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