Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Culminates Ukraine Refugee Project

We Thank the Lord Jesus for the Extraordenary Outpouring

Catch here a little of the energy and spirit from those who gave much on behalf of the recent Orphan Grain Train Ukrainian refugee project.      The video here captures only some of the effort and generosity exemplified over just a few days.  Volunteers worked tirelessly.  Support came from far and wide.  The Christian heart and bounty was evident from so many.  Thank you.

 

For a few short days in mid-March, Orphan Grain Train--Michigan was blessed with support as never before for the sake of helping Ukrainian refugees.

The outpouring of funding has also left us speechless.

   Financial gifts totaling $41,789 received to date have been remitted also entirely to further the efforts of Orphan Grain Train in meeting the critical needs of unnumbered Ukrainians flooding into neighboring countries. 
   Orphan Grain Train--Michigan has applied all funds received for this effort--in their entirety--to acquire further humanitarian supplies and support swift international shipping.

Next Shipment -- Lithuania

New Utility Door Installed

     Orphan Grain Train--Michigan was generously gifted with resources to install a much needed utility door at the rear of our "warehouse" (the large storage room where we stage humanitarian inventory).  

     During our four previous international projects it was necessary to form human chains of volunteers to hand through an ordinary door the 1,600+ boxes necessary to fill a 40' (2,700 cubic feet) shipping container.

     Three years ago we knew we would need a large door to accommodate the passage of full-pallets.  Thankfully we now have that new feature for our building.

     A second replacement door and window removals to remedy a water seepage problem completed the needed work for the back of our facilities.  We are grateful for this new benefit for Orphan Grain Train work.

Ten Tons of Relief Sent March 22

Twenty-six pallets holding 1,233 boxes including distribution of more than a thousand blankets and quilts, plus generous quantities of new underclothes, towels, detergent, diapers, and sanitary supplies, all desperately needed, left the Michigan Branch of Orphan Grain Train this past Tuesday following a two-week intensive branch effort.      Wonderful and caring volunteers devoted exemplary effort and time to receive and process the multiple of deliveries which came to the Sebewaing Center within only a few days.  It was a joy for us to send a full 53' trailer load of these relief supplies now on their way to displaced and homeless Ukranians.                            Leaving Michigan this past Tuesday                 Arriving Norfolk the next day, Wednesday We have so many to thank .... Valley Lutheran High School students and staff, congregations as far away as Fremont, Indiana, the Village Pizzeria which matched all its tips for a week and arrived with a gift of $2,000, Christian neighbors from across the region, Immanuel Lutheran Sunday school children, and far more than can be named.  God bless you.         Bo Bridges, a preschooler at St. John Lutheran School with the tied blanket he made with his family for a refugee from Ukraine.          Sharon Hignite (left) was beyond thrilled to find a place where her lovingly knitted goods could be given for those in need.  She and Janis visited the Center on the busiest day of this effort and didn't want to leave.         It Could Not Have Been Done Without Countryside     But most especially we thank Countryside Transportation Services for shouldering all the transportation costs and arrangement.  Joel Fiebig and their team were generous beyond words.       We say thank you to the Lord for the service given to the Ukraine Refugee Project of Orphan Grain Train--Michigan by Countryside which gave without hesitation and completely.

"Oldness in Another House"

Our recent delivery to people of the Republic of Georgia was a welcomed blessing to many whose lives are distressed by advanced age, isolation, and poverty.  Here is a brief look at the dear people God loves and would bless in some small ways through the mission of Orphan Grain Train--Michigan.

Moldova - 2021 Distribution to Bible Mission International

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan made a shipment to Bible Mission International in Moldova earlier in 2021.  We share with you a sample of photos received from that distribution which came with the thanks of many.

First Step in Project for South Sudan

     During 2022 Orphan Grain Train--Michigan is planning to mount a special cooperative project in collaboration with Lutheran Heritage Foundation.  For over a quarter century both missions have been pursuing distinct aims.  Lutheran Heritage Foundation has been supporting Lutheran theological training in church bodies around the world, many emerging in countries which previously suppressed Christian expressions.  Orphan Grain Train has also served internationally the humanitarian needs of peoples desperately in need of the love of Christ.

     Together with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, an effort is beginning at Orphan Grain Train--Michigan to make a shipment of ecclesiastical goods, theological books, and humanitarian supplies to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan.  A shipment cannot happen until the Fall of 2022 to match the necessary "dry season" in that part of the world.  The coming months will therefore be devoted to assembling the shipment goods at the Sebewaing Center of Orphan Grain Train.  Join us in praying for this endeavor.

     A first step was the receiving of hundreds of theological books for the Lutheran seminary in South Sudan whose students lack the kind of library needed to train future pastors.

Embarrassment of Riches

We are so grateful at Orphan Grain Train to receive untold quantities of beautifully and lovingly made quilts.  We have receive quilts from so many different women's sewing groups and congregations.  Here is just one generous example. Judy and Wally Laux delivered this colorful supply from St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth.  Visiting the Orphan Grain Train Center with them are Mary and Gerald Hecht from Immanuel, Frankentrost, a congregation which has been enormously generous to this Christian humanitarian mission.