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“Persistent, compound traumas have disrupted my life, relationships and my walk with God. Being able to understand my suffering in light of the Bible in the company of others also going through was a great comfort, a comfort that has brought liberation.” C, a participant in a Healing group ***Exciting Update*** Our visas were granted, passports are in hand, flights have been booked. We will be heading to Ethiopia very soon! Please continue to pray for Sharon and I. This quarter was very active. I continued to be involved in coordinating 7 healing groups (and facilitating 3 of those), a Scripture Listening group piloting the book of Philippians, coordinating 8 initial trainings (facilitating 4 of those), and 2 advanced training all online. Whew. When we looked at our online activity, I understood why I was so exhausted. Because, honestly, it was too much. We have dialed it way back for this next quarter as we evaluate the way forward of online Trauma Healing, especially as in-person activity has started back again. Speaking of in-person, one highlight from this quarter was being reunited with 4 of my colleagues at our Basic Debriefing Training in Texas (as a reminder this training was supposed to occur in May 2020 in France)! There were a lot of similarities to Healing the Wounds of Trauma but some significant differences, especially focusing on a cross-cultural experience. There were some great pearls of wisdom and step one to be able to continue in October to their Crisis and Trauma Debrief Training, which is what I am really interested in. It was a trauma debrief in 2015 that was instrumental in allowing me to process the break-in, start to heal, and move forward. I would love to give back in this way to others. I also realize that a debrief would be beneficial for me to process the 14 years I have been serving cross-culturally and I am hoping to attend one in November. We are praying and meeting in the next few months to determine if we want to offer a debriefing retreat for Global Outreach missionaries in 2022. One of the most impactful parts for me was going through what they called the 3 testimonies about Jesus.
This quarter held significant anniversaries-May 14 was 17 years since my sister died, May 23 was 8 years from the break-in, and June 26 was 11 years since my 6-year-old nephew was killed. I know I am a wordy person in my newsletters (thank you if you made it this far!) and I also wrestle with what to include as there is so much I want to share that I see the Lord doing. What I am reminded of this time, is that I can hold the tension of beauty that has come from these significant events along with the pain and significant changes to my life as a result. Healing is a journey and I am thankful the Lord is there to meet me where I am at and continue to provide what I need at that moment. And since I feel there is so much more to say, I would love to share more about this quarter personally. Let me know if you would like to meet or set up a time to talk. Please continue to pray for this next quarter as I continue to make travel plans (2 additional trips after Ethiopia before 2021 ends). I cannot wait to share how He worked and moved in our time in Ethiopia! Grace and peace to you and with love, Misty “How absolutely critical it is for all of us to understand what trauma is, how we can identify it within ourselves and others, and help those around us to heal. You always want to come from a posture of "do no harm." However, we often don't understand a healthy and Biblical way to respond. This course helps start and deepen that awareness and skill learning.” N, insight from a training Praises and Prayers:
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2021? 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]
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Possible travel? Please pray! February 2020. I returned from a trip that included time spent in Uganda and Ethiopia. But then, everything changed. You know....Covid. And I have not traveled since. 17 months. Now that may not be a big deal for some of you but that is a lot for me, especially when I think what 2019 looked like. July 2021. Our first tentatively, hands held open to the Lord's plans, trip. The idea is to return to Ethiopia. I halted sending my quarterly newsletter out to share this update instead. Don't worry, I will still send the other one soon. The plan was to return and mentor new Training Facilitators and potentially raise certification levels of others as they mentor and coach the training. There has been work on an Amharic translation (the lack of has hindered the growth and development of Trauma Healing) and this will be the first training it will be used. This is something to celebrate!! Though having the materials in the local language has been a barrier, we have still seen development in the last 3 years, including quite a few new facilitators this past year. As a result, we would like to come together to celebrate with a Community of Practice. This will be a great time for networking too. Here is the good news: no matter what happens, these plans will continue and we are SO thankful for that! BUT this will NOT occur if we cannot arrive in Ethiopia: we now have the ability to do hold training, using the Life Hurts, Love Heals, teen Trauma Healing curriculum. This is something we have looked forward to for two years, since we first piloted the material in August/September 2019. Here is where we need prayer. To enter into a country, one needs not just a passport but in many countries, a visa as well. In Ethiopia, there are two main ways to obtain one: online or upon arrival at the airport when you land. Sharon and I are planning this trip together and as we are exploring travel options due to Covid, here is what we read on the Ethiopian Airline website: Ethiopia Temporary Ban On Visa on arrival and E-Visa options.Ethiopian Immigration has suspended issuance of visa on arrival and E-Visa provision for all passengers effective 18 June 2021 until further notice Wait.....what? What does any of this mean? Well, Sharon has done an incredible job of navigating a frustrating system of many unreturned phone calls and learned our only option is to send our passports in along with a visa application and a fee to the Ethiopia Embassy in Washinton DC. Why have they suspended their visas? It is uncertain and there could be much speculation: their current elections, deadly conflict in the Northern part, etc. But, the bottom line for us, is we need our prayer warriors. There is a lot of planning that needs to occur this next month for the teen training. We will continue with those plans as we trust confidently (because of the Lord) the US postal system as well as the Ethiopian Embassy to give us a quick reply regarding our visa. We trust that if this is not the right time, the answer will be no. But for the moment, we continue to plan AS IF the answer is YES. We know God is faithful not just while we wait but while we work as well. I will keep you updated on what happens. Thank you for your continued love and support, Misty Enjoy some of the photos from our teen camp in Ethiopia in September 2019 LIFE HURTS, LOVE HEALS There were a few things that stood out for me when we piloted this in 2019. The first is the three amazing, Ethiopian men that were with us. All three served tirelessly in dual roles as co-facilitators and translators. I was blessed by their heart of love and compassion for these boys. Their deep desire to help each boy know his true value and worth to His Heavenly Father and to guide them on the path to be healed from the wounds that life had inflicted was truly inspiring. And second, to say the weekend was transformational for the boys is an understatement. God used the time and material to bring healing, restoration, forgiveness, and true identity in Christ. This is what could happen in 2021 too! Please join us in prayer! Icebreakers, Teaching, Team Building Activities, and Just Plain Fun!Prayer requests:
Would you prayerfully consider becoming a partner of Misty Bodkins in 2021? 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 as [email protected] Partner Now with Ministry Care |
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
January 2025
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