Wow what an amazing afternoon!!! We were able to reconnect with Nickey and Junior while they were back visiting the island. As kids they regularly attended Hope for the Island ministries in the town where we had weekly outreaches. Seeing them full of life and thriving brought such joy to our hearts.
Nickey is now a teacher and Junior is excelling in business. Both of them are also actively serving in ministry! Our hearts leaped with joy hearing of their love for Jesus and a fruitful walk. They shared memories of how God used HOPE to guide them through the immense struggles of growing up in the island. They especially remembered Dinah who served on staff with us for many years. She poured her heart into all she did with the kids and taught them to trust and apply God’s Word in all circumstances. The HOPE team has been used incredibly by God to nurture vulnerable hearts and train them up in God’s Word. The fruit of this can be seen in the countless number of kids along with Nickey and Junior who now securely set their hope and identity in Christ!
Nickey and Junior are praying that God will restore Hope for the Island’s Kids Ministry in the town where they grew up and found Jesus. For 16 long years the kids who have attended our kids programs there, have done so facing various forms of persecution. Although the threats have produced in some, a stronger resolve and deepened faith, there have been far too many through the years who have been forced to stop attending. It’s always heartbreaking to have kids we love dearly come sobbing in tears to say they cannot come any longer to our Saturday community kids programs. For a season we felt led to refrain from gathering in this small town to allow the pressure on the kids’ families to settle. Currently families that are bold enough allow their kids to walk to a neighboring town to attend. Please pray with us as we seek God for the right spirit led avenue for this important ministry to be restored.
Stories like Nickey and Junior remind us why we do what we do at HOPE. Our mission mandate is clearly spelled out with a sense of urgency all through Scripture.
God calls us to pour ourselves out on behalf of the hungry and to satisfy the desires of the afflicted. This command in Isaiah 58:10-12 is followed up with a beautiful picture of emerging hope. God promises restoration and life as we obediently serve the downcast. The Lord causes His light to break forth out of the darkest broken places. Guidance, provision and renewed vibrant strength are assured. Those who heed God’s voice will raise foundations of generations to come. They will be called repairers of broken walls and a restorer of the streets! What an incredible blessing to be part of God’s redemptive plans!!
God really has worked in my life according to His plans. He worked in ways I did not expect. God used all experiences and situation to reveal Himself and for me to know His plan is perfect. He even used people to make clear His message to me. Thank God for the right people He brought into my life to help me see the light.
door for me to become a full-time GK Volunteer. I work with various communities all over Bukidnon province in order to impart the culture of caring & sharing. I teach the Lumad youth in various parts of Bukidnon who have difficult access to proper education being too far away from the cities. I enjoy helping with organizations that train and educate struggling youth. I enjoy mentoring them to be future leaders. I am able to teach them that trusting God and hard work gives way for God to fulfill His great plans.
At an early age, I heard about who God is since my family is religious. It is still vivid on my mind when Hope for the Island started in the year 2001. Missionaries from a different country came to live and volunteer their lives. I actively joined the ministry for kids and continued in my teenage years. There were some hindrances for attending due to religious issues being brought up by people It didn’t stop me to continue because I am learning about Jesus.