*Editor’s note: This article is a continuation from last week’s where we were introduced to the mission fields in Western India and Cebu, Philippines, where Bro Edwin D’Mello visited early this year. This article concludes the report of Bro Edwin’s mission trip.

After my arrival at HoH I met with the staff members who all were formerly residents of HoH but have been delivered through faith in Jesus Christ, have become born again believers and they have decided to serve in this ministry. The main staff members whom I got acquainted with were Ginno Paolo Amodia (Director), Nelson Aguilar (Asst. Director), Jose Mangco, Neil Caintic, John Villaneuva, Francis Lyle and a few others. Over the week I got acquainted with some of the residents.

I came to realise later that the residents were of different socio-economic backgrounds and with varying qualifications and professions. Some were Engineers, Managers, Sportsmen, Nutritionists and others of lesser qualifications. There was also a young man from Adelaide (from Edwardstown Baptist Church). Evidently, anyone can get hooked up on drugs, but it is mainly in the slums that many of them succumb to this evil habit. So, the staff from HoH try to reach out to these poor souls and to get them to join the rehabilitation program.

HoH currently has one income generating project which involves manufacturing of rubber floats which are used in fishing nets. Through the influence of some good Christian supporters from a footwear manufacturing company called “Islander Footwear Company,” they are supplied with the leftover rubber sheets. The Company also supplied them with a machine to make the rubber floats.  Two or three times a week some residents visit the factory to procure the rubber. I also volunteered to accompany them one day to get the sheets. These are loaded into a truck and brought into HoH premises. There, some residents strip them to right sizes and then pass the strips on to those who operate the machine. They are then packed and ready to be sold. Most of my mornings and some afternoons were spent in helping to pack the floats. Through this work I also got to know some of the residents.

HoH also operates a Kindergarten School. It is mainly the families from the slums surrounding HoH who bring their children to the School. Some members of the administrative staff who have developed skills in teaching children, teach in the Kindergarten School.

The daily schedule of the residents at HoH is as follows:

• 6:00am – Rise and shine
• 6:30am – Bible Study
• 7:15am – Breakfast
• 8:30am – Worship
• 10:00am – Work Therapy
• 11:30am – Lunch
• 12:30pm to 2:00pm – Siesta
• 2:00pm to 5:00pm – Sports, Exercise
• 5:30pm – Dinner
• 6:30pm – 7:30pm – Free Time
• 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Devotion/prayer meeting/Quiet Time
• 8:30pm – Quiet Time and then to bed

   

On the weekends they are free to visit their families.

I gave some messages during their morning worship services and during their evening prayer meeting. I also led a few Bible Studies. The residents take all their activities seriously and do want to know more of the Scriptures and get involved in Bible Studies and leading the worship services and prayer meetings. During the worship services, they mainly sing contemporary Christian songs and the music is also contemporary. They sing and play the music very harmoniously causing us to lift up our hearts in worship to God.

Indeed, I had a truly blessed time with the people of HoH. I found their hospitality really overwhelming and it was with some feeling of sadness that I left them on Friday 9 March after giving a final message.

HoH are very grateful for the support that Hope Church is providing. They do have many needs and as in any charitable organization, there is always a financial shortfall. Their kitchen, laundry, computer and other infrastructure materials and equipment really need upgrading for which they need some more financial resources.

There are always opportunities to visit HoH and help in evangelising new comers and in teaching and preaching. It is also possible that some could go on a longer visit and conduct some professional training programs like teaching computer or other technical skills. We could also go to Cebu and help in evangelising some of people living nearby, through the help of the HoH staff. So, you could ask the Lord about this matter in prayer and let Him lead you in doing what He wants you to do.

Wherever we are, let it be our hearts' desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in sincere love, knowing that every soul is precious, made in the image of God. Let us not be afraid to do this, since the Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of the souls of all those who believe. (Romans 1:16)

Bro. Edwin D’Mello

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