WOMEN ON A MISSION!

Cindi Bohmann

In the early morning hours of April 29th, with overcast skies, 38 LWML women (plus one brave man, Rev. Wilfred Grieser!) headed for Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa and Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Nebraska. Even though the weather was gloomy, spirits were high as we traveled I94 West, on our Discovery Coach bus, with our driver David.

Shortly after the last group of women boarded in Madison, our leaders Beverly Lueder and Bonnie Grossenbach welcomed us aboard and opened our trip with devotion and prayer. Verna Jorden and Carolyn Blum, sharing their musical talent, led us in song with many familiar tunes, and some new ones for us to learn. With our voices raised high in praise to our Lord, the miles flew past as we sang and worked on finding all 56 books of the Bible hidden in a word search sheet. Just to keep us alert and watching the scenery, Bev and Bonnie had us play Highway Bingo. Did they REALLY think we would see a Rebel flag anywhere in the corn country of Iowa?

After safely arriving in Denison, Iowa and checking into our hotel, Missionary Gary Thies, from Mission Central, warmly welcomed us to Iowa and outlined the following day’s events. Then we were off to dinner and back to our rooms to socialize. For some, this evening was an opportunity to make new friends, for other women, the chance to catch up with their LWML friends.

Refreshed and renewed, the next morning we headed out for a short ride to Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa. Mission Central is where numerous missionaries have come to train and stay while on furlough. In 1994, Gary Thies left a successful career in banking to become the first LCMS Mission Development Counselor. His mission; visit LCMS congregations and individuals, tell his story and excite them about missions and God’s work.
Lush grass and rolling hills, set the scene as we pulled into the driveway of Mission Central. High on a hill and nestled on the edge of freshly plowed fields, stands the bright red barn which showcases a beautiful antique window and is home to the chapel and museum. Missionary Gary Theis escorted us to the barn and stated, “Who travels all this way on a bus to see a set of old barn buildings? People that are not normal!” The day was filled with Missionary Gary sharing the “amazing” history and stories of Mission Central, his “amazing surprises” and the opportunity to hear Rev. Jim and Mabelle Blocker tell of their missionary work in the Czech Republic. On display in the museum are the vast collections of artifacts and items of missionaries, representing many countries. A delicious lunch prepared by Maxine Thies and volunteers, a Bible Study and DVD presentation wrapped up our day at Mission Central. We were certainly feeling blessed “not to be normal” and have this experience!

Back on the bus and accompanied by Missionary Gary, we traveled through the magnificent Loess Hills, with our tour ending up in Logan, Iowa and the Museum of Religious Arts and King of Kings Wax Museum. We then traveled back to Denison, Iowa for the night.

Saturday morning, we traveled to Visit Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Nebraska. Housed in a former mill, Orphan Grain Train was founded in 1992 by Rev. Ray S. Wilke and Clayton Andrews, president of Andrews Van Lines. Pastor Wilke and a group of volunteers had traveled to Latavia and Russia to help with a church mission. Before leaving, a group of Latavians begged Rev. Wilke to help them when he returned home. Keeping his promise, he contacted Clayton Andrews upon his return and together they founded Orphan Grain Train. The name is based on the verse, John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.”

Warmly greeted, we were given a tour of the warehouse. Stretching almost a block long, the warehouse is filled with an incredible inventory of donated items from grain to clothing and medical equipment. A computerized system tracks the location of items in the warehouse, enabling the workers to prepare a shipment, while assuring the contents can be accepted and cleared through customs at the intended destination.

Since 1992, 19 regional divisions of Orphan Grain Train have delivered more than 63 million pounds of humanitarian aid to more than 40 countries. Here in the U.S., 330 semi loads of hay and forage products were delivered in 2002-2003 to drought stricken farmers and 147 semi loads of supplies were shipped to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Today, the work continues worldwide to meet the increasing requests for aid.

After our tour, we were given an explanation of the sorting process and after breaking into teams, it was time to work. Our task was to determine if an item was summer or winter clothing .Once separated, other teams folded the items, packed them into boxes and handed the boxes off to be marked and sealed. In less than two hours, we packed an astounding 123 boxes! We left with an increased awareness to the needs of the world and grateful to have been part of the experience.

Early Sunday morning, we drove back to Mission Central for a meaningful worship service led by Pastor Klaus Raab and Missionary Gary. Also present were Jeff Fick and Bessie Fick, who spoke of God’s plan for them and their new assignment to Elm Grove Lutheran Church in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. It was a poignant moment, to have an LWML member from their new church present and another “amazing coincidence “ that Missionary Gary has experienced numerous times while doing work for Mission Central.

Two hours later, we were headed back to Wisconsin, with the best bus driver David behind the wheel. Inspired by four days of seeing God’s handiwork in our travels, how HE is working through the lives of so many individuals, we spent our remaining time together sharing mission stories and lifting our voices in song and giving thanks to God for the opportunity to be “Women on a Mission!”

 WOMEN ON A MISSION!

Cindi Bohmann

In the early morning hours of April 29th, with overcast skies, 38 LWML women (plus one brave man, Rev. Wilfred Grieser!) headed for Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa and Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Nebraska. Even though the weather was gloomy, spirits were high as we traveled I94 West, on our Discovery Coach bus, with our driver David.

Shortly after the last group of women boarded in Madison, our leaders Beverly Lueder and Bonnie Grossenbach welcomed us aboard and opened our trip with devotion and prayer. Verna Jorden and Carolyn Blum, sharing their musical talent, led us in song with many familiar tunes, and some new ones for us to learn. With our voices raised high in praise to our Lord, the miles flew past as we sang and worked on finding all 56 books of the Bible hidden in a word search sheet. Just to keep us alert and watching the scenery, Bev and Bonnie had us play Highway Bingo. Did they REALLY think we would see a Rebel flag anywhere in the corn country of Iowa?

After safely arriving in Denison, Iowa and checking into our hotel, Missionary Gary Thies, from Mission Central, warmly welcomed us to Iowa and outlined the following day’s events. Then we were off to dinner and back to our rooms to socialize. For some, this evening was an opportunity to make new friends, for other women, the chance to catch up with their LWML friends.

Refreshed and renewed, the next morning we headed out for a short ride to Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa. Mission Central is where numerous missionaries have come to train and stay while on furlough. In 1994, Gary Thies left a successful career in banking to become the first LCMS Mission Development Counselor. His mission; visit LCMS congregations and individuals, tell his story and excite them about missions and God’s work.
Lush grass and rolling hills, set the scene as we pulled into the driveway of Mission Central. High on a hill and nestled on the edge of freshly plowed fields, stands the bright red barn which showcases a beautiful antique window and is home to the chapel and museum. Missionary Gary Theis escorted us to the barn and stated, “Who travels all this way on a bus to see a set of old barn buildings? People that are not normal!” The day was filled with Missionary Gary sharing the “amazing” history and stories of Mission Central, his “amazing surprises” and the opportunity to hear Rev. Jim and Mabelle Blocker tell of their missionary work in the Czech Republic. On display in the museum are the vast collections of artifacts and items of missionaries, representing many countries. A delicious lunch prepared by Maxine Thies and volunteers, a Bible Study and DVD presentation wrapped up our day at Mission Central. We were certainly feeling blessed “not to be normal” and have this experience!

Back on the bus and accompanied by Missionary Gary, we traveled through the magnificent Loess Hills, with our tour ending up in Logan, Iowa and the Museum of Religious Arts and King of Kings Wax Museum. We then traveled back to Denison, Iowa for the night.

Saturday morning, we traveled to Visit Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Nebraska. Housed in a former mill, Orphan Grain Train was founded in 1992 by Rev. Ray S. Wilke and Clayton Andrews, president of Andrews Van Lines. Pastor Wilke and a group of volunteers had traveled to Latavia and Russia to help with a church mission. Before leaving, a group of Latavians begged Rev. Wilke to help them when he returned home. Keeping his promise, he contacted Clayton Andrews upon his return and together they founded Orphan Grain Train. The name is based on the verse, John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.”

Warmly greeted, we were given a tour of the warehouse. Stretching almost a block long, the warehouse is filled with an incredible inventory of donated items from grain to clothing and medical equipment. A computerized system tracks the location of items in the warehouse, enabling the workers to prepare a shipment, while assuring the contents can be accepted and cleared through customs at the intended destination.

Since 1992, 19 regional divisions of Orphan Grain Train have delivered more than 63 million pounds of humanitarian aid to more than 40 countries. Here in the U.S., 330 semi loads of hay and forage products were delivered in 2002-2003 to drought stricken farmers and 147 semi loads of supplies were shipped to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Today, the work continues worldwide to meet the increasing requests for aid.

After our tour, we were given an explanation of the sorting process and after breaking into teams, it was time to work. Our task was to determine if an item was summer or winter clothing .Once separated, other teams folded the items, packed them into boxes and handed the boxes off to be marked and sealed. In less than two hours, we packed an astounding 123 boxes! We left with an increased awareness to the needs of the world and grateful to have been part of the experience.

Early Sunday morning, we drove back to Mission Central for a meaningful worship service led by Pastor Klaus Raab and Missionary Gary. Also present were Jeff Fick and Bessie Fick, who spoke of God’s plan for them and their new assignment to Elm Grove Lutheran Church in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. It was a poignant moment, to have an LWML member from their new church present and another “amazing coincidence “ that Missionary Gary has experienced numerous times while doing work for Mission Central.

Two hours later, we were headed back to Wisconsin, with the best bus driver David behind the wheel. Inspired by four days of seeing God’s handiwork in our travels, how HE is working through the lives of so many individuals, we spent our remaining time together sharing mission stories and lifting our voices in song and giving thanks to God for the opportunity to be “Women on a Mission!”

Dear Praying Friends,

 

Thank you so much for your prayers! The mission trip to Kyrgyzstan was blessed by the Lord. We were able to spread God's love to many women during our retreats and now we pray that the Holy Spirit will take those efforts and multiply the effects as these women, in turn, reach out to witness to their friends, relatives and neighbors. We left resources for them to use, as well as encouragement to be a bold witness. The country is primarily Muslim; however, in the 11 years that our missionaries have been there, there are now approximately 60 Lutheran churches and church-groups. So the women will continue to be supported in their outreach efforts.

 

Kyrgyzstan is an untapped jewel, with its beautiful mountains, abundance of spring flowers, pristine lakes and friendly people. However, because of the poor state of its infrastructure since the breakup of the Soviet Union, it will take many years of work to bring it into the 21st century. Many citizens are poor, with little access to medical and dental care. Some children and older adults are abused and homeless due to the alcoholism of their caretakers. "Grannies" have been robbed of their pensions by their children/grandchildren and are left in the streets. Our missionaries have responded to these needs by establishing nursing homes and orphanages, which provide opportunity to also share Jesus with them.

 

Several awesome experiences will remain with me forever. Singing at our retreats was multi-cultural, and it gave me goose bumps to know that God was up in heaven sorting out our various languages! One day a man on the street asked me "Why are you here?" God gave me the words, and the courage, to tell him. He later sought us out to ask more questions. Please pray for him and his family!

 

If you sent embroidery floss, witness bracelets, tote bags, quilts…..or if you have donated clothing to Orphan Grain Train…..THANK YOU! We saw evidence every day of your generosity.

 

Again, thank you for your prayers and support!

 

Blessings,

Carolyn

 

Editor's Note:  Carolyn would be happy to speak at your zone rally or society meeting.  Email Carolyn.

 

	This woman, although not having much herself, started a group of other grannies who knit clothing for orphans.
	Women using embroidery floss during craft time at the retreats.
	A 7-year-old girl caring for her 1-year-old twin siblings, as her family had no place to live.  The orphanage is providing for the children and their mother.

Dear Praying Friends,

 

Thank you so much for your prayers! The mission trip to Kyrgyzstan was blessed by the Lord. We were able to spread God's love to many women during our retreats and now we pray that the Holy Spirit will take those efforts and multiply the effects as these women, in turn, reach out to witness to their friends, relatives and neighbors. We left resources for them to use, as well as encouragement to be a bold witness. The country is primarily Muslim; however, in the 11 years that our missionaries have been there, there are now approximately 60 Lutheran churches and church-groups. So the women will continue to be supported in their outreach efforts.

 

Kyrgyzstan is an untapped jewel, with its beautiful mountains, abundance of spring flowers, pristine lakes and friendly people. However, because of the poor state of its infrastructure since the breakup of the Soviet Union, it will take many years of work to bring it into the 21st century. Many citizens are poor, with little access to medical and dental care. Some children and older adults are abused and homeless due to the alcoholism of their caretakers. "Grannies" have been robbed of their pensions by their children/grandchildren and are left in the streets. Our missionaries have responded to these needs by establishing nursing homes and orphanages, which provide opportunity to also share Jesus with them.

 

Several awesome experiences will remain with me forever. Singing at our retreats was multi-cultural, and it gave me goose bumps to know that God was up in heaven sorting out our various languages! One day a man on the street asked me "Why are you here?" God gave me the words, and the courage, to tell him. He later sought us out to ask more questions. Please pray for him and his family!

 

If you sent embroidery floss, witness bracelets, tote bags, quilts…..or if you have donated clothing to Orphan Grain Train…..THANK YOU! We saw evidence every day of your generosity.

 

Again, thank you for your prayers and support!

 

Blessings,

Carolyn

 

Editor's Note:  Carolyn would be happy to speak at your zone rally or society meeting.  Email Carolyn.

 

	This woman, although not having much herself, started a group of other grannies who knit clothing for orphans.
	Women using embroidery floss during craft time at the retreats.
	A 7-year-old girl caring for her 1-year-old twin siblings, as her family had no place to live.  The orphanage is providing for the children and their mother.