There is a heaviness that falls in the air when Haiti is mentioned. It is one of deep sorrow and maybe a little guilt as we picture the faces of children walking the streets in fear. Or of families who have not received food in days. Or of young men being coerced into gangs out of a need to survive.

There is a lot of brokenness. God shines light in that brokenness. He shows the beauty of people coming together to care for people they will never meet. 

You give. Not because you are forced to or you have to. You give out of abundance. Not of financial means, but an abundance of goodness, of love, of Christlikeness.

1 John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” That is so true of you Midwest Mission volunteers and donors. The generosity of time and treasures you pour out brings hope to people in places like Haiti.

Haiti might be in crisis, but even in the midst of crisis, they will feel the love of so many across borders who are showing God’s love in a practical way.

On Wednesday, September 4, we sent a shipment full of supplies that will send hope to people who desperately need it — hope that will spur them on to keep going another day. The items might get them to their next meal, or give them the help needed to make a living, or bring a smile that brightens their day. It all matters.

The items, along with the accompanying prayers, and the hope and empowerment that comes from receiving it, changes lives. 

In this shipment, we sent:

• 240 Cover Them With Love Quilts
• 189 Little Boy and Girl Outfits
• 40 Tarps
• 15 Sewing Machines
• 280 Feminine Hygiene Kits
• 10 Hospital beds
• 33 Mattresses
• Walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches
• Chairs
• Medical supplies

The value of this shipment was $167,602.58.

Thank you for being a part of sending hope to people in crisis.

Midwest Mission keeps growing!

Brett King, from Jacksonville, IL, was recently hired as Midwest Mission’s Operations Specialist. He will join the Operations Team and work under the direction of Ramon Ortiz, Operations Manager, and Brad Walton, the Director of Operations. 

Brett is excited to be a part of this team. This week, he enjoyed loading the shipment to Haiti. He will be driving for Midwest Mission, as well as working in the warehouse. Brett will also be a part of our Mission In Motion program, assisting with and driving to Off-Site Events.

Please welcome Brett to the team when you see him!

Midwest Mission has been blessed with volunteers across the Midwest who give of their time, energy, and resources to assist us in carrying out God’s mission to help those in need.  Some of these volunteers use the facilities God has blessed them with to provide a donation collection point for needed supplies. These are our Permanent Collection Sites!  

You can find their contact information at www.midwestmission.org/permanent-collection-sites.

What’s Happening @ Permanent Collection Sites?

Asbury UMC, Sioux Falls, SD – Lloyd Petersen and Asbury UMC are our newest PCS and our first in South Dakota! Welcome aboard!

Riverside UMC, Park Rapids, MN – Spike Wellman reports that their church has transitioned to use their space for a Public Charter School. Midwest Mission collections are being housed in a nearby barn with more space. What a great outreach opportunity!

Emmanuel UMC Noblesville, IN – Pat Baumer and his church will be holding a Rice Meal Pack Sept 21st to celebrate Serving Sunday. They have also collected Student Kits. Pat and his wife will be in Illinois to volunteer at Midwest Mission in October. Always love seeing you both!

(Medical Mission), Rochester, MN – Tanya Oberg continues to work to bring in and ship out medical supplies donated to Midwest Mission. Can’t thank you enough.

Glenview UMC, Glenview, IL – Ethyl Doyle’s church is scheduled for a Rice Meal Pack on October 13th. We wish you much success in your outreach!

Bethany UMC, Green Bay, WI – Ron Vinger’s congregation is collecting Student Kits, Home Care Kits, and Personal Dignity Kits through their children’s ministry to emphasize missions to the next generation. 

Gay Street UMC, Mt Vernon, OH –Beth Prince has been collecting Cover Them with Love Quilts, Personal Dignity Kits, and medical equipment. We always get needed supplies from Beth and Gay Street!

Forrest Hill UMC, Peoria, IL – Deb Nuske and her congregants are working to open a much needed pantry this Fall. It will be stocked with cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items. God Bless you for thinking of other’s needs.

Nebraska City FUMC, Nebraska City, NE – Dean Thomson’s church is gearing up for a Fall Kick-Off by collecting bicycles and sewing machines. I pray your harvest is bountiful!

If your congregation is interested in becoming a New Permanent Collection Site, please contact teresa@midwestmission.org for more information.

We have a few upcoming on-site events! We'd love for you to join us

1. Blessing Bag Pack at Midwest Mission (Pawnee, IL) — Thursday, September 12 from 5-7pm, and Friday, September 13 from 12-4pm. Learn more here.
2. Bucket Brigade at Midwest Mission Iowa (Jefferson, IA) — Wednesday, September 25 from 3-7pm. Learn more here.

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

September 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!

• Crayons
• 24ct only!
• Receiving Blankets
• Must be 28"x28" to 32" x 32" and made out of new flannel
• Our goal is 2,000 Receiving Blankets!

Click here to purchase these items online.



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:

• Poly Shop
• Desk Shop
• Bike Shop
• Warehouse Cleaning
• Sewing Machine Shop
• Trace Patterns
• Offsite Pack Prep

• 240 Home Care Kits
• 1,440 UMCOR Hygiene kits
• 60 Trace Patterns

Disbursements

• Beardstown First UMC, Beardstown, IL: 1 Bike, Value: $90.00

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 2024 and 2025!  Click here to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.



2025 and 2026 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.

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.

Mike & Jane Strayer

Valpraiso, IN

Teri & Evelyn Erbele

Carlton, MN

Athens UMC

Athens, IL

NOMADS 2024

Monticello UMC

Monticello, IL

SASED

Springfield, IL

Saint Luke Union Church

Bloomington, IL

Tampico UMC

Tampico, IL

Gibson City UMC

Gibson City, IL