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Asian Disaster Relief fund matching announced
NORFOLK, Neb. (January 4, 2005)-Orphan Grain Train, headquartered
at Norfolk, Neb., announced today that all contributions for its
Asian Disaster Relief Fund will
be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $75,000 by LCMS World Relief
and Human Care of Saint Louis, Mo.
"OGT has been a fantastic witness to the love of Christ in word
and deed. We at LCMS World Relief/Human Care are deeply appreciative
of its work, and we rejoice that in the midst this tragedy we
can partner in the name of Christ, and show his love in speaking
the gospel and caring for the hurting, together," said Matthew
Harrison, Executive Director, LCMS World Relief/Human Care.
LCMS World Relief and Human Care is the alliance of disaster relief,
self-help, and human care ministries of The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod (LCMS), headquartered at Saint Louis, Mo. Orphan Grain Train
is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS.
"We are deeply grateful. A tragedy of this scope brings to bear
good will and generosity from many quarters," said Rev. Ray
S. Wilke, President of Orphan Grain Train. "Practicing Christians
are especially eager to carry water and provision to Jesus in
all His distressing disguises. We celebrate along with LCMS World
Relief the willingness of believers all across the country to
respond to the tragedy in an exceptional way. The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod in all of its entities are responding as one personality.
We at Orphan Grain Train deeply appreciate the Body of Christ
spirit that pervades our dear church at this tragic time. LCMS
World Relief and its executive, Matt Harrison, have been leaders
in cultivating the spirit and maturity that Jesus seeks and blesses."
Orphan Grain Train's warehouse at Bangalore, India, is delivering
clothing, food, bottled water, mats, and utensils to survivors
in southeast India's Tamil Nadu state. The distributions are being
made in the cities of Cuddalore, Nagappattinam, and Kolachal.
Local government officials have pledged to help. Orphan Grain
Train ocean-freight shipping containers full of relief aid arrived
at the warehouse shortly before and after the disaster hit. It
takes six to eight weeks for an ocean-freight shipping container
to reach Asia. That is why Orphan Grain Train is asking for cash
donations to purchase immediate disaster relief supplies closer
to the survivors. Additional shipping container-loads will be
sent as part of long-term recovery efforts.
Checks should be made out to "Orphan Grain Train Asian Disaster
Relief Fund," P. O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466. Secure on-line
contributions may also be given through the Orphan Grain Train
web site at www.orphangraintrain.org by clicking "On-line
contributions" and selecting "Asian Disaster Relief." Donations will be used to purchase food (rice), clean water, and
supplies for survivors in the affected areas. Orphan Grain Train's
assistance to the countries affected by this tsunami will continue
as long as funds for the relief effort are available.
Orphan Grain Train's 14 regional divisions located throughout
the United States are all working in this Asian Relief response.
Founded in 1992, Orphan Grain Train is a "hands-on" Christian
humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization. It is a network
of volunteers across the United States who bring necessary help
in response to requests for food and clothing, medical supplies,
and Christian literature. It also responds to survivors of natural
disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, earthquakes,
and tsunamis. Orphan Grain Train will not ship overseas or in
America until it has a secure partner receiving the relief supplies.
Orphan Grain Train's name and character are explained by the words
of Christ recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 14, verse 18, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
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