Donated School Supplies Bring Joy to Children in Guatemala

July 29, 2022

Donated School Supplies Bring Joy

to Children in Guatemala

Bright crayons, new pencils and notebooks with clean lined paper are among the things students look forward to having at the beginning of the school year. However, children living in remote, rural areas often lack access and resources to get new supplies for school.

Our international partner, Food For The Poor, shared the following update with us this week from Guatemala.

"It is with great joy that new school kits were received in Guatemala. This generous donation of school kits from FFTP's faithful donor Midwest Mission, provided a joyful start to the new school year!" - FFTP

“Merlyn, 7, is in first grade. She lives with her grandmother and her sister and although she seems to be a happy child, she asks about her deceased mother almost every day,” explained Byron Paredes, our in-country partner representative.

“Merlyn’s grandmother is elderly and is struggling to provide the essentials to her grandchildren,” he said. “In spite of their living conditions, Merlyn was very happy to receive her school kit and is now looking forward to starting the new school year.

“School supplies are most definitely my favorite donation to distribute, because the joy in the children’s faces is unmatched by any other,” Byron exclaimed.

Your prayers and donations of time, resources and finances are creating life change for real people around the world and around the corner. Thank you for showing God's love in a practical way!

Seven-year-old Merlyn grins as she uses the items she received in her brand new Midwest Mission Student Kit.

Midwest Mission Student Kit

What did Merlyn and her friends receive?

Midwest Mission Student Kits Include:

3 Notebooks - 1 subject spiral 8" x 10 1/2"
1 Ruler - 12" long with metric
6 Pencils - unsharpened
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 Eraser - 2" or larger
1 Box 12 Colored Pencils
1 Box 24 Crayons
1 Pair of Student Scissors
1 One-handled Cloth Bag

Check out our Kit Brochure for this and other kits and the specific items needed for each.

Baby Gifts Received in Guatemala

In addition to the Student Kits sent to Guatemala, the shipment included Midwest Mission Layette Kits. This mother opens her gift smiling, knowing that someone cared enough to help her provide for her children.

The Onesies may look simply like clothes. To her, they are protection for her baby's young skin. The sleepers offer warmth and safety. The lightweight receiving blankets are good for swaddling and helping baby rest comfortably.

“You cannot imagine how grateful mothers were to receive kits and blankets for their babies,” Byron Paredes, added. “We are truly thankful to Food For The Poor and its generous donor, Midwest Mission for all that they do for the people of Guatemala.”

Thank you for your continued support of Midwest Mission and helping us share the love and light of Jesus.

Haiti School of Hope Receives Rice Meals

The School of Hope in Haiti recently received Rice Meals Bags from Midwest Mission. Jean Claude, an in-country representative, distributed the bags which are filled with rice, soy, dried vegetables and vitamins, providing much-needed nutrition. Each bag feeds six people and costs about 34 cents a person.

Midwest Mission's partnership with the School of Hope and it's visionary leaders, Mike and Lia Mueller, was a natural fit. Both organizations believe in providing hope and empowerment to people, especially in their times of crisis. Chantel Corrie, executive director at Midwest Mission said, "Giving people the resources they need and teaching them how to use what they receive is critical for personal growth and learning self-sufficiency. Fueling the body with those important nutrients allows them to better concentrate on education, work and time with family."

"Mike and Lia have the same philosophy as we do ... understanding that it's all about the love of Jesus and sharing his provision."

"Our School of Hope was completed by God’s will in 2017," the Muellers explained. "Currently (2022) there are approximately 400+ students from kindergarten through 9th grade that attend SOH and we are so thankful for this!"

Haiti has suffered much, including earthquakes, as recent as last year. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, earthquakes struck in Les Cayes and Jeremie. Lia shared. Travel to Haiti is minimal as a result of unrest and crime. "We encourage and support Christ-centered sustainable businesses, housing and promote empowerment to our Haitian neighbors for projects grounded in accountability and prayer.

"During the pandemic of 2020 God has spoken to us to reach out to as many communities to share God’s love. We are focused on helping create empowerment for our Haitian neighbors now and into the coming years.

"We will continue working with Midwest Mission and our other partners to educate the young Haitians ...our continued prayers go out to all who support us spiritually and financially."

PRAYERS to LIFT UP

Join us in praying for Midwest Mission's many partners.

It is a blessing to have such a strong network of support. We are grateful!

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Ephesians 1:16

MIDWEST MISSION WEEKLY PROJECTS

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Projects completed

30 Student Kits
5 Bikes
140 Layette Kits
816 UMCOR Hygiene Kits

Other work done

Stuffed Summer Mailer
Student Desks - sand, poly, build
Repaired bikes
Repaired sewing machines
Traced patterns
Sewed
Sorted outfits
Counted items into inventory
Cleaned facilities
Rice Meal prep

Disbursements

Central Illinois Christians in Mission (CICIM), Decatur, IL Redirected* cleaning supplies (germicidal wipes) and redirected clothing Value: $8,184.00
Little Galilee Church Camp, Clinton, IL Redirected cleaning supplies (germicidal wipes) Value: $3,840.00

*Redirected items are those items received that do not fit into the parameters of our kits and projects.

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

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