a licensed social worker. I have worked in both government and non-government organizations. Social Work has always been my dream job because it allows me to help the marginalized sectors of society. I studied Social Work in a religious school for four years, graduated in 2005, and received my license the following year. By the time 2024 came I had a wealth of experience and had served in many capacities and in different organizations. I came to the place however feeling burnt out after being in a work environment filled with corruption and vices.  While checking my email, I came across a job post online for a Social Worker position at Hope for the Island, Siargao.  This became an opportunity not only to work but also to visit the island and rest. I passed the interview and was hired effective October 1, 2024. To my surprise, it was a virtual social work position. After a month of working remotely, I asked Ate Jennifer if I could visit the organization to better understand its operations and meet the staff. She granted my request. I was warmly welcomed and given a bible because daily

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Hope September 2025 update

Good day, I decided to send a brief video update this time around 🙂 I included some personal updates and below share some points to keep in prayer with us. Thank you always for part you have played in our lives and the ongoing ministry of Hope for the Island!  2 Cor 7-8 Paul speaks of being comforted through the graciously extended comfort of the saints. He was also touched by the ways the Macedonian believers extended themselves freely and willing even while facing afflicting trials and poverty. This gift of grace and the fellowship of the ministry of the saints met tangible needs and caused Paul to rejoice in the Lord. As a father to them it blessed Paul to see saints imitate example set of faith that expresses itself in love. Jenn and I get taste of this through the many ways you have willingly and sacrifically extended yourselves. I am thankful today for the great joy found in the Lord, in His body and in His work!  Prayer points: -Join us in thanking God for the lives of Siargaonons transformed by the gospel these past 25 yrs!!! God has been so good.  -Pray for our team as

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June 2025 Update

Greetings Hope for the island friends and family! Graduation day provided many reasons to celebrate with our scholars. With the close of classes, our summer ministry schedules started up with the goal to make the most of students time on vacation.  It was such a joy to cheer on 3 of our 6 scholars who graduated high school this April ❤️ We are proud of the spiritual growth, character and servant hearted service we have witnessed in our scholars. Each Saturday the scholars faithfully assisted our HOPE team for a full day of outreaches in the community with kids.  The scholarship program has been a critical program engaging and equipping many students through the years. There were seasons we did not have the funding to support students needs. When able this program has produced Incredible academic results and lasting spiritual fruit. We are preparing to accept our new batch of scholars starting in May. We have restructured our scholarship program to specifically address the significant needs of many preteen kids flocking to Hope for the Island daily. This group came in a few months ago and would stay the entire day despite efforts to send them home for lunch or

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March 2025 Update:

Our team at Hope for the Island (HOPE) are thankful for God’s sustaining grace and guidance in what has been a busy start to 2025. Thank you so much to all who faithfully uphold the ministry and our team in prayer and support! As believers in Christ, we are called through God’s word to be conformed into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). To grow in Christlikeness is only possible when we abide in and heed His word. HOPE family Bible study each morning is a great way for our team to meditate on and encourage each other in truth. These daily studies keep us strengthened in faith and where we come to know Gods will for us in Christ. It is always a joy to share these times with visitors and missions teams who come in to serve with us. YWAM Maui DTS students spent Dec 2024 to Feb 2025 with us at HOPE. Great relationships were established and many ministry memories formed together. Each mission team serving with us has an opportunity to grow further in their knowledge of God’s word and to do so learning and applying it in a cross-cultural context alongside our local missionary team.

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Hope for the Island December 2024

Good day friends and family, I haven’t had to write out an update with pen and paper under candlelight since our early days on the mission field. Our entire island is on day 7 without power and may still be weeks before the power is restored. The 40-yr old underwater submarine cable bringing power to our island was extensively damaged and the parts needed for repair are coming from other countries. We don’t mind the frequent one-day power outages. It’s a great way to slow things down like life used to be when we moved here.  It forces a shift away from technologies we have become so attached to, allowing us to connect with others and focus on the simple. This lengthy power outage, however, is creating many challenges on the island. So many have been without water and work. We have had very limited access to water. With a generator on the way soon we will be able to have enough water again for our ministry needs and to share. A more significant test has come in the form of persecution we have faced for 7 months. This has given opportunity for our faith and witness for Christ to

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Hope for the Island Summer Update

We are thankful for the many ministry opportunities God made way for through the summer. We prayed, prepared and in faith believed God to lead and use us for His glory and Kingdom purposes. With kids and youth out of school for their break we made every effort to connect frequently and intentionally with them. It was our goal to further encourage them in God’s word so their faith would be strengthened as young disciples. Camps are a great way to invite those actively involved and many others into a fun, faith-filled environment for consecutive days. The kid’s camps were highly anticipated thus the big turnout. The kids love it when we gather all the kids from surrounding towns for an event. They came eager to have fun, but also to learn more from God’s word.  I am always encouraged by the child like faith displayed and a sincere love for God and His word.  They diligently open the bible and memorize scripture. They are learning to apply God’s truth in the context of home and community. So thankful to see the impact their faithfulness has had on many despite their age and supposed lack of voice and influence. The

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Hope May 2024 Update

Greetings in the Lord dear friends! We are thrilled to announce our HOPE family has grown! Jerbie and Irene have been blessed with a beautiful daughter Seraphim. She is dearly loved and already drawn to worship the Lord!  By God’s grace we have made great strides forward with Kalinga house. Our presentation to local officials was well received and we are now well under way with construction! The posts and beams have been poured and preparation to pour concrete second floor slab is next!! We have an old contractor friend who came in to oversee the work. The ground breaking on April 29 was a beautiful time to give thanks to God together. God faithfully led and provided for us to respond to this need. We opened Gods word and prayed with all those involved including those who would be daily labouring to build in the heat of the summer sun. We thanked them for their part and reminded them to work heartily unto the Lord. Weekly we open scripture with the construction crew. They enjoy and anticipate that time together before the week starts.  We currently have a young group of 7 aspiring missionaries serving with us from YWAM

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March 2024 Update

Each team we receive at Hope For The Island is unique. The recent School of Biblical Foundations and Mission (SBFM) team we had for two months were an incredible blessing!  They took initiative in every aspect of local life and ministry. They were fully engaged with those we serve and with our team. Thank you for making yourself available by working, volunteering wholeheartedly, as well as being culturally sensitive. One member of this sbfm team did not leave with the others at the end of February. Kale wanted to stay on to complete the welding work needing done for our team housing construction. We are on pace to finish in time for next arriving team.  We are gearing up for our summer plans to spend more concentrated time ministering to the kids and youth. We are planning for fun activities / events for them with discipleship as our goal.  We will be hosting another team arriving in April to assist us with our summer plans. April 3 we have a surfers for missions team (this was the type of team I first landed in Philippines with 🙂 They will be serving with us for 2 months. From that same base

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January 2024

I apologize for the length of time it has taken to give testimony and praise to God for the things He has been doing both at Hope for the Island and with our family. God has been so faithful and so good, leading us by faith in His wisdom and His grace. I purposely set aside a number of things, including writing an update in December and January. God blessed Jenn and I with the incredible opportunity to be back in Canada for over a month to spend fruitful quality time with our kids, our parents, and our dear family in Christ. The hospitality we received could be likened to examples found in the early church and ways we experience outstanding Filipino hospitality. Hospitality is an incredible witness for Christ that connects people deeply. Jenn and I are so grateful for our dear church family at Living Hope in Kelowna. It is a gospel preaching church that is bearing fruit and growing in the grace and Spirit of God. I was humbled to be invited to be an elder of this church shortly before God led us back to Asia. God has uniquely orchestrated things for me to still function

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Hope October Update

Hope for the Island Youth Ministry – Transformed by the renewing of mind! (Rom 12:2) In this update I will only feature our youth ministry. What we are witnessing here, I pray will be experienced by churches that are praying for and serving this struggling generation. In the last few weeks we have seen the fruitful result of months of prayer and diligent effort to lovingly serve and preach to the youth over the summer. We had floods of youth coming through Hope for the Island attending our gatherings, summer camps, sports clinics and our growing tutorial program. The youth found a safe place at HOPE to process their internal struggles and find refuge from the barrage of tempting influences. In the name of the Lord we sincerely loved them in word and deed. We opened God’s word with them at every opportunity. We were expectant and believed God to fulfill His good purposes according to His word in their lives. Now into October we praise God because those seeds of truth found place in many hearts ready to receive it. The Spirit convicted youth of their sin. They repented and courageously responded in faith and obedience!! It was a

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Hope for the Island August Update

Hi friends and family, thanks for prayer covering over the last month! Please keep us and the ministry in prayer. It has been incredibly fruitful yet very challenging. Below is our latest update… This is the season we have been anticipating when kids and youth have no classes. Lots of time and effort went into creatively planning camps and sports clinics. Our HOPE team has been going strong conducting these summer programs and at same time hosting a large team. All the while in a big staffing transition. Thank God for His strength and sufficient grace!!! First things first please meet Rodelyn. She is our newest members to HOPE family. Interestingly Rodelyn was discipled by a man my mission team shared the gospel to back in 1998. This man grew in faith, served the community and discipled Rodelyn and other children. Rodelyn now has years of experience in ministry and recently graduated with a community development degree. She has a long standing connection with Hope for the Island and was thrilled to be led by the Lord to come back to serve with us full time!    God brought us a large team of Jesus loving Filipino students from a

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