The end of the 2018-19SY is quickly approaching. The students recently celebrated Festival of Talents; click here to view a few photos. The administration staff is in the process of preparing and submitting papers to Dep Ed for the 2019-20SY, and Kinder and Grade 6 are busy with exams and graduation ceremonies.
Last month we hired a new IT/Office Administrator who has slotted well into the HOHFA family. Construction on a garage/storage area for machinery and crops is just about completed and planning is well underway for a comprehensive maintenance programme to take place during the upcoming 2-month school break.
Honesty is an important value we constantly stress to the kids at HOHFA. Three weeks ago, two students from Grade 3 found a wallet which contained id’s, other important documents and 10,000 peso ($340NZ). To put the amount of P10,000 into perspective it is around 4-6 weeks salary. As tempting as it was, rather than keep the money and bury the wallet, they heard a small voice telling them to do the right thing. They obeyed the small voice and handed the wallet to the head teacher who was able to track down the owner on Facebook. He was thrilled to receive his wallet back and the boys received a reward of P1000 each ($34NZ). We were extremely proud of them.
Ministry
Last November we started our first Alpha course and finished it at the beginning of March. Graduation of the 23 participants was extra special as it coincided with a visiting mission’s team from Tauranga. It was a great time of prayer, prophecy and impartation. Click here to view a few photos.
Youth / Kids
During January our youth Pastor, Norlyn, finally had her Canadian visa approved and was able to permanently join her husband. We now oversee a team of 4 young people who seem to be embracing and enjoying the challenges of youth leadership.
Last week we began training a new set of kids church workers. I think we can all agree that the goal of children’s ministry is life transformation. Too often we teach kids about Jesus instead of helping them know Him and there is a big difference. At the end of March, we are implementing a new curriculum and looking forward to reaching more kids and helping them know Jesus.
Missions Team
Shortly after Rod and Karen headed back to NZ another team of 7 people arrived from Tauranga for two weeks. For some of the team this was their third visit to Hands of Hope Ministries. They all coped with the heat and the intensity of the area very well. They ran family seminars, leadership training, preached in different churches we have planted, prayed over our rice fields and, and in their spare time, went out among the villages and ministered to people. A lovely servant hearted team who were quickly embraced by the locals. Click here to view a few photos.
There is always plenty to do if you are interested in a short term or long term missionary experience or would even like to bring a team please contact us through email by clicking here
Focus Project
During the two-month school break between the 2018-19SY and 2019-20SY we will be working through a comprehensive maintenance programme at the school. It’s been close to 3 years since our last maintenance programme and the school is close to the ocean which makes regular maintenance a necessity. We will be repairing and repainting classrooms inside and out, repainting fences, fixing gates, repairing well pumps, comfort rooms (toilets), bookshelves, plus a lot more.
One of our teachers is a talented artist so we intend on using his skills to paint a few murals and scripture verses on the fence as well as inside and outside classroom walls.
