Midwest Mission is preparing to respond to the wildfires in Maui.

One of the unique qualities of serving with Midwest Mission is that you are serving and impacting people that you might never meet. We get to hear stories from and see pictures of those who have been blessed by Midwest Mission items, but we are not the ones handing out relief, or sitting with those in crisis. Instead, we equip organizations with the materials that will meet the needs of those they serve. By sending requested items to local, national, and international nonprofits, we work together to send hope and empowerment to those who are in the midst of crisis. We do our part, and they do their part, so we can better serve the Kingdom of God in partnership.

But once in a while, we get the priceless opportunity of seeing the entire process in action. This might be an Early Response Team member who is cleaning out disaster-stricken areas using UMCOR Cleaning Kits that were assembled at Midwest Mission. Or a local church that has previously volunteered at Midwest Mission, handing out Midwest Mission Tornado Kits to their community after a storm passes through.

Back in March, three of our staff members had that priceless experience through a trip to see Food For The Poor in action in Jamaica. Getting to see the faces of those who receive our items makes each shipment we send a little more personal and real.

On Friday, August 11, a shipment valued at $46,420.00 went to Spanish Town, Jamaica. This shipment was for the Angels of Hope program, so all of the items will go to children’s homes around Jamaica.

 “Right now in the container, a 20-foot container, there are Home Care Kits, Personal Dignity Kits, and disinfecting wipes,” Ramon Ortiz, Operations Specialist, said while everyone was circling up to pray over the shipment. “That’s what they wanted, that’s what they requested, and so we are sending it.”

Whenever we send an international shipment, whoever is in the building surrounds the container, and prays over it, because we truly believe in the power of prayer for the people who will receive the items.

Karen Porter, Volunteer Leader, led the group in a prayer.

As Chantel Corrie, Executive Director, listened to the words Karen spoke over the shipment, her heartstrings were pulled. Chantel was one of the team members that traveled to Jamaica, and felt a deeply personal connection to this particular shipment.

“Karen said ‘people we will never meet’ in her prayer,” Chantel said to the group after they had prayed. “But Barb, Mallory, and I got to meet some of the people in Jamaica who have received this stuff.”

 “To see the faces on the other side was pretty special,” she said, fighting back the tears, remembering moments from the trip. After a pause to get words out, she continued: “There was lots of joy. I wish they were all still braiding my hair right now, saying ‘auntie, auntie, I’m going to be a hairdresser when I grow up.’

“There is so much hope and joy and excitement there. It is such a privilege that we get to do this and support these children's homes that are doing such great work. The people that are doing the work are there because they want to be there and want to give these kids the best experience. The compassion and love the leaders had was overwhelming.”

The work we get to do here at Midwest Mission is important and such a blessing — both to those who are served and who serve.

You may never meet those you have helped, but we hope you deeply understand the impact you are making for Christ when you assemble a kit, cut a pattern, fix a bike, or anything in between. These items change the lives of those who receive them — some are blessed to witness this firsthand. 

May the stories you hear and the pictures you see be an encouragement to you as you continue sharing God’s love in practical ways around the world and around the corner.

If you would like to watch the video of this shipment and prayer circle, and hear more from Chantel about the trip, click here.

August Church Bulletin Insert

We now offer monthly church bulletin inserts that you can slide in your church's bulletin. These inserts keep your congregation up-to-date on our current needs and upcoming events!

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

• 450 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kits
• 70 Layette Kits
• 72 Desks
• 70 Personal Dignity Kits
• 10 Layette Kits
• 120 Student Kits

• Bag disinfectant wipes
• Sewing
• Cleaning
• Counting into inventory
• Refurbish sewing machines
• Trace and cut patterns
• Cut plarn
• Polyurethane Looms
• Sort medical supplies
• Refurbish Bikes

Disbursements

• Michael's Mission, Metropolitan UMC, Maryland: 2,520 Student Kits, 1,200 UMCOR Hygiene Kits, 840 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kits Value: $76,080.00
• St. Martin de Porres, Springfield, IL: coffee filters, hygiene supplies, linens Value: $2,556.00
• First UMC, Whitewater, WI: redirect food Value: $833.00

Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!



Ready to Get Involved?

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



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.

Stan and Jennie Lowrey

Pattonsburg, Missouri

Chuck and Karen Porter

Brighton, Illinois

Whitewater WI Area Regional Ministries

Whitewater, WI

Springfield First UMC Sewing Group

Springfield, IL

Lighthouse

Rochester, IL

Taylorville UMC

Taylorville, IL

Wesley UMC

Macomb, IL

Lincoln First UMC

Lincoln, IL

St. Luke Union Church

Bloomington, IL

Quilting Friends

Jacksonville, IL

Kevin Davis

Springfield, IL

Tom Lamble

Springfield, IL