God Provides —
Recent God Moments at Midwest Mission
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We have talked about it before (and we will surely talk about it again): one of the biggest blessings of being around Midwest Mission is the God Moments that continually occur. It is so evident that God sees and hears our needs, and provides in His time.
Some people call these moments coincidences, but we know God is behind it all, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) And isn’t that so true in the things we see Him doing at Midwest Mission. Together, we work to show God’s love in a practical way, and He provides so we can accomplish this.
Back in June, we traveled to Rochester, MN to pick up a load of donated medical supplies and equipment from a medical warehouse. The generous folks there donate supplies to Midwest Mission multiple times a year. This year, they donated a whole semi-truck load of supplies. Interestingly, we never know what we are going to get until we start unloading the truck.
Although we didn’t know when we picked up the supplies, this truck held several items that would prove to be God Moments just weeks later.
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If you have been paying attention to our Current Needs List the past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed that onesies have been on that list consistently.
We need onesies to make Layette Kits. Layette Kits are gifted to new moms, so that they will have some of the basic clothing and care essentials for their newborn. Two onesies or undershirts are included in each Layette Kit.
Without these items, Layette Kit assembly was stalled, and couldn’t continue until more supplies arrived. Several people responded, and onesies began to trickle in, but it still wasn’t enough to complete a substantial amount of kits to fulfill requests.
On Wednesday of this week, Barb Hedinger, Volunteer Coordinator, mentioned that onesies needed to be on the Current Needs List again this week.
But then, we began to unload the medical supplies.
Sure enough, there were 1,694 onesies on that truck.
Within an hour, Barb joyfully proclaimed that onesies no longer needed to be on the List!
There was a need, and God provided, in the right time.
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Similarly, we experienced a God Moment with towels!
Bath towels are not something we always have on hand. They do not go into any kits, and we don’t accept them unless they are new. But occasionally we will have some from donations that have come in.
For the last several weeks, we have been planning a shipment to the American Indian Christian Mission in Show Low, Arizona. This organization ministers to Native American populations in the area. They care for and provide needed items for those they reach. The shipment will contain Rice Meals, Kits, medical supplies, and other specifically requested items.
One of their recent requests was for bath towels.
“They said they had a huge need for bath towels,” Brad Walton, Midwest Mission Operations Manager explained. “So, I went and looked at our inventory, and we had 30 on hand. Not much, but we would send what we had.”
So, they continued planning the shipment, and while they were doing that, they were also unloading medical supplies from the truck from Minnesota.
As they were unloading, they rolled a linen cart out. They turned it around, and it was full of bath towels.
Volunteers counted and folded the towels. The total? 570 towels!
“That’s how things happen around here,” Brad said. “We have a need, and then it just shows up. We didn’t plan for the towels to show up, but now we can send 600 towels to Arizona.”
We didn’t plan it, but God sure did. Now, 600 people will be blessed with needed bath towels.
We thank God for continually showing up, opening our eyes, and blessing this ministry with God Moments.
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This week, we pray to have eyes to see the needs of those around us, and for hearts to selflessly move into action.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
Romans 12:12-14
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Midwest Mission Weekly Projects
Work of the Mission Volunteers
Work Done
- 18 Desks built
- Desk parts made
- Desks polyurethaned
- Bikes repaired
- 12 Treadle sewing machines repaired
- 30 Birthing Kits
- 70 Personal Dignity Kits
- 20 Student Kits
- 2053 Rice Meals - Central Bay Youth, MI
- 150 Rice Meals - Sheridan UMC, Sheridan, IL
- 600 Rice Meals - Mahomet UMC, Mahomet, IL
- 720 Rice Meals - Salem UMC, Evansville, IN
- 660 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kits
- Sewing
- Cleaning
- Counted items into inventory
- Sorted linens
- Taped shampoo for PDKs
Disbursements
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Midland Community F.O.A.R., Midland, MI: 240 UMCOR Hygiene Kits Value: $2,880.00
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Celebration in the Park, Clearlake, Springfield, IL: 120 UMCOR Hygiene Kits Value: $1,560
Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!
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Volunteer at Midwest Mission
Dates are available in 2023, 2024, and 2025
Need a Saturday option for team volunteering
or assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063
Click below to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.
Volunteer Reservation Calendar
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2025 Volunteer Calendar is now open for dorm reservations!
Go to our Reservation Calendar, log in, reserve your rooms, and submit payment for your Non-refundable Reservation Fee via credit card or electronic check. We will email you the Access Code to reserve Volunteer Shifts for your team. You must complete this step for your team to volunteer at Midwest Mission.
For local teams and individuals: Volunteer Shifts will only be available 3 months ahead of time. Beginning October 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for January of 2024.
Thank you for your patience as we try to improve the reservation experience for both local teams and those staying in the dorm.
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Volunteers at Work
July 24 - 28, 2023
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Chuck and Karen Porter
Brighton, Illinois
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Jeff and Jane Johnson
Glen Carbon, Illinois
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Volunteer Teams at Illinois Site | |
Baker Memorial UMC
St. Charles, IL
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Bonfield Grand Prairie Martha Circle UWF
Bonfield, IL
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Murrayville UMC
Murrayville, IL
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Union Reunion
St. Louis, MO
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Christy Blickensderfer Family Group
Sherman, IL
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Douglas Avenue UMC
Springfield, IL
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St. Joseph UMC
St. Joseph, IL
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Springfield FUMC Sewing Group
Springfield, IL
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Not Pictured: SPARC Summer Program, Springfield, IL | |
We are so grateful for all our regular volunteers, and the time they give towards volunteering at Midwest Mission. We appreciate their passion and dedication to the ministry! | | | | |