Two years ago, Operations Specialist Ramon Ortiz and former employee now volunteer Zach Suter made the trek to Florida to disassemble, load, and bring back a Quonset hut. It is made of curved pieces of steel. After the arches are assembled, each arch is bolted together to create the structure and can actually last up to 100 years. The new addition is on the east side of campus just beyond the dormitory.

"That durability is what we need," says Operations Manager, Brad Walton, who is the staff member who has overseen the project. "It's going to be an important resource for us, housing our trucks, mowers, and tractor to keep it all protected from the elements. By getting this equipment out it opens more space in the warehouses where it's a temperature-controlled for inventory items we send out."

Dianne and Richard Williams of Chandler, AZ are leading the volunteer charge. They have previously led many large construction projects including the staff offices, and rear loading dock. When they heard that Midwest Mission was building a Quonset hut, they were ready for the challenge.

Local volunteers, Bill Walden and Todd Shelly have also stepped up, literally, onto the scaffolding to ensure the steel arches are assembled and then bolted securely.

"It's been a team effort from the beginning," says Brad. "Brian Abshire is a local farmer who is lending his time, expertise, and tractor to the project. It isn't something that can be completed overnight. It takes a group of dedicated people and we have that!"

Midwest Mission recently received the necessary financial resources from the Brick-by-Brick campaign to pour the foundations so the building could go up. It's only when we ask you to prayerfully consider meeting the financial goals for bigger projects and you answer that call, that we get to move forward with these kinds of upgrades. Midwest Mission only spends money when we have it. We operate completely debit-free.

You can send all - NEW ONLY - items to us at 1001 Mission Drive Pawnee, IL 62558. Donations must be received at Midwest Mission, no later than July 22!

Or you can donate by texting UKRAINE to: 855-589-1314 or go online and donate at: UKRAINE

We are excited to introduce you to the Dorcely family of Pacot, Haiti. Mode Dorcely is married to the Bishop of the Methodist Church of Haiti, Jean Lesly Dorcely. They oversee 200 Methodist churches in 11 circuits of Haiti with 20,000 members. In addition, they manage 20 medical clinics.

Mode and their three daughters decided to spend their summer vacation living and serving on the campus of Midwest Mission. "We have received so much in Haiti from others that we wanted to give back. We know what it is to receive. We want to share our gratitude," says Mode, pictured with the oldest daughter, Annie, 21. Annie says she likes to do things that are comfortable, and she is finding many ways to do that and use her gifts at Midwest Mission.

Pictured together working on Personal Dignity Kits (PDKs) are Paula, 20 and Davide, 19. The two young women are enrolled in a University in Port au Prince Haiti. Paula is in her fourth year of medical school and aspires to be a surgeon. Davide is in her third year of law school and plans to get a master's and Ph. D. Her goal is to practice international law.

"We came to Midwest Mission to serve others, with others. We have been so impressed and didn't realize all that is done from here. It's WOW! We are excited to share the story and passion of Midwest Mission when we return to Haiti. We want to tell more people!"

"Yes, and we want to bring smiles," says Davide.

Paula added, "We have seen so much that isn't good. Here, there are so many activities and we get to help."

Mode says, "When I see the logo on the boxes, it expresses what Midwest Mission does. "It's the hands. It's the world. It represents the vision of Mr. Travelstead." She says that is what they want to express and help people at home understand.

Meet Sydnie Billings. She recently served at Midwest Mission for the first time, along with her youth group - CORE Youth Group/Laingsburg UMC in Laingsburg, MI

Projects completed