About Us
Most people living with a chronic illness struggle maintaining some level of normalcy where their illness does not take center stage. How do they deal with those days where there is no choice in the matter and it is staring them in the face?
Yoke Ministries was founded in 2020 when what was first a christmas present idea turned into a beautiful ministry opportunity. Matt was diagnosed with MS in the spring of 2018. As with any life altering diagnosis, it took the Dowie’s some time to adjust to what their “new normal” was going to look like now that it involved several doctor appointments and monthly infusion treatments for Matt. As the months went on and the dust settled a bit, the Dowie’s were able to nestle into a routine and felt more comfortable with the MS diagnosis, but there was one aspect to their new “normal” life that still felt like a fresh wound each time it came around. Treatment day. How could a day, such as treatment day, be turned into something to look forward to rather than dread? Care Packages!
For the entire 2020 year, Matt took with him a surprise personalized care package to each of his treatments. Each care package contained snacks, games, hand written letters and other fun items strategically selected with a few goals in mind. First, it was something Matt was able to get excited about. A package of mystery items he could only open at treatment! Second, it was a tangible way for Matt to see that he was seen. He was seen, thought about, prayed for by people around him. He was reminded that although he is the one carrying MS on his back, there is a community of people who, for a brief moment, want to come alongside of him and carry MS with him.