WOW! This week was amazing. With three international shipments leaving Midwest Mission in two days, the warehouses were reeling with excitement.

On July 3, Hurricane Beryl swept through Jamaica, bringing more than 12 hours of heavy rain. Hundreds of people fled to shelters as the storm destroyed homes, businesses, and farms across the island. We knew that we would soon be called on to respond.

When disasters hit, we don’t immediately jump into action, we wait until our trusted partners tell us what the needs are on the ground, and then work from there. It was evident that Jamaica was in major need of help. Brad Walton, Midwest Mission’s Director of Operations, worked with Food For The Poor and their team in Jamaica to finalize a shipment of supplies. This week, that shipment came to fruition.

On Thursday, July 25, the Operations Team loaded the 40 ft container full of requested supplies that will help the people of Jamaica.

This shipment, of course, did not come without a God Moment! In Brad’s early conversations with Food For The Poor, they specifically mentioned they really needed blankets. That same week, Brad unloaded a trailer of supplies donated by Rochester Medical Group in Minnesota, and over 5,000 blankets were the first things he pulled off! God knew exactly what was needed, and provided in a big way. 

All of the Rice Meals in the building were sent out on this shipment — and they were all packed within the last week!

This shipment included:

• 2,400 Rice Meals
• 100 Bed Packs
• 60 Twin mattresses
• 120 Home Care Kits
• 91 Sleeping Mats
• Tarps
• Buckets

Value: $92,649.50

The day before, on Wednesday, July 24, we sent two shipments in one morning!

The first was an Angels of Hope Shipment for Honduras. The items will go to many children’s homes across the country, including several that the team of five staff members visited back in May. 

This shipment included: 

• 480 Home Care Kits
• 570 Personal Dignity Kits
• 10 Bed Packs
• 10 Twin mattresses
• Disinfecting wipes

Value: $29,160.00

Just a short two hours later, the next truck pulled up, ready to receive the next round of supplies, this time, for Guatemala. 

This shipment included:

• 9,600 Rice Meals
• 560 Student Kits
• 400 Layette Kits
• 96 Birthing Kits
• 20 Bikes
• 390 Cover Them With Love Quilts
• 10 Treadle Sewing Machines
• 45 Sleeping Mats
• Tools
• Medical supplies

Value: $174,814.50

All together, almost $300,000 worth of supplies were sent out this week. None of this would have been possible without YOU! Our staff members do the behind-the-scenes and preparation work, but do not put Kits together, make desks, or refurbish items. Without you, there would be nothing to send out! So, thank you for your dedication to this ministry. More people around the world and around the corner have what they need because of your prayers, monetary gifts, and donations.

We are excited for our brother Gene to have accepted a position with Caterpillar 10 minutes from his home in Tremont, IL

Gene Turner, ordained pastor, started volunteering at Midwest Mission in 2006. He served on the MM Board of Directors for two years before his special appointment in 2022 to join our staff as the Mission in Motion Manager. Gene helped take the Rice Meal Pack and turn it into the Mission in Motion program, building it and setting it up for continued growth and success. 

Gene took the Rice Meal Pack program from 55,000 bags a year to around 200,000, while adding Student and Personal Dignity Kit Events churches and organizations could book as well. With extra events came extra vehicle and trailer needs he helped to secure and keep moving. 

We all celebrated with Gene in February 2023 when he married Brenda. His commute then went from walking across the parking lot on campus to an hour and 10 minutes one way from Tremont. This is in addition to all the miles he logged while working Off-Site Events, picking up supplies, and speaking. Gene also has twin nine-year-old boys who he is looking forward to spending time with when he is off on weekends.

We are excited for how this will positively affect Gene and his family but we are sad to not have his help at Midwest Mission every day. We are thankful that he will still occasionally help with Off-Site Events.

Gene was gracious to delay his start date until after the Annual Conference season and we are so grateful, as we ran four Off-Site Events at IGRC, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana, on top of our normal collections at the other conferences.

Thank You, Gene, for your servant heart, outstanding work ethic, and excitement to help people in the pews be the hands and feet of Jesus.

You will always be an integral part of Midwest Mission in whatever capacity you serve with us.

Please be praying for Gene in his new endeavor, and for our Midwest Mission team as we part with such a great member of our family.

It's Back-To-School season, which means school supplies are on sale! While you're out shopping for your kiddos, or if you miss the days of buying school supplies, pick up a few items for Student Kits!

Visit midwestmission.org/kits to see what all is included in the Student Kit.

Right now, Walmart has these items at a great price:

- Boxes of 24 crayons  https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/152505497

- Boxes of 12 colored pencils  https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/225591124

- Boxes of 24 unsharpened wood pencils  https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/700001703

- Notebooks  https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/589943666

Our 2023 Impact Report is available for download! Using the button below, you can download the report and share with someone you know!

July 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!

These items will help us replenish our disaster relief supply.

• 5 gallon buckets and lids
• 32-64 oz. Bottles of liquid laundry detergent
• 16-40 oz. Bottles of liquid concentrate household cleaner
• 16-34 oz. Bottles of liquid dish soap
• Scrub brushes
• Heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon sizes)
• Kitchen gloves
• Work gloves

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

• 120 Feminine Hygiene Kits
• 18 Desks
• 280 Student Kits
• 9 Bikes
• 200 Layette Kits

• Poly Shop
• Desk Shop
• Count into inventory
• Cleaning
• Process Wood
• Bike Shop
• Sewing

Disbursements

• Hope For The Nations, Springfield, IL: 100 Personal Dignity Kits Value: $1,600.00
• VOAD Minook, IL: 16 Tornado Kits Value: $560
• Grace UMC, Dixon, IL: Hygiene and school supplies Value: $66
• CICIM, Decatur, IL: Furniture/Furnishings and Assorted towels Value $692

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! Have questions or need assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at  pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063. 

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.

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 and Beth Biedenfeld

Manson, IA

Mary Marty

Brownsburg, IN

Springfield First UMC Sewing Group

Springfield, IL

First UMC

Dixon, IL

Bonfield Grand Prairie Martha Circle UWF

Bonfield, IL

Riverton UMC Ladies Group

Illinois & Iowa

St. Joseph UMC

St. Joseph, IL

Ellettsville First UMC

Ellettsville, IN

Monticello UMC

Monticello, IL

Dixon UMC 2.0

Dixon, IL

United Women In Faith

Iowa