2012 has been a significant year in the life of Hope for the Nations (HFTN) Philippines in Davao City. Since leaving Davao in December 2006, HFTN has been led by a few different leaders that have all been effective in managing the operation, so that many children at risk and their families in slum communities could experience hope. The strength of HFTN Philippines has been the young leaders who have led the programs and passed on the values and vision to the next generation. After several years of having limited involvement, in September 2011, I accepted the position of Executive Director for Hope for the Nations International, which gave me freedom to be more connected with HFTN in the Philippines. I am now the Chairman of the Board in Davao and am in the process of rebuilding the team.
First Half of the Year: Inneke and I brought a team to Davao in February 2012 where we saw how well the kids were growing in wisdom and stature before God and man. We spent much of our time listening to what the Holy Spirit was saying through the team members and from the Lord. In summary, we discerned; the team was weary in well doing, the vision was waning and the dynamic life in the spirit was not flowing. The House of Jubilee Church had stopped meeting, which contributed to the situation. While there, we were able to share deep and refreshing discipleship times and saw many of the staff and volunteers get refreshed.
We visited several families in their homes and were amazed to hear stories of God’s faithfulness to them as they faced extreme adversities. We could see that many of the families have developed their faith over the years.
Second Half of the Year: After evaluation, we decided to trust God and reboot the ministry with only volunteers in a season called Operation Restore Jubilee. I was in Davao the month of July to lead in the transition.
During this time (July 1 to Dec 1), we discovered a few things:
• We were able to revive a volunteer, community based vision with spirit filled leaders at the helm.
• We learned which staff, leaders volunteers had really bought into the vision and were willing to sacrifice for it.
• We were able to see many former staff, volunteers, and community families come back to HFTN/HOJ.
• Funds started returning to HFTN after 2 years of gradual decline.
New Leadership:
• After discernment, interviews and God’s leading, we hired a highly recommended Executive Director by the name of Amy Bucog who is presently managing the team right now. Amy carries the vision and has the experience of working in the international community from her previous roles with Koinonia Theological Seminary and All Nations Church. Her husband Bamie has a great eye for design with a keen business sense and helps in micro-enterprise development.
• The House of Jubilee Church has been restored and is being led by our very dear friends Pastors Teddy and Jenny De Peralta. They come with a wonderful track record of successful church plants. HFTN has worked with them for 2 years.
• Our Tabitha sponsorship program is being led by Rose Gabriel, who grew up spiritually in HFTN and now has a social work degree to put to use. Her husband Benjie, was the previous director of Tabitha.
• The church in Cabantian is being led by a faithful couple, Pastors Peter and Ellen Soriano. Peter has much to offer the community in skills training and Ellen is prolific bible teacher who also helps out with child sponsorship.
• We also have a Canadian married to a Filipina on the team with their teenage son. Mike McKay loves to teach the bible and is a jack of all trades, whereas his wife Cecile is a nurse and is from the area where the recent typhoons hit Mindanao.
• Holding down the fort at HFTN and living at the House of Jubilee building has been Ryan and Joan Abouelo. Ryan finished his computer education this year, and Joan has been cooking for the community programs.
Inneke and I are thrilled with the way the Lord has brought this team together for “such a time as this”. Now that funds are starting to come in again, we are in the process of re-activating more programs including expanding our education sponsorship, developing Bayanihan Banking Program and strengthening discipleship and training. Another exciting project we are the process of researching is organic farming. It has always been in the DNA for Hope for the Nations to find creative and indigenous ways to drive local support. We have a few experienced farmers on the team that are eager to pass on their skills.
Thank you for your partnership!