Blessing Bags Packed into School Bus that is Heading Towards Haiti!

September 12th, 2025 Newsletter

This week, we had an unusual shipment leave this warehouse!

4,800 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags are on their way to Haiti, but this time, the mode of transportation is a little different. All the Blessing Bags were packed into a school bus, along with donated items from other organizations!

Hosean International Ministries (HIM Haiti) has worked in Haiti for over 40 years, bringing hope and real help to the people of Haiti. Their staff of 150 Haitians works with international partners from the United States, Brazil, and Canada. 

Midwest Mission was connected to Hosean International Ministries through Gene Turner, who was formerly our Mission in Motion Manager. Gene’s father-in-law, Bernie, volunteers at HIM Haiti for over six months every year. He shared about needs the organization had, and ways they could ship the supplies into Haiti. 

Last year, on a trip to Haiti, Gene and Bernie delivered Blessing Bags, medical supplies, Little Boy’s and Girl’s Outfits, and other requested items. The response from the recipients was full of gratitude.

Now, over a year later, Haiti is still in turmoil, and is in desperate need of supplies. When Bernie called Brad Walton, Director of Operations, inquiring about a joint-partnership shipment, we were elated! It’s been almost exactly one year since we’ve been able to ship to Haiti, with our last shipment leaving the warehouse on September 4, 2024. The ports have been closed for much of the year, but now, the port in Cap Haitian is open, and we were eager to get supplies in.

The biggest request was for food. So, when the bus rolled onto campus, Ramon Ortiz, Operations Manager, and a team of volunteers packed four pallets of meals into the bus.  The remainder of the bus was filled with a variety of other supplies that had previously been loaded onto the bus. 

From Midwest Mission, the bus will be driven down to Miami, where it will be loaded onto a container, and shipped on a boat to the Cap Haitian port. 

Volunteers serving at Midwest Mission on Wednesday were very excited to pray over the bus, and hear from Bernie himself about the great work that is happening in Haiti. 

Please continue to pray over this shipment, that it will safely arrive and be distributed. Pray for the people of Haiti — for safety, for the ability to receive needed supplies, and for the turmoil to come to an end. 

We praise God that the ports have opened, and hope in the form of Blessing Bags will soon be in the hands of the hungry. 

Blessing Bag Pack at Midwest Mission in Illinois and Iowa in 2 Weeks!

You are invited to join us at Midwest Mission’s Annual Rice and Soy Blessing Bag Pack on September 25 and 26, 2025! We hope to pack 10,000 meals that will feed 60,000 people in crisis around the world.  Would a small group or even your entire church family consider joining us for a two-hour volunteer shift?

The Blessing Bag Pack, hosted at both Midwest Mission locations, is a free, assembly-line style event to pack meals. This is a great opportunity to show God’s love in a practical way, being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Midwest Mission Illinois (1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558)

Volunteer shifts are available on Thursday, September 25, and Friday, September 26 from 9-11am, 1-3pm, and 5-7pm. Sign up at midwest-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/serving-september

Midwest Mission Iowa (219 N Chestnut St, Jefferson, IA 50129)

Volunteer shifts are available on Thursday, September 25 from 9-11am, 1-3pm, and 5-7pm and Friday, September 26 from 9-11am and 1-3pm. Space is limited, so sign up soon at midwest-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/iowa-serving-september-blessing-bag-event

A few helpful notes:

• Each packing line needs 10 volunteers, and 4 of those volunteers will have sitting positions. 

• We do have a minimum volunteer age of 11 years old, since it is a working warehouse. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (there is a waiver that must be signed by a parent or guardian ahead of time if not accompanying their child).

• We ask that participants wear closed-toe shoes. Hairnets, beard nets, and gloves will be provided.

Midwest Mission is Accepting Board Member Applications (Copied from August 22)

The Midwest Mission Board of Directors helps to ensure the organization is the best steward of the resources God has given and makes the most significant impact on those we serve and those who serve with us. The board conducts regular strategic planning, SWOT analysis, and Ambassador Training, and prays for our abundance to overflow on every occasion we are called upon. 

Midwest Mission has a large class of Board Members who are coming to the end of their term this year. We are a growing organization, and want to keep our board strong. If this is something that interests you, please prayerfully consider applying.

Below is a Perspective Board Member Packet with great information, frequently asked questions, and more. Please download this if you are interested.

Current Open Regional Board Seats:

Dakotas - 2

East Ohio - 1

Illinois Great Rivers - 1

Indiana - 1

Iowa- 1

Kentucky 1

Minnesota - 2

Missouri 1

Northern Illinois - 1

Wisconsin -1

To apply, fill out the online application or download the application and send the completed form to  Chantel Corrie, Executive Director, at chantel@midwestmission.org and Patty Nelson, our Personnel and Nominating Chair, at pnelson@nktelco.net.

Applications are due by September 15th.