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May 17, 2024

Impacting the World Together

Midwest Mission Trip to Honduras

Last week, five Midwest Mission staff members traveled to San Pedro Sula to visit distribution partners, Food For The Poor and CEPUDO.


Through the coming weeks, you will learn more about the trip, what they learned, and how we are able to make a bigger impact in the world together. 


For now, here are a few pictures from the trip, and a few highlights of what they were able to do while there:

The team visited the CEPUDO warehouse (the warehouse that holds all contents of all the shipments we send to Honduras).


The warehouse was full of Midwest Mission Kits, desks, bikes, medical supplies, and more! CEPUDO staff said that although there is a lot now, because of how fast they move, in two weeks there will be completely different stuff.

Toured a hospital that receives Personal Dignity Kits and medical supplies, and a Rural Maternity Clinic that has received Birthing Kits, Cover Them With Love Quilts, Layette Kits, and other supplies.

Visited several Angels of Hope children’s homes, learning about the state of care for children in poverty. Many children are saved from living on the streets, and many more are saved from dangerous situations in their own home. We were grateful to hear their stories, and to disburse some Personal Dignity Kits at some of the homes.

Met with leaders of Food For The Poor’s Sustainable Communities. These are communities they’ve built that house people who were victims of hurricanes that swept through the country. 

Toured and visited an agriculture school, where junior high and high school aged students attend regular school while learning vocational skills such as raising cattle, growing plantains, cooking, and sewing! 

Saw Sewing Machines in action! At the agriculture school, the Sustainable Communities, and a few other places, we got to meet those who received our sewing machines. Their lives — and their families lives — were truly changed. We look forward to sharing their stories soon!

Disbursed bikes to children in the Sustainable Communities, and saw bikes in-use at the agriculture school. Many children would walk an hour to get to school in unfavorable conditions. Having a bike cuts their travel time in more than half!


Experienced the distribution of fire gear — eleven fire departments came to the CEPDUO warehouse to pick up fire gear that had been donated through Midwest Mission.

Thank you for your prayers for this trip. It was truly amazing to see the impact that your hard work and generosity makes in the world.


When we work to impact the world together, lives are changed for generations because of the items they receive. Thank you for being a big part of this.

The Current State of Haiti

David Draeger, long-time missionary to Haiti, has been staying and serving at Midwest Mission the last few weeks. While we have enjoyed his company and insight, we mourn with him that he has been unable to return home to Haiti because of the ongoing violence occurring throughout the country. 


You might remember during the summer of 2022, Midwest Mission hosted the Dorcely family. Mode Dorcely (wife of the Bishop in Haiti) and their three girls spent the summer serving and spending time with our Midwest Mission family. Now David, who works closely with Bishop Dorcely, is doing the same thing, but for unforeseen reasons. 


Back in February, David traveled to the States on furlough to spend time with his family and to visit his supporting churches. But shortly after he left, violence in Haiti led to widespread chaos. Now there are no flights available for him to return home. 


We are joyful that he can find a home at Midwest Mission for the meantime, but please be praying for him that he can return to his true home, and for the people of Haiti, that they will find peace and refuge in the chaos. 


Here is an excerpt from a recent newsletter David sent out for the organization he works with, Eglise Methodiste d’ Haiti:


“The violence and chaos continue to escalate. Murder rape, extortion, and kidnappings are a continuing threat. Travel by road is almost impossible with many roadblocks in all directions. Food and fuel supplies are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Many of the NGOs such as Food for the Poor are not able to obtain sufficient food for their requested distributions. If they do obtain food supplies, distribution to the people in need is very difficult.


The same is true for Eglise Methodiste. We are still able to make deliveries to a limited

number of locations, but it is dangerous and sometimes we must pay a bribe to the bandits at the roadblocks.


The gangs are indiscriminate in their attacks. They have now been attacking police

stations, schools, clinics, and hospitals. The gangs have even destroyed the facility that bottles oxygen for the hospitals. As a result, many NGOs including Doctors Without Borders, are shutting their operations down and leaving the country.


Over 3,000 people have been killed in gang related activity since the beginning of the year and the numbers are growing every day. Over 300,000 people have been displaced by gang activity and are now living in temporary camps or have returned to their rural roots. To put that into perspective, the earthquake in 2010 killed about 300,000. The UN estimates that 5 million people, over 40% of the population is suffering from starvation. The UN estimates that over 8,000 infants and young children will die from hunger by year’s end.



The violence and turmoil are not restricted to Port au Prince. Gangs control the entire country, and their violence and extortion are widespread. The flow of financial support, arms and ammunition into the country continues unabated.”



At this time, Food For The Poor cannot send items into Haiti, meaning we cannot get items into Haiti for the foreseeable future. 


This terribly desperate situation needs PRAYER! Please pray for Haiti, for its people, and for David, that he can return home.

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

Download

May 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!

Download May Bulletin PDF

You can purchase these items at your local store and take them to Midwest Mission or a Collection Site near you. You can also buy items online and have them shipped right to Midwest Mission.


Onesies

(We are in BIG need of Onesies!! Please purchase when you are out, or click the link below.)

Size 0 - 6 Months, New

click here to purchase online


Day and Night Pads

You can make them at home using our patterns — click here and scroll down to Feminine Hygiene Kit. Tips and tricks: Click here to visit the page


Or, you can purchase them online and have them sent to Midwest Mission — Click here!


One Gallon Bags

We are getting low on one gallon bags that we use for our Personal Dignity Kits. Purchase them when you are out shopping this weekend!

Or, click here to buy them online (scroll down the registry to gallon bags)

Prayers to Lift Up

Please pray for the people of Haiti who are living in the midst of terrible danger. Pray they will have refuge, and that God will grant them peace, even in the midst of their current situation.



"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers


Work Done

  • 1,430 Personal Dignity Kits
  • 480 Home Care Kits
  • 18 Desks
  • 16 Sewing Machines


  • Desk Shop
  • Bike Shop
  • Sewing
  • Counting into inventory
  • Poly Shop
  • Cleaning
  • Groundskeeping
  • Stuffing mailers
  • Unload bleacher wood
  • Trace patterns
  • Feminine Hygiene Starter Kits
  • Build furniture
  • Off-Site Pack prep




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 happier place.

Link to Share the Midwest Mission Newsletter

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.

Volunteers at Work

May 13 - 17, 2024

Volunteer Leaders

Mike and Jane Strayer

Valparaiso, IN

Volunteer Teams

Illinois

First UMC

Cedar Falls, IA

Union Reunion

St. Louis, MO

Webster UMC

Webster Groves, MO

Buhler Group

Pratt, KS

St. Joseph UMC

St. Joseph, IL

Iowa

Faith UMC

Minneapolis, MN

We are so grateful for all our local and regular volunteers, and the time they give towards volunteering at Midwest Mission. We appreciate their passion and dedication to the ministry!

Click Here for the UMVIM NCJ Newsletter
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