Interact Club of Cass City High School

 

The Rotary Interact Club at Cass City Jr/Sr High School during the month of December held a winter coat drive.
     Their generous supply of coats were given to Orphan Grain Train—Michigan.
     Interact is Rotary International's service club for young people and we are much impressed with their enthusiasm for service.  We thank them.
    Interact officers are Shelby Vowel, Paula Learman, Diana Cortes, and Brady Halabis shown here with their Club members. 

Marilyn Bernthal -- Leader in Early Efforts for Orphan Grain Train

A number of years ago there was a significant effort to establish a branch of Orphan Grain Train in Michigan.  It was largely due to efforts in Frankenmuth led by Marilyn Bernthal.  She was instrumental in leading projects at that time.
     After perhaps two years, the effort needed to be suspended with the hope of seeing a renewal one day.  Years passed, but then in 2019 God inaugurated the present activities of Orphan Grain Train--Michigan which have continued now these nearly five years. 

 

     Marilyn Bernthal was present at a Women in Mission presentation held at St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth by current Branch Manager, Pastor Dave Reed.  Both rejoice at the continuation of the wonderful mercy ministry of Orphan Grain Train in Michigan. 

Quilts from St. Trinity, Clarkston

 
We can't begin to name or show all the generous deliveries we receive at Orphan Grain Train--Michigan, but here is Annette Ashley from St. Trinity Lutheran Church, Clarkston who drove north with her husband Joseph to deliver quilts sewn by their parish quilter group.  Two of our faithful volunteers, Nancy and Jill enjoy a moment to visit and take great care of the goods entrusted to us.

+ In Memorium +

     The Rev. Dr. Richard Schlecht served as 9th president of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod for sixteen years from 1969 to 1985.  He passed away in Christ in 2010 survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Schlecht who was recently called home to heaven, age 95, in the certainty of the resurrection of the body and life everlasting through Jesus Christ.

      Dr. Schlecht served as a member of the Board of Regents for Concordia College, Ann Arbor, was Secretary of the LCMS Council of Presidents, Chairman of the Ministerial Placement Committee, was a member of the Synodical Commission on Constitutional Matters and Board of Regents of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

     Many years ago Ruth Schlecht was instrumental in founding a dozen societies of The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in Detroit congregations.  For the last five years Ruth Schlecht has been an ardent champion for the mission of Orphan Grain Train—Michigan.
 
     Following her passing on January 22, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod issued a memorial grant of $10,000 to Orphan Grain Train–Michigan in the name of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Schlecht. We are deeply humbled and grateful for such providence.
 
     Whereas the grant was issued through the Office of National Mission at the direction of the Office of the President, we therefore sincerely thank LCMS President Rev. Matthew Harrison, Rev. Kevin Robson. Chief Mission Officer, Rev.Dan Galchutt (Executive Director, Office of National Mission), and Deaconess Maryann Hayter Grant Administration Manager for conveying such a generous memorial to our Michigan branch.

"Greetings from Yambio, South Sudan in Jesus"

      Pastor Peter Anibati Abia is Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan.  Shown here using the pulpit sent from Orphan Grain Train--Michigan the day after its arrival.  He writes,

       "I trust you celebrated Christmas and the New Year well with your loved ones. I actually used the pulpit you sent to preach on Christmas day."

       (The Orphan Grain Train--Michigan shipment to the ELCSS/S arrived safely on the morning of Christmas Eve.)

Pastor Abia,

     "The reason I am writing is to thank you again for your labors in getting the container to Yambio.  It was not easy but you persisted and the Lord blessed the effort."

 

     "Attached are some happy faces to whom the items have been distributed."

 Mothers and fathers with quilts and excited village children with clothing.

 
     "The pictures are from Agoro, a small village East of Juba in Magwi county where the clothes and choir robes have been distributed.  You can see them dressed in the new choir robes."

     "We still have some logistical challenges to deliver (further goods) to all the areas where they are needed in South Sudan and among the refugees."

Certainly this was part of the Christmas rejoicing with the Lutheran Church in South Sudan.  

Joyful News of Safe Arrival to South Sudan

Christmas Gift for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan

 

 

 

Wonderful News for Orphan Grain Train—Michigan      The long-awaited container filled with humanitarian and ecclesiastical goods from Orphan Grain Train--Michigan arrived in Yambio, South Sudan on Christmas Eve!        The Lord Jesus’ timing once again is exquisite.  Nothing could have made a more thrilling completion of this effort than arrival on our Savior’s Nativity day.

 

 

The Freight Forwarder Reported in Mid-December      “Our partner advised last night that they are waiting for the container to be discharged from the vessel (at Mombasa).  There are heavy rains now in Kenya which has caused some congestion at the port.  They are keeping us posted daily on this container’s status."  Later a Note from Pastor Peter Anibati Abia      “I have been informed the container will start from Mombasa tomorrow and we are expecting it to arrive at Nimule South Sudan and Uganda boarder by the weekend.  It should arrive in Yambio by next week.  It is finally getting closer to us!  Praise God!

 

 

What a Christmas Blessing!

 

 

Pastor Peter Anibati Abia is bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S)  He wrote ...     "The long awaited container from USA finally made its way to Yambio. What a great Christmas present! Thanks to LHF and OGT for making this possible. It was a lot of effort on their part. We now have many seminary books. My favorite is also here the motorboat. See you soon on Lake Nakpangau!      "I am so excited to inform you that the container has made it safely to Yambio.  It was offloaded today behind our church office building.   This added a special flavor to our Christmas celebration.  Please extend our appreciation to all those who donated the items.  We painted LHF (Lutheran Heritage Foundation) and OGT (Orphan Grain Train) on the container for remembering your effort.  Thank you for working so hard to make this happen."

 

Hundreds of boxes with humanitarian supplies were offloaded for distribution among those in need.  Multiple tools to aid ministry students grow food were included.  Our donor were so wonderfully generous.

 

These boxes all contain theological books for students of the Concordia Lutheran Institute for Holy Ministry.  In the forefront are volumes giving by Concordia Theological Seminary and Lutheran Heritage Foundation to parallel theological courses taught to men preparing for pastoral ministry in South Sudan.