+ Next Shipment Poised for Rep. of Georgia +

 Virlan Gheorghe

     Orphan Grain Train--Michigan is returning to Georgia to assist people such as Virlan Gheorghe, a 98 year old gentleman from Trusheni, the Republic of Georgia.  

     A shipment is anticipated for this March when inclement winter weather is less likely to interfere with loading.  Virlan Gheorghe is pictured here using a wheeled walker delivered with an Orphan Grain Train shipment from Michigan in August, 2022.

Sammy's Like Boys Everywhere

     What do you do with outgrown boots and shoes?  You remember there are other boys around the world smaller than you who would love to wear bright colored footwear just like you do.
    Sammy came all the way from Virginia recently and brought Orphan Grain Train four of his outgrown pairs.  Just think of the happy smiles, just like Sammy's here, that these boots will bring to a boy in Kyrgyzstan or Georgia  or to a boy playing in Malawi.  Thanks! Sammy.

Lutheran Heritage Foundation Notes Teamwork with Orphan Grain Train--Michigan

 

Lutheran Heritage Foundation recently distributed the following notice:            "4th year seminary students from Concordia Lutheran Institute for the Holy Ministry (CLIHM) in South Sudan have returned from vicarage to begin their final year of studies. Awaiting them was a newly-stocked library, filled with books donated by Lutheran churches and individuals from across the United States. Keep these men and their instructors in your prayers as they work toward graduation, ordination and service as pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan/Sudan.      Special thanks to Orphan Grain Train - Michigan for shipping the container with these donations and more to ELCSS/S headquarters in (Yambio) South Sudan!"

Wildfire Relief Efforts Increased with Thrivent Match

Here is shown remains of the former family home of our OGT branch manager Pastor Dave Reed located in Altadena, California. 

The house was among thousands of structures destroyed in the devistating January Eaton Fire.

Thrivent is offering a Match in support of OGT’s California disaster relief efforts. Several people lost their lives and thousands of structures were destroyed. We need your help to offer support and comfort to many of those devastated families.  Thrivent will increase your impact.  As part of the response, for every $2 donated through Thrivent’s online giving platform or gifts from a Donor Advised Fund through Thrivent Charitable Impact and Investing to Orphan Grain Train, Thrivent will match $1, up to $500,000.                   Click HERE        Please note:  This Thrivent Match can ONLY be made through Thrivent’s online giving platform linked here.  OGT cannot accept checks or donations for the Thrivent Match.  For every $2 donated through Thrivent’s online giving platform to Orphan Grain Train, Thrivent will match $1, up to $500,000. This matching opportunity will run until the match cap is met or 3/10/2025. Thrivent pays all processing fees so 100% of your gift goes directly to the cause.      Thank you for your support of California disaster relief efforts.

Undies and Socks Sunday

    The children of Pilgrim Lutheran Church's Sunday School of Essexville  led a community service project for "Undies and Socks Sundays"  Here Braelyn represents all those who helped collect new socks and undies for boys and girls because that's what children of God do for the love of Jesus.

     They know many, many children just like them who live far away in other countries are loved by God just as God loves us.  Jesus’ heart is so big and so wide and so filled with love that He cares for every one of us no matter who we are or where we live.  

Delivery from Orphan Grain Train's Flint Packing Location

On Reformation Sunday afternoon a team from

St. Mark Lutheran Church, Flint arrived with a trailer

filled with over 700 boxes of humanitarian supplies.

Martha Kellaway (back left) is the dedicated coordinator 

of this extension of our Michigan Branch.

(see video here)

Bound for Carolina

After lengthy and complicated obstacles mostly due to complexities

in the storm harmed region, this full-size semi-trailer left Michigan

November 15 and was delivered the following day to

a hurricane relief hub at

Restoration Church Disaster Relief

Swannanoa, North Carolina.

We can only estimate, but the shipment included approximately fifteen tons of recovery assistance including food, water, hygiene and cleaning supplies, bedding, tents, generators, flood buckets, and more for distribution to families severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.

OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS

for collaboration with AG COMMUNITY RELIEF

and to

COUNTRYSIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

for providing all trucking essentials for this effort. 

We were able to obtain only a few photos of the unloading and of those  receiving assistance.  We pray the darkness of tragedy will be replaced by the brightness of Christian hope and loving care made tangible through the kindness of so many who enabled Orphan Grain Train--Michigan to complete this relief shipment.

We're Not Done with Hurricane Relief

The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene will require many years of recovery and rebuilding.  It has been said rightly about Orphan Grain Train ... "We're not first responders, but we're the last to leave." Orphan Grain Train--Michigan has $40,000 specifically earmarked for subsequent efforts as the long task of rebuilding continues.