The Gift of a Bicycle

October 17th, 2025 Newsletter

One bicycle can change a life.

When a vehicle isn’t an option, getting to work, the store, or a doctor’s appointment means long walks that take time and pose safety risks. The gift of a bicycle isn’t just about transportation — it’s the gift of time, safety, and opportunity.

Recently, Midwest Mission was blessed with the opportunity to give a bike to George*.

Our Operations Specialist, Brett King, learned that the Jacksonville, Illinois Police Department collects bikes to distribute to people in need. The challenge? Many of the donated bikes aren’t roadworthy and need repairs. Hearing this, Brett offered to help — he would bring the bikes needing repair to Midwest Mission, where they could be fixed up, and in return, supply the police department with bikes that were ready to ride.

This week, Brett delivered the repaired bikes to Jacksonville — and immediately saw one meet a need.

George had just graduated from the Gateway Recovery Program and recently started a new job. The problem was, his workplace was over two miles from home, and without a car, he walked four miles every day just to get to and from work.

While Brett was there, he witnessed George receiving one of the bikes.

“He was extremely excited,” Brett shared. “I’ve never been hugged so hard in my life!”

Now, George has a safe, reliable way to get to work — a small gift that’s making a big difference on his road to recovery.

Stories like this happen all the time at Midwest Mission — not just with bikes, but with sewing machines, medical supplies, fire gear, and so many other items that are given new purpose through your generosity.

By giving items that might otherwise be cast aside a second life, you’re helping transform lives around the world.

Learn more about what you can collect and donate at midwestmission.org/collect-donate.

*George is a fictitious name to protect the identity of the recipient.

55th International Shipment of the Year!

A BIG thank you to everyone who has been praying for containers to be available. They just keep showing up! And, we have several more planned for the year.

This week, we sent our 55th international shipment of the year, and we are excited to say that it is heading towards Haiti!

This shipment is in partnership with Hosean International Ministries, who we introduced a few weeks ago, when we packed Blessing Bags into a bus that was being shipped to Haiti. Now, a little less than a month later, we are sending another shipment (this time on a truck).

This included:

• 4 Treadle sewing machines

• 4 Electric sewing machines

• 2,520 Student Kits

• 56 New school desks

• 18,000 Blessing Bags that will feed 108,000 people!

• A bandsaw and drill press

• Medical supplies

• 30 Bikes

• 150 Folding chairs

  
  

The shipment was valued at $98,014.00.

The truck is heading towards Miami, where the supplies will be loaded into a container, and shipped by boat to Haiti.

Hosean International Ministries shared exactly what they needed, and because of your generosity and your time volunteering to assemble Kits and make Blessing Bags — we were able to meet their needs!

Thank you!