December 9, 2022

Second Shipment to Aid in Florida Disaster Relief Efforts Leaves Midwest Mission

On Friday, December 2, a container arrived at Midwest Mission that would be filled with needed aid and sent to those whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Ian.


After the first shipment had arrived in Florida, we were swiftly met with another list of needed items. Like the first, this second shipment would not have happened without partnership and collaboration. 


Food For The Poor, who is our international partner, connected us with a stateside partner - the Florida Catholic Conference. Through the conference, we are working with the Catholic Charities of Florida.


The most recent shipment was sent to Crossroads Alliance & Ministries (CAM) in Ocala, FL. Crossroads Alliance & Ministries “responds to natural and man-made disasters across the globe. CAM also takes part in on-going humanitarian aid programs predominantly in the U.S.A and Honduras, but in other countries as well as the need arises.”


After Hurricane Ian, Crossroads Alliance has focused some of its disaster relief efforts on the people in and around Fort Myers, FL. They have a warehouse in Ocala, FL where they collect relief supplies and then send trucks full of aid to areas in need. 


One of the requested items for the shipment was disposable diapers. Upon request, our staff members immediately went out and began buying disposable diapers with the money sent in for Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief. Several trips to Walmart and Sam's Club later, we were ready to send. 


The shipment included:

  • 648 UMCOR cleaning kits
  • 1,440 UMCOR hygiene kits
  • 13 generators
  • 108 tarps
  • 597 disposable diapers
  • 480 cases of body wipes
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Antibacterial hand cleaner



Value: $152,214.00


Thank you to everyone who gave their time or resources to get this shipment to Florida.

Welcome our new staff member, Teresa Whitehouse!

Teresa Whitehouse started on November 28, 2022 as the Project Manager for Midwest Mission after having worked in the corporate service industry for 18 years. Teresa, her husband Jeff, and daughters Ashley and Megan moved from Kentucky to Illinois in 2004 following the Lord’s leadership in ministry. Teresa has assisted her husband in ministry for over 30 years. Since 2013 she has led a weekly women’s small group, First Ladies, at her home. 


Her role at Midwest Mission will be to take on different administrative projects. Teresa will handle a lot of data management, and will be cross-trained with a variety of positions.


Teresa’s prayer for Midwest Mission: “I pray that love will overshadow everything we do and fill in the cracks where we may fall short.”

Give the Gift of Peace this Christmas Season

Peace - something that, at times, seems so unattainable. Yet, during the Advent season, we are reminded that there is nothing greater and more real than the peace we receive in Jesus.


"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). We are recipients of God's peace, and as His children we are called to be a part of the restoration of that peace on earth.


We can play a part of giving peace to others. Create space to lighten the burden of a neighbor, be a listening ear to a struggling family member, or give a gift that leaves someone with a little more peace on earth.


This Christmas season, you have the opportunity to partner with Midwest Mission in giving the gifts of love, joy, peace, and hope to those around the world and around the corner.


$140 gives the gift of peace by providing 10 Personal Dignity Kits to help those affected by disaster.


You can also give in someone else's name. Instead of a traditional present, give a monetary gift to Midwest Mission in their name, and present them with this downloadable gift tag to show them the gift of peace was made in their honor.


Whether by giving monetarily, or through Christlike actions, together we are perpetuating the gift of peace on earth.


May the beautiful gifts of hope, love, peace, and joy be blessings over you this Christmas and always.

Donate the Gift of Peace

Prayers to Lift Up

This week, we pray for our local and domestic partners. We pray they will be able to reach those who need help this Christmas season, and that their ministries will be blessed as this year ends. We also lift up a prayer of gratitude for our local and domestic partners. They allow us to send hope and empowerment right around the corner and show God's love in a practical way to our neighbors.


"I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers


Projects completed

  • 18 Desks - preparing and building
  • 130 Verified Personal Dignity Kits
  • 520 Hygiene kits for One Stop
  • Rice Meal Assembly
  • 518 Rice Meal Bags: Sugar Grove UMC
  • 1081 Rice Meal Bags: IGRC Staff


Other Projects

  • Processing sonations
  • Bikes - repairing
  • Cleaning facility
  • Preparing Christmas Card mailing




Disbursements

  • Florida Catholic Conference/Crossroads Alliance & Ministries Ocala, FL: See story; Value: $152,214.60



                      *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!

Share some GOD news with those you love!

Do you have family or friends that need some GOOD News - GOD News - to uplift them? If so, please click on the button below and share the link provided. The more we can spread the word about the work God is doing here, the more we can make the world a more joy-filled place.

Link to Share the Midwest Mission Newsletter

Ready to Get Involved?


Schedule Your Mission Journey

Dates are available in 2023 and 2024


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.


Mission Journey  Reservation Calendar


Volunteers at Work

December 5-9, 2022

Volunteer Leaders

Chuck & Karen Porter

Brighton, IL

Volunteers This Week

Athens UMC

Athens, IL

Michael Marchizza

Illinois Great Rivers Conference Staff

Douglas Avenue UMC

Springfield, IL

St. Joseph UMC

St. Joseph, IL

First UMC

Flora, IL

Ken Anderson

Kelly Bagley

Dan Blank

Brad Boucher

Mike Childress

Kathy Davis

Terry House

Ray Ogden

Jay Grim

Ron Kinner

Rita Smith

Steve Smith

Mary Snider

Mike Snider

Denny Cocagne

Bill Walden

Roger Schlichting

Alison Schlichting

Sherry Sinnott

Carol Swettman

Click Here for the UMVIM NCJ Newsletter
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