37th International Shipment of the Year will Bless Guatemala

November 6th, 2026 Newsletter

 distributed to those who need them.

A common question we get is, “How does it get there and how long does it take?”

The supplies leave Midwest Mission in the shipping container on a semi truck. The truck takes the container to St. Louis, Missouri where it is loaded onto a train. It travels by railway all the way to New York, where it is loaded onto a cargo ship at the port. From there, it takes a couple of weeks to travel across the ocean to Guatemala, where the container is off-loaded at a port in a coastal town. From there, it is loaded onto a semi once again and transported through the mountains of Guatemala, past volcanoes, and on to Mixco where the Order of Malta’s warehouse is located.

Once it arrives, the Order of Malta’s staff unloads the container and organizes the supplies in their warehouse, preparing them for distribution. Then, the Order of Malta's partner organizations arrive on their scheduled pickup dates to collect the supplies they requested. The supplies are loaded onto pickup trucks and transported to the recipient organizations, which distribute them according to the needs identified in their communities.

Wow.

It’s a long journey, with lots of logistical details. But every single step is worth it because people are receiving the supplies they need. It starts with a need—someone noticing that another person or community doesn't have the resources they need to thrive or even survive. Then, it ends with that need being met and transformation happening. Sometimes all someone needs is a hand up, and that can be the beginning of something new.

Shipment #37 included:

• 8 Treadle Sewing Machines

• 29 Electric Sewing Machines

• 54 Midwest Mission Desks

• 170 Walkers

• 12 Wheelchairs

• 15 Shower Chairs

• 50 Pairs of Crutches

• 6 Knee Scooters

• 1 Dental Chair

• 80 Pieces of Orthopedic Equipment (slings, boots, braces, etc.)

• 1,120 Personal Dignity Kits

• 210 Layette Kits

• 231 Quilts

• 65 Sleeping Mats

• Hospital Linens

• Scrubber Sponges 

Weight: 19,432 lbs

Value: $136,117.00

Each of these items has the potential to change a life. A sewing machine means financial freedom. A Midwest Mission Desk means a better educational environment. A wheelchair means independence. A Personal Dignity Kit means improved health.

However you participate in our mission, you are helping bring life-transforming resources, hope, and empowerment to people around the world. Thank you!

Continue to make a difference: midwestmission.org/get-involved

Welcome New Staff Members, Jamal and Leslie!

We are excited to welcome new staff members, Jamal Bramer and Leslie Smith, to the Midwest Mission Team! 

Jamal has joined the Operations crew as the Operations Specialist. He spends his time in the warehouse loading and unloading trucks, preparing supplies for Mission Events, and working with Ramon Ortiz, Operations Manager. 

Leslie joined us at the end of September as our new Volunteer Coordinator! She is working alongside Barb Hedinger, Volunteer Manager, to create a great experience for all of our wonderful volunteers. Leslie previously worked at ComputerBanc leading volunteers in fixing computers. After ComputerBanc closed, we were ecstatic for the opportunity to welcome Leslie to the team, as we seek to grow volunteer programming in the future.

If you’re at Midwest Mission, please give Jamal and Leslie a warm welcome to the Midwest Mission family!

Churches Join Together to Assemble Personal Dignity Kits

Back in July, members of LaPorte UMC and Lorain Lighthouse UMC came together for a day of service, assembling 210 Personal Dignity Kits for Midwest Mission in just 35 minutes. The two churches spent six months, from January through June, collecting the supplies needed for the kits, focusing on a different item each month.

Personal Dignity Kits provide essential hygiene items to people experiencing hardship, including those affected by disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes. When someone loses their home, access to everyday essentials like shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, and deodorant can offer a small but meaningful sense of comfort and dignity.

Each kit also includes a prayer card signed by a church member and featuring a Bible verse, reminding recipients that someone is thinking of them. As boxes of completed kits were sealed, participants placed their hands on the boxes and prayed for the people who would eventually receive them.

The assembly event gave participants a glimpse into the hands-on work that takes place at Midwest Mission. The partnership continued in October 2026, when a team from the two churches traveled to Midwest Mission for a week of service. During their visit, they helped meet needs by assembling kits, building desks, repairing bicycles, and assisting with other projects.

To discover how your church can get involved, visit midwestmission.org/get-involved. Together, we can turn donated resources into meaningful support for people in need.