 This quarter included time in Egypt! This was my first trip there, and it was amazing. Though we did not have much time to be tourists, we did manage to see the pyramids. And it was spectacular! Before reviewing this quarter, I thought I would share the core values that Ministry Care has. The core values define and shape our approach to ministry and the way we relate to each other. The seven core values are as follows:
Mission partnership and relationship-oriented are two big values for us. This is often why we are partnering with many other organizations and individuals, which can make things confusing at times when I talk about working with others, like ICM in the Philippines last year. This year alone, we have partnered with Team Expansion, Paraclete, ABWE, Global Outreach, American Bible Society, and others. And we look forward to new partnerships as the Lord sees fit. Here are some of the highlights for this quarter:
Misty Prayer requests:
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2023? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com
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 A new door!!!!! Why a door? This may be the question you are asking. Well, it is a strange way to start out an update; that is true. This is the main entrance to my house. I celebrate three years here in May. And did not feel safe until one month ago when I got a new door. Oh, it is just a door, is what you may be thinking. But, for me, it is so much more than that. Maybe you have heard about the break-in we experienced in Zimbabwe. Maybe this is new information for you. But ten years ago, on May 23rd, I experienced a life-changing event. It is a day that will now always be defined in my mind. A day that now carries a "before and after" connotation. Ten years. Wow. The Lord has brought so many good things through that experience: many things to be celebrated, such as those who journeyed with me on my healing. They are the ones who have enabled me to journey with others and why my heart can continue to be bent toward those in crisis. But one thing lost was a sense of safety. So, this quarter, I celebrate being able to install a new door. For many, something seemingly insignificant. But for me, everything. Here are some of the other things I have been up to this quarter:
With peace and love, Misty Interested in Unstuck: A Teen's Guide to Living in Uncertain Times? Go here first for a review of the material: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVswoURR1_-k0IzhC_6MLOgmh6kvEsEL/view?usp=share_link If you want to pilot the material, click here for more information: https://forms.monday.com/forms/3732a2d94543e7e4366ff2de4699a73f?r=use1 Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2023? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com  It has been a minute, friends, since I gave you an update. Between ministry and helping out family, my schedule seems busier than ever! This quarter started with a bang. I loved bringing in 2023 in Rome, Italy, speaking at a missionary care retreat. Then off to Memphis to facilitate Advanced Equipping for Trauma Healing. This was three days after I arrived back from Italy. I said yes to the training as my co-facilitators are also life-giving friends. And I lack a local community (except for family, the nearest is one hour away), which has been hard. So I will take it where I can, even if it means some hectic traveling. I love that my community continued as I headed to Philadelphia after that for meetings with my American Bible Society friends and colleagues. We are moving into some exciting expansions for the Healing the Wounds of Trauma curriculum, including a resource for helping teens who have experienced community violence and a new audio model. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in my next update. I traveled to Villa Ridge, MO, in February, for an Initial Equipping. This was an amazing group of women, and it was an honor to spend time with them. I am grateful for new prayer partners as a result as well. Outside of trauma healing, I have worked with Sharon in a weekly debrief with a missionary overseas. I have helped develop an online tool kit for a resource called Strength from Weakness. I have also been working with Global Outreach on developing protocols for the missionary care team. As a friend says, clarity is kindness, and having protocols helps you know what to do. We have looked at topics such as what is considered confidential, what different levels of crisis look like, and how we can respond at each level. The highlight of this quarter was a vacation in the Outer Banks!! It was my first time there. And even though I did not check all calendars and still had work to do, it was just the setting to be in. What would you choose? Beach or mountains? For me, it would be the beach. This time last year, I had told a colleague it would be nice to work from the beach. And the NEXT WEEK, the Lord opened up the Philippines partnership, and I got to spend A LOT of time in a beach setting while working. I love that the Lord granted me the desire of my heart, especially after a tough year. And I love I am continuing that in 2023. In 2022, I learned that we can make our plans, but the Lord truly directs our steps. 2022 was completely different than I imagined, with some things like the Philippines not even on the radar as we planned for the year in 2021. And, of course, we did not expect the loss of my aunt or a lung cancer diagnosis for my mom. Keeping that in mind, here is a tentative idea of what is planned for the next quarter:
With peace and love, Misty Highlights of 2022 (just a little delayed):
 Due to phone issues, I have also lost many contacts. I would love to come and visit you or your church and give an update. Please reach out to me at 765-603-3643 Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2023? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued partnership in a very tough year. I am eager to see what 2023 has in store, as 2022 had many surprises and twists. Also, due to phone issues, I have also lost many contacts this year. I would love to come and visit you or your church and give an update. Please reach out to me, and let's talk! Be on the lookout for my end-of-the-year update, coming soon!! I have learned this year that we can make our plans, but the Lord truly directs our steps. I reflected on what I thought 2022 would look like, and it was completely different than I imagined, with some things like the Philippines not even on the radar as we planned for the year. Here is an idea of what Ministry Care is planning for 2023:
With peace and love, Misty Numbers 4:24-26 (NIV) “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ May this be the blessing for 2023, particularly for His peace  If you would like to make a donation for 2022, it is not too late! Click on the link below to give online, using Givelify. Thank you! Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2023? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com  I have been holding back removing my fall decorations and putting up the Christmas ones, though usually, that is the first thing I want to do when the Thanksgiving meal is over. Instead, I have wanted to take the time to sit in gratitude for all that the Lord has done this year, including the mighty works of healing for some of my loved ones, versus rushing into the bustle of the holiday season. I have also been reflecting on the faithful partners of Ministry Care through these years, especially the challenges that Covid brought for all. As you know, it is that time of the year again. It is time for Giving Tuesday. This is an opportunity to give back. Would you prayerfully consider giving to Ministry Care? Your contribution will make a difference, no matter what the gift is. And if you cannot give monetarily, would you consider partnering with us in prayer? Prayer has made a vital difference this year. Let me know if you would like to receive updates on how you can pray for Ministry Care. Ministry Care exists to offer support to grow and sustain thriving ministries, and we often do this through partnerships and relationships with other organizations like Global Outreach and the American Bible Society. At the heart of Ministry Care is equipping, empowering, and training nationals (natives of that country) while offering care, encouragement, and help to missionaries. I truly could not do this important work without your generosity and kindness, encouragement, prayers, and love. You have held me up many times this year in the same way we have served to hold up others. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Blessings to you and with love, Misty As holidays can be tough for many, check out a 5 reading plan on YouVersion from the Trauma Healing Institute Hope for Wounded Hearts: Readings From Isaiah The book of Isaiah contains rich imagery, prophecies about the coming Messiah, and reminders of God’s faithfulness towards his people. The prophet Isaiah recounts God’s faithfulness to the Israelites and speaks of his hope in a future redemption through Jesus. On this plan, you will learn more about God’s justice and compassion and how he is present and near to those who are suffering. If you would like to make a donation for Giving Tuesday, there are 2 ways you may donate. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org. Ministry Care is a 501c3, therefore, your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com or call at 765-603-3643. Happy Thanksgiving!1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Rejoice always Pray continually Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. We are so grateful for your prayers this year. Honestly, we would not have been able to have faced so much without them. There have been many beautiful examples to us of how you have been the hands and feet of Christ. Thank you. My apologies for the delay in getting the 3rd quarter newsletter out, but it is perfect timing in celebration of Thanksgiving, for we do have praises to report! Radiation is finished for my mom but continues to work through her body for a few more months. She has had her 3-month PET scan follow-up and just saw her oncologist to see where she stands. We had asked for prayers for complete healing at that stage, and no indication of cancer, and I am so pleased to report that our prayers have been answered!!! The oncologist feels like there was evidence the radiation worked and that what cancer was there has likely died. Can I get an Amen?! And a celebration dance?! She will continue to be monitored every 3 months for the next 5 years, alternating between CT and PET scans. His biggest recommendation was to avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Please continue to pray for freedom from smoking. It has been almost one year now, but the struggle is still there for her. We ask for your prayers as well for the protection of healthy lung tissue, as her shortness of breath seems to have worsened in the past few months. As we move into the holidays, we ask for your prayers for reminders of God's Presence and Comfort in our grief and that we will continue to lean into Him for our healing. Keep those prayers coming for both my stepdad and grandma too. After a few months of chest pain, my stepdad had a heart cath, a stint put in, and one cleaned out. We continue to give praise here as well for how the Lord has had His hand on his health over the last 20 years. My grandma continues to be seen by a myriad of doctors. The biggest request for her is for the lymphedema in her legs. She will start daily therapy soon for 4 weeks, and we pray that will help with the swelling, pain, and infection she currently has. It is definitely time to keep a separate calendar for medical appointments :-) As for ministry, the Lord continues to move mightily. The project and partnership I have been involved with in the Philippines will formally wrap up at the end of this year, though the trauma healing ministry will continue. It has been such a blessing to be a part of the growth and development of the facilitators there. I love being able to work myself out of a job, so to speak, as the facilitators take over, train others, and continue to facilitate healing groups. Over 20,000 people were able to attend a healing group in the last 6 months due to this partnership with ABS and ICM, and I am thankful to have been a small piece of the healing that has occurred. Continue to pray for the facilitators as they lead healing groups and training moving forward, providing safe spaces for their hurting communities. Please pray for networking and cooperation between the various ministries using trauma healing as they work to serve their communities. Translation into local Filipino dialects has also been occurring, and we ask for prayers as those materials are finalized. This quarter I also had the chance to participate in a missionary care retreat in Malaga, Spain. It was a privilege and honor to work with the teenagers during the retreat, a very different role than my usual one of serving the adults. Emily, our Missionary Kid director, has developed an amazing curriculum called Rooted. We explored their identity as missionary kids and teenagers and their identity in being rooted in Christ, focusing on Psalm 139 as our Scripture. Seeing these teenagers connect and form friendships with one another was incredible. At the end of the retreat, we had the chance to pray over each child while their parents were there. This was such a powerful and emotional time, and I am thankful to have been a part of it. Malaga is in Southern Spain, and the heart-shaped rock in the picture is one I found on the beach while walking with another missionary. I found it to be a beautiful reminder of how the Lord continues the healing journey in our hearts with such great Love and Compassion poured on us. Working with teenagers at the retreat reminded me that this is an area of passion and ministry focus for me. If you work with teens, let me point you to a free resource called Unstuck, a Teen Guide to Living in Uncertain Times. This can be used as a journal or as a small group discussion. Reach out to me, and I would love to tell you more about how I have used it in ministry. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for each of you! Thank you for your continued prayers, support, faithfulness, and love during this difficult year, With love, Misty Check out a reading plan on YouVersion from the Trauma Healing Institute Hope for Wounded Hearts: Readings From Isaiah The book of Isaiah contains rich imagery, prophecies about the coming Messiah, and reminders of God’s faithfulness towards his people. The prophet Isaiah recounts God’s faithfulness to the Israelites and speaks of his hope in a future redemption through Jesus. On this plan, you will learn more about God’s justice and compassion and how he is present and near to those who are suffering. Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2022? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com!  Master Facilitators in Training, Cebu, Philippines Thank you for your continued prayers. The Philippines trip was quite a success, even though there were some health hiccups along the way. By the end of the three weeks, we had facilitated 4 Advanced Equipping Sessions (with a total of 60 participants) and an Initial Equipping session for 30 pastors. It was an intense three weeks of training, and we were very intentional in making sure we had down time, rest, and fun on the weekends, especially with our facilitation team, who was not quite used to that pace of training. It made for long days and nights but excellent opportunities for growth and development and mentoring of the facilitation team. Four of the ICM staff were leveled up to Master Facilitators in Training and our facilitator from the Bible Society of the Philippines to a Master Facilitator. Our pastor training also had some powerful testimonies come out of it. In particular, during the laments, one of the pastors shared that he had recently lost his wife. He had not had the chance to express his grief and pain and had been trying to keep it inside. His lament brought other participants to tears, and while one of the facilitators closed the lament section in prayer, the pastor wept and sobbed openly. It was a powerful moment of authenticity, openness, and vulnerability. It was also a gentle reminder from the Lord that this is why I was there and how important this program is: creating a safe space for processing pain and trauma. There have now been over 4000 who have participated in a healing group. Please continue to pray for the facilitators working diligently to provide this safe space for hurting communities. Also, more training is now occurring, and other ministries are starting to become very interested in learning more about Trauma Healing. Please pray for networking and cooperation between these ministries as they all work together to serve their communities impacted by the typhoon. Continue to pray for the facilitation teams to be guarded against secondary trauma as they carry out the healing groups. Please pray as well for the continued translation work into the local Filipino dialects. 2nd Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) "for we walk by faith, not by sight"We are so grateful for your prayer during this time. As my mom continues in this journey, the praises we have to report are no indication of brain cancer, which means the cancer is contained to the lung and the oncologist has classified it as stage 1. We knew surgery was probably not going to be an option due to her current lung functioning, and this is indeed the case. However, the oncologist gave us some hope when he said the next best course of treatment is four rounds of radiation. She started radiation on July 19 and will finish her 4th round on July 28th. She will then have a break for one month though the radiation will continue to work. They will then repeat the PET scan to see where they are at. We are praying for complete healing at that stage and no indication of cancer and ask that you join us in that prayer. My stepdad has been cancer free from his lung cancer since 2003, and we know that nothing is impossible for our Lord. She is handling radiation well overall with the exception of nausea and fatigue. Please pray that this is a time where she can rest and allow healing for her body. Please pray for a healthy appetite and no weight loss. Most importantly please pray that the radiation is God's instrument to kill cancer and keep the healthy tissue intact. Also, pray that as cancer leaves her body, her lung functioning will improve. Yes, her lungs are not good, but I believe God can provide healing and restoration to her healthy remaining tissue while at the same time obliterating the invasive cancerous cells. Please continue to pray for His Presence in our family and that we see His hand of mercy and grace daily, in little and big ways. Please continue to pray for conversations about our faith with other family members too. Feel free to share testimonies you may have of His mighty hand of healing or scriptures that have brought you hope and comfort. I will pass them along to my mom. Thank you for your prayers, support, and love during a very challenging year, Misty Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Misty and her mom, Debbie. Please keep praying for healing Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2022? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com!  The year started off tough, and, unfortunately, there have been some additional challenges. 2022 continues to be a fruitful year for Ministry Care. There has been an opportunity to be involved in two missionary debriefings, co-facilitate an Advanced Training in Minneapolis, and be with our Global Outreach Missionary Care team in TN doing some training and care focusing on stress and grief/loss. It was a joy to return to Minneapolis and work with Rachel. She is an amazing facilitator and is an asset to see Trauma Healing continue to grow and develop there. It was also really encouraging as 6 of our 8 were from our October initial training. To see their enthusiasm, commitment, and passion for trauma healing was great, and I cannot wait to see fruit continue to be born there, especially after being a part of the soil tilling these past few years. One of the unexpected outcomes of this year has been the opportunity to serve in the Philippines. Thank you for praying for Sarah and me. The training series in March went down as the most unique and complex training I have been a part of, with many learning opportunities along the way. In the end, we had 11 new Training Facilitators, 9 Healing Group Facilitators, and 58 Apprentice Facilitators. Our facilitators from the Bible Society had the chance to lead as well, moving on as Master Facilitators. It was a joy to work with such a great team who was willing to roll with all of the daily schedule changes. We traveled to Bohol, one of the communities hardest hit by the typhoon, and observed some of the healing groups occurring. This was a real blessing in many different ways. It is a great opportunity for hands-on mentoring. It gave me the chance to see some of the challenges they face in terms of the size and location of their groups and to be able to work on possible solutions. Since our return to the US, I have continued training virtually to offer coaching and guidance to the facilitators. The healing groups also began, and at this point, over 2200 have participated in a healing group. This is something we should praise God for and continue to pray for the facilitators working diligently to provide this safe space for hurting communities. Sarah and I are preparing to head back to the Philippines for another round of intense trainings. Here are a few prayer requests:
    Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." An unexpected curveball was thrown into the year when I returned from the Philippines. I posted the above scripture as it has been one I am reflecting on. It feels like since 2019 the rains have been coming down for my family. The latest storm is for my mom. In the last 2 years, she has lost both of her sisters. We also thought in 2019 we were going to lose her as she was hospitalized for pneumonia, and when she was released, she was now on full-time oxygen and in sudden retirement. This past week, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Our God is a healer, and this family has also seen His hand in many miraculous and mighty ways: including my stepdad, who has been lung cancer-free since 2003, and my aunt in 2011, who was written up in Ft Wayne Lutheran Hospital as a miracle due to her recovery from a brain aneurysm where they said she would never come off a vent, and complete miraculous healing of a pituitary gland tumor for me in 2007. We have seen His hand of protection already as the PET scan DID NOT show cancer anywhere else. However, PET scans are limited and do not pick up places where it can hide: the breast and the brain. When we met with the oncologist, he was concerned cancer started in the breast and moved to the lung, but the mammogram did not support this--another praise. One more area to check is an MRI on her brain, and if that is all clear, then prognosis and treatment options are much more favorable. I had good conversations with my parents about my upcoming trip, and we are in agreement this is still the right decision. Many of the additional tests will occur while I am gone...the one we are the most concerned about at the moment is the MRI, and yes, unfortunately, those results will be received when I am not in the country. I am trusting, though, that we will be glorifying His name next week for the good news. After this trip, it may be a few months for me to travel internationally again, which saddens me as I had some exciting plans ahead. These plans (like Zimbabwe) will continue to be put together, and we trust in His timing will occur. In the meantime, I know He has me where I am needed. Pray for the opportunities this brings to witness to those who are not believers in the family. Indeed our foundation will be built on the rock! It has been so exciting to have conversations with my mom about our faith and something I have wanted to share with her since I first became a believer. We will continue to have OUR ROCK, JESUS, during this time. Feel free to share testimonies you may have of His mighty hand of healing or scriptures that have brought you hope and comfort. I will pass them along to my mom. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and love, Misty  Prayer requests for my family:
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2022? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com! 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  On December 14, 2021, a category-5 typhoon hit the Visayas and Mindanao regions of the Philippines. It cut across a path through the region of Mindanao (see the map above). The cost of damages Typhoon Odette left has now reached 10 billion – on the agricultural sector alone. The death toll has reached 410, not to mention the untold trauma it has triggered in the lives of many. Some communities were cut off by the storm and recovery efforts will be ongoing. As a result of the typhoon, ICM (International Care Ministry) has formed a partnership with the American Bible Society and the Bible Society of the Phillippines to implement the Trauma Healing curriculum as part of its Recover program intervention in the coming months to those communities impacted by the typhoon. The typhoon hit a section where most of ICM’s field staff and beneficiaries live. Particular areas where trauma healing will occur (again see the map) are Cebu, Butuan, Tacloban, Bacolod, and Dumaguete.ICM has been working with the ultra-poor since 1992 implementing a holistic model as well as focusing on the right training, resources, and support to unlock the bondage of poverty. They want to implement Trauma Healing as they recognize that trauma affects every part of a person: mind, body and spirit. Through Trauma Healing and Recover, ICM will assess the needs of badly affected communities who may have lost churches, homes, savings and livelihood then provide a 6-week program to enable them to process what happened and begin to re-establish themselves. My role in this will be helping with all of the training as well as serving as the consultant regarding the Trauma Healing program model for the next few months. Sharon and I will be serving as lead facilitators and coaches for the first training, which will occur online. That group of 25 will then facilitate healing groups in their different areas. They will then continue to their Advanced Training, which will occur face to face in the Philippines. I will also have the opportunity to visit some of the base camps where the healing groups will be occurring while Sarah (the project manager) and I are there. When I left Zimbabwe in 2014, I worked for a year and a half as a crisis care consultant and volunteer coordinator with IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service). I left IDES to become the Executive Director of Ministry Care, which we are now entering into our 6th year. It never ceases to amaze me to see how God can bring some passions together. Though I am sorry for the devastation in the Philippines as a result of the typhoon, I am excited about the possibilities of what the Lord will do through this as a result of Trauma Healing and other plans from ICM. By the end of this year, it is possible that 20,000 people in these areas will have experienced a healing group. Please be praying as this has a tremendous possibility for impact so it also has the possibility for spiritual warfare. I cannot wait to share next month what the Lord does through this! In the meantime, Ministry Care is still planning other things moving forward. For example, I will be in Memphis to lead a Global Outreach Training and to be a co-debriefer at the end of the month. And conversations are continuing about Trauma Healing in Zimbabwe. Could 2022 be the year for that? We are continuing to commit plans before the Lord and asking Him to direct the steps. Specific prayer requests for the plans in the Phillippines:
Misty Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2022? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com! Psalms 34:18 (New Living Translation): "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." For my family, 2022 did not start off quite as planned. We lost my Aunt Sherri on January 8th, 2022. My cousin (her son), Chad, and I were there with her when she passed and I am thankful to report it was very peaceful. In my facebook memories, just a few days after her passing, I was reminded of baptizing both aunts and my niece at Unity Christian Church in 2012. A gentle nudge from the Lord of His faithfulness. The primary cause of death was COPD exacerbated by Covid. This is two aunts in a little over two years-we lost my Aunt Tammy toward the end of 2019. I am not sure we have fully worked through our grief over her loss to now begin the process over again. We are a family whose spirits are crushed, especially as I consider my 80+ grandmother, now burying two daughters, or my mom losing both sisters. But we do know that we can both grieve and have hope at the same time, though sometimes that is an awkward tension to hold. My aunt was a very generous woman, surprising my family one year with a quick trip home for Christmas when I was living in Zimbabwe. I am grateful that she and my mom had a chance to meet Simba, though sad neither aunt met Rumbi. As long as I can remember, it was her desire to go to Australia and in 2018, she made it possible for not only her to go but for me to travel with her. By then, she was on continuous oxygen but she was not going to let that stop her lifelong dream to visit there and hold a koala. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite memories below. Embrace your dreams and go for it is what she would say! As you can imagine, I had my end of 2021 newsletter ready to go telling you about some exciting plans in January, including a trip back to Le Rucher in France, and in the end, it was all canceled. As the content of the newsletter changed, I had a hard time trying to find words to explain how tough this year (all 6 weeks of it) has been and what a disappointment some of those cancellations were. Not only did my aunt die, but then a dear and precious friend (for 20+ years) mom unexpectedly died a few weeks later. As a close group of us came together for the second time in just under a month, I also realized we are now entering into new phases in our lives where some of us are now becoming caregivers to aging family members. There have been other stressors as well but I will lament those elsewhere. 2021 did have some great highlights though that included:
5 year anniversary with Ministry Care occurred in September 2021!!!
In the meantime, here is an idea of what Ministry Care is planning for 2022. We appreciate your continued partnership and prayer support as there are many obstacles to navigate to see these things occur but we serve a mighty God, who can make it happen! Tentative plans for 2022:
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2022? There are 2 ways you may donate to Misty at Ministry Care. You can make checks payable to “Ministry Care” and send them to:
Ministry Care 14934 Pacer Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 Or you can also make an online donation, using Givelify, on our website at www.ministrycareinternational.org Ministry Care is a 501c3 therefore your donation will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email us at ministrycareinternational@gmail.com! |
AuthorMisty Bodkins has a Master's degree in clinical psychology. She has worked both stateside and internationally doing counseling, training, teaching, and research. Her passion is working with people who are in crisis. Archives
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