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Maryland Regional Division Wanted: Used, in good condition, wedding, bridesmaid and prom gowns I bet many of you reading this have somewhere in your home your old wedding dress, bridesmaid or prom dress. Do you really need it? The wives of pastors and deaconesses in Nicaragua desperately need to supplement their meager income. In a recent visit to the area, Elfie Eberle talked with the pastors’ wives and came up with a plan to have them set up a shop to rent these gowns as a way to create an income source to support their ministry. We can help them start this business. Your donation of these gowns or dresses, which represents one of the happiest days in your life, can be put to good use—again! All you need to do is contact Elfie Eberle, Board Chair at 410-544-1621 or email her at elfie.eberle@md-orphangraintrain.org. This is a great project for a church group. Knowing your gown or dress will be enjoyed many times over will put a smile on your face! Who woulda thought? And the lame shall "walk" As shown by the pictures below, Orphan Grain Train's Leon, Nicaragua warehouse provides a wheel chair to a man who has been bedridden for six years because of an accident. He responded to a radio spot offering assistance to folks who needed help. He thanks God and OGT for his new "carchair!"
Photos courtesy of Ricardo Arguello, LHM-Nicaragua.
Warm boots from little children The mission of Orphan Grain Train touches people of all ages. And often little children can inspire us all! The following is a letter we received. “Our children, Emily 7 years old, Katie 5 years old and Henry 3 years old, are proud to be able to buy 3 pairs of warm boots for the Orphan Grain Train. The children raised the money by setting up a lemonade stand in our neighborhood. They love wearing boots, no matter what the season and thought it would be great to buy other children boots, too.”
Notice that the sign is advertising “free” lemonade, but the neighbors felt funny without giving them some money. So when the question was asked, “How much for the lemonade?,” the oldest would proudly announce, “It’s free, but we are accepting donations.” The proud mom and dad report that the children can’t wait until school lets out so they can raise more money for Orphan Grain Train. Bundles bound for Bishkek On April 17, 2007, the Maryland Division of OGT will pack a container of clothes, hospital equipment, and other materials destined for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In preparation for the shipment, the Boy Scouts of Troop 346 in Pasadena, Maryland sorted and packed winter and summer clothes for the people of this poor central Asian country. Guided by scout leaders David Phipps and David Ellis--and fortified by bagels and donuts--they worked together to pack over sixty boxes.
The tradition of teamwork found in scouting is shown in these pictures as each boy got the job done. We are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication. And we know the people of Kyrgyzstan will be thankful, too! Nicaragua Mission-Vision Trip – February 2007 Elfie Eberle, Chair It’s hot, sticky, inspiring and deeply humbling. It’s Nicaragua. I asked if I could have one Mama, one pot and six children out in one of the poorest barrios – Santa Patricia. I wanted to field-test and take some pictures. When I arrived, there were 15 mamas, one pot, and 35 children. My little packet of nutrition from “Kids Against Hunger” seemed sadly lacking. But we started anyway with the wood fire under a rusty grate out in the yard.
The 15 mamas chattered good-naturedly about what should go in the pot first then decided on some oil, chopped onion and the rice mixture from the packet. To my amazement all the children and the mamas watched this pot boil for 30 minutes – patiently and expectantly.
Empty bowls of all sizes and types were held out to gratefully receive a tablespoon of food. The conclusion was “rico” – tasty – and “send some soon.”
I must admit I could not help but think of our own children. We have in such abundance. Orphan Grain Train will be shipping a container of this food to Nicaragua in March. It will cost $4,000 to ship the container. The Lutheran Mission headquartered in the city of Chinandega has 17 churches served by 12 ordained Pastors and 22 deaconesses. All this, through the mighty hand of God, has happened in 10 years. This is the very first Lutheran presence in this country. Each church has a Christian school taught by the deaconess. These children learn the 3 R’s and, most for the very first time, hear that they have a Savior who loved them so much he died for them. And what’s more, he walks with them now. All this happens because generous people scholarship these children for $90 a year. There is always a long list of children waiting for scholarships, and you can help as well. Just send $90 for Nicaragua Scholarships to Orphan Grain Train – Maryland Division at 308 Oak Manor Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061. A list of the deaconesses' needs is also available at the bottom of this page. An ambitious building program is underway which will include an administration building, a church, a seminary with accompanying dining hall, classrooms and dormitories. This Seminary will serve all of Latin America. The Admin building has been completed and construction on the dormitories and sewing school has been begun. The pace of construction is always linked to the flow of donations. For example, the church, see picture, is just a shell and desperately needs a roof before the rainy season comes. The cost of the roof is $9,500.
Churches of cinder block are being built one by one in the 17 communities. These churches are a beacon of hope among the bleakness of 70% unemployment, abysmally substandard housing, hunger and disease. It stands as a sentinel of faith and love. There are churches currently in 5 communities. Each church costs approximately $20,000. Prices in Nicaragua are on a steep rise. To go to Nicaragua is to meet people whose faces sparkle with the joy and hope of faith in their Lord Jesus Christ. This, in spite of the fact that they are abjectly poor. It is a high privilege to be among these people of God. Nicaragua Deaconess Needs - 2007 $7 for a Bible – 2,500 needed Donations of any size are very much appreciated. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please send your donation, indicating its goal, to the address listed below. |
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