GMSM – Page 3 – Give Me Shelter Ministries

March 19, 2022May 25, 2022

Back from Romania and the Ukraine Border

We give all glory to God for a successful mission! To our supporters, thank you for your contributions to our current missions in Romania/Ukraine and our ongoing projects in Haiti. We reached our recent goal and supported both missions. The latrine in Haiti will be completed soon!

On the coldest day I have ever experienced, these Ukrainians are crossing safely into Isaccea, Romania.

Seeing the thousands of Ukrainians flee for safety was both heartbreaking in that they were leaving their homes due to this senseless war by Putin, but also hopeful in seeing all the support they are receiving from their neighboring countries and from around the world.

This ferry brings the refugees to the Romanian side of the Danube river.

It was surprising – and inspiring – to see many crossing BACK into Ukraine to defend their country, leaving their families safely back in Romania.

The woman in the middle is returning to Ukraine to defend her country!

This gentleman is a merchant marine crossing back into Ukraine to defend his home country.

Meeting Pastor Adi was a true blessing. He quickly turned his vision into a reality with these multiple cubicles that provide different services to the refugees arriving in Romania. We – all of us who support Give Me Shelter Ministries – provided $2000 to help fund this church’s border setup. Watch this video to see your contributions in action:

Pastor Adi said something very important that we as members of the Church should hear. Listen to his answer when asked by a journalist “Do you have time as a pastor to prepare for preaching when you’re doing all this work getting all of the refugee centers together?”

Pastor Adi of Crossroads Christian Church in Iasi, Romania

We plan to return in a few weeks to help Pastor Adi and his church continue to support the Ukrainian refugees. I will post an update soon with details and needs.

Please pray for three things: the refugees and those back in Ukraine defending their country, Romania and its people who are helping 24 hours a day, and that Putin may confess, repent, and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

March 12, 2022May 25, 2022

Ukraine Report: Thursday, March 10, 2022

Today we arrived in Suceava and visited a large compound that serves as a church, school and distribution center. The church is helping refugees in multiple ways. Surprisingly, food, water, and clothing are plentiful (for the most part) due to international organizations providing these necessities.

A small group of refugees being dropped off by a gracious driver. With all they have in plastic bags, they head toward a new beginning.

Mostly, the church members and volunteers are helping refugees get to where they are going. they are providing valuable information to the travelers so they reach their destinations. They are assisting in getting people rides via cars and other transportation options as well.

Some of these small families are crossing the border with their belongings in plastic bags. Give Me Shelter Ministries donated $500 worth of used suitcases to give to these women for their possessions.

Kenny with a few of the suitcases we were giving to women so they could carry their belongings in something other than plastic bags.

Many are heading to Austria and other Western European destinations. It is remarkable how all of the surrounding countries are supporting the Ukrainians.

The church is providing essentials such as sleeping bags, baby formula, and baby wipes to refugees on both sides of the border. It is a tremendous effort, and Give Me Shelter Ministry supporters (YOU!) gave $2000 today to serve refugees through the church.

This is what the refugees are hiking through for miles and miles.

Most of the refugee families are women and children only, as many left husbands and sons behind to defend their country. We met one woman who is 32 weeks pregnant whose husband was already killed in battle. It is heartbreaking.

This is Alina (in red) and her children, David, 5, and Anna, 3. Alina is pregnant with her third child. Her husband was killed two weeks ago in battle. They are fortunate to have found find this clinic. The clinic will see Alina through the rest of her pregnancy.

We greatly appreciate your support for this mission trip. It is so beneficial to support these churches on the front lines, making a huge difference in the lives of these Ukrainians. Please give all you can to this mission, and more importantly, please keep the Ukrainians, all the servants helping them, and us in your prayers. It is remarkable to serve in the name of Jesus Christ, and undoubtedly many refugees will find the ultimate refuge in Christ alone. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

March 10, 2022May 25, 2022

On the Ukraine Border

We landed in Bucharest Romania via Istanbul Turkey. Spent the night in Istanbul and got up early, caught another flight Iasi Romania. The team is Jim Jennings and Bram Floria from Conscience International and me.

It’s so cool how the coconut telegraph works all around the world. Bram has spent much time in this area of the world and has great connections. We hooked up with a recommended driver in Isai who will be with us for the duration of the trip. His name is Mirel a very sweet man. He took us to the Moldavian border where thousands of Ukraine refugees cross daily.

We entered Moldavia to take a peek and headed back to Romania. We met a pastor named Adi at the border where he is helping the refugees with communication on what to do once entering the country. Tomorrow we head to Sucheva further north close to another border crossing.

It is very cold and there is a great need for service here. Please contribute any amount you can for this mission trip. I will keep you posted as we assist different entry points for these refugees. Please keep us in your prayers!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Me and pastor Adi. Met this dude at the border. He has a church in Isasi Romania. He is very instrumental for the refugees at this crossing.

A small distribution center set up at Romanian and Moldavian border. They say 3/4 thousand come through daily.

It’s very cold and snowing. Some of these refugees walk for days to escape the mad man’s bombing to reach safety.

March 1, 2022May 25, 2022

Urgent Need – We’re Going to Ukraine Border

Kenny is leaving Sunday to Romania to assist with refugees fleeing Ukraine. We have an urgent need to support Kenny and Give Me Shelter Ministries. Kenny has contacts in other organizations and will be working directly on the border assisting refugees to receive food, water, and shelter.

This is happening at the same time we have another urgent need in Haiti, completing the projects we started earlier this month. We need to complete the boys and girls latrine for the school and provide two large fishing nets to the small bush village of Grandou. These nets are essential to the villages food source, as their previous nets were lost in the recent hurricane.

We ask that you prayerfully consider giving to Give Me Shelter Ministries at this time. These two immediate projects will cost $12,000, and we ask you to donate as well as share our mission with others.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

DONATE HERE VIA PAYPAL

February 13, 2022February 13, 2022

Report from Haiti – February 12, 2022

As planned we loaded up the school supplies and headed back out to Grandou bright and early Thursday morning. Upon arrival you could see the students getting their stoke on with anticipation. Funny how we can take such a small thing as this for granted. All the teachers and the director were also very excited.

I did learn some very interesting things about the school. This school sprang up due to the August earthquake. The original school was in a different location and was totally destroyed by the quake. Some farmers donated this piece of land to the Grandou community and the community pitched in and built this School. The National School of Saut Matirine of Grandou. Though it is a public school, that means little, as these bush schools fall through the cracks and receive little government support.

We had so much fun distributing the supplies. 152 students strong. Friday we went back to the school to have a chat with several community and school leaders. This chat came about due to the discovery of the fact that I noticed there was no latrine. I was like “What?!” They had started digging one but it was not complete. So our meeting was all about a latrine. I told them if they finished the dig we would help with the rest… Blocks, rebar, cement, sand, rocks etc.

Once we get the material list we will certainly be asking for all you kind folks to reach deep and help us give them a push to a healthy school. The meeting went well and they promised to get the hole finished. We have to act quick due to the fact that rainy season is right around the corner. We don’t need the hole washed away and cave in.

Today we went to my favorite place in Haiti. I’ve shared this place many times on other blogs. The area is St. Louise de Sud. I always visit this little fishing village and bring rice, noodles, oil, beans, herring etc. I love the family here so much. I ran across this place shortly after hurricane Mathew. It’s about an hour and half from Les Cayes. It was a great day with our friend Chuco, the main dude of the village. Tomorrow I head back to the states and start plans for what’s next.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Kenny

(Click the photos to open slideshow)

February 10, 2022February 13, 2022

Report from Haiti – February 9, 2022

We are back in Haiti from the 6th of February till the 13th. We have been unable to travel here since the August 2020 earthquake due to political unrest and heavy gang activity through out the country. Pastor Harry will never allow me to come when things are not good.

We are back in Les Cayes to reconnect with the small bush village called Grandou. This was the most accepting community to us in our August trip. In the larger towns you see a lot of progress, but not in the small villages. These folks always seem forsaken. On Monday we drove out to the village and spoke with some of the community leaders about the people, the destruction and the village in general. We have identified 14 homes that we may be able to help.

One thing the folks do not want in a home now is concrete. They want simple structures that they can rebuild easily. We also found a small school out in the bush that has 152 students, 1-6th grade with zero school supplies.

On Tuesday we headed into Les Cayes to purchase supplies for the school and will deliver them on Thursday to the director of the school and we will help distribute them to the children.

Today, Wednesday, we meet with three elders from Cayette to discuss continuing with the Raise the Roof Project. We have 26 roofs left to complete the project. The roof project has probably been one of our best projects in my 16 years working in Haiti. (I think our school rivals it though.) They were so thrilled to see us. It was a beautiful time of fellowship.

More to come. Please pray for us, this country has gotten crazy. We are so fortunate to have Pastor Harry as our leader down here.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Our meeting with the elders from Cayette. Pray for resources to complete this project.

This is what they do not want anymore in Grandou. Concrete.

This is what they want since the earthquake destroyed most concrete dwellings in the area, I simple dry, safe place to live that can be easily rebuilt over time.

Here is the bush school we came across. This small shanty houses 152 students. Can’t wait to deliver the supplies.

February 6, 2022May 25, 2022

Back to Haiti!

Praise God that we are heading back to Haiti today. The political and gang violence has kept us away for over a year. Thankfully it has subsided, but please keep us in your prayers this week. Kenny will be posting updates and photos here on our blog and social media.

Thank you to the many supporters who faithfully support Give Me Shelter Ministries every month. We could not accomplish spreading the Gospel and helping those in this third world country as we do, without your contributions.

If you have not contributed to GMSM, we hope you prayerfully consider supporting our mission in Haiti. Please visit our website to view the recent mission trips and projects in the past. You may make donations securely through PayPal on our website.

It is hard to believe that Haiti is less than 700 miles from the USA. The vast difference in the lives of people in the US to those in Haiti is quite shocking. But thanks to the peace that can only be provided by our Lord Jesus Christ, there are many Haitians who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and are living full, abundant lives. Please help us continue to support the Church in Haiti so that more people can be aware of this amazing gift from God that provides an abundant life through Jesus.

Your financial contributions are important, but your prayers are what we need most. Please keep Give Me Shelter Ministries in your prayers throughout the year, so that we may serve others to the best of our ability, and to fulfill nothing but the will of God.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

August 29, 2021May 25, 2022

Haiti – August 28

Wrapping up today. Up a 5:00 AM and broke camp and headed to Port. We stopped in St. Louise de Sud. This is a small fishing village I ran across about 5 years ago. I always stop in to see my friend Chuco. We always bring bags of rice, beans etc. These folks have always been so kind to us. They always share food with us, mostly lobster or fish. It’s an absolute beautiful place on the Caribbean Sea.

We had a good visit and headed east. It’s an all day dusty drive with lots of stops due to the most traffic you can possibly imagine. These 8 days were incredibly tough but there so many blessings. Looking forward to getting home to my beautiful Kim and the girls. And hopefully catching some leftover waves from Ida. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.
Kenny

The kids are so cool. Notice the Shaka sign with the kid next to me.

August 28, 2021May 25, 2022

Haiti – August 27

Today was hygiene bag day. We started in Lasaline the coastal community and then headed to the mountain village of Gandou. We delivered a total of 150 bags. As usual Pastor Harry calmed the crowds and things went well. We never seem to have enough but we are gracious what God gives us. This is our last day, tomorrow we head back to Port au Prince. We had a tremendous amount of local help and security. Without, it would have difficult to pull off. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.

Kenny

Lasaline female hygiene bag distribution

August 27, 2021May 25, 2022

Haiti – August 26

Last night was crazy. There is tropical activity all around us. It rained so hard and the wind was howling. I thought my tent would blow away. I got up several times in the pouring rain to adjust the rain flap on my tent. Today in the rain we discovered a small community called Lasaline Les Cayes. It is on the southern most part of town and was hit very hard by the earthquake. This community is right on the coast. We made two trips here today to distribute the food bags. Once again Pastor Harry calmed the aggressive crowds down and all went well. After our second time into the community I decided to change gears. We spent the rest of the day buying products for Hygiene bags. We bought enough supplies for 150 hygiene bags. We will take some tomorrow to the coast and also to the mountain community we were at several days before. We made bags for women and for men. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.

Kenny