The Tractor is Empowering Students in Honduras!

mallory865
6 days ago
4 min read

January 30th, 2026 Newsletter

https://youtu.be/rLRnNE2t5_U?si=A7OYbCXG_fl4aJ5l In the spring of 2025, Midwest Mission sent a tractor to the Agricultural School of Valle de Sula in Honduras—a gift that is now transforming lives, restoring hope, and strengthening a community’s future.

After visiting the school twice, we knew this place was something special. Students were learning far more than traditional classroom lessons. They gained practical, hands-on skills that will support them and their communities for years to come—learning to care for livestock like cows and chickens, grow and harvest plantains and fruit trees, turn their crops into products like jams, and develop skills in sewing, baking, and cooking, all while building a strong foundation in reading, math, and science. There was even dancing.

The dedication of the students and faculty was inspiring. But what moved us most was learning what they had endured.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, two hurricanes struck Honduras just two weeks apart. Massive flooding devastated San Pedro Sula and surrounding villages, including the area where the Agricultural School is located.

The school lost everything—livestock, fields of fruit trees and plantains, infrastructure, and, most painfully, hope. Floodwaters rose 10–12 meters, completely submerging the land.

While in Honduras, we heard the story of René, who works with the Agricultural School. During the flooding, René clung to a tall tree for two days and one night, holding onto his children until rescuers finally brought them to safety. His testimony, shared last year by Food For the Poor, is a powerful reminder of both loss and resilience. (Watch his story here: https://youtu.be/IerpxVeF4KA?si=r3SXuE-RsyTM1cyC)

In the aftermath of the devastation, hope slowly began to rise. Through a partnership with CEPUDO, the community committed to rebuilding—stronger and better than before.

What amazed us most was how they did it.

With no tractor or heavy machinery, the school replanted every field and rebuilt cattle spaces entirely by hand. For nearly 30 years, they had dreamed of having a tractor to support their agricultural work, but it had never been possible. Their vision and need were clear. (You can hear them share this dream here: https://youtu.be/NaktUYTf1SU?si=hjAiGGpyzCVTBG2N)

Midwest Mission knew this was a need we could help meet, and after months of fundraising, finding the right tractor, sending it, and waiting for it to clear customs, in the summer of 2025, the tractor finally arrived at the Agriculture school.

This winter, Food For the Poor shared a beautiful video capturing the moment the tractor arrived—and the powerful difference it is now making as students and staff put it to work.

This impact belongs to you.

Our donors, volunteers, and prayer supporters played a vital role in making this possible. Because of your generosity, students are learning, fields are thriving, and a community once devastated by disaster is moving forward with renewed hope and empowerment.

Sustainability at Midwest Mission

Stewardship is an important part of what we do here at Midwest Mission. We believe that as stewards of God’s creation we are called to protect and make the most of the resources we are given. As an organization, we embody this calling by being as conscientious as we can be with the resources we use to operate and send relief. We intentionally find clean ways to both provide humanitarian aid and a sustainable future.

Here are a few ways we put that into action:

Bleacher wood - Midwest Mission transforms reclaimed bleacher wood from high schools across the United States into durable Student Desks. These strong, reliable desks can seat up to four young students and have been sent to classrooms around the world, providing children with a comfortable, dependable place to learn. If you know of a school removing their wooden bleachers, please connect them with Midwest Mission!

Plarn Sleeping Mats - Plastic bags plague our ecosystems and kitchen drawers. Here at Midwest Mission, we transform donated plastic bags into “plarn,” (plastic yarn). This plarn is then woven on handmade looms, crafted by our volunteers, to create sturdy, water-resistant Sleeping Mats. Learn more about this project at www.midwestmission.org/loom.

Refurbishing Sewing Machines & Bicycles - Bikes and Sewing Machines are common household items that usually end up in storage and after years of sitting there, are forgotten. At Midwest Mission, we restore these items so they can become tools of opportunity that help recipients meet daily needs, travel safely, or even start income-building work. You can donate your used sewing machines and bicycles, and give them a second life! Learn more at www.midwestmission.org/micro-business.

These are just a few ways we strive to care for people and the planet at the same time. To explore more ways we serve through sustainability, visit www.midwestmission.org/sustainability.

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. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to verify sewing machines.

Verifying machines means:

Plugging in and powering on each machine
Checking that it runs smoothly (needle, motor, foot pedal)
Testing basic stitches and tension
Identifying machines that need minor repairs, major repairs, or parts
Labeling machines as Ready, Needs Repair, or Parts Only

The goal is to ensure that every verified machine is reliable and ready to serve its intended purpose before it is distributed or used.

Volunteer Leader, Chuck Porter, will be teaching this workshop. There are two types of volunteer positions available: 1) Threading and Running Machines to test them, and 2) Tuning and Cleaning machines to make repairs.

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.

Help Us Celebrate Brad Walton!

After decades of faithful service, Brad Walton is closing one chapter and stepping into a well-earned retirement—and we’d love to celebrate him with you!

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.