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 to some level through visits like this and through video calls. A solid mission component has been part of this church since our return, blessing both ministries greatly. We have and will continue to receive members of Living Hope to learn and serve with us at Hope for the Island. Other churches, mission groups and mission equip interns come in through the year.
Time spent in Canada was edifying on so many levels. Thank you to all who encouraged us greatly and for all who helped me regain strength and weight after a significant health trial I battled before we left Philippines.
Time connecting to the heart of our grown kids face to face was surreal and an answer to prayer especially after more than a year apart. Video calls are great but nothing can replace looking into the eyes of your kids, hugging them and spending time together. God provided ways for us to have deep quality time and make joyful memories that will carry us on until the next time we see each other.
Our last day in Canada happened to be my 49th birthday. What was meant to be a simple get together meal at our friends house with family turned into an incredible feast made with love. One friend attending led those gathered to share something from their heart as an encouragement. It was a special time of affirmation that ended in prayer and praise to God.
We are back in Philippines refreshed and with renewed vision and excitement for what 2024 holds for our family and God’s ministry. The HOPE team are also rested after a good break. First day back to action in January our team received an SBFM group from Maui. Happy to have them with us for 2 months. In this update it’s my goal to catch you up a little on what has been going on at hope and what we are trusting the Lord with.
Hope for the Island is now into our 24th year serving in Siargao island. We come into this year ready to love God even more, being found faithful serving as He leads. Current Ministries will be expanding to some degree and in faith we are stepping into some new projects. We act as scripture instructs, by faith and boldness, not by sight or based on our limited resources. God has always worked in mysterious ways to both provide and lead us in ministry. He loves when His children trust Him, walking obediently in that faith in midst of the unknowns and tests that arise. We serve the Living God who sovereignly works in and through His children. For it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13)
Please pray with us for more local servant hearted workers to come alongside our expanding Campus Ministry. From this ministry flows our after school clubs focusing more intently on discipleship. We get to disciple students while further meeting school objectives for development. Every day of the week kids and youth come to Hope and we are so privileged to disciple them! We are trusting God for the necessary space and supply needs (tables, seating, fans, printer, voltage regulators, laptop / iPads, cameras) for these after school clubs.
Hope for the Island Campus Ministry will soon have in hand National permits and accreditation allowing us to get into any public school God leads us to minister, including some current hard to reach ones.
Kalinga house is a project we have communicated about in previous updates. We are now a few steps further along towards that aim. We have scheduled meetings with local officials who initially encouraged us for help. Work is being done on memorandum of understanding for us to sign with our local government. We are also praying and talking with potential building and support leads God connected us with. Join us in praying for this great need as we are moving forward to make this home a reality for vulnerable kids.
All those involved weekly in kids, youth, widows and community bible study ministries are growing in faith and sanctification. It’s the product of abiding in the word, faithful gospel preaching and loving compassionate discipleship. God is the one who brings the increase in our lives and in the lives of those we have the blessing to serve.
For those not yet signed up for updates please go to www.hopefortheisland.org
Options to give are on the site both for one time gifts and needed monthly support for 2024 regular ministries.
We are now at a place again to restore our bags of hope for the kids and the door to door boxes they get shipped in. This was something we did in years past that many of you loved contributing towards. We have a growing list of practical items needed to bless kids and supply ministry needs. Generally those helpers in the past have gathered supplies with friends, pack it in a box that LBC picks up and ships to on our door 🙂 Losing most ministry supplies in the typhoon makes this a great blessing to many. Box takes approx 3 months to arrive. To request more info on this email me at byfaith65@hotmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read the update. Please prayerfully consider ways you can partner with us for Gods glory at Hope for the Island.
Derek & Jenn
