1st quarter 2022 update

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:

• upcoming travel to and in the Philippines: a bump up to business class on long flights (or at least no one in the middle seat), space at the lounge or sleeping pods for a long layover in Doha, safety as we take ferries between islands, good rest and adjustment to the 12-hour time zone difference
• this continues to be a robust and intense training program where implications of these trainings can have ripple effects in months and years to come. Please pray for the facilitators to be trained well and that we have wisdom and discernment as decisions are made regarding certification, which has long term planning implications in this area
• the facilitators will continue to have the space to process the impact of the typhoon in their own lives and they are guarded against secondary trauma as they carry out the healing groups 
• the continued translation work into the local Filipino dialects
• pray for those whose lives have been impacted by the typhoon and those whose lives can be impacted positively by participating in a healing group
• energy, stamina, and perseverance for 3 weeks of training; times of rest in between; good clear communication across 6 different facilitation teams 
• for good weather as June begins their rainy season
• for the ability to have communication with people in the US during the time I am gone

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:

• God's presence during the MRI on May 23rd as my mom struggles with enclosed spaces
• No indication of brain cancer
• Wisdom for the thoracic surgeon as he considers if she is a candidate for removal; this will involve a pulmonary function test as her lungs are already compromised
• Wisdom for the oncologist as he evaluates test results and determines the way forward
• Insurance approval for my mom
• Encouragers and community support during this time, we know we cannot bear this alone and need YOU
• Wisdom to know what questions to ask and space to hear from our Greatest Physician 
• Comfort for family members as we are struggling in our own ways: my stepdad, Butch, my mom, Debbie, my grandma, Dondra, my cousin, Chad to pray by name 
• Peace, Mercy, and God's Presence as we continue to grieve and take in what may be next 

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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
 
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