We shipped our 27th international shipment of the year!

May 30th, 2025 Newsletter

On Tuesday, May 27, we shipped our 27th international shipment of the year! 

This shipment is headed to San Pedro Sula, Honduras — a place that has touched the lives of many of our staff members, and some volunteers, who have been blessed to visit. 

For the past two years, we’ve embarked on trips to Honduras to learn how we can better serve their communities — what they have, what they need, what they no longer need, etc. It’s the opportunity to look someone in the eye and say “How can we help you?”

During these trips, we also visited Angels of Hope Homes, children’s homes that are supported by our partners Food For The Poor and Cepudo, and Midwest Mission. It’s hard to describe the peace, love, and beauty that is felt as we walked through the gates of the homes. But, Lisa Rigoni, Midwest Mission’s Development Manager, does a great job describing her experience: 

I had always heard such negativity about orphanages. A last resort. Dark. Lonely. Starvation. Unlovable children. Big sad eyes. Heart breaking. As our team walked onto the grounds of the Angels of Hope Homes in Honduras last year, I was so excited to see a completely different picture! Those preconceived notions quickly dissipated. My eyes were opened and my heart overflowed with gratitude for my new understanding.

Genuine smiles spread across the faces of staff, teachers, and children of all ages. I saw students with their arms wrapped around teachers' waists. You could see in the eyes of the teachers that they truly cared and were having just as much fun. It wasn’t an isolated incident. It was the normal attitude. Other children were hanging and swinging on the arms of their teachers. Kids were running, jumping, playing. Out loud belly laughs rolled out from the boys and girls. Teachers and staff were nurturing and fully engaged. They teach core subjects, but importantly, life skills, manners and how to treat people.

A group of students had been learning instruments and even performed a concert for us. Other students showed us art. They were willing to speak to us …  even if we didn’t know much Spanish. (Raising my hand here!) They were taught to be kind, even if they didn’t understand us.

Each room had multiple sets of bunk beds. Each child had their very own bed and quilt. Quilts made with care and prayer that YOU, Midwest Mission volunteers, took time to lovingly put together. Each quilt “somehow” matched the personality of the child who claimed it. God is so good!

As we walked through the courtyard of the first Angels of Hope home it was evident we were the visitors. Students stood in the doorways of their rooms whispering and pointing at us - the same way your own children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and church kids would do. 

The only difference is that at some point, these children were left at home alone or were being cared for by another child under 10 years old. In fact, this is the real-life situation for 1 out of 20 children in the Caribbean and Latin America. At the Angels of Hope Homes, they find unconditional love and acceptance. 

One of the most beautiful memories that is now embedded in my mind and heart is of a young boy who was sitting alone on a step looking scared, tired and alone. Then out came a group of three to four boys and girls who gathered around him, patting him on the shoulder. Talking to him. Holding his hand. The tour guide explained to us that he had arrived only an hour before, likely five or six years old. The children were welcoming him and inviting him to play. Soon after, he was running, playing and feeling like a part of the family, too.

If only we could all be so cognizant of how others feel. They had each been the new boy/girl at some point, too. They remembered how that felt. They opened their hearts, their arms and invited him in. It was an experience I won’t soon forget!

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'. 

Tuesday’s shipment was an Angels of Hope Shipment, meaning that the contents will go to children’s homes in Honduras, including the homes Lisa described in the above excerpt. Personal Dignity Kits, Home Care Kits, Mattresses, Quilts, and more will be graciously used by kiddos we may never meet this side of heaven.

Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for praying for this ministry and for the people we are blessed to serve together. We encourage you to continue sharing the love of Christ by praying, donating items and funds, and sharing with others about the work you do through Midwest Mission. 

Double Your Impact! 

The Iowa Building Campaign has a match available! The Endowment fund will match the first $100,000 donated towards the campaign. This means for every $1 you donate, $2 will go towards the building. 

Why buy the building? So more people can receive what they need! By owning the building, we will be able to welcome more volunteers, renovate to hold more supplies, and ultimately send more desperately needed items around the world and around the corner.

Double your impact today and help us reach the $400,00 goal!