Mission Blog

Many thanks to GMSM supporter David Triana for including us in his article about Haiti.

Here is a copy of the article that was printed in the March edition of their paper:

Even before January 12, 2010, Haiti was a hard place to live for the majority of its citizens.  As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, it has had a traumatic history filled with corruption and dictators abusing its populace. 

On the evening of 12 January, its capital of Port Au Prince was struck by one of the modern world’s worst natural disasters in the form of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.  It is estimated that the earthquake destroyed 70% of the buildings in the capital and 90% of the buildings in towns close to the epicenter!

More than 200,000 people are believed to have been killed with more than 194,000 injured and over 1 million were left homeless.
Some of the first responders to the earthquake were Air Force personnel from Hurlburt Field.  Additionally, dozens of Christian organizations that have been operating in Haiti for many years were also critical to the initial response.

“The devastation is incredible and hard to describe, Haiti was a hard place to live before, now it is even worse!” said Kenny Phillips, Founder/Director of Give Me Shelter Ministries (GMSM).  GMSM’s mission is to “provide help and hope in the name of Jesus Christ, sharing the Word of God and promise of Eternal Shelter, to those most in need anywhere in the world.”

Kenny had been to Haiti several times before.  After the earthquake, he accompanied members of Truth Evangelistic Ministries (TEM), another local organization, to deliver aid and monetary donations to Christian churches.  

“GMSM is in need of funds to help with the expenses of our upcoming trip in March.  We are proud to say that all monies raised go towards our relief efforts.  We totally depend on God’s grace and mercy to meet our needs” added Kenny.

GMSM has also been serving orphanages and the poor of Nuevo Laredo, México for eight years delivering food, medical supplies and building homes.
Some unofficial estimates fear the number of new orphans may be upwards of 700,000 as a direct result of the earthquake!  Christian ministries also serve many orphanages in Haiti.  Another agency doing great work there is the American Red Cross. 

It will be many years before Haiti recovers from the aftermath of this latest tragedy!  Long after news of the earthquake has disappeared from the front pages of newspapers, thousands of people will still be living in tents or temporary housing.  Even more tragic, the children left homeless and orphaned will still need the support of caring human beings to provide food, education and shelter for them.  

Want to help Haiti?  Do so by attending the upcoming NAACP4HAITI concert scheduled for 14 March, 12pm – 6pm at Fort Walton Beach’s Landing Park (downtown FWB).  La Costa Latina is one of the sponsors of the concert and several Latino performers were invited to participate.  For more info, see ad in this edition. 

For more information on how to donate towards Haiti relief, please go to:  
      http://www.givemeshelterministries.org/    (contact #:  850-496-7398)

            http://truthem.org/                                       (contact #:  850-582-1458)

  http://www.redcross.org/haiti                     (1-800-842-2200)

Thanks to you all who have contributed to this next trip to Haiti.  Kenny leaves Monday and will be reporting here on the blog daily.  Please keep Kenny, his family and all other missionaries in your prayers for this trip.

Travel day is always a day of reflection especially when it is the return home part of the mission trip. We had to be at the PAP Int’l Airport at 6.00 a.m. in hopes that we had a seat on the hopper from Port to Santo Domingo D.R. As we sat on the tarmac of the make shift air terminal I could not help but notice how under control this airstrip was. The U.S. Air Force was really doing a great job and running a smooth operation. We ran across so many dysfunctional organizations it made feel good knowing that without our guys being there the airport would be total chaos. Thanks dudes and ladies.

God was so good during the last two weeks. He allowed us to minister and meet many needs. He truly continues to grow and show me direction in Haiti. I feel He is leading GMSM in directions that can multiply the cause and expand His kingdom. The need is great and will continue to be great. Pray that God will continue to use us for His glory and will. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

GMSM

I make no excuse for my time lapse for reporting on the last day. I was extremely tired which seems to not even mean anything considering all that the beautiful people of Haiti are having to deal with. I really feel that God will allow me to make a turn around trip back in a couple of weeks or so. I am needed there and your support through Give Me Shelter Ministries is needed there.

Our last day was spent driving all over Port trying to find food supplies for an orphanage that someone from back home asked Chuck to check on. In all the chaos of the streets, vendors and traffic we were able to get the supplies. We were not able to make the connection we were hoping for though we did reach a friend of Pastor Harry who is a pastor and also helps with an orphanage. Harry went to seminary with this dude and they are very tight.

His name is Pastor Alexander and has a church near Harry’s church. He also helps out at Coats Little Angels Orphanage. Coats is apparently the name of someone state side who started this place. I do not know the story or circumstances behind this particular orphanage but it almost seems like it has been forgotten. Not a pretty sight but I have not seen an orphanage in Haiti that was a pretty sight to see. Seems like children are used as pawns to serve as a means of bettering one’s self. I am not saying that this is the case but it does make me wonder. It would not take a lot to make a difference here and we did what we could do on a temporary basis. We were able to supply them with food that would sustain them for a couple of weeks. There are thirty children in all, fifteen boys and fifteen girls. I do trust this pastor especially with the backing of Harry. Harry would never lead us astray. The rest of the day was spent out at Harry’s church kind of just chillin. We had to get back to the guest house to start preparation for the return trip back to our families. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny
GMSM

We were on the go all day today. Chuck went one way and Dale and I took off in the other direction. I know it takes pressure off Chuck with me being able to deal with a lot of the daily grind. It allows us to get so much accomplished when we can split up and meet back in the middle.

We went in search of rice, beans and oil while Chuck and our new friend Dr. Meriwether went in search of pasta, fish and sauce. We were gathering more supplies for Z,Orange. There is such a need up there and it’s just best at this time to get them about 3 to 4 weeks worth of food supplies.

We bought 30 bags of rice but for some reason there must be a run on beans. We searched in three different towns and could not find any. We also had a difficult time finding the oil but we finally found some in this out of the way market. Harry was taking us all over the place. Sometimes you really have to keep your head on a swivel because things can go south quickly especially when you are purchasing the high volume of stuff that we are. There is a lot of money changing hands even though we try to be as discreet as possible, the eyes are always watching. God has sure put a hedge of protection around us so far. We need it.

It is desperate here. I hope people will start buying more food stuff in country versus shipping it in. That way the local economy can maybe reap some benefit from this tragedy. I feel like I will be coming back soon. There is so much we can do and need to continue to do. Not sure what the world is seeing now that the newness of the earthquake has worn off. I have been too busy with day to day work and then at night being a slave to the website to check on any news. Anyway, we got all the food supplies on up the mountain and as usual all were very stoked. God is so good. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Micah 6:8 tells us how we are to treat Gods people. Tomorrow will be a good day.
Kenny
GMSM

From Haiti, February 1, 2010

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Today was one of those days that do not come along very often in Haiti. God allowed us to accomplish so much. Chuck went in search for documents that could not be obtained and ended up with new tires on the van. While all that was going down Dale and I met up with Harry and his friend Martinez.

We took a tap tap out to Harry’s church in Croix-des-Bouquets. Along the way we stopped at a rice place and purchased 24 bags of rice and 6 cases of oil. Today was a food distribution day for the church and community. This was all done at the church property with Harry and the elders of the church overseeing the distribution duties. Harry does such a good job and the people really respect him. He truly loves his people.

We made enough bags of food with rice, beans and oil to feed over 850 people. It is so cool to watch and be a part of all this. People are so grateful and it really does humble you. Smiles all over the place and the children are so beautiful. We wrapped all that up and it was time to head back in town and hook up with Chuck. We are stating to get larger amounts of food into the hands of more pastors. This allows them to distribute it without the chaos and to get it to the communities around their church. Tomorrow we will take a load up to Z’Orange.

Chuck got all kinds of things done to the van today. He even got the A/C fixed in the van. He’s a stylin missionary now. What a great day with lots of stuff accomplished. Yesterday was my youngest daughter’s birthday. The night before I left I told Lydia I would not be home on her birthday. She told me that she would rather me be here in Haiti helping the little children on her birthday. It really made me pause and just say thank you God for her heart. Jesus tells us a lot about children in the scripture. They grow up fast. Tomorrow should be another good day.

Yeah! Today is church day. We took off to Z’Orange to go to church at Jerusalem I and to visit with our friends. The church was completely packed today. Probably at least 800 people were in Gods house today. I was told that they had folks from all four Jerusalem churches. It was a beautiful site. As always I love the worship and love the passion the Haitian people have for their Lord and Savior.

I had a chance to visit with Pastor Fani’s wife and talked with her for a little while. I did leave her some money to help with bills, food, water etc. I also talked to his 10 year old son Cado. I told him that he is the man of the house now and he had to take care of his mother. I also told him that his father was very proud of him.

After church Pastor Dorleon’s family made us a great Haitian meal that consisted of goat, rice and beans, onion gravy, fried plantains and pickle.

Came back down to Dottie’s and chilled for the rest of the evening. Three female P.A.’s showed up tonight. They are from Montana and on one of the ladies had great interesting stories. She and her husband own a big ranch. It sounded like they were cowboys and cowgirls. She does medical stuff all over the place. Good stuff. We really enjoyed talking to her. Tomorrow will be a very busy day. Praise God that we had a much needed break today.

Kenny
GMSM

Praise god from whom all blessings flow. I would be singing more praise if I could get some sleep. For some odd reason, one that has not been explained to me yet, the generator comes on at 9:00 p.m. and does not go off till 2:00 a.m. It ain’t music to my ears. WOW! I just heard some gun shots. That’s a first. Anyway, we were able to hand out about 2000 meals today in some of the tent areas. This would not have been possible with out the help of the 24-7 intern dudes from Bayside Community Church out of Bradenton, Fl. These guys bagged up hundreds of baggies of rice and beans.

Along with some FMSC Manna Packs, this made up a nice bag of food. Each bag had about 12 meals. Dale and I went down to Dottie’s school to check out the clinic while Chuck chased rabbits with the NGO’s. You know these guys have a plan that works in theory but it is not going to be helpful at this time. The need is now and to sit around trying to circle wagons, cross T’s dot I’s and fill out paper work is not going to help it at all. It may work in the long run but sometimes you need to check the ego at the door and just look around and jump in feet first.

Anyway we are just trying to do what we can. It is such a joy to be able to know that a few folks are eating for the next few days. It is only a bandage on a severe wound. I know God remains in control and that when it comes down to it the heart of man will do all the post quake damage. We must continue to give all Glory and plead for mercy.

Kenny
GMSM

From Haiti, January 29, 2010

The day started way too early. I went with Chuck to the airport to take a group of doctors to hop on a MAF (mission aviation fellowship) flight. That seems to be the only thing flying out right now. It is a first-come, first- served type of a gig and you just have to fly to wherever they are going. From there you are on your own.

I heard that they ended up in Chicago. That would suck if you live in FWB, FL. Oh well they are at least back in the states. Anyway 4:30 is a little early.

When we got back we started preparing for a day of buying food supplies and going up to the village of Z’Orange. I have many friends there and was looking forward to seeing them. I drove the beast while Chuck drove the van. We split up and Harry, Dale and I and a friend of Harry’s took off to Tetayen to buy the goods for the village.

Chuck’s chauffer service went to pick up another group from Dallas at a mission and delivered them to the airport. The market did not have all the stuff so we took off to a little town called Cabaret. I have never been there so I was up for the adventure. We gathered all our chum and headed up the mountain. I was glad Dale was able to check out the country side of life. I love it up there. It is a different feeling altogether.

I spoke with pastor Dorleon and we talked about the passing of Pastor Fani. I did not see Madam Fani, but understand she is struggling. Chuck made it up and saw all the work we had done. We found out that there is a lot of need up there. More than usual which can be expected with all the stuff that has happened. The thing that is hurting the provinces is that all the city folks are headed to the country. That puts a strain on an already hurting area. We will return on Sunday to catch church and a good grind. Cannot wait.

After we left the country we came back to the craziness of the city. I dig it when I just stay out in the bush with my bros. There will be plenty of time for that as time comes. God has been so good to allow me to taste the sweetness of his creation and let me serve in ways that he can only accomplish through an ordinary surfer like me. Praise God, I am so grateful for His grace and mercy as he continues to grow me and His ministry.

Kenny
GMSM

From the guest blogger Dale “Surfer D” Winslette – Friday

“The DEAFENING EFFECT – Living in Whoville”

If You’ve seen “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” you’ve seen the part where the Grinch says about Whoville : “ It’s the NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE!!!!!”

NOISE…In Port-Au-Prince it overloads the senses and permeates the air…like the smog which chokes the city. That’s the way it’s been for the last week. The critical mass of 3 Million people with their associated dump trucks, cars, taxis, motorcycles, ambulances, the all white colored vehicle United Nations brigade –who drive like they are running with their hair on fire, and horns of every kind and of every sound imaginable on every kind of vehicle coupled with ZERO traffic control is just DEAFENING!!!

The good news is we got to see the flipside of that today with a trip to the mountain area of Z’Orange which lies NE of the Port where Kenny and Chuck have been working for several years. Unfortunately the bad news is the lack of natural resources, the deforestation of the country, along with the extensive erosion of the hillsides has taken it’s toll….Such is the plight of Haiti…it just takes a toll on you. The good news was the QUIET of the mountain region, which was completely foreign in our city environment for the last week. That along with the hospitality of the people, the genuine laughter of children at play. Something absent in the city but sorely needed … even in a small way by a land and people wrought with destruction.

The generator went out again and this time the mechanic was to busy to come over. So Chuck and I took on the task of playing super mechanics. Well, I was just the boy wonder and anyone who knows me knows I know very little about most things concerned with engines. So Chuck was the cape crusader. We did find a small pin whole in one of the water lines to the radiator and figured that was the reason for the over heating and causing the generator to go into automatic shut-off mode. So we wrestled the radiator out of the housing, pulled the hoses off and went in search of new hoses. We bought new hoses at the tune of $175.00, ouch!

We also took the radiator over to pressure washer dude that was set up by one of the tarp cities to have it cleaned. We returned back to the guest house and reinstalled all parts and pieces. One good thing was we did not have any parts left over so I guess we got back to the way it was. We cranked that baby up and so far all is well. I guess I was like when Paul said “I became all things to all people”, ha-ha, do not ever let me touch your engine.

That took most of our day and I know Dottie is truly grateful as well as the other guests. Harry came by tonight with another guy and we made a plan for tomorrow. We also had the opportunity to help a guy named Eddy who lost his home and all belongings. This guy has helped Chuck with a lot of in-country legal stuff. Good to give back. Praise God for whom all blessings flow, he provided another great day in a land of mass confusion.