Haiti, located on an island in the Caribbean, has been continuously impacted by disasters — both natural and man-made — for years. This has left the country plagued with malnutrition, poverty, and violence. 

Recently, the devastation worsened. Last weekend, torrential rains led to widespread flooding, causing damage to houses and a breakdown in transportation. Shortly after, on the morning of June 6, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of Haiti — the same area where the floods had caused damage. 

These events left over 50 people dead, over 140 injured, and many without needed resources. 

Food For The Poor, our biggest international partner, is responding to the urgent needs in Haiti. As part of their disaster pre-staging, they already have Disaster Prepositioned Kits in Haiti. These kits include supplies from several different organizations, including hygiene kits, water, food, emergency blankets, and Midwest Mission Student Kits. 

The Student Kits provide kids a way to just feel like a kid, even in the midst of a disaster. The notebooks, pencils, crayons, coloring sheet, and other items allow them a way to work through some of the traumatic experiences they are going through.

Food For The Poor is continuing to respond to the needs, with more disaster supplies en route.

These natural disasters are crippling to the Haitian community, as they were already in a food and resource crisis. Blockades by gangs continue to make relief efforts complicated, and continuous disasters make recovery difficult. 

But, we know our God is with the people of Haiti. Although it seems that these crises will never end, we have hope for a future where there is no pain and suffering. In the meantime, we continue to do what we can to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and provide hope to those who need it most. 

Please join us in praying for the people of Haiti. Our God is a God of miracles!

Last week was a busy week at Midwest Mission. Two shipments were sent to Honduras.

The first shipment was an Angels of Hope container. It contained items that will be distributed to children’s homes and orphanages in Honduras. 

This included: 

• 1,680 Personal Dignity Kits
• 432 Home Care Kits
• 312 Cases of disinfecting wipes

The second shipment was what we call a “General In-Kind” shipment, meaning it contained all sorts of items, from kits to medical supplies. The items will be distributed all over the country to organizations who are working hard to meet people’s needs, and provide them a little bit of hope in their crisis. 

This shipment included:

• 22 Electric Sewing Machines
• 6 Treadle Sewing Machines
• 348 Pillowcase Dresses
• 170 Birthing Kits
• 1,120 Student Kits
• 280 Personal Dignity Kits
• Redirect medical supplies
• Redirect school desks and chairs, folding chairs, tools, tarps, and clothing
• Disinfectant wipes

We have now sent 24 international shipments this year!

Thank you for being a big part of our mission — Bringing the hearts and hands of God's people together to transform resources into humanitarian relief.

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Projects completed

• 16 Bed Packs
• 280 Feminine Hygiene Kits
• 6272 Home Care Kits
• 140 Layette Kits
• 30 Personal Dignity Kits
• 940 Student Kits
• 36 UMCOR Cleaning Kits
• 18 Desk

Other work done

• Desks - parts prepared, built, polyurethaned
• Bikes - repaired
• Sewing Machines - repaired
• Cleaning 
• Grounds Keeping
• Unloading donations from Annual Conferences
• Counting items into inventory

Disbursements

• Helping Hands, Springfield, IL: 100 Student Kits, 20 Bikes Value: $3,400.00
• 

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.

Deb and Howard Orndorff

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Athens UMC

Athens, IL

Riverside UMC

Park Rapids, MN

Wellspring UMC

Oswego, IL

Simpson Group

Springfield, IL

Church of the Good Shepherd

Oswego, IL

Union Reunion

St. Louis, MO

Trinity Lutheran Youth

Auburn, IL

Troy Youth

Troy, IL