The Shelter of United Love

August

This month has been a blast, following the amazing summer. From the summer coming into the end of August The Shelter of United Love had the help of some amazing servants from the U.S, Canada, and Kenya. It was no doubt that every person on the team, was there because they were ready to see the lives of street children changed.

Elisa joined Cornel, Dan, and Kennedy in the month of May. While the men worked to build a solid outreach and follow up team. Elisa worked alongside helping guide and direct them logistically and backing them with prayer. Elisa also did an amazing job with building a solid foundation for the The Shelter of United Love by leading the organization of the files, databases, and programs for the ministry. Elisa was superb in her strategies in outreach, and financial planning. With all of that and much more needless to say she was a rock star for the team.

Following Elisa, Haley and I arrived ready to work. Not even a week after they arrived the whole ministry moved from a one and a half bedroom apartment, to a compound with three buildings and plenty of room for agriculture and domesticated animals. Once in the compound the team had full hands with all the programs they were facing ahead. One big thing was the house on the compound. It needed a lot of work. Fortunately enough the team had it under control. Going straight to work and working around the clock the house began to look like a true rescue center. Cornel focused on following up the street children that had been taken home, while Dan and Kennedy worked on outreach for the kids who were on the street. The three muzungus (white people) for the most part worked on the compound. Not even a week went by before kids started showing up and getting their lives changed. With our outreach meetings on Fridays and Saturdays along with relational meetings throughout the week, the kids began to realize we were there to help them and we started to see friendships build between our team and the kids.

Our first two kids came off the street, Sammy and Godfrey, which really set the reality of how amazing Jesus is. He is powerful and strong and such a relentless God. After almost three weeks, Haley headed home. But praise Jesus we were able to receive Blake, whom was also from the U.S and brought a lot to the team with her nursing and relational skills. The transition never slowed down the pace of the ministry. It just continued to grow. Through a course of 2 months we saw 8 more kids go home off the streets. These kids included a funny young teen named Laban, two brothers, Joseph and Nice, a very young 6 year old boy named Keddedy, a beautiful 9 year old girl named Sarah, two friends Steven and Tony, a smart young teen named John, and kid with a huge smile named Gideon. Seeing those boys and girls transition into freedom was indescribable.

Sadly to say in early August after months of hard labor, it was time for the U.S and Canada team to head back home. The compound and ministry was left with the three Kenyan men, Cornel, Dan, and Kennedy. During the course of a month theses men have worked hard to secure the compound with a fence which holds over 15 chickens. They have farmed and planned seeds for the harvest, and they have successfully managed a follow up program of 40 children which includes school fees. These men are warriors. The month of August has been one of transition and we can only pray that Jesus continues to do his will for these street children through the ministry. As for now we have received enough money to be able to file for the tax exempt status. Once we file it we will need your prayers as we wait to see if it is approved. But in the time between now and then we are currently raising support for the ministries monthly fees. This includes rent and utilities for the compound ($300), 4 outreach meetings per month ($80), staff employment ($150), school fees for children ($100), transportation ($50), and whatever else the ministry may need. Since the beginning of this ministry over 1 year ago we have never gone without and we know that it is all in the hands of the Heavenly Father.

Thank you all so very much for everything you do,

Haden Hallman

Co-Founder of The Shelter of United Love

205-657-0068

hfhallman@crimson.ua.edu

4664 Riva Ridge Drive

Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

There is one sentence to describe our past couple of weeks here at the Shelter of United Love. “Jesus is Awesome.”

The bible says that, “Many are the plans a man has for himself, but it’s the Lords purpose that prevails”. In the foundations of this ministry the goal has been to insure the safety and restoration of street children. With that in mind, we knew we needed a home for the street children to come to and receive care and rehabilitation. In our minds,  what seemed to be the ideal plan was to buy a piece of land, to farm, raise livestock, and build a sustainable home for the kids. We didn’t know the time span or even the financial cost.  We just knew it was the plan God had for us. Well, when God wants something done, he does it. The idea of renting a compound for a temporary children’s home emerged between fellow founder Cornel Ojwang and me.  As we prayed and discussed our ideas, we were both in agreement that the need for such a home is immediate. Even at this moment there are children that need it.

We began to pray for God to open up doors. Not a week later, Cornel along with one of this summer’s interns, Elisa Dorman, took a trip to visit a hopeful prospect for our new compound. When they arrived there was someone occupying the home, but they both knew just by walking through the gates that it was the place. That night the S.O.U.L team prayed and less than a week later the occupants that were residing in the home had left. Simply Jesus, simply divine. It was clear that we had found our shelter. A week after locating our new compound, another intern Haley Green arrived in Busia town to offer her helping hands. A couple of days after Haley, I arrived back in Busia for the summer. As a team we went and had a look at the house. We arranged a meeting with the landlord, came to our agreements, and then began to get the house ready to move in.

The house and compound needed a little tender love and care, so it was up to us to get started. We retiled the bathrooms, patched and painted the roof, repaired damaged concrete, cleaned up bags and bags of trash, cut the jungle of a yard, painted, and everything under the sun. We have worked hard and accomplished much, yet there are still many more things to come in the restoration process of the home. Just like the restoration for the children, we can see the restoration for the home. As we are working and restoring the home into a beautiful house of healing we know that i it will one day host and restore many broken hearts back to life. It’s funny how things work out that way.  On June 30^th we moved into the new shelter. When we were sleeping 6 grown adults in a 1 and a half bedroom apartment, God was good. Now having over an acre of land with a big enough house for 30 people, God is still good and always will be good.

We are full of praise to God for providing our amazing new compound, and we are eager to continue spending ourselves doing the work that needs to be done to make this place a home.  Additionally, we have been blessed with an amazing staff. Alongside Cornel are two amazing men, Dan and Kennedy. Both of these men head up the outreach department. When they are not working on the house or doing many of the other duties it takes to run this ministry, their main act of service is outreach. They go out to the streets multiple times a week to get to know the children on a personal level. Cornel is in charge of interacting with the children’s department and heading the follow up program for the 30 children and young adults currently off the streets. We are well aware that as we grow the time will come to acquire more staff members. We are eagerly praying and waiting for the provision of more staff members.

For our summer staff, Elisa is a rock star whom is studying international development at the University of Ontario. She is spending her summer with S.O.U.L  bringing glory to the kingdom while also gaining college credit for her degree. We are so thankful for all that she has all ready done. Not to mention she was also on the very first mission team with myself and three others that discovered our passion for the kids. Our ball of fun, Haley, is a student at the University of Alabama who is studying education. This trip to Busia was her very first mission trip and she did such an amazing job.  Haley has returned to the United States after 3 weeks. She will be continuing raising awareness and heading up the support team for S.O.U.L. Please pray for her travel and readjustments. Haley has had a great impact on the ministry bringing joy, laughter, and unity to our team.  We are so thankful for her time here. Taking her place will be Blake Stafford. She is an amazing Woman of God who has spent 3 previous months working for SOZO Children in Kampala Uganda and is finishing her nursing degree at University of Alabama. We know she will bring so much to the ministry.

And now for the kids. The program is working. We are continuing to see kids go home and hearts being awakened to life. It’s apparent the Holy Spirit is moving. All we can do is buckle up for the thrill ride. We have many plans for the kids on the street. A new development of a prevention program is immerging. This program will exist to reach out to surrounding schools, communities, and villages to educate them on the issues of street children. Currently, we are awaiting the approval from Children Department of Kenya to operate as a rescue home. Once we are approved we will be able to fill our house with children ready to be loved and restored. Meanwhile in America the S.O.U.L team headed up by President Brad Petrey and Vice President Steve Hallman are working on the registration as a tax exempt nonprofit organization. After receiving the title as a registered NPO in the United States it is important to achieve the tax exempt status for the future of raising support for S.O.U.L.

We have many amazing things taking place. However, in order for us to continue being a part of all the goodness God is doing to restore the street kids in Busia, we need financial and spiritual support. Please pray and worship with us for all that Jesus is doing in and through this ministry. Please pray for the safety of our team. We are declaring unity, wisdom and power that will break all cultural barriers and bring victory.

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. I you obey my commands; you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:9-13

Jesus is Awesome,

Haden Hallman

Co-Founder: Shelter of United Love

205-657-0068

hfhallman@crimson.ua.edu

 

 

 

The Shelter of United Love

His Love Remains

I have been back in America for almost 4 months now. Going into my departure from the beautiful Kenya, Africa I did not know what was to come for the ministry. I knew Cornel and Dan were two amazing men of God with big hearts, and great vision so I had a good feeling it would be a glorious outcome. It did not take long for the reports to come in that exemplified the victories occurring in the ministry. Kids are going home, walls are being broken down, and hearts are being awaken to life.

If you are knew to following the Shelter of United Love, it is a ministry that reaches out to homeless, abandoned, and neglected street children and facilitates a way for the children to leave a life on the street for a life of victory. We do so by having outreach events which bring in the children from the street. Once we have their attention we simple share the love of Jesus. During and after the meetings we pick children out and talk to them about their situations. We find how we can help and we help. Whether that is taking them back to their homes, finding a new home, locating an orphanage, helping them with a job if they are older. We work with the Kenyan Childcare Office of Busia and find what is best for the kid and his or her situation.

The ministry has been active as a Community Based Organization for almost 8 months now. Looking at the amazing work being done, it is absolutely profound to see such amazing fruit in so little time. I encourage you to read the past blog posts on what Jesus has done. The numbers of children returned home has gone from 22 children and young adults when I left to now almost 40. 17 of those children are in school and performing great. Many of the older boys have been put through job training and now help provide for their families. Jesus is awesome and he has shown it over and again.

As the ministry continues the number of kids being set free will increase. This ministry is very simple. We are a gateway for these street children to regain their innocence. I will be joining two others in returning to Kenya in June. I am very excited to be able to visit all the children that have returned home and reach out to the ones who have not. Jesus had plans for this ministry that far surpass my capability to comprehend. We are aiming to achieve a piece of land to begin a rehabilitation center for the kids. We know with whole certainty that the land will come in God's perfect timing. For now we can continue to rest in the absolute truth. We are in God's purpose, his will and he will use us to do whatever is best to bring glory to his name.

For more information and updates follow us on facebook The Shelter of United Love.

Jesus is Awesome!

Haden Hallman

hfhallman@crimson.ua.edu

Co-Founder S.O.U.L Ministries