Every year, Midwest Mission facilitates one shipment to Ghana for our partner, the International Health and Development Network (IHDN). 

In 1996, IHDN was formed by a group out of Springfield, Illinois. Shortly after, they began holding Health Fairs in Ghana led by Dr. Edem Agamah. Many people were seeing a physician for the very first time.

“IHDN seeks to develop effective and sustainable Primary Health Care programs in small towns and villages in the developing world.” Now, IHDN operates a hospital in Ghana, seeing patients who are in great need of medical care that would be otherwise unavailable.

This annual shipment helps outfit the hospital with needed equipment and supplies that are difficult to find or expensive to buy in Ghana. This year, Dr. Agamah’s car is inside the container, so that when he is in Ghana, he has transportation. 

This shipment also included a lot of medical supplies and equipment, computers, and electronics. 

While the shipment was being loaded, we talked with June Agamah, Dr. Agamah’s wife, about what this shipment means for them. “We are excited because we are about to go on our 45th mission trip to Ghana, and now this shipment is heading there!

Midwest Mission has been partners with us for over 20 years. This is by no deal an easy task. We usually procure the supplies from all over, then we have to package it, bring it over here, and then the Midwest Mission team gets everything ready and prepared for us. It’s funny how you do it every year or so, and each time it is always different. 

We are very thankful to the Lord for His goodness, and for the support we have gotten from Midwest Mission for all these years. Please continue to pray for us that the equipment will get there safely, so that we can continue to help the poor in Ghana, West Ghana.”

This partnership is beautiful, and we are grateful to play a small part in the great work IHDN is doing in Ghana. This is our longest partnership, and we love that it is a group from right here in Springfield who had big dreams for Ghana that are coming to fruition. 

Please pray that this shipment will make it safely and timely, and that the items will bless the staff at their hospital, and that their patients will, in turn, receive better care. 

Our annual Kits and Projects Brochure is available for download! 

We publish a new Kits and Projects Brochure every year, because we make changes to our Kits and collection items annually. It is always important to continue asking our partners what they need, and finding out if what we send is truly meeting their needs. 

This year, there were just a few changes:

• The Birthing Kit is BACK! You can read about the changes in a previous newsletter here.
• The Tornado Kit has a slight change — we are no longer including 24 clear trash bags. The 24 heavy-duty trash bags will still be included.
• We have updated the description of bikes that can be donated. Now, bikes cannot be 10-speed, road racing, or any other type with thin tires. These bikes do not do well with the rough terrain they are usually shipped to. As always, they must be in working condition with minimal rust.

Learn how to refurbish sewing machines at Midwest Mission in Iowa! No previous knowledge is required. Many times, sewing machines just need tested and then cleaned.

A few months ago, we opened our Sewing Machine Shop up at our Jefferson, Iowa location. Now, we are in need of more volunteers who can test, clean, and/or fix up the machines. If you're close to Jefferson, this is a great way to get involved on a regular basis.

The training will help you learn our processes, and figure out if this is the volunteer opportunity for you — no commitment necessary!

There is one upcoming training remaining — Thursday, January 30 from 10am-12pm

You can register for the training here.

There are only six spots available, so register as soon as you can!

Last week's training was great! Thanks to everyone who came out.

Our 2024 Summer Update is available for download! Using the button below, you can download the report and share with someone you know!

For the Cleaning Kit:

• Laundry Detergent (32-64 oz.)
• Liquid Dish Soap (16-34 oz.)
• Work Gloves with Leather Palms
• Kitchen Gloves
• Heavy Duty Trash Bags or Contractor Bags (2+ mil thickness)

Other Requests:

• Baby Sleepers
• Deodorant (2-3 oz)

You can purchase items on Amazon here.



You can bring items to Midwest Mission or a Permanent Collection Site near you — or send them through the mail to 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558.

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

Onsite:

• Bike Shop
• Desk Shop
• Poly Shop
• Sewing Machine Repair Shop (17 Electric)
• Cleaning
• Items counted into inventory
• Offsite Pack Prep

• 210 Personal Dignity Kits
• 252 UMCOR Cleaning Kits
• 192 UMCOR Hygiene Kits

Offsite:

• 2,960 Blessing Bags, First Free Church, Ballwin, MO
• 320 Blessing Bags, St. Paul UMC, Rosewood Heights, IL
• 1,520 Blessing Bags, Suamico UMC, Suamico, WI

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



Ready to Get Involved?

Here are three ways you can get involved at Midwest Mission:

1. Host an Off-Site Event

We have several hands-on mission opportunities you can host at your location! Visit midwestmission.org/off-site to learn more. Contact Melissa Brookens at 217-483-7911 or melissa@midwestmission.org to book your event or for questions.

2. Serve From Home

You can serve people around the world from right at home! From sewing, to assembling kits, there's something for everyone. Learn how at midwestmission.org/at-home.

3. Volunteer at Midwest Mission

We have dates available in 2025 and 2026!  Click here to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.



2025 and 2026 Volunteer Calendar is open for Lodge 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, 2024you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for March of 2025.

Learn more at midwestmission.org/at-midwestmission.



Midwest Mission Iowa

If you would like to do the Midwest Mission Experience at our Jefferson, IA location, visit midwestmission.org/iowa - or reach out to Melissa Brookens.

Volunteers at Work

January 20-24, 2025

Volunteer Leaders

Jeff & Jane Johnson

Glen Carbon, IL

Illinois Teams

Troy MC Youth

Troy, IL

Wellspring UMC

Oswego, IL

Taylorville UMC

Taylorville, IL

We are so grateful for all our local and regular volunteers, and the time they give towards volunteering at Midwest Mission. We appreciate their passion and dedication to the ministry!