Berana, Sonia

In 2001, Sonia established a holistic ministry called Esperanza Home Ministries in Silangan Mayao, Lucena City, Philippines.

Sonia is involved in mentoring/training young adult leaders, discipleship, church planting, counseling, helping students in their education through a sponsorship program, and operating a microfinance program for families’ livelihoods. Leaders are being prepared for the ministry’s future sustainability. When Esperanza was started in 2001, a piece of Sonia’s inherited rural property in Mayao was donated, and there is an ongoing vision to eventually establish a Christian school and retreat center.

Commending Church

Bethany Chapel Yorkdale

Organization

Esperanza Home Ministries Inc. (EHMI)

Province From

Ontario

PRAYER ITEMS

3

Jul 2025

Furlough from Sept 9 – Oct 29, 2025

Please pray for Abi’s visitor’s visa application to be granted this time after her second attempt. I need her companionship this time of my travel and Lord willing pray that…
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13

Oct 2022

Follow-up visits

Praise God for the 70+ kids who attended Vacation Bible School in Pitogo. The VBS at Hilltop Chapel was also encouraging with many new kids attending. We thank God that…
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12

Jul 2022

Several requests

Please pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, safety, and provision in these various ministries: -Pray for 10 youth, aged 10-30, to teach, lead and facilitate two DVBS in Mayao on August…
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7

Jul 2022

Cagayan De Oro Short Term Mission Exposure

I will be traveling with 12 young adults to go to another island called Visayan Island in the province of Cagayan de Oro. They speak another dialect. This is a…
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23

Jun 2022

Missions to another community

Our youth leaders expressed a desire to participate in missions to another community within reach that speak another language or dialect. They went to a nearby Badjao settlement; a tribal…
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30

Sep 2021

COVID cases are again increasing

As lockdowns eased, a DVBS was held last month after it was postponed three times due to pandemic restrictions and a typhoon. It was attended by 70 kids. Please pray…
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5

Aug 2021

God’s provision needed

Please pray for God’s provision 1. Church widening – 4 meters on both sides of the church to provide wider space for churchgoers and comply in social distancing protocol. It…
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29

Jul 2021

Rejected in many homes

Prior to the pandemic, we did home visits and were rejected in many homes. Now, some families are asking us to come to study the Word of God. Parents also…
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11

Mar 2021

The atmosphere changed

Baao outreach has grown with more families requesting a Bible study. Those leading Bible studies had been discouraged by the lack of interest. Thank God that as they persevered,  Please…
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11

Feb 2021

Pizón

We were able to resume Bible studies in Pizón and a number of new people showed interest. When the group reached thirty members, we divided them into three smaller groups.…
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24

Dec 2020

Growing outreaches

Please pray for both Pitogo and Baao outreaches. They continue to be visited by our dedicated church planters. We have shared the Gospel in ten villages, and have extended as…
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15

Oct 2020

God’s unique design

I have been teaching the youth group about God’s unique design for men and women. My prayer is that their hearts would be healed from the wounds of any past…
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23

Apr 2020

Despite the lockdown

There are people coming to Esperanza despite the lockdown who have asked me to give them a Bible and teach them about it. Six are believers and the other 6…
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19

Mar 2020

Patiently praying

The team visiting Baao is patiently praying as they continue to go there even if bearing fruit is slow. As they were trying to find homes they could meet in,…
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19

Dec 2019

Challenges

Pitogo outreach has new Bible study attendees and new children attending the kids’ club. As in any ministry, there are always challenges. Different sects have come to the area and…
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10

Oct 2019

Pitogo outreach

Pitogo outreach is growing and more volunteers have offered to help. Once a month some men join and hear the Word of God. They are very interested to read and…
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15

Aug 2019

College and university students

After church services on Sundays a crew of college and university students plus some adults continue the task of home visits, praying for the families, sharing the Gospel, having small…
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14

Mar 2019

Missions exposure

The seven young people who went on a missions exposure in December were amazed to see how God provided for their needs. This inspired us to continue going out every…
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20

Dec 2018

Pitogo

Once a month we have been driving for two and a half hours to Pitogo for a Bible Study. Not only adults but children walk many miles over the mountains…
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27

Sep 2018

Young believers

Some of our youth have a vision of becoming missionaries and some talk about starting an orphanage. Whatever they become, and wherever God calls them, join with me in thanking…
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29

Mar 2018

‘Dating and Relationships’

A Youth Night was held with some new young people present. The topic was ‘Dating and Relationships’. Our youth are becoming courageous to testify to their friends that they believe…
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26

Oct 2017

Ladies Fellowship

Ladies Fellowship was renewed after being neglected for many years. The speaker was one of my first-generation disciples who is also one of the women on fire for the Lord.…
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6

Jul 2017

A new Bible study

A new Bible study will be held in a village adjacent to ours. It will be attended by the village Captain and his secretary. This village is a place where…
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31

Jan 2017

Agricultural program

Last year we started an agricultural program to sustain the ministry here. Because of excessive rain and difficulty in marketing, it has not been successful. We need further direction from…
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PROJECTS

Philippines Ministries (Berana)