Category: Archived Posts – 2007-2016

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I had a great 5 hours of sleep after a cool evening at the church last night. Pretty cool how God seems to know how much we need of things. I guess by most standards about 8 hours would have been more sufficient for what we had been through, but today was a great day.

The blessings God pours out on us seems so unfair at times. It is so beautiful how He uses and allows us to be a part of His perfect plan. We loaded up some of the FMSC food on the truck to take out to the soup kitchen and to the fishing village. Both south of the border around Matamoros.

We had great help loading the food from some of the student missionaries at Christ United Church. Our first stop was the soup kitchen that also doubles as a church that ministers to an incredibly poor community, not only meeting the physical needs but also the spiritual needs of the people in this colonia. This ministry is sponsored by Christ United Church. The churches name is Comedor Unidos en Christo ( soup kitchen United in Christ ). The pastor is a young guy named Jesus. He is about 25 years old. His wifes name is Sol. What cool names, Jesus and Sun. They pastor the church and when food is avalible they cook at the church to provide meals for the needy. There is so much need. They were so stoked to get this food from FMSC. We dropped off 12 boxes. Seven will stay there and 5 boxes will be moved to a work down in Veracruz. We shared scripture and prayed with them. As always we were ministered to more than we deserved. Crazy how that works. Very awesome work these guys are doing.

After leaving our brother and sister we headed about an hour and a half further south and east towards the Gulf to an area called Mezquital. This is a small fishing village that I visited last January with Derel Hatt ,Shaun Ellis, Ray White and Chacho. At that time I knew God would lead us back to this place. I was like O.K. right on Lord tell me when and why. The when was his timing with the food and the why was… the need is obvious.

Although they fish there is many times that the water just does not cooperate. So the needs are huge. There is a small church called Sendero de la Cruz or in gringo Way of the Cross. The pastors name is Abigael and his wifes name is Guadalupe. They migrated from way down south and are more Indian than Mexican. Humble people with a hard life. This little village is called la Mano de Leon or the paw of the lion. They too were excited about getting the food. As we prayed and shared the word with them they thanked us for not forgetting them. Once again we walked away encouraged beyond belief.

We headed back to the border but stopped and chowed down on some killer road side taco stand food. This stuff was great. After eating a sinful amount we proceded to make our way to Christ United Chursh in Los Fresnos. Once back we we packed up and started the 4 hour trek back to Nuevo Laredo. We did not leave till about 10:00 P.M.

I am not sure why we continue to persecute ourselves with sleep deprivation. So we rolled in about 3 A.M. After a shower and some time on the computer I hit the sack. Very cool day. Thank you Lord Jesus.
Kenny
GMSM

After returning home from a beautiful time with First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze in Nuevo Laredo, I had a short stay with the family and made the dreaded turn around trip back down. I met Ray White from Mission Builders in Pensacola at 5:00 a.m. and with trailer in tow headed back down I10 interstate. We stopped in Ponchatoula LA and picking up a much-needed generator that was donated to the ministry by Wormie Felder the owner of Ever Green Tractor Co. To God be the Glory!

We had two other things that we were setting out to accomplish. One was to pick up a college student from Texas A&M in College Station Texas and the other was to meet the truck from Feed My Starving Children. I cannot even begin to tell you how long we were on the road. Any way we dropped Leah off in Laredo at Jaunies house. Jaunie is Mama Lupita’s oldest daughter. Leah is a 21 year old college student who is going to spend 6 weeks in the orphanage to teach English to the kids. She has been down several times before and knows the drill. We pulled back out of Laredo and headed for Los Fresno’s.

We are to meet the truck at United in Christ Ministries where we will use this church as a starting point for distribution across the border. United in Christ was started from two men out of Ray Whites home church in Pensacola. This ministry has grown so much over the last 3 to 4 years. They have a mission in Los Fresnos, TX and all kinds of things going on in the Matamoros area.

As we were getting closer to our second destination we were informed that the food was delivered a day early. That was cool but we could have crashed somewhere for some rest if we would have known. So when we got to United in Christ the food was already unloaded and put up. We hung out with Chacho and Mark for a while to kind of see whats been going on. By this time I was starting to feel so exhausted that the only thing I know what to do is keep on going.

Mark is the pastor and Chacho is the director and missions coordinator. The four of us got together to pray for direction on how God would have us use and distribute the food. This is a first for me. God has put Give Me Shelter Ministries in the position to get the food down here. As always we want to work through the church that is in place. God knows what to do and Chacho and Mark know the needs. Through God’s guidance I have all confidence that the food will get to the right people and God will be glorified and the message of Christ Jesus will be proclaimed.

As tired as I was I will never miss a chance to minister. Chacho is preaching about an hour across the border at a small church called Jehova Jireh . While we were down we took some of the food to a drug rehab center in Matamoros named Centro de Rehailitacion Unidos en Christos — or in gringo translation: Rehabilitation Center of United in Christ.

It is so beautiful to see God work. What a blessing it is to be a part of Kingdom work. It always helps me to see how unworthy I really am. If not for God’s grace and mercy I could have easily been in the same situation in Mexico as these men are. Sometimes I just stand drawing blanks in my head, trying to understand why God choose me to do what he has called me to do. I praise God and give him all the credit. He is so good and excellent.

We arrived at the little church Jehova Jireh. What a wonderful time of worship we had. By this time I was so tired and God was doing a major stretch on me. I was ready to head back across and see if sleep was in the picture for me or not. I was beginning to think that that sleep was something that did not really exist. But God said one more blessing. The pastor’s family wanted to prepare food for us. The flesh wanted to say no but the spirit of true Christian love said stay and enjoy. What a hassle that must have been to prepare food so late at night. This was something they wanted to do. She made fresh hand mixed, hand rolled flour tortillas with beans and egg with this crazy hot sauce that only rivaled the chicken place in Nuevo Laredo. How many blessings can God allow us to have each day and how far can he stretch us? Be obedient and available and find out. I finally got to sleep when God was done with me for this day. Thank you God for your patience with me.

Kenny
GMSM

Que Pasa mi amigos. Today is the last day of the mission trip but the beginning for many changed lives who have served on this mission trip. I have made so many good friends from a 12 year girl who has been called to missions to a 60 or so year old pastor who is much like Jonah. Called to serve in a place that he despised.

God had 50 children show up in the colonias today for VBS. I guess if we were going to be there tomorrow there would be 65 or 70. God continued to increase daily. There were 10-12 children that were led in the prayer of salvation today. Praise God for the harvest that God allowed this team to be a part of.

I know Pastor Felipe will continue to minister to these children. I learn more and more about Felipe and am beginning to understand that I must be around more if this ministry is going to help impact the colonias for Kingdom expansion. The Gulf Breeze group has done an incredible job and have been such a blessing to me. I look forward to hanging with them more. We ate at the pollo place and then took the team to the market to shop. Tonight we have bless and stretch, one of my favorite times.

Kenny
GMSM

Praise God for how He is working in Mexico. After killer coffee and a cool breakfast provided by Cheryl the chef we headed to the church for VBS. As always so far, Derel and crew did an amazing job with the Bible teaching, crafts, snacks and recreation.

While some of the stuff was wrapping up, I went to visit the couple that we are going to build the house for when FBCFWB comes. Raul and Tomasa Badillo are their names. Rachel, Felipe, Rueban and Gabriel went with me. It was awesome to pray and share with them. Today is the last day at the orphanage and I know from experience that it will be hard for some of the youth and adults. Many tears will be shed and many hearts will be changed. To me this is the bittersweet part of these trips. To watch God stretch and mold hearts.

It was good to spend some time with mama Lupita and Deana today just to catch up on some things. Each night we have a time of reflection and tonight was a tough night for some of these kids. We will continue VBS at Filepe’s church in the morning and then it is off to the chicken place for lunch and then will take everyone shopping at the market. I love this group and look forward to spending more time with them. I really thank Rachel Conte for helping me with pictures, captions and other website email related stuff. Her help was most cool. Praise God that he yoked me up with these folks.
Kenny
GMSM

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER! :c)

Hola Amigos!
My name is Kyle Mckissack and I have the wonderful opportunity to serve on the trip to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. I am 16.6 years old and attend Gulf Breeze High School and First Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze. I am currently the Twister® masta in our group. Today we visited the colonias and helped again with the VBS program. It is amazing to see the children each day and see how they are becoming more comfortable around us. The twinkles in their eyes and smiles make my day.

We got to make colorful sippy cups with them today which were amazing. Sarah Gates is one cool girl. After this we headed to the Casa Hogar Elim orphanage. The children here are so energetic and hug all over you all day. We also got to color cups with them which was especially cool seeing as they had no cups. It was an especially important day because it was our last time to get to see them. Until the next time I come back that is.

The children at this orphanage have all been a blessing to me. They constantly display the largest smiles and can’t get enough of us “Americanos”. They are so positive and have so little it is very humbling. I can’t wait until tomorrow to see what is in store.

This morning started out with a text message from Kelly Stanford about perseverance from the book of James. This couldn’t have come at a better time as my day was greeted with a snag about getting the food down to Matamoras. I received an email saying that we had to fill out a financial application before we could move forward with the transportation and pick up of the food. This was never discussed over the last two weeks of conversation with the trucking company and Feed My Starving Children. There was nothing wrong with having to fill out the application except that I was down in here in Mexico and had no financial information with me. So I forwarded the email to Billy Gann (our board of director’s secretary) and asked him to fill out the application and fax it to the trucking company. He texted me back and said he need the address for the food to be delivered… Which I did not have. At this moment I knew that the evil one was trying to trip me up for the day. I had to step back and not wig out. I asked God to take this problem and deal with it the only way that He knows how. Praise God before the day was out all paper work has been taken care of and prayerfully this problem is complete and the food will be on its way.

Today was another beautiful day out in the Colonias at Pastor Felipe’s Church. There were at least 12 more children today than yesterday. As always, word gets out and the crowd may be bigger tomorrow. Gabriel did another wonderful job with the lesson and Gulf Breeze youth group did another wonderful job with singing, snacks, crafts, and recreation. It is such a blessing to see all this pulled together. After this we headed for the orphanage to do VBS and play with the kids. All in all it was a great day and a joy to be part of it.
Kenny
GMSM

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER! :c)

Hey! I’m Tori Payton. I go to First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze. I’m 14 years old and going into the 9th grade at Aletheia Christian Academy.

This mission trip is my second out of the country mission trip but first to Nuevo Laredo! Today was my second day to visit Pastor Felipe’s church in the Colonias and the orphanage. God has really been showing and teaching me a lot!

Today I had two major realizations/blessings. First I love kids, so to be able to work with them is super cool! I learned so much from them. One of them being that we take a lot for granted. Those children have nothing compared to what we are blessed with in America and yet their attitudes reflect Christ so much more than ours sometimes. They are always smiling and laughing and it is so great to see that!

Another thing that was a huge blessing to me was that I got to do everything that I love and have a passion for but I got to do for the honor and glory of God! I had the opportunity to sing, play soccer, and play with kids! It really made me realize that serving God doesn’t have to be boring and repetitive. You can serve God doing the things you love the most! It’s amazing how we come here to serve and bless others but end up being blessed more than you can imagine! I have been having so much fun here and grown closer to God as well as the rest of my youth group!
Friends in Christ,
Tori <3

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Today is a day that I have been praying and waiting for a long time. I have prayed for so long that we would be able to hold a vacation bible school out in the Colonias. We’ve always held vacation bible school at the orphanage which is good, but I’ve always been in the Colonias building houses. There has always been a desire to have a VBS out of these areas. Today God answered that prayer through Gulf Breeze Baptist Church youth group. I cannot tell you how stoked I am to be a part of this mission trip with this group. God is always so gracious and loving. It is very true that when we call on his name and we seek his desires that he will answer our prayers.

Kenny
GMSM

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER! :c)

Hello! I am Rachel Conte, currently a student at Southeastern University, and a member of First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze. This is my first mission trip to Nuevo Laredo and I have seen more of God’s beautiful people.

We began our day with a delicious breakfast and a successful trip across the border to the Colonias. We walked in to the Mission Bautista Camino Nuevo and our interpreter began telling the children stories of the goodness of God. I don’t know Spanish, but the grins on the faces of the children showed me that they were filled with joy with what they heard.

There were songs, snacks, crafts, and laughs shared by everyone. I was taken out of my comfort zone and spoke to four lovely ladies who didn’t know one word of English. Having taken Spanish, I began with our names and simply talked. I was blessed by this small beginning of a friendship that I know I will have with these people.

Next we went to the orphanage. I have always heard of mission trips where children come running to the missionaries arms and they don’t even have to know their name. Today was my first experience of this. We hadn’t even pulled into the parking lot when children were running to and in our vans to give love and be loved. We played games and ate with the children. God once again has shown me how little you need to be happy.

These kids don’t have air conditioning, or ice, or parents, or iphones, or chick-fil-a, and they continually have smiles on their faces. I am always learning that love is most important and that joy can be found in any circumstance.

Today I have been stretched and blessed and I look forward to what God has for tomorrow!

Rachel Conte
FBCGB

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Derel and I drove up to Johnson’s Ins. to get insurance for the vans to cross the border. When that task was finished we headed back to the church for the worship service. I love worshiping in new fellowships, it is always so refreshing. God is so cool. He allows us to enjoy our brothers and sisters in Christ. The common thread for all believers is Christ Jesus. I cannot understand prejudice. After church we had a deliciouslunch made by our awesome cook.

Later in the day, we discovered that the refrigerator in the church kitchen died. So Derel, Gabriel and I went to Home Depot and bought a new one for the church. On our way to get this thing we realized that we had no way to carry this thing back. What’s a missionary to do? So I called Reuben and he said that he would make a few phone calls but could make no promises.

We decided to do the only thing we could do and that was put it in Gods hand. As Gabriel prayed and asked for guidance my phone began to ring before the prayer was over. A deacon from Ruebans church, Benito would come and rescue us and take the new fridge to the church. How cool is that? Score one for the Big Dude. God provided for our need because we asked in his name and He new that this was an important part of His mission plan.

With the fridge all hooked up, I took Jesse, Tracy and Gabriel across the border to Felipe’s church so they could see the lay out for VBS. After talking strategy with Ana, the pastor’s wife, and visiting with Felipe, we headed back to the states and the persecution of the dreaded border line.

Neither of these guys had been across before and it was so cool introducing them to this mission effort God has been so gracious to allow me to be a part of. I took them on a tour of some of the houses that we have built in the past. We also stopped by Gloria and Marcos house. We built this house about two and a half years ago. I always stop in and see this couple when I am in Nuevo Laredo. We made it back across, Emily and Sara made it in, we ate and went to a praise and worship service at the church. I am beat. Tomorrow we all go across to do VBS at Felipe’s church and then at Casa Hagar Elam orphanage. I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to stretch this team.

Kenny

I am always amazed at what God continues to allow us to do with GMSM. This mission trip is really special, as one of our main goals is to help people get involved in mission work in Mexico and Haiti.

This trip is Gulf Breeze Baptist Church’s first mission with us to Nuevo Laredo. We brought Deryl Hatt, the youth pastor, down this past January in hopes of getting his church involved. Well, praise the Lord they are fired up and we are all serving in Mexico less than six months later.

After a long journey to Laredo we arrived at the host church Iglesia Bautista Emanuel. This will be our home for the next 5 days.

We will cross the border each day and do Vacation Bible School in the morning at the colonias and VBS in the afternoon at Casa Hogar Elim orphanage. I will say, this church is in a very rough part of town. Tomorrow I will take a small group over the border and let them see what God has gotten them into.

Praise God for the safe journey. Thank you to all supporters for keeping us in your prayers this week.

Kenny

GMSM

Give Me Shelter Ministries is returning to Nuevo Laredo twice this summer, once with Gulf Breeze Baptist Church on June 12 and again with First Baptist Church Ft. Walton Beach on our annual mission June 27.

We will be working on building one shelter during our trip. We have more than one needy family down in Nuevo Laredo, but each trip makes a difference.

We ask for your prayers as these volunteers help our neighbors who have very little. If you can make any contribution to helping us build homes for the members of Pastor Felipe’s church, please do so. God bless you and we thank you for your support.

May 29, 2009

Today is the day that is always met with mixed emotions. This is break down day when part of says “I wish we had another week and the other part of me says its time to go back to the land of human chaos. In any event there is much work that needs to be done where ever the Lord will allow us to work. As with every morning, it is cool to watch the village come alive. People start to scurry around doing their daily chores, children start showing up for school and life starts a new day in Z’Orange. Just like home there is always something to do. What they do down here is survival. We do not have to worry about survival unless you consider survival being worried that that guy’s boat is bigger than yours. As we say our goodbyes and get things packed, we start the trek back towards Port and then on to Love a Child to drop the truck off. I drove the whole time and that was a nice break for Chuck. Once we dropped the truck off we headed for CSI guest house to stay the night. Tomorrow we head to the land of plenty