Basic Utility Vehicles Sent to Honduras and Peru!
- mallory865
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
February 6th, 2026 Newsletter
Friday, February 6 was an exciting day. The two Basic Utility Vehicles (BUVs) you helped purchase were sent out from the warehouse!
During Giving Tuesday in 2025, you responded to the call to provide life-changing transportation and opportunity for rural communities in Central and South America. We partnered with our friends at DriveBUV in Indianapolis to purchase two BUV’s — one for Peru and one for Honduras.
BUVs help communities:
Reduce Poverty — Transportation means opportunity — the ability to sell crops, reach a job, or even start a business.
Promote Agricultural Success — As tractor-like vehicles, BUVs help farmers plant, harvest, and transport crops to local markets, multiplying productivity.
Increase Access to Health Care and Education — Reliable transportation saves lives and opens doors to learning — helping children get to school safely and patients reach clinics in time.
We are excited to see how these vehicles will transform communities in Peru and Honduras.
Thank you for your generosity, and making these shipments happen! Keep an eye out for more opportunities like this. There have already been more requests for these Basic Utility Vehicles!
Welcome, Kirsten Carman!Â
Iowa Staff Changes
Join us in welcoming Kirsten Carman to the staff at Midwest Mission Iowa! Kirsten joined the staff in November of 2025 after volunteering several times in the summer and fall. She is the third staff member at our Jefferson location.
As the Volunteer and Inventory Coordinator, Kirsten will be working with volunteers to pack Kits and prepare items for shipping, and she will be keeping our inventory organized in Iowa.Â
Kirsten attended Iowa State University and earned a bachelor's degree in English education. She taught high school English for 36 years, coached middle school volleyball, basketball, and track, and had other responsibilities including prom sponsor, yearbook, and the school newspaper. She retired from teaching on June 1, 2025.Â
She and her husband James live in Jefferson, Iowa and have two adult daughters, Quinn and Hailey. In her free time she enjoys supporting the Iowa State Cyclones, reading, volunteering, and spending time with family. Kirsten also works part-time at the local funeral home, assisting with visitations/services when needed.Â
Kirsten's prayer for Midwest Mission is that all of the volunteers and staff continue to reach those in need and spread kindness throughout the world.
Please welcome Kirsten to the team!
If you’d like to schedule a volunteer shift, please visit midwestmission.org/iowa
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After serving as the Iowa Volunteer Coordinator for two years, Alaire Willits is transitioning to the role of Mission Engagement Coordinator!Â
In this role, Alaire will be working with churches on how to engage their unique congregation in mission. Alaire is deeply passionate about getting churches—no matter their size— involved in sharing God’s love in a practical way, and now her job is dedicated to doing just that.
Throughout her life, Alaire has learned what she loves most — living her faith through hands-on mission. Alaire's prayer for Midwest Mission is that we may continue to help others discover the joy of giving through their hands and heart. The Spirit brings us together to do God's work, and everyone can be involved.
If you want to chat with Alaire about how your church might engage in mission, give her a call at 712-212-5333 or email her at alaire@midwestmission.org.
Events and Opportunities at Midwest Mission
Sewing Machine Repair Workshop
Our next Weekend Workshop is on Saturday, February 14th, and it is Sewing Machine Repair Day! Sewing Machine Repair Day is a focused workday where we inspect, test, and repair donated sewing machines to make sure they are safe, functional, and ready for use.This workshop is from 8:30 am-3:00 pm (if you can’t make it for the whole day, that’s okay!). Please bring lunch, or plan to eat out.Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DADA922AAF8C52-61806103-sewing#/
Brad Walton’s Retirement Party
Join us on Friday, March 6 for an Open House celebration from 12–4pm at Midwest Mission (1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558). Come and go as you’re able, share your favorite Brad stories, enjoy meaningful fellowship, and help us send him off with gratitude and joy. A light lunch will be available while supplies last.Please RSVP to carolyn@midwestmission.org by Monday, February 23 if you plan to attend.
Lenten Study
As the season of Lent approaches, we wanted to share this great Lenten Study that Angela Cunigan wrote. It was written to be used with assembling Midwest Mission Personal Dignity Kits — designed to take participants through scriptures that address the themes of Lent; Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving along with addressing the ways in which Jesus’ journey to the cross was a way to restore Personal Dignity for us all.You can download the Study here.
Become a Midwest Mission Ambassador!
Ambassadors are volunteers and donors who are passionate about the ministry of Midwest Mission, and want to see the mission furthered. They intentionally share about Midwest Mission with their local communities, using provided information and materials. If you’re interested, visit midwestmission.org/ambassadors and fill out the Ambassador Interest Form.