1st quarter 2023

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:

• Continued experience using the Le Rucher debriefing model in Kansas City 
• Speaking at several of my partnering churches
• Continued training and development of facilitators in the Teen Healing the Wounds of Trauma curriculum; exploring what other possibilities could be for teenagers who are struggling, like using Unstuck
• Piloting new material to help Youth (more details to come)
• Facilitating a healing group for a missionary care team with ABWE in North Carolina in April
• A US Orientation in Philadelphia and a Global Orientation in Egypt for the new audio program
• Returning to the Philippines (more details to come)

Thank you again for your support and prayers. Please continue to remember my family in prayer. My mom, Debbie, is still cancer-free but has to deal with daily shortness of breath. Please pray that it does not worsen and maintains its current level. Even more, pray for the healing of her lungs and that her breathing gets better. My stepdad, Butch, has had significant health challenges in the last few months, including a hospital stay at Lutheran. We continue to see the Lord's hand on his health, as we have over the years in miraculous ways. For example, he will be 20 years lung cancer free in September after his right lung was removed. This recent health crisis has caused Butch to seek out the Lord. Please continue to pray for Butch as he explores his relationship with the Lord. Blessings to you.

With peace and love,
Misty

Highlights of 2022 (just a little delayed):

• Ministry in the Philippines as a result of a partnership with ICM and ABS
• Continued experience facilitating 4 debriefings following the Le Rucher debriefing model
• Continued facilitation of trauma healing equipping sessions and healing groups in the US
• Co-led a retreat with missionary teens in Spain in September
• My mom becoming cancer free in 2022
• Real proper vacations at various beaches throughout the year and intentional times of rest 
• Ending the year serving with my friend and colleague, Jenny Smith, at a mid-winter rally in Rome, Italy where we explored 2nd Corinthians 4:7

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

Donate Now

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 [email protected]