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
4664 Riva Ridge Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
