Dennis Derkach is a Hope for the Island Canada board member and shares about his most recent trip to the Philippines.
They say the third time is a charm but I count it a huge blessing. God gave me the opportunity to go to Hope for the Island for the third time in three years. Each visit I am amazed how God is prospering the ministry in all areas.
During my stay, I was invited to visit the Organic Farm. While there, I got to know the daily operations of farming and the challenges that come with growing produce and fruit for the Hope staff, farm family, and people in the neighbouring villages. I heard personally from Jenn about her passion for a new green house that can shelter the produce from the weather elements, especially the rain during rainy season. The greenhouse is where the seedlings are planted, watered and germinated. Jenn’s’ Godly wisdom as well as the expert skills of Analyn, Herdell and the guys on the farm help to produce watermelon, long beans, basil, papaya and other fruits and vegetables.
Derek showed me where the chicken coops will be built, where the rice fields are being prepared, the home grown manure piles and the planting fields. I got to work with the guys, Andrelo, Junrey, Joem, and Edang and see the individual gifts and knowledge they each possess that help to contribute to the functioning of the farm. I was put to work shovelling manure into the wheelbarrow and transporting it to the crop area, uncovering the hay from the planting mounds, preparing the enriched soil for planting and was rewarded with a fun ride on the caribou around the farm to get the Island farmer feeling. It was truly a moment to remember.
Saturday morning ministry took me to the village of Garcia. I was privileged to go with Nermilyn who taught the children a Sunday school lesson on obedience to your parents and how that pleases God! Together with two youth helpers the team went over the Ten Commandments, Scripture memory verses, and their Bible lesson. Praise and worship time was included as the children sang their favourite songs. At the end of the lesson, the children designed their own obedience journals. A meal was provided and we said our goodbye.
Youth Ministry was held on Friday nights. Our first outreach involved about fifty young people from surrounding villages. We had a time of Praise and Worship, fun and games and sharing. It was a delight to interact with the youth as we played simple games that brought laughter and a unity of Godly love to everyone. We then broke into groups and I shared my thoughts on Ephesians 6:17. The topic was the Helmet of Salvation and what it means. I spoke on how the helmet protects our head and how we are to put on the helmet to protect our thoughts from the enemy and meditate on Godly Scripture that feeds our spirit.
The second Friday focused on surfing as Hope hosted a surfing contest. Many young surfing enthusiasts from surrounding villages attended Friday night’s session that had Cora share her testimony and speak about the reality of knowing Jesus as your Saviour and the special gift of eternal life with him. Her love for God and passion for sharing the gospel brought many to tears and repentance. Seven young people gave their heats to Christ that night. The next day the competition began at 6 a: m and included sunshine, good waves, and camaraderie. The young people bonded together and enjoyed their time together. Again, I got to see the love of God shared in a different way to the youth of Siargao Island and how Hope for the Island presents the great commission to feed the lost spiritually and offer them hope through love, compassion, and the gift of salvation. Outreaches and events such as these help to provide a safe and comfortable place for the youth to gather and develop Godly relationships.
I look forward to another opportunity to be a part of God’s ministry at Hope for the Island!
Dennis Derkach
