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Colorado West Regional Division
May 2008 report
Submitted by Anita Boette
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18
This was again demonstrated by members of Peace Lutheran Church and visitors on March 30th , 2008.
RESULTS from Wisconsin-Style Fish Feed fundraiser:
1. Number served: 165
2. Number of helpers all total was 28! We want to thank our grandson Matt from Strasburg, Colo. that came to help. He was asked by his school to participate in a humanitarian project and he chose Orphan Grain Train.
3. It is hard to put into words the gratitude of the recipients for the participation of so many people.
4. SO A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU! We look forward to seeing all of you and more next year.
ADOPT AN ORPHANAGE
Connie Kuhlman has reported that the commitment checks are coming in at a record pace. Thank you and please keep it up. We are awaiting some photos from the orphanage so keep you eyes on the display board. But don't hold your breath as it apparently takes time to coordinate this with Pastor John Reehl's co-worker Nikolai.
UGANDA - BUGEMBE - AIDS ORPHANS EDUCATIONAL TRUST
We provided the attendees at the Wisconsin-Style Fish feed on March 30, with information on the project we are working with called AOET (Aids Orphans Educational Trust). This is a grassroots, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization founded by Sam and Nancy Tushabe. Joan and Dee Zanders of Norfolk, Neb. traveled with friends to Uganda and saw for themselves the work being done. Many children are without homes due to loss of their parents, with the biggest cause being the increase of HIV/AIDS. AOET does not believe in institutionalizing these orphans; instead they prefer to place them in homes that will adopt them. Schools are being built and up to now 13 of the goal of 25 homes are finished. The couples that agree to adopt children live rent-free for four years and are taught skills in parenting along with other needed training. These schools have daily religious education and prayer time. Clinics are also operating. Orphan Grain Train International has sent one container with medical equipment and supplies included.
Colorado West Division of Orphan Grain Train has agreed to fund the shipment of the next container to Bugembe. The container will stay on-site for storage and we will purchase this container. We have been blessed by the support of various donations, fish feeds, garage sales and financial help from the Peace Lutheran Outreach Board.
Part of the project mentioned gives us the opportunity to assemble CRISIS Kits for those that suddenly find themselves in desperate situations. BIRTHING Kits are being assembled in Cortez, Colo. under the leadership of Bill and Pat Heinicke.
Lou attended a quarterly board meeting in Norfolk, Neb. on April 18th and 19th to get more information to pass on to all of you. This project will be funded by proceeds from the fund raisers we have. However if anyone wants more information as to how as an individual or group can help please call Lou at 303-453-1270. Other churches are also being given the chance to participate.
Bill and Pat Heinicke are very eagerly promoting Colorado West Division Orphan Grain Train in the Four Corners area. We have extended to Messiah Lutheran in Grand Junction, Colo. where approximately 100 people were given the word at a Sunday Morning Bible Class. A congregation in Durango may become involved soon as well. The Quilting Group from Trinity Lutheran in Cortez have 60+ quilts for distribution! One hundred hours were put in by these ladies. HOW AMAZING IS THAT? We are also awaiting the arrival of more quilts from Faith Lutheran Church, Johnstown, Colo. along with the ones received just recently. Their adult bible class was able to send a great contribution too. We are thankful that they are getting involved.
Our monthly board meeting was held on April 8th and there are several projects and ideas being considered. Watch for them. More presentations are being planned, banners, fund raisers, etc. I hope to follow up on these next time. Space is limited!! More volunteers are needed. Pray about this. God does love a cheerful giver of time and talents.
May God's light shine on all of us and may He prompt us to do His work always.
Colorado West Division Committee
Call 303-453-1270 for information
March 2008 report
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18
We as Colorado West Division of Orphan Grain Train do want to thank all of the people that have participated in the Adopt an Orphanage Program. The response from this division is very heart warming. The totals as of this writing are 37 families, 4 small groups, and 7 individuals. All of these have been added to a large group of sponsors throughout the 18 divisions of Orphan Grain Train International.
Pastor John Reehl from Grand Island, Nebraska has attempted to "retire" many times from doing mission work in the Baltics. It seems as a lot of retirees he is always being drawn back to doing the Lord's work. In a recent letter sent to us he shared with all of the divisions and individuals that are a part of this program how important and extremely useful this outreach has become.. It is a fact that the financial support from the "Lutherans in America" to these orphanages has helped in many ways, he wrote. The health of the children has improved greatly from the medicines and vitamins that have been provided to these orphanages. By providing vitamins to one particular orphanage that has mentally-ill children, they can be better treated because of better health and avoid being transferred to different clinics. This avoids the 'over the cuckoo's nest' type of treatment. Keeping them in this safe environment leads to a more normal and humane care outcome.
The whole orphanage program does continue to grow and currently Pastor Reehl along with his wife June are working with others to support 46 orphanages in five countries. Nikolai, one of Pastor's helpers said that 3,000 children are being helped in Russia alone. There ministry also includes three hospitals and five prisons. Personal items for women are very much appreciated as a result of this effort. Financial support has been very beneficial to our efforts to bring more and more believers into love for our Lord and Savior.
It does remind us of how fortunate we are in this great country of ours. There is a need in so many places not only in those countries far away but right here in this land of plenty. CWD does have a mission to raise funds for these needy places be they not far from Arvada Co. or many miles such as the needs still in the Katrina area, Greensburg, Kansas and the Ysleta Mission in El Paso.
We are beginning to do presentations again and had a successful and inspiring experience at Faith Lutheran in Johnstown, Colo. Pastor Clare Skov shared some of his Adult SS time with us on January 20th, 2008. A DVD highlighting the Katrina Hurricane events and the relief that was instigated by OGT International caught the interest of the class. This was new information to the members and some are now anxious to become a part of the CWD-OGT. We will let you know the progress next month.
In the Quarterly Teleconference held by the Orphan Grain Train International Board of Directors a reference was made to the need in Sudan where 6,000,000 people are displaced and areas are in shambles. There are pockets of Christians there (millions) and many school children are without supplies and desks etc. To hear the kind words that "Jesus Loves You" is now in great demand. Chairman Lou will follow up with Pastor Wilke to see if CWD-OGT can get involved to give aide to the Sudanese people. Our Division does not ship overseas containers directly but did agree to help fund shipments that would leave the Norfolk headquarters to needed countries.
So in closing we can see that the Lord's work is never done. How well we know as the scheduled Fish Feeds will begin. Please mark you calendars for March 30th at Peace Lutheran. Time is after the 10:30 Service. Come see how it works but most of all enjoy the cooking of "Alaskan Pollock," better know as poor man's lobster.
One of our biggest need at this time is quality warehouse space. We are waiting for God to answer that prayer.
May God bless all of you--We do not claim to do everything but we do do something. Serving the Lord is His command to us.
Anita Boette
January 2008 report
Submitted by Anita Boette
It almost seems like Christmas celebrations and then ringing in the New Year is so routine that now plans that were made and enjoyed are distant events. However, it is our prayer that we do not allow the Christmas Spirit to just be in us for a few days. We pray that all of you as well as the Orphan Train Colorado West Division "gang" will prayerfully and with great joy keep the Christmas Spirit alive not only in our hearts but in our deeds as well. We as humans cannot thank God enough for giving us the best gift of all - His very own Son.
We can show our love to others and give them some hope and joy in their lives. People without hope live a life of sorrow and confusion. Orphan Grain Train International does offer "Relief for Human Need Worldwide". One of the programs we offer is "Adopt an Orphanage". This gives individuals, families, or for example "Small Groups" a chance to participate.
Our congregation is now sponsoring an orphanage close to Luga, Russia. This orphanage is home to approximately 60 special needs children. At $10.00 a month this is hardly a sacrifice to any of us. For children in orphanages that are left with little hope and of course are in need of just the everyday necessities it is a miracle because of the help this provides. Pastor John Reehl heads this program. He makes sure all funds are used correctly through an approved person. The great need to help the abandoned children and adults in the poorest rural regions in Russia and other Baltic countries is still there. Pastor Reehl and his wife June have served these countries as spiritual leaders for many years. He said that there are many more orphanages that need to be "adopted". He will keep us posted. Some of the funds sent will almost for sure be used to purchase Bibles for the children. Connie Kuhlmann can be reached at 303-421-3951. Thank you for a great job well-done for these children. Approximately 29 families, individuals, and established groups are now reaching out.
This orphanage that is for at least the next year our responsibility is about 80 miles southwest of St. Petersburg, Russia. Luga played a pivotal role in World War II by delaying the German advance on Leningrad for over a month. A university and three Institutes of Technical Education are found there. Neighboring cities are linked with rail lines. The population is approximately 40,000. Our prayer is to continue the aid past one year.
Colorado West Division also reached out to blizzard-stricken ranchers in south-eastern Colorado in January of 2007. With the approval of the CWD members $2,000.00 was sent to the aid of the hurting ranchers. Cattle and other livestock were starving and freezing in the harsh conditions created there. These funds were routed through the disaster response office at Orphan Grain Train's National Headquarters in Norfolk, Neb. to the Colorado's Cattlemen's Association (CCA) here in Arvada, Colo. The restricted funds to be used for help to the ranchers only. Lanelle Krueger, a member at Messiah Lutheran in Longmont and a member of CWD spoke with Terry Fankhauser, Executive Vice-President of the CCA earlier this month. Power was lost for days, reported Fankhauser, and approximately 345,000 head of cattle were at risk. Fortunately no one suffered major injuries and no deaths were reported. It did leave 15,000 head of cattle to perish.
Lanelle learned that the CCA did not have as a part of its mission a disaster response component. "We do now" Fankhauser said, explaining that the CCA, Colorado Farm Bureau and Colorado Livestock Association have together set up a permanent revolving fund for disaster response. The CCA did keep the farmers informed as to where the donations came from. "We are very appreciative of your organization," said Fankhauser, adding that such generosity at the time gave the ranchers a "ray of hope" when needed.
So in closing we started the year of 2007 from reaching out to help the blizzard-stricken ranchers in Southeastern Colorado to giving hope and comfort to an orphanage in Luga Russia! Many many miles apart! God is certainly uplifting the CWD in such a way that we can give hope and joy in times of need and utter despair. We can be a witness for the Lord. "Jesus loves you" is the message that must be heard throughout this world not only at Christmas but everyday.
Lou can be reached at 303-453-1270 for any questions.
Winter 2007-08 report
Submitted by Anita Boette
Our Division under the leadership of Lou Boette has been able to fund shipments for several overseas containers, funds to the hurricane area, the transportation and collection of pianos and organs. Some of the later went to Bangalore, India. We have shipped over 760 quilts. Hotel linens from the Brown Palace and Doubletree hotels are being used in clinics in third world countries as are the medical supplies from Exempla- St. Joe's. The Ysleta Mission in El Paso is benefiting too. Financial assistance was given to the Colorado Cattlemen's Association for the blizzard-ravaged ranchers in southeastern Colorado last winter. The garage sales and Wisconsin-Style Fish Feeds are our biggest fund raisers.
A Satellite of Colorado West Division in Cortez, Colo. looks forward to expanding its efforts to the Grand Junction and Durango, Colo. areas. Pat and Bill Heinicke are the leaders there and are donating an industrial sewing machine to Orphan Grain Train.
We are asked many times about what you can do to help. Prayers are always needed - we especially have a need for a quality warehouse. We have a 501 (C) (3) status so a tax deduction could be worked out. Our prayers are that someone will answer these needs. We have an awesome God, a God that is constant, a God that never sleeps nor slumbers, a God of comfort and hope.
He has commanded us to extend our hands out to-the desperate and lost people that are without hope. Isn't this what Christmas is all about? Isn't this what Christians should be all about?
May you all have a peaceful and blessed Christmas and New Year. Thank you from all of those that have been helped by you. Prayers have been answered and hope has been given to so many. Thank you from the Colorado West Division Committee for making this possible.
Please call Lou for any questions at 303-453-1270 or e-mail at rm2ss@msn.com
An added note, we had a great time at Trinity Lutheran Church in Greeley, Colo. A Wisconsin-Style Fish Feed was held on Nov. 4th at noon. Thank you all for coming and please plan to have us again. We are thankful for your prayers and hands-on help. Your generous contributions will help many in need.
2007 page
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