Holy Cross, Flushing Delivers Mats "Plarned" for Thermal Backing

      Though we have received thermal mats before, the word "plarning" was new to us.  Plarning is the craft of transforming discarded plastic bags into sturdy, reusable "plastic yarn then used to knit waterproof items like these sleeping mats.  

     Karen Acha (foreground) and DCE Denys Zucher delivered to Orphan Grain Train a large quantity of mats made by members of Holy Cross, Flushing and others in the community.  The group is soon obtaining a weaving loom to continue efforts so far done by hand.  We appreciate the loving efforts.  

Lyle and Marlene

 

Meet two of our loyal support team.  Lyle and Marlene Brewster repreatedly drive from Saginaw with goods gathered from around the churches.  They almost always then stay to help at the OGT center sorting clothing and adding to the enjoyable friendship and conversation.  We can't thank them enough.

Quilts from Trinity, Pinckney

Orphan Grain Train receives quilts nearly every week.  How thankful we are to those to sew them and deliver this wealth of love to us.

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Sends 17th International Shipment to Romania

 

Very First Shipment of Mercy Meals
 

   Mercy Meals is the first major new initiative in the history of Orphan Grain Train--Michigan.  Years of consideration and planning led to yesterday's exciting moment.
    For the very first time, this branch shipped thousands of fortified meals to people suffering from severe food insecurity. 
    Yesterday, April 21, a 40-foot shipping container was loaded with 1,616 boxes  and individual items of humanitarian relief (quilts, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, towels, wheelchairs, and more). 
     Of particular joy was the inclusion of 10,000 Mercy Meals being sent to  Fundatia de Binefacere a Nevazatonior din Romania / The Romanian Foundation for the Blind.
    The meals consist of rice, soy, vegetables, and supplemental nutrients which have been mixed and sealed with only the need for hot water to enable hungry children to eat.
    Over seven years of operation, Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has successfully shipped humanitarian relief to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, Peru, and Romania.

Mercy Meals is now a significant expansion of that Christian compassion. 

     For the first time in our experience the freight forwarder was almost three hours late arriving at the OGT work and warehouse center in Sebewaing. 
     Because of it we lost the service of wonderful students of Christ the King Lutheran School who couldn't stay. But we were rescued by Travis Albrecht who brought along a high-low (fork lift).  With our remaining rugged crew the load was completed in three hours.

We Can Always Count on Alpena

      We can't tell you how many times over the years Denny Neumann (right) has made the trip from Alpena to Sebewaing with bountiful goods.  He and Jon Kindt arrived April 14th with another wonderful supply.

     Alpena and the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church is just one very special enclave of Orphan Grain Train support.  Folks there have a special heart for Christian humanitarian mission work.

     People like Sharon Jack, Doris Puls, and many others who will forgive me for not mentioning their names have given yeoman efforts of prayer and action on behalf of Orphan Grain Train.  We are eternally thankful for them.

Orphan Grain Train--Michigan Launches Major Successful Mercy Meals Initiative

 

Mercy Meals Packs Food for Thousands    Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Cass City was sight for a first Mercy Meals packing event in collaboration with Orphan Grain Train—Michigan.      Forty members and friends of Good Shepherd from children to seniors packaged nearly 10,000 fortified meals over the course of two hours Saturday, March 21.      The meals which consist of rice, soy, vegetables, and supplemental nutrients are mixed and sealed.  Only hot water is needed to enable hungry children to eat.    The meals will be shipped to areas of the world where people suffer from severe food insecurity or starvation.      Over its seven years of operation, Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has successfully shipped humanitarian relief to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, Peru, and Romania.     Mercy Meals will now be a significant expansion of that Christian compassion.      Worldwide, more than fifteen thousand children die every day for lack of food.  Orphan Grain Train with its Michigan branch located in Sebewaing is working to address that crisis and respond to the words of Jesus, "I was hungry and you fed me."     The intent of our new Orphan Grain Train food initiative is for churches throughout mid-Michigan to consider making Mercy Meals a component of their church's mercy care efforts.  The event Saturday proved beautifully its feasibility.  For information, contact Orphan Grain Train branch manager, Pastor David Reed 989-600-2264.

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