Lithuania Shipment Away

 Michigan Makes 15th International Distribution

See Video here of Loading Day

     On June 17 Ohrphan Grain Train--Michigan completed loading humanitarian supplies for the Lutheran Church of Lithuania.  After the loading here in Sebewaing and being trucked to Detroit, we anticipate the container taking approximately two months to travel first by rail from Michigan to Montclair, New Jersey for further loading at the Norfolk Pier onto a Latvian American Shipping Line container ship for crossing the Atlantic and then through Riga, Latvia and the discharge port of Klaipeda with eventual delivery to Jurbarkas, Lithuania.

Our Great Frankentrost Guys

      Among our other faithful volunteers, these four men are so consistent in helping with our loading days when we "need the muscle."  They drive up to Sebewaing from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Frankentrost.  What a relief to always see cousins Keith Schaeff, Tom Schaeff, Gary Schaeff, and Bob Weiss.

Warehouse Care

     Our 8,000 sq. ft. work and warehouse Center with which we have been blessed in Sebewaing for the last six years needs care as any building does.  Some electrical work is being done with an outlook of converting some light fixtures to LED to take advantage of some consumer rebate opportunities.

Sebewaing Golf Cart Parade

Appalachia Outreach

 Michigan Branch Makes 2nd Kentucky Run

     On May 13, Orphan Grain Train--Michigan loaded the largest truck we could secure and immediately drove to Eastern Kentucky with a varied load of clothing and medical supplies for distribution to distressed families.
     The goods were entrusted into the hands of Manna from Heaven, a charity with near access to those in need.
     Men were waiting for us to help unload.  We are very grateful to Lois Tackett, and her colleagues, Carol and Barbara (Red) who were also there helping.
     An acknowledgement also to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Chillicothe, Ohio, and Deaconess Dianna Cheadle for allowing Dave Wiltse and OGT branch manager Pastor Dave Reed to "crash" overnight in the church to make possible a mid-day delivery to Myra, Kentucky. 

One Hundred Beauties

 

     Not only are the quilts themselves beautiful, but so are those who have devoted themselves to lovingly make them.  On behalf of the quilting team and other contributing members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Monitor (Bay City) Jan Pickelman, Sandy Arnold, and Nancy Klaus arrrived at Orphan Grain Train--Michigan on May 6 to deliver these treasures.
     This generous donation is an example of many other caring gifts too many to document here.  The majority of those who give materially to OGT don't get their picture taken-- but the Lord well knows who they are-- and blesses their efforts.

Such Happiness for the Care of Little Children

                         

Barb Evans, Karrie Gatza and  Kathy Kube deliver beautiful layette kits from Faith Lutheran Church, Bay City.

God Knows What's Needed and What He's Given for Us to Send

      For six years Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has been shipping humanitarian goods internationally to those in need of Christian mercy care. Distributions of clothing, medical equipment, hygiene and school supplies, quilts, etc. are accompanied by the Gospel assurance that our God of love also came to bring the eternal provisions of forgiveness, eternal life, and peace to all through Jesus Christ. 

     The need is great for Christian proclamation accompanied by Christ-centered mercy care as we have seen with previous shipments from Michigan to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, and Peru. 

     Donors from across the church and community continue abundantly to furnish Orphan Grain Train--Michigan with those material goods we process and prepare for overseas delivery.  Domestic shipments also, such as our recent North Carolina hurricane relief are likewise enabled. 

     Orphan Grain Train takes special care to send goods targeted for specific climates and circumstances.  The bond which holds all this together is God’s unfailing supervision.  He enables us to match the array of goods assembled at Orphan Grain Train with identified needs. 

     Whether within our country or to another, God knows what is needed, and He knows what we have been given by Him to send.

Every Blessing Has a Story

     In a positive Hands of Mercy Spring Update, Deaconess Pat Nuffer recounts wonderful mercy work continuing in Yambio, South Sudan.  Among other heartening matters, even in troubled circumstances, she noted the following poignant blessing.

     Apparently tribal disputes in the region resulted sadly in the burning of many huts and especially one of a young boy with cerebral palsy who used a wheelchair.

     Deaconess Nuffer recalled the previous shipment to South Sudan from Orphan Grain Train--Michigan and asked for a wheelchair for this boy and his family.  One was able to be supplied brought a year ago in the Orphan Grain Train--Michigan container. 

To Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia

 Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Completes 14th International Shipment

     Our shipment to a women's charity in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, was scheduled three times.  The first occasion was due to a freight forwarder failing to arrive.  The second was a shipment being "shifted" likely caused by a delayed Atlantic container ship reaching port because of a storm. 
     But our favorable day was Tuesday of Holy Week.  
     A wonderful team of volunteers including a crew of students from Christ the King Lutheran School loaded the container in record time.  Approximately 15 tones of humanitarian goods packed in 1,686 boxes, plus other items such as wheelchairs are now on their way, loaded onto the Container Ship Antlia at New York for the trans-Atlantic crossing.  God bless the recipients.

Ohio + Michigan = Twice the Benefit

               

        The Orphan Grain Train Ohio Collection Center delivered a trailer loaded with kits, clothing, and more suitable for international shipments. This was the first visit of Ohio Manager Nancy Helmke with her husband Marty to our Michigan Branch.  The occasion provided opportunity to discuss other ways in which our adjacent locations can be in support of one another.
       Ohio's efforts date all the way back to 1993 while the Michigan branch just marked its 6th anniversary.  But both efforts are better when sharing support.  Pictured here are the Helmkes with Michigan Warehouse Manager Sal Brandenburg and Michigan branch manager Pastor Dave Reed.  (See our short video below from May 1)

Domestic Delivery to Manna from Heaven, Myra Kentucky, May 14

 

     Many people in Appalachia may have struggles, but those who serve them couldn't be more appreciative of support from Orphan Grain Train.
     We came to know Lois and others there in Myra, Kentucky when making a distribution last year.  We are making another run May 13-14 with the largest U-Haul truck available.  We'll show pictures the next time around.

Give Thanks With Us

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Marked its Sixth- Year Anniversary on April 23 

    Since April 23, 2019, Orphan Grain Train--Michigan has completed International Shipments to:

        Kyrgyzstan (Charity Fund "Compassion", Bishkek) 
        Panama (Casa de Refugio, Puerto Caimito)
        Moldova (Bible Mission International, Chisinau)
        The Republic of Georgia (3x) (Tblisi and Senaki)
        Latvia (Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pampali)
        Lithuanian (2x) (Jurbarkas Evangelical Lutheran Diaconia, Smalininkai)
        Ukraine (Refugee relief)
        Malawi (Christ Mandate for Missions Church)
        South Sudan (Ev. Luth Church of South Sudan and the Concordia Lutheran Institute for Holy Ministry)
        Peru (ODP Jesuitas del Peru, Lima)

     Also, domestic shipments and/or relief funding 
        H.A.R.P. - (Helping Appalachian Rural People, Ohio)
        Hurricane Helene Relief, Swannanoa, NC
        Mission Mules, Mount Ulla, NC
        Friends Assisting Neighbors, Lansing NC
        Camp Linn Haven, Linville, NC
        Mountainside Lutheran Church, Linville, NC

     Local "Walk-out" Distributions weekly.

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Helps Fund Mission Mules

    A total of $48,000 from caring Christian individuals throughout Michigan  enabled Orphan Grain Train--Michigan recently to assist four relief entities helping families hurt by the Hurricane Helene disaster.

    One quarter of those funds were given to

                                MISSION MULES

     

     Mission Mules is a Christian based relief outreach which carries supplies to suffering families.  They use pack mules as well as powered "Kawaski mules" to bring relief into the inaccessible hollows and mountain areas to which access by normal vehicles is impossible.  Many roads have been destroyed and bridges in many cases have been swept away.
    

 

 

Mission Mules manned a relief station in Hendersonville, North Carolina just this week, has arranged food deliveries for Kentucky and West Virginia  as well as having a relief station in Black Mountain, NC where food, cleaning supplies, heaters, blankets, and warm weather gear are supplied.  It is such efforts our Michigan branch of Orphan Grain Train supports.

 

+ Shipping to the Rep. of Georgia +

 Loading Day was Tuesday, March 25

        For the third time in five years Orphan Grain Train--Michigan is returning to the Republic of Georgia.  A shipment loading took place, March 25, at 10:00 a.m. 

     Goods were sent to an independent Christian organization in Tbilisi, Georgia actively involved in humanitarian efforts. They help socially vulnerable people, families with many children, the elderly and nursing homes, people with disabilities, kindergartens, schools and Sunday schools. While handing out items, women members share the Gospel and speak of God.  During distribution each person repeats:  Praise the Lord, Praise God for everything!  

"SALT THE FRIES"

     One of our favorite photos is of three Georgian children sitting on the floor with open Orphan Grain Train  boxes.  Look closely and you can easily read

"SALT THE FRIES."

     Over a six year period Orphan Grain Train--Michigan has shipped thousands on thousands of boxes around the world to remote locations from Kyrgyzstan to Peru. Domestic shipments have also gone to Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

OUR BOX SUPPLY HAS COME ENTIRELY THROUGH
THE GENEROSITY OF McDONALD RESTAURANTS
IN SEBEWAING, MARLETTE, and BAD AXE.

    Especially given the needs of our second OGT location in Flint, we need the cooperation of further McDonald's.  If you would be interested in approaching your local McDonald's to ask for their French Fry Boxes, please call for information how you might serve as a Box Currier for us at Orphan Grain Train.
  

    Call our Branch Manager, Pastor Dave Reed, 989-600-2264 

    We could really use your help expanding our box supply.

Thrivent Choice Dollars® Deadline March 31

      In 2024 Orphan Grain Train--Michigan received $1,779 in Thrivent Choice Dollars® grant funding.
  Thrivent supports the important work we do through this “Thrivent Choice” program.

     If you are a Thrivent member and have not otherwise directed your 2024 Choice Dollars® which are at your discretion, please consider Orphan Grain Train—Michigan.  The deadline is March 31.
     We thank Thrivent for this continued partnership.