What Hope for the Island has meant to me...
Chaira - "I believe God has a purpose in my life"
I am blessed to come to know Hope for the Island. Since 7 years old I’ve been attending at hope already. Until now that I am already 16. Thank God for the lives of all the staffs who gives their lives to God for us know and experienced God’s love. I felt God’s love through them.
In the past I experienced feeling worthless but God used hope staffs for me to know and be aware that I am important. In so many ways God used hope and the staffs on my growth with God. I can tell I am totally a different person compare in the past. So thankful for all the help, advices, love and teaching of hope staffs to us. Being a scholar is one way how God blesses me. It is a big help for my family especially my both parents doesn’t have regular job. Hope is one of the reason I am now in grade 11. In the past because of financial struggle I wanted to stop my schooling, and yet God has a purpose in my life that He used hope to enable me to continue my study. Staffs are used by God when I do have some concerns and problem they do listen and give advice and pray for me. And guiding me on my walk withGod.
I believe God has a purpose in my life that He used hope for the island to shape my life. I am more confident now to share to others what I learned from hope.
Christian - "I learned who I am in Christ"
One of the thing I am grateful to God for hope for the island is, are the staffs who never surrendered in serving God. They gave their lives to God and used by God for us to know God. Through them I learned who am I in Christ. I like I when they are very strict, strict when it comes to the word of God. because they don’t wants us to go home missing out what others learned that time.
Evie - "I can feel the presence of God"
I considered hope for the island as a shelter. Where I am comfortable, and the best place to hang out and just spend time with God, especially when I am facing problems. At hope I can feel the presence of God. And at hope I met new friends and wonderful people from different places.
Jerrylyn - "Learned to respect and to love others"
Hope means a lot to me, since I was a kid hope has already been part of me,as if like half of myself lives here at hope😁.
Now, that I am youth the more I learned a lot. Learned what is right and wrong. Learned to respect, and to love others.
Grateful also for the lives of all the staffs, they are ready to give advice and they are not judgmental. They are people I can trust. Hope is a huge blessings to me.
Princess - "My character has been shaped"
I am blessed to be a part of Hope for the island. Slowly my life has been transformed. And my character has been shaped. Because of HOPE I came to know the Lord. Knowing God and knowing who am I in Him caused me to have more self confidence compared In the past I was too shy to socialize with others. Another thing that made me so blessed is I do have ATES (girls that are like older sisters) that I can trust and I can pour out my heart and be honest to them. They are always ready to give advice ,encourage, and pray for me. They care for me and they are ready to guide me and walk along side me. Since my childhood hope is there for me, as if hope is my childhood friend😀.
God used Hope for the island -I learned to be humble. And I am forever grateful that God used hope to bless my family and me and my brother can be a scholar.
Cielo - "I'm beyond blessed"
Hope for the island means a lot unto my life. The very first time I was connected at hope is when I was only in preschool. I did my preschool at hope. That was the very first time that my heart was been planted with the word of God. I also remember Hope for the island used by God to blessed people. I remember they also help my father in the past when he was in a dangerous situation.
I grow up in kids ministry and being blessed to have an ATES who will be there to help and listen. Through them I came to know more of who God is. Because of hope many was been blessed and many lives has been transformed. And I am one of them.
It is true this is hope of this Island. Through them people got to know God and get closer to God.
I learned a lot and so I can say I’m beyond blessed to be part of hope.
Chaira - "God Showed me His love"
My life today is totally different than it was before I come to Jesus. Before I cannot control my life, my action, my mind or how I speak. I swear a lot at my younger siblings, and even to those people around me who I don’t like. I used to go to church but I didn’t apply anything that I’ve heard.
On May 20 at Hope for the island camp I realized that I need to put my faith and trust in Jesus because He died for me so I will be save from my sin. So at that time I accepted Christ in my life!
During the October youth camp God challenged me to grow in reading His word, prayer, fellowship and in obeying Him. Fellowship with others believers challenges me more. I need and I want to be surrounded with people who fears God.. As God showed me His love I also work harder to love my siblings whom I used to treat bad. Each day God is teaching me so much more of His character. Thank you Lord for your goodness and salvation!
Cielo - "I became God's Child"
I just recently started hanging out at Hope for the Island because I am interested in being a Hope scholar. I want to share my life story and what God has done in me.
Before I come to know Jesus and accept Him in my life all I know is misery. My mother got sick and people are saying different bad thing against my mother. At that point I blamed God. And I was praying for God to end my life. Then an answer to my prayer came when God healed my mother. God was already planting His words in my heart while I attend Hope for the island. In August my heart was ready to accept Jesus and I became God’s child!
By God’s help I am applying His words in my heart, especially in the area of forgiveness. I forgive those who hurt me and wow I can’t really describe the feeling when I started releasing forgiveness. It’s like no baggage anymore. I felt so light inside me. I am forever grateful to God for His love and I want to be with God forever! At the last camp I learned more how to live by faith.
Dexter - “God is doing something new in my heart”
I’ve been going on and off at Hope for a long time, but I never been so serious in my life. During this last camp my heart was so heavy that when ate Jing asked if anyone wants to share my heart was beating so hard that I feel it’s God wanting me to get up and share. I know in my heart God has been inviting me to stop with what I am doing with my life. I shared this to the youth and after I shared I feel so light. I thank God because He is doing something new in my heart.
Garcella- “I have joy in my life”
I am 14 yrs. old living in Burgos. Before I started hanging out at Hope for the Island I am a girl who easily follows any influence around me. I grow up with Christian parents but don’t think serious about serving God. For me it doesn’t really matter. I don’t recognize God for the blessings around me and act like I don’t need God. There at Hope for the Island I started learning about God and accepted Him with my whole heart. I realized life is so much better with Christ being the center. Although there are lots of challenges I could overcome it because of His grace. I accepted Christ during the May youth camp. After I accepted Christ, transformation really starts to happen in my mind and heart. I have joy in my life and His blessings follows. I thank God that He brought more friends in my life. The staff at Hope and teams help encourage my faith. God’s joy and peace reside in my life. Glory to God!
Jennifer - "I encountered God and He guide me”
I never experienced what love means with my family. So I thought I will find love within the world. I always hang out with friends and don’t go home. I had so much issues in my heart. It’s hard for me to forgive the people who wounded me.
God used Hope for the island for me to know the love of God and lead me to Christ. I encountered God and He guide me to His righteousness. He cleansed all my sins. During the camp God broke my heart when it comes to forgiving. God led me to let go and to choose to forgive those people who hurts me. This time I have a different heart because of forgiveness!! I am not tormented anymore. I thank God for Hope for the island who is always there for me. They are my family who never give up on me and leads me to Gods truth.
John Paul- “I realize my life is not honoring God”
I am 14 years old. Before I come to Christ my life was no difference than others kids. I used to lie to everyone; I do swearing all the time. I always answer back to my parents. And I don’t care if I hurt someone. During the Hope for the Island camp I realize my life is not honoring God and I am scared to die without Jesus in my life. I am so happy that on Oct 11 during the camp I accepted Christ!! I allowed Him in my life and in my heart. Since I accepted Christ I noticed something different in me. I have this joy in my heart that I can’t understand. And I noticed I am learning to control my mouth that could hurt God and people. I am starting to forgive those who sins against me. I thank God for everything He has done and am excited to grow closer to Jesus at Hope for the Island!
JR -“I learned and come to know Jesus”
I am glad to share with you my life journey with our Lord. My name is Gonzalo O. Monter, Jr. I usually go by nickname JR. I am 23 years old and currently, I am an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) working as a teller in a financial institution here in Doha, Qatar. I am enjoying the gift of life that God has given to me. I have so many things to share with you about my life and it will be exciting because it’s not about me but more about God.
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.
To be involved in the HOPE helped me a lot. I learned and come to know Jesus and the real purpose of my life in this world and what will be our life after death.
The HOPE family was there to guide and help me in knowing more deeply the source of our life. Also, I learned the proper way on how to study the Word of God, how to receive the gift of salvation and one topic that I could not forget was about prayer, that even till now I can still remember with a simple guide in praying – ACTS.
Before I came here, my idea about working abroad is totally wrong. I am even surprised that working here in the Middle East which is a Muslim country leads me to know more deeper our Lord and have intimate relationship with Him!! With help I was led to one close friend that is currently based also here in Qatar, which is a member of Word International Ministry – Qatar (WIN-Q).
Since I do have past experience with Hope for the Island, which has the same mission, it was natural and easy for me to commit to the ministry. My experiences were not easy when I decided to submit myself to God. It was really difficult because I turned my back on doing worldly things and friends and many insults. But the good thing to live in God’s hand is I am 100% secured. As He said on my favorite verse that can be find in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Every time that I questioned God why bad things happened to me, which I thought it was not good, He always reminds me to believe on His promise that everything happens for good and his plans are better than mine. I am happy now with my life in God, I found the real happiness in life and satisfaction.
At present, I am one of the Care Group/Youth Leader here in WIN-Q and still seeking God to know Him more. Temptations are still there but good thing is that I know God is with me in helping to overcome it and of course with my desire to please God alone. When trials come I face, it not with worry for I know that the God who is the creator of heaven and earth is my Father who is a great provider. Lastly, I am no longer praying to God just for blessings in finances or any material things or when I have problems. I pray for Gods will to be done and desire to be found faithful in all things and let God work His ways.
Melvin - “I thank God for receiving me"
This is the story of my life. I have a very hard life. My life is full of ungodly activities. My life’s focus has been all about my barkadas (friends). And I never believed God, and I don’t mind Him. At hope for the Island I am always welcomed no matter what. It was there I started learning about God.
I am grateful to God for the staff who give their time and shares the Word of God to us. Just recently at the camp I noticed some changes in me and I am starting to believe that God has a plan for me. I chose to accept what Christ did on the cross for me. I have this good feeling in me everyday that I don’t understand. I thank God for receiving me.
Mylene - “I totally understand my identity in Christ“
I’m 15 years old. I’m from Baybay Burgos. I started attending youth fellowship when it was ate Jing who was teaching us. I wasn’t serious at that time. Later on with ate Cris I learned more and became more open to God.
Although I learned a lot my life stayed the same until the May youth camp. During the youth camp there I totally understand my identity in Christ and I sincerely accepted Christ in my life! After that I experienced the kind of life that I never experienced before.
I can’t describe the feeling of having Jesus in my life. I experienced a peace and joy that I never had before or experienced with my family. With my decision to have relationship with God I faced challenges. Especially I was challenged by God to forgive. There is this person who did something hurtful that it causes me to hate her for a whole year. At the last youth camp I was reminded to forgive in spite how painful it is to forgive. When I choose to let go and forgive that person I felt like the thorn in my heart was uprooted. God change my heart toward that person and I am free again.??????????
Nikka - “I wouldn’t be where I am now”
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.
As far as I can remember, I started attending Hope for the Island Kid’s Ministry when I was around 5 or 6 yrs. old. I was so young.
All I remember that time is that there are these strangers who wanted to befriend us and told us some amazing Bible stories. At first I had no idea why these new people came to share each week. I always attended because my playmates were also there. Almost all the kids in our village would go and I followed. I had so much fun and was very curious what would happen each time they came. I was very excited when I was able to move from the kids into the Youth Ministry!
It turned out that my time in Youth would be the most amazing years of my life. Every Friday night I was able to spend it with other youth who also want to know more about God. Every Friday I always told myself that this day will be for God alone. I did not want to follow my other classmates to parties because I can see they did not have peace or joy.
Honestly speaking if Hope for the Island did not provide a place for me to encounter God I wouldn’t be where I am now. I would have become like so many teens that ended up suffering consequence of following sinful life. I can remember so clearly May of 2009. It’s the time where I made the decision to put my trust in and follow Jesus! I accepted what He did for me as my Lord and Savior.
Shortly after I also had desire to be a part of serving the kids in my community and became one of the volunteer assistants at Hope for the Island. That was truly one of the best experiences that really brought a great impact in my life and gave me God’s heart for others.
Now I am in college pursuing God’s plan for my future. At Hope I learned that despite hardships around me God will do something great in my life if I obey and follow Him. I still have a long way to go in my relationship with God, but amidst the busyness of college pressure, I have held to what I learned in the past. I am still living with it and will continue living with it! God’s word is my armor and shield wherever I go. He guides my every step!
The foundation I have from my time at Hope for the Island opened a 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.
There is nothing better than knowing God and being in a personal relationship with Jesus. Having God in your life means we share in His passions, serve as He served and help the poor and needy. God always provides a way for us to fulfill His purposes. The choice is ours but as a Christian it’s our call and responsibility to care for others. It’s our responsibility to help lead others to Jesus who alone saves. God is my reason for everything. Without Him, everything would be meaningless.
Thank you to all who have and continue to support and pray for Hope for the Island. My life was changed because of you.
Rissa - “Thank God because He is really doing something in my life”
My life has been full of bad things and nonsense in life. I always found trouble with my friends. I never listened to my parents or to any other people who speak to me. Although friends are telling me I need to change, I never listened to them. I always attend Hope for the Island but my heart is hard.
One day I was so sick. I thought I’m going to die already at that time. Because the pain is so bad and no money I consider doing suicide so I don’t have to suffer, but instead what came out of my mouth was confession to God and asking His forgiveness.
On Sept. 11 2015 I followed what I learned at Hope and asked God to forgive me and I accepted His salvation. Now when it comes to swearing my mouth is slowing down. I am trying to be a blessing with my mouth also by not gossiping. I have now friends and Hope staff who cares for me and always guides me to Gods Word. Thank God because He is really doing something in my life and I need your prayers.
Contact Us
Hope for the Island was founded in 2001 on Siargao Island, Philippines. We are reaching thousands of people each month through Kids & Youth Ministries, Discipleship Training, Mercy Ministry and a Scholarship Fund.
Useful Links
Copyright 2024