GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS …..

 In His own time.  As you know, if you have been reading my earlier reports, I left Chimala pretty abruptly in November of 2018.  The over-sight of the mission changed hands and I was requested to leave.  I never truly understood the whys, but always knew without a doubt that God was in control.  We may not always understand things that happen and don’t agree with them, but God is with us and uses all things for good for those who trust in Him.  At the time, I did not see the good…but now I do.

I would never had left Chimala on my own.  It was where I felt strongly I belonged.  Yes I missed back home, but I was so happy doing what I felt God wanted from me.  I was sad to leave but the last 3 years were a gift.  I was able to spend 18 months with my mother before she went to her eternal home and 3 years with my dad.  I continually prayed during the last 3 years for God to show me where He wanted me. I hoped I would be able to return to Chimala and discussed this with Him frequently.  It took 3 years, but He is sending me back!!

I have known since the first of last November that I was welcome back to Chimala.  There have also been two articles written in the Chimala Newsletters announcing my return (www.chimalamission.com).  I continue to pray and listen to God for guidance.  So far, everything has just fallen into place which leads me to believe His hand is in this plan for me.  I sold my house in 3 days without any complications.  I retired from Nursing here in the states and have applied for all my licenses in Tanzania.  I am scheduled to leave on February 15th and I could not be more happy and grateful for the chance to serve.

The most difficult thing for me when working as a missionary is raising financial support.  I am so committed to this work, that I am pledging $1,000/mo to my personal support.  The work-fund, which is used to help others, is my main concern.  Minimally, I will need $1,500/mo.  This amount will be used to restart the mobile clinics to rural villages, fuel, medicines and helpers.  Anything above that amount will be used for more works.  Below is the budget for my minimal expenses.

  •  Worker salaries            $   600.00
  •   Fuel                                  150.00
  •   Bibles                                 50.00
  •   Phone/internet                  150.00
  •   Medications                      550.00

Other works are hard to estimate.  One example is the 3 albino children we found in a couple of the villages where we performed mobile clinics.  Albino children and families have many challenges.  Their skin burns so easily in the sun and they have vision problems.  There are specialists who can help them, but getting to this areas is costly and then there is the cost of treatment.  With work-funds, we were able to take these children and their parents to the eye specialist and purchase glasses for them.  I am sure that they will be in need of new exams and glasses when I arrive.  This will come to about $250.  There are times when we find a person in one of our clinics who needs additional care at the hospital.  Many times we will pay for their hospital costs if funds are available.  We also find many children who are malnourished.  We work with another group to provide special dietary needs.  If the child is so malnourished as to need hospitalization, the minimal stay will be 7 days.  This is an expense they cannot cover and so the mobile clinic covers the costs.  So as you can see, there will never be too much money.  

At this point, I almost have commitments which will cover the minimum need per month.  So far donations of $900/mo have been promised.  If you can help us, please do so and you will be able to help with special needs of many people.  I will do my best to give frequent reports on where your funds are used.  If 30 people will donate $50/month, this will double our funds.  It would be amazing to see what God will do with this amount!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 405-640-2015 or by email at Cheryl.bode@yahoo.com.  I look forward to working with you as we help those in need together.  Much more to come!!  God bless.

Below are the ways you can donate to my work-fund

Send a check to: Chimala Mission, c/o Dalraida church of Christ, 3740 Atlantis Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109.  Please put a note in with your check stating it is for Cheryl Bode work-fund

OR

Go to www.Chimalamission.com, click on donate and use PayPal.  Please remember to designate that your donation is for Cheryl Bode

                            


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