21 Pallets of potatoes unloaded an early Tuesday morning

For years, Orphan Grain Train (OGT) has been a way God answers prayers for small and big needs for many people.  Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) focuses on helping meet needs through simple acts of kindness, sharing God’s love through deed and word.  With the continued partnership with OGT, many of the servants at YLM have seen how God answers prayers with donations given through OGT.

“Last month, we received over 42,000 pounds of potatoes,” Miguel Muñoz, Facilitator of Distributions and Donations, shared over a ZOOM staff meeting, “We distributed 40,000 pounds between several organizations dedicated to feeding our communities of El Paso and Juarez.  The rest, we gave out Saturday morning during our Drive-Thru Food Pantry.”

This isn’t the first time, and with God’s help it won’t be the last time, OGT has brought large amount of food.  Last year, over 50 pallets of beans, with each pallet weighing at 2,000 pounds, were transported cross-country to deliver to YLM.  Within a week, 45 of those pallets had been distributed to over six different organizations and local food pantries.  The same when thousands of pounds of bags of rice were brought in.

40,000 pounds of potatoes were distributed by the next day after they arrived

Not only is food brought by OGT, thanks to donors throughout the mid-west, but YLM has received many other donations for specific needs.  At the beginning of the year, as YLM was preparing to receive its first Servant Event team of the year with 15 participants coming to build two houses in Anapra, it became painfully obvious many of the mattresses in the Dormitory needed replacing, but without funds, the YLM staff turned to prayer.  A few weeks prior to the group arriving, over 15 new mattresses were delivered by OGT, and not just new mattresses, but Tempur-Pedic mattresses the exact size of those needing replacing!

One of YLM’s staff members was in need of an office chair with good back support.  She would mention during staff meetings how she was praying for a good office chair…the excitement when one arrived among a semi full of donations was quite enjoyable to witness for many.

With deep gratitude, YLM continuously prays for OGT and the many who are involved in bringing what’s needed to people in need, not only to YLM but all over the world.  Through the donations they collect and transport, be it food, clothes, furniture, or school supplies, they are an answer to prayer for many.

“God has truly blessed us through our partnership with OGT,” Pastor Heimer commented just after letting the staff know a OGT truck was on its way to YLM, “Thanks to them, God provides us with tons of potatoes, and God brings the people in need to us, and helps take us to them, too.  This is a good way to be the body of Jesus to our communities, both for YLM and OGT.”