A Piece of Iowa Is Bringing Hope to Haiti

October 23, 2026 Newsletter

At Midwest Mission, we believe God brings people and resources together to meet needs around the world. This past May, a donation of microscopes from Ames, Iowa became part of that mission, traveling all the way to a medical facility in Haiti.

The story began when a teacher from the Ames area offered used microscopes to Midwest Mission Iowa. Although microscopes aren’t something Midwest Mission typically ships, Iowa Director, Danille Curtis, had a feeling they could be useful in a developing country where access to this kind of equipment is limited. When Danille picked up the microscopes from Ames United Methodist Church, she discovered they had originally come from Iowa State University. These were university-grade instruments!

In a way that only God can orchestrate, soon after the donation arrived, Tanya Oberg, Midwest Mission board member from Minnesota, reached out, looking for quality science equipment to take on her trip to Haiti. The timing was a perfect example of how God works through willing hearts and shared resources!

Tanya hand-carried the microscopes to Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope, a medical facility that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Despite the ongoing challenges in Haiti, the facility continues to grow, providing essential medical care through a team of nearly 100 Haitian employees. It is the only 24/7 hospital and emergency room in the Fond Parisian region, and it has remained open through the many challenges Haiti is facing. One of its biggest challenges, however, is obtaining supplies.

During a previous visit, Tanya learned that the laboratory staff struggled with aging microscopes, making it difficult to perform certain tests on-site. Thanks to God’s perfect timing, Tanya was able to deliver the university-grade microscopes to the hospital. These donated microscopes are now helping staff serve patients more effectively and get answers faster.

“Being able to deliver them in person to the staff and knowing they would help make their jobs easier was a real joy for me,” Tanya shared. “Their smiles and hugs meant a lot. And knowing they can run tests on-site, means patients can be treated more quickly.”

Midwest Mission has also been grateful for the opportunity to support the facility by shipping donated supplies in containers. Because of the challenges involved in getting supplies into Haiti, these shipments take a unique route. Shipping through Haitian ports can be very unreliable and expensive, and drivers face dangerous checkpoints along the highway to the hospital. Because the hospital is near the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, supplies are instead shipped through the Dominican Republic and driven over the border to reach the facility.

Recently, hospital beds from Midwest Mission arrived at the Surgicenter’s new maternity center, providing a comfortable, practical place for mothers to give birth and recover safely.

From a teacher willing to donate equipment to volunteers helping it reach those in need, this story reminds us that when we are willing to give, God can use our gifts to meet needs in His perfect timing. You can learn about all the ways to give your time, treasures, and talents at midwestmission.org/get-involved.

Retire with Purpose

Are you retired or retiring soon? Looking for meaningful ways to spend your time and make a difference?

We invite you to retire with purpose at Midwest Mission! From sorting donations and building desks to refurbishing sewing machines and picking up donations, there are so many ways to use your time, talents, and experience to serve others.

Visit midwestmission.org/retirewithpurpose and take the quiz to discover how you can retire with purpose at Midwest Mission!

Upcoming Sewing Retreat in Iowa

This fall, Midwest Mission is hosting a Sewing Retreat at Midwest Mission Iowa, giving sewists an opportunity to gather, learn, and create to make a lasting impact around the world and around the corner.

Iowa Sewing Retreat: November 12–14 | Midwest Mission Iowa | Jefferson, Iowa

Learn more and register at midwestmission.org/sewingretreats