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2008 Annual Report
Mission Statement
In loving response to Christ, the Servant, the Orphan Grain Train movement encourages and enables God’s people to share personal and material resources in bringing Christ’s name and character to needy people both far and near. Sometimes that character expresses itself as a word well spoken, sometimes as a bandage well applied, and sometimes as a child well fed.
Accomplishments During 2008
By God’s grace and blessing, the many hands of Orphan Grain Train’s volunteers from 18 regional divisions and Norfolk, Neb., continued to lift up the downhearted and downtrodden with humanitarian aid and disaster relief supplies in 2008. The numbers tell the story: 147 total semi-loads, including 63 sent overseas and 84 sent in response to domestic disasters. In addition, 52 smaller 14-ft. or 16-ft. trailer-loads and van-loads were dispatched in response to floods and tornadoes here in America. “We thank the thousands of volunteers and contributors who supported Orphan Grain Train in 2008 with donations of time, talent, and treasure,” said Richard Jostes, Director of Development. “They make this ministry possible as a faith response in the name of Jesus Christ, bringing relief for human need worldwide.”
Disaster Response
Hurricane Katrina, Gustav, and Ike relief efforts continued during 2008 with nine semi-loads of aid delivered to relief camps and distribution centers on the Gulf Coast. More than 135 pieces of Orphan Grain Train-provided equipment are in use throughout the Gulf Coast area, from 14-foot-long tow trailers to semi-trailer sized bedroom units, storage units, and water tankers. The 45-ft. kitchen trailer, delivered to Camp Restore in New Orleans in September 2006, is still in daily use there. This equipment has been committed for an additional year as the clean up and rebuilding efforts continue.
“The Lutheran volunteer camps in Louisiana and Mississippi continue to welcome clean up and construction volunteers year-round,” said Jostes. After three years, over 2,000 homes have been restored. More than 2,000 are still on the list. More than 50,000 vacant properties remain in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
Meanwhile, 16-ft. and 18-ft. trailer-loads carried a merciful outpouring to flood survivors in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio. Orphan Grain Train’s Indiana and Ohio Regional Divisions sent four semi-loads and 45 small trailer-loads of relief supplies to flood recovery areas of Ohio for distribution by Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Ohio. LSS-Ohio has been in non-stop flood response since 2007. The Indiana Division also responded to a flood in its region by adding a distribution warehouse in Columbus, Indiana, which served more than 300 families before Christmas.
Other Domestic Relief Efforts
Other shipments in America included 45 semi-loads to Texas border missions such as Ysleta Mission and Cornerstone Children’s Ranch. Another 13 semi-loads were sent to the aid of Native Americans through special ministries in South Dakota and New Mexico.
International Shipments
Thirty-five of the 63 foreign shipments in 2008 went to republics of the former Soviet Union. The total number of sponsored orphanages in Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia rose to 53 last year. These orphanages are part of Orphan Grain Train’s “Adopt an Orphanage” sponsorship program whereby donors give monthly gifts restricted to their Orphan Grain Train-sponsored orphanage.
After 17 years of ministry, the most requested items continue to be food, clothing, quilts, medical equipment, and Bibles. Details about Orphan Grain Train projects and outreach efforts can be found in Orphan Grain Train’s quarterly newsletter.
Orphan Grain Train’s Board of Directors (as of January 7, 2010)
Kae Anderson, Pierce, Neb.
Clayton L. Andrews, , Vice-President, Norfolk, Neb.
James Brennemann, Treasurer, Norfolk, Neb.
Larry Dinkel, Norfolk, Neb.
Daniel Fullner, Atty., Madison, Neb.
Kay Marshall, Norfolk, Neb.
Gary Wieck, Grand Island, Neb.
Rev. Ray S. Wilke, President, Norfolk, Neb.
Bernie Wrede, Pierce, Neb.
Summary Report from Orphan Grain Train, Inc., Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended May 31, 2008:
Mission (Program): $10,137,142 (96.4% of total expenditures)
Fund Raising: 161,123 (1.5% of total expenditures)
Administration: 216,232 (2.1% of total expenditures)
Total for Fiscal 2007-08: $10,514,497 (100% of total expenditures)
Net assets, end of year:
Unrestricted: $2,327,786
Temporarily Restricted: $502,151
Permanently Restricted $20,000
Total net assets: $2,849,937