OGT CONVENTION DAY 1

On the Scene Report Thursday 9/14

At least some of you know that I serve as "Orphan Grain Train Correspondent." As such, my main responsibility involves writing devotions. That includes devotions for the "Headliner," our weekly e-newsletter. With the help of many others, I put together a devotional booklet that is being distributed at our Orphan Grain Train Convention. I hope you get a chance to use it. It was a labor of love, focusing on our relationship w/Jesus & those whom He has called us to serve.

We are a world-wide relief organization, based in Norfolk, Nebraska. 

We gather & ship relief supplies to hundreds, perhaps thousands of needy people not only domestically, but also overseas. Besides shipping relief supplies, we also have a portable chapel, kitchen, modest living quarters, & a shower house for those providing relief relief services "on site" in the midst of natural disasters. We played a role in helping the residents of Pilger, NE, after a deadly tornado devastated the businesses & homes of this community several years ago. We provided both supplies & relief services in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We've shipped supplies to Haiti, the Philippines, Africa. Even now we've already shipped supplies to Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey; we're exploring with our brothers & sisters in TX how we can deliver relief services. Despite the overwhelming needs, our people are meeting to discuss how we respond to victims of Hurricane Irma.

It's worth mentioning that about 97% of the funds that come to us are used to provide direct relief supplies & services to those we serve. You read that correctly . . . only about 3% of those donations are used for administrative costs. Compare that to %'s that are typical of other relief organizations.

OGT is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017. We're hosting a convention @ the DeVent Center just outside Norfolk on W. US 275. That convention opens its doors at 3:00p this afternoon.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Thu 9/14

Although yesterday was not the official opening day of the convention, it also included some very special events & activities.

• At 10:00a, we had a dedication of our new flagpoles & a marker celebrating the roles that Ray Wilke, my pastor, & the late Clayton Andrews played in the development of OGT. Expressions of celebration, appreciation, & a testimony to the blessings from Christ that enable us to be a blessing to others were all a part of the ceremony.
• From 10:00-1:00, we hosted an open house. We provided tours of the building, showcasing recent "renovations" made possible by a grant from Thrivent. I can only imagine that my office was a highlight for many people who browsed through our building. [OK, maybe "highlight" is used loosely in this case, but at least I had my office straightened up--INCLUDING my desk; & also displayed some new plaques & wall hangings.]
• Representative from our numerous branches across the country, along w/members of our Board of Directors, met later in the afternoon to receive an updated branch policy manual.
• A social hour was followed by an outstanding supper. Besides representatives from our many branches, OGT staff & Board members were also included. 

A special highlight

After supper we heard reports from our many branches. I don't have room to include all the examples of servanthood that overflow from our branches, which are shared w/the entire group. More on that later(?) This is a special highlight for me, & I know that it enervates all of our people, for these reasons.

1. An opportunity for our people to mix socially. [Never underestimate the benefits of "networking.]
2. Inspiring stories of the largesse that comes from many sources to our branches & collection centers, w/a focus on the work of our various branches, which stretch from New England to California. 
3. Perhaps most uplifting to me are the stories of how God has opened doors for our branches & our overall ministry in so many ways.

Once again, I don't have space to share examples, but I will try to write about at least some of them in a future post.

A Preview of FRI 9/15

Today marks the official, opening day of our 2-day convention. There will be much to celebrate. News about our relief efforts, including talks by missionaries, will be heard & seen. There will be good food & fellowship. Above all, we will hear many speakers testify about God's role in OGT's ministry that is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Our celebration will focus on the fact that God blesses His people so that they, in turn, may be a blessing to others.