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 rest time . They were a wild bunch testing our team at every angle. It became clear quickly that God had brought these amazing kids our way to love and lead to Jesus. It is such a delight to have them around at this stage. We thank God for their lives. We enjoy guiding them and watching them come to know God’s love and discover His purpose for them. They have overcome many obstacles in the short time they have spent coming to hope for the island. They have learned many new skills and have gained understanding of the gospel.
Summer time has allowed us to shift regular ministry schedules around to make room for weekly structured programs like MMA, surfing, skateboarding , basketball, volleyball, ukulele classes and cooking times together. We know each of the kids better as well as the struggles they endure. They soak up the loving attention and have shown themselves to be keen learners.
This group of about 15 pre teens will be included to what is normally a high school only scholarship program. Hope for the island is intending to raise support to cover the annual school fees for a total of 60 students. Scholarship support will help relieve existing financial barriers for parents and enable us to work closer with these families. Parents will strategically be involved in program with shared responsibility to ensure long term impact. As with past scholars, this new batch will have an environmental / community service component. They will be part of beach and roadside garbage cleanups together with other volunteers we mobilize. That will provide opportunity for the kids to make a tangible difference in their home town in face of rapid development. It will set pace, educate and challenge their community to value this beautiful island we have been stewarded with. Select scholars will also be included in our assistant based service program alongside our ministry team. This aspect of the program has been valuable in nurturing the compassionate heart that Christ exampled and commands for us to walk in as we spread the gospel. It is from the assistants program that most of Hope for the Island long term staff came out of 🙂
Through the Lord Jesus and through the love of the Spirit, we plead that you strive together with us in prayer to God. Pray for our team and for the work God has entrusted us with (Romans 15:30). Pray for sustained physical strength and for the joy of the Lord to fill us in face of test and opposition. Pray for those who would resist and pray for those God is drawing to faith through His word. Pray that we would faithfully teach, model and lead according to truth!
-Pray that God would raise up laborers with the ever growing ministry needs.
-Pray for committted monthly provision to operate. Current scholarship / outstanding ministry operations need is $3600 cad per month. (Kalinga House & Hope needs)
– Prayerfully consider being an Ambassador for Hope by :
- raising awareness in your Church community, friends and family or Social media
- visiting Hope for the Island with a team of keen volunteers
- Gathering ministry supplies needed and send in door to door box to Philippines
God is good and we thank Him for those all who partner in this shared call through prayer and support ❤️
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments 🙂
Thank you!
Derek & Jenn
Scholar Ezekiel testimony:
“Thank you all so much HOPE family. Looking back at one of the grad photos made me cry. Although my family is broken you guys are here as my second family. Thank you so much for the support, encouragement and advice. Kuya Derek and Ate Jen – thank you SO MUCH for your support. Thank you for being like a second father and mother to me. You are living proof that no nationality or race can stop people from coming together with the Lord at the center. Thank you all so much for your advises, sacrifices and for little tokens of love and care along the way. Please know that no words can fully express how grateful I am to be part of the HOPE Fam!”
