Author: kenny phillips

Oct. 21

We started early making the food bags to take down to the tent city. It has been raining some here but not to bad. Heard Port au Prince was getting hammered. We left around noon headed back over the mountains and towards Cayes to get tarps and food to the tent city we are trying to work with. What we did not know was it had been raining several days very hard and the Cavallion, Cayes area was flooding out. As we got to the south coast and started heading west the rain picked up like nothing I’ve ever seen. The lightening was just as bad. I started noticing the roads and fields were beginning to hold water. The further we went the worse it got. We had already crossed several swollen rivers so we were kinda at a point of no return. We got to the camp set up distribution and got out of there quick as we could. After about 10 minutes the people turned into land sharks and bull rushed us. We dropped and pulled out quick. Heading back the flooding was peak and it’s only by the grace of God we didn’t get washed away. We passed our last hurdle only be be stopped dead in our tracks by a massive mudslide. Bummer, after assessing the situation we realized we ain’t making it home tonight. Us and about 50 other cars were stuck till from 6:00 to 4:00 AM. Finally about 2:00 AM two front loaders showed up and made a path. We made it back around 4:30AM. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Oct 20

Raining hard all day. Can’t move around much at the moment. We did finally get food supplies delivered today. Hopefully we will bag it up in the morning and head out. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Oct 18

After a good nights sleep I was up early and took a walk around Camp Perrin. I really do not see much, if any, activity going on relief wise. Save Our Children are here but they have been in Camp Perrin for a long time. I met one of their field directors and hope we might partner with them, especially at the tent city. There are so many children there and they do not have a WC (latrine). That is a major health concern. What we could use in Camp Perrin is a chain saw crew with experienced operators. This place is mess. I saw some pictures taken several days before the storm and this place was beautiful. So many trees and shade and the town stayed cool because of the canopy. They say you could walk all over and not leave the shade. Now there is no greenery or trees. Could take decades or maybe a generation to get back. The roof project was finished today so now these sisters and grandchildren can at least stay dry. We loaded up and headed back to Gran Goave to regroup and start the supply process all over. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Oct. 17-2016

We loaded the truck up again with about 90 food bags and supplies to stay in Camp Perrin for several days. Our plan was to do spot delivery as before to cut back on the danger factor and to check on our small construction project. I am traveling with Alex, Diddy and Joe. Numbers are important due to the possibility of robbers. Diddy and Joe are big muscle guys and their presence is huge. As we approached Cayes Diddy noticed a Camp up on a hill. We made a quick u turn and drove up to check it out. Turns out there are about 500 people who’s homes were totally destroyed and sought the high ground to escape the flooding. Tents made of sheets, cardboard and whatever are now their home. We made a fast assessment and Alex found the de facto leaders. They told us their story and we gave out all the food, tarps and aqua tabs. The aqua tabs will help somewhat for clean water which is a huge problem. The name of the camp is Commune Cavaillon and it’s in zone Grandier 2. If it were not for good leadership here we would have been stampeded and probably attacked. Once the food was gone and it was not remotely enough, the leaders helped us get safely out and we headed to Camp Perrin. We will return with more food and tarps. Logistics make this hard and expensive but it is what it is. We purchased sheet metal and some lumber for our roof project. Awesome how God directed us to this small camp. I think we can work here. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Oct. 16

Sunday and a day of rest and reflection. Tomorrow we head back to Camp Perrin to deliver food on the way and to check and see if the clean up has started on the house we want to put a roof on for the elderly ladies. That will dictate if we stay or not. Once the clean up is done we can get started. We will check on material for the roof and try and move further out to see where else we can help. Rest was needed today. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Oct 15/2016

Today was another day of food purchase and building the food packs. They all contain the same as before. Such a small thing brings so much joy that at times it can be overwhelming. On Monday we will head back south to Camp Perrin but this time we will stay for 3 or for days. It will be a difficult journey but I am sure God has already made the path safe. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Oct. 14/2016

We headed southwest early this morning to a town called Camp Perrin. We have connections there and thought this may be a good starting point. Along the way we ran across Omba Fort, Aquin. This little peninsula got hammered. We stopped to get some food to the people. They have zero help for food and water. As we started the distribution things became very dangerous so we quickly got out of there. We handed out only 40 bags. As expected a few messed it up for many. We moved on and stopped along the way to single dwellings for safety sakes. We made it to Camp Perrin which had to be a beautiful town pre hurricane. Not a tree left standing and massive damage to most structures. This town is NW of Cayes. We distributed food and surveyed what we might be able to do. We found some elderly sisters who lost everything. God willing and God providing we might can get a roof over their heads. Please help me pray through this. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

 

Haiti relief Oct 12-13/16
I arrived safe in a country that has been almost two years since I was last here. Harry and Alex met me at the airport got a smooth exit. We started gathering a few tools that will help while here and will help in the future. Machetes, rope, hammers, tarps etc. From Port au Prince we headed to the compound in Gran Gwav several hours down the coast. Hit the rack and rose early to start buying food supplies that we will distribute. We will make packages of food for families. Each package will have rice,beans,oil, noddles,sauce, fish and bullion. The same sort of thing we did during the earthquake. We made 100 packs to start with. This is nothing compared to what we really need. We will head southwest in the morning to where the hurricane passed over. We have limited resources at this time so we have to hit our target. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Kenny

In November and December of 2015 GMSM joined Conscience International on the island of Lesbos, Greece to assist in the flow of refugees fleeing Syria, Iran,Afghanistan and Iraq from the rule of ISIS. As they left their countries they migrated through Turkey, mostly on foot, and came across the Aegean Sea via rubber dingy. Sounds like a simple process but it’s far from simple. Leaving property, family members and belongings due to the strong arm of ISIS and war these people faced odds that most humans could not handle. Running from the enemy ,they found more problems when they reached Turkey. Seems like Turkey has a unsatisfiable taste for money. The refugees are taken advantage of financially and mistreated physically. Once they reach the Turkish shore they are SOLD the right of passage on a small boat for the sum of $1000.00 to $1500.00 per person. The small boats to my estimation could comfortably hold 25 passengers. But money mongrels always figure out how to exploit the hurting. So they cram 50 to 60 freedom seekers on one raft and smile all the way to the bank. Most refugees are not necessarily water people so boating experience is not common. They purchase ineffective life jackets, take a crash course in boating 101 and are pointed in the direction of the island. Most make it and some do not. There have been many drownings, mostly children. Our mission was to accept the refugees once they hit the shores of Lesbos and get them to the stage two camp in Scalla and get them dry cloths, warm drink, water and food. Once in the camp there are doctors to see after the sick and hurting. The problems range from exposure to culture shock and everything between. We also try to give them their dignity back. In this two month span I spent 5 weeks on Lesbos, 3 of those weeks our youngest daughter Lydia was with us. It’s a joy seeing your child in the field doing what should be
natural to all people. Unfortunately that’s not the case. A lot of people have the misconception that all Muslims are bad people. Yes there are some bad Muslims, just like there are some bad Americans and other people in the world. We were not there to make judgment on these people. We were there to meet needs and extend the hand of love and friendship. I think Christ showed us that example didn’t He. Once they got through our camp the refugees were put on a bus that takes them to bigger camps to start the processing so they could move through Europe. We are hoping for a return trip (#3) after the 1st. This by far has been one of the greatest experiences GMSM has been a part of. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

Dear family,friends and church,

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. Give Me Shelter Ministries will be joining Conscience International to assist in relief effort in Lesvos, Greece. Thousands of refugees are fleeing Syria and Iraq via Turkey into Lesvos. They have left their homes to make the trek across Turkey in hope of a new life. These refugees are escaping civil war and ISIS. We will be assisting at the camp ,which receives immigrants, with the distribution of food, water, clothes, sleeping bags, and medical supplies. These folks have left everything they own and arrive on the island with only what they have on their back. From the island they will hopefully take the ferry to Athens. Afterward, their future is uncertain, and is the focus of political debate. All I know is that they are precious to God, so they are precious to me. We will be taking clothes for the people which will be distributed once we arrive. We are asking for your prayers as we head into an unknown and pray that God would continue to provide for His desperate people. If you would like to contribute financially to help us buy supplies, you may do so via paypal at our website www.givemeshelterministries.org. You may also send a check to GMSM, PO Box 864 Shalimar, FL 32579. Please notate in the memo: Lesvos Refugee Relief. Please look at our blog on the website Nov 3-17 for updates. GMSM is a 5o1c3 non profit and all donations are tax deductible. Peace and blessings,

Kenny Phillips founder/director
Give Me Shelter Ministries,Inc.
www.givemeshelterministries.org
850-496-7398
PO Box 864 Shalimar, FL 32579