Orphan Grain Train is looking for ‘conductors,’ a.k.a. liaisons, to help spread the word about their mission in LC-MS congregations. This could be you! Are you passionate about helping children and those affected by disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and the tsunami in Japan? Email Tom if you want to help out with this life-saving effort.

The following is a message from Orphan Grain Train:

We are an all volunteer organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod that serves humanitarian needs world wide. We have sent huge container shipments to Haiti, Katrina victims, Cameroon, Appalachia to name just a few. Because we have a church on site for the deliveries, the goods are distributed to those who are hungry, poor and suffering. We send hospital beds, medical needs, food clothing, shoes, school supplies or any needed item. We have even sent sewing machines to create a sewing school. In one country we sent 2000 shunts for children with hydrocephalus, water on the brain. 2000 lives were literally saved with these shunts. In Haiti 1500 children lost feet and legs because they did not have shoes. After the earthquake, the children would walk in the muck barefooted, cut their feet and the resulting infection and worm infestation ended in amputation. There were no antibiotics to treat the infection. They requested shoes for their children and our response here at home was overwhelming. The shoes went in the next shipment. www.ogt.org The aid we offer is our gateway to spread the Gospel.

We need a liaison in each church of the SED to create awareness about our mission. Some of the LCMS churches I spoke to were totally unfamiliar with OGT. We would like the following passed on to the congregations. They may want to do some of these things or none of these things. That would be up to you and your congregation.

Pray for us and add us to your Prayer List
Create an awareness in your congregation (we will supply all of the handouts and necessary information)
Have the school children or Sunday School children make hygiene bags (wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
Have a door plate offering which will be matched by Thrivent
Collect clothing, shoes or other needed goods
Perhaps a school chapel offering or Sunday School Offering for one month could support the OGT mission
Collect and recycle items through Cartridges for Kids

OGT is expanding which means we can help even more of those in need. Just recently, we had to turn down 30 hospital beds for lack of storage space until it was time to ship. With the help of your congregation we can save more lives and make life just a little more comfortable for others less fortunate.

Email Tom

Please keep Doug Sulak and his family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of Doug’s father, Albert Sulak.

“Albert Charles Sulak, 98, of the 1200 block of Evelyn St., Norfolk, VA, passed away Friday, April 8, 2011.

Born in Palmyra, NJ to the late John and Mary Sulak, Albert was the owner of Suward Paint and Supply Company and a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was an avid golfer and loved wood burning, gardening, traveling and photography.

Albert is survived by his wife, Barbara Catherine Sulak; son, Douglas Miller Sulak of Norfolk, VA; two daughters, Janet Sulak Braithwaite and husband Bill of Mt. Sidney, VA and Jo Anne Sulak Barrineau and husband Harry Eugene of Beverly Hills, FL; a grandson, Todd Barrineau; and two great grandsons, Miles and Hayden. He was predeceased by a brother, William Sulak.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and a funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor David Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the general fund of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis, or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.”

Just a quick, slightly belated, post to say ‘Happy birthday’ to Rev. Arne Kristo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARNE!