Christmas Is For Children

      It is said Christmas is for children.  Children are happy and eager at Christmas.  They have waited for this holy night when we sing the special songs and proclaim the Word telling of the birth of our Savior..  But it is also true Christmas is only for children.

     No one is so grown up that he or she has outgrown the love of their Heavenly Father. Even if you are old, the clear wonderful story of God who became a child is not too childish.  To grow up in Jesus actually means becoming more and more a child.

     "Oh, Come, Little Children; Oh, Come One and All" is not just a call to the young but an invitation to "come one and come all."  Come, join the children.  Be a child.   --  So, what is a child?

     A child is one who loves to tell.  A child just can't hold a secret.  I had a little girl who once came home with her mommy and said, "Daddy, we didn't have our picture taken today for your Christmas present."  We children love to tell.

     At Orphan Grain Train--Michigan we Christians tell the happiest story ever was.  It’s about God's gift to all the world. God gave us our Savior Jesus who set us free from all sin and sadness.  God's children love to tell.

     Secondly, children love to play.  Children love to act out many things.  Pretend to be an animal like a sheep or donkey.  Pretend to be an angel or shepherd.  At Christmas, all God's children, young and old, play the role of angels.  We sing of God's love and rejoice telling all the world of the joy of Christ.

     We act out being shepherds, ordinary folks who wonder at God's goodness that you don't have to be an important person or a rich person or a smart person to understand God cares for everyone. Children portray Mary or Joseph kneeling by Jesus' manger and worshiping him as Lord.

     You and I can even play the part of the Baby Jesus by seeing God first in all mercy care and loving one another above all else as He loved us.

      One more thing makes a child. God means for us to understand his love.

      Children practice hard in school to learn and understand things.  It takes work to remember names, numbers, and the alphabet.  Little children may not even know the names of their mommy or daddy, but children can understand their love. Children respond to love. God's children respond to God's love. Those who can't are too grown up to see Jesus' love is meant for them.

      Jesus was once Himself a little child.  Christmas is His birthday.  Christmas is God choosing to join His children as a child, to live, to die, and to rise again for us that we may trust Him with a child's faith.

                                                   -- Michigan Branch Manager, Pastor Dave Reed

Mercy Meals Prospects

                                 

Please join your prayers with ours to our gracious Lord regarding one last critical factor in our Mercy Meals initiative.  In every other respect we are 100% ready to go-- poised on the doorstep of launching.  There is but one aspect to navigate: Michigan health compliance.

Orphan Grain Train will only proceed with complete transparency and integrity.  We are aware state or local regulations may be applicable. We are working to understand which and to act in accordance with such protocols.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Cass City is poise to be our pilot location.  God-willing a date for a first packing event will be set.  Meanwhile, we are tremendously grateful for the attention, encouragement, and enthusiasm already given by pastors and congregations open to being engaged with Mercy Meals.

Pictures from Mercy Meals of Siouxland Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux City, Iowa (a model for our Michigan efforts)

OGT Michigan Provides Care

                         

     Orphan Grain Train Michigan branch brought 25 boxes of blankets to Saginaw Underground Railroad in Saginaw and 1% Pantry for Veterans in Frankenmuth. The Underground Railroad is a service organization for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and human slavery. The 1% Pantry provides food and support to US veterans in the area. Thank you, Michigan volunteers for bringing care to people in difficult situations.

“But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord

think of me. You are my help and my deliverer;

you are my God, do not delay.”  -- Psalm 40:17

If You Have a McDonald's Near You and Want to Help obtain Boxes ... let us know.

 

Only One of Many to Thank

 

January Loading Planned to Fundatia de Binefacere, Romania

      The next scheduled shipment from Orphan Grain Train--Michigan will be headed to Fundatia de Binefacere a Nevazatorilor din Romania (Foundation for the Blind).  This will be the first occasion our branch will be distributing goods to Romania.  (Loading is tentatively set for Jan. 22.)

    Pictured here are members of a family dealing with various disabilities and precarious financial circumstances.  Most children have little to wear and nothing to travel to school or kindergarten. That’s why bicycles and school kits are so needed in isolated communities.
    There are also cases of children without parents being raised by a grandfather with no financial resources for food or clothing.

               “Thank you for your efforts!”  - Boghian Ghiorghita