It’s that time of year when the holidays are in full swing, the winter weather is creeping in (or bursting in depending on where you live), hot chocolate replaces apple cider, and the rush of the day-to-day simultaneously winds down and ramps up. Christmas is near (about a month away… but considering some decorations have been up since November 1… it’s near).

For Midwest Mission, things change during the holidays. Some things slow down, others speed up in different ways. It’s a time to plan for the new year, reflect on the passing year, and continue showing God’s love in practical ways.

We just finished our yearly inventory, where a team of amazing volunteers count every. single. item. in the warehouse. WHEW! We are SO thankful for these volunteers, and for our Inventory Specialist, Sarah Frazee, and the rest of our Operations Team who keep our inventory neat and tidy all year round. This helps us know what we can give out when a request comes in, and it helps us know what to add to our Current Needs list.

The downside of the holiday season is that our international shipments come to an end for the year. Our international partners close down warehouses around Christmas time, which means all shipments must reach their ports before the organizations close for the season. Otherwise, the container will sit at the port until the new year, racking up port fees. They don’t want that, and neither do we! So, although it’s only December 1, we are finished with our international shipments for 2023. 

It’s that time of year when the holidays are in full swing, the winter weather is creeping in (or bursting in depending on where you live), hot chocolate replaces apple cider, and the rush of the day-to-day simultaneously winds down and ramps up. Christmas is near (about a month away… but considering some decorations have been up since November 1… it’s near).

For Midwest Mission, things change during the holidays. Some things slow down, others speed up in different ways. It’s a time to plan for the new year, reflect on the passing year, and continue showing God’s love in practical ways.

We just finished our yearly inventory, where a team of amazing volunteers count every. single. item. in the warehouse. WHEW! We are SO thankful for these volunteers, and for our Inventory Specialist, Sarah Frazee, and the rest of our Operations Team who keep our inventory neat and tidy all year round. This helps us know what we can give out when a request comes in, and it helps us know what to add to our Current Needs list.

The downside of the holiday season is that our international shipments come to an end for the year. Our international partners close down warehouses around Christmas time, which means all shipments must reach their ports before the organizations close for the season. Otherwise, the container will sit at the port until the new year, racking up port fees. They don’t want that, and neither do we! So, although it’s only December 1, we are finished with our international shipments for 2023. 

Our 44th and final international shipment of the year left Midwest Mission for Guatemala on Wednesday, November 29.

It contained:

• 30 Bikes
• 30 Mattresses
• Fire Equipment
• 6 Treadle Sewing Machines
• 20 Electric Sewing Machine
• 4,800 Rice Meal Bags
• 160 Layette Kits
• 48 Tarps
• Canes, crutches, walkers
• Other medical supplies

Weight: 19,044 lbs

Value: $107,019.50

Although this was our last international shipment, we are as busy as ever! We continue to accept donations Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, and we are looking forward to welcoming our December volunteers. We will also continue to disburse relief within the United States until we close for the Christmas season.

Keep in mind (especially if you are planning to bring in donations, or you are a regular volunteer): Midwest Mission will be closed Friday, December 22 - Monday, January 1 for the holidays. We will open again on Tuesday, January 2.

As stated above, the holidays are here! Tis the season for lots of food, urgent shopping, lists on lists, gathering after gathering, and, oh yeah… the reason we have it all: Jesus. 

In the midst of the chaos (good and bad) of the holiday season, may we not forget the reason for the season. Center yourself on the truth of the Word, and the light of Christ we receive in even the darkest night.

Over the next four weeks, we will focus on one of the Advent words in the newsletter, in order to draw nearer to Jesus, and bring our minds to focus on the one and only. As Advent approaches this coming Sunday, we focus on Hope.

Jesus is our HOPE!

At Midwest Mission, we are able to send hope around the world and around the corner. Although it comes in the form of tangible items (that they truly need), in reality, the hope they receive is only because of Jesus. We send hope because Jesus is our hope.

Without the light of eternity with God ahead of us, there would be no hope for the hopeless, no light at the end of the tunnel for the less fortunate, and no end to our earthly struggles.

We are so blessed to have hope to rely on, to get us through to the next day. Because of hope our eyes can focus on our God above, and not the worldly problems that drag us down.

In the Advent season, we prepare and anticipate the birth of Christ, the moment that brought eternal hope into the world. Much like the Israelites of the Old Testament waited in anticipation for years and years, we now prepare for and anticipate His return.

This week, focus on the Hope you have in Jesus. The world can be a dark place, so let the light of hope sink into your heart and mind, and share that hope with others. 

As the rush of the holiday season flies by, keep the word of God close, as reminders of His hope:

• Romans 15:13:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
• Hebrews 10:23:  “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
• Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

God is doing great things at Midwest Mission! We combined some of our most recent "God Moments" into a publication called "God is On the Move."

Using the button below, you can download the stories and share with someone you know!

December Church Bulletin Insert

We 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!

You can purchase these items at your local store, or make them, and take them to Midwest Mission or a Collection Site near you. You can also buy items online and have them shipped right to Midwest Mission.

Day Pads

Patterns

Go to Feminine Hygiene Kit

Purchase

Select the first ones listed

Receiving Blankets

28"x28" - 32"x32" — can be store-bought or handmade — purchase here

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

• Counting, counting, and more counting for inventory!



Disbursements

• Guatemala, Food For The Poor: See story above
• CICIM, Decatur, IL: Two wheelchairs Value: $200.00

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 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. For example, December 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for March 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.

Chuck & Karen Porter

Brighton, IL

Camp Clear Lake District

Iowa

Lloyd and Renae Peterson

Iowa

Grace UMC

Story City, IA

Thank you again to our great inventory team for all of your hard work this week!