Orphan Grain Train announces Sudanese Medical Fund for van accident victims

May 1, 2007 (NORFOLK, Neb.) - “Orphan Grain Train and the Sudanese Lutheran community offer our concern and our prayers for the people injured as a result of the accident last Sunday as two adults and 18 children were returning from worship services in the Deshler, Neb. area.” - Rev. Ray S. Wilke, President of Orphan Grain Train, and Rev. John Deang, Assistant Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., who also serves the Sudanese Lutheran Ministry in Nebraska.

Rev. Wilke added, “We remain supportive of the Sudanese Lutheran community in Nebraska and in the country of Sudan. The Sudanese people are our partners in mission.” Orphan Grain Train donated the van involved in Sunday’s accident to the Sudanese Lutheran Ministry last month.

Wilke reported that Rev. Deang has been in phone contact with the families of those injured and those still hospitalized, to offer consolation and support.

Both Wilke and Deang are currently attending a church conference in Saint Louis, Mo., where they are presenting plans to send a medical clinic to the Upper Nile Region of Sudan later this summer to serve refugees returning there from neighboring countries.

Orphan Grain Train has set up a special fund for the medical expenses of those injured in Sunday’s accident. Donations for the “Sudanese Medical Fund” may be sent payable to Orphan Grain Train, P. O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466.

Donations for the “Sudanese Medical Fund” are also being collected by the LCMS Nebraska District Office, P.O. Box 407, Seward, NE 68434, and by Christ Lutheran Church, 4325 Sumner St., Lincoln, NE 68506.

Donations given to Orphan Grain Train for this fund will be administered by Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln.

More information on the response of the LCMS Nebraska District office can be found here.

Orphan Grain Train is a Christian humanitarian relief ministry based at Norfolk, Neb., that shares in-kind donations of clothing, food, medical supplies, and equipment with church- related and other humanitarian ministries here in America and around the world.