SOWER Ministry Newsletter January 2020
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Greetings!
2020. A new month, a new year, and new decade! If you’re into “New Year Resolutions” that seems like a lot of pressure, doesn’t it? Looking back we can reflect on what the last decade looked like. Perhaps it was filled with joy – we welcomed six grandchildren into our family. What blessings! Perhaps it was marked with sadness also – we’ve walked through frightening diagnoses and the loss of several dear friends who (good news for them) beat us to Heaven! What heartache for those left behind! Looking ahead, the new decade seems to be filled with uncertainty. Let’s face it, sometimes tomorrow seems like one big question mark. But Praise God, we have a Savior who is so much BIGGER than all of this! Regardless of what this last decade looked like, God’s faithfulness remained steady and true. Whatever the next decade (or tomorrow) looks like, our God is sovereign and His mercies are new every day. As His Truth works in our lives daily, may we love Him better, love others more effectively, and serve Him well with a faithful heart. May you rest in Him in the coming days, years – and yes, even decades!
Serving Jesus with joy!
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
Editor
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Marge Dennis - SOWER # 365
submitted by Cam and Betty Clarkson (2402)
Marge Dennis and her late husband, Donald (SOWER #365), began seriously giving back in the early 1980s after raising their six children. Finding themselves empty-nesters, the couple traveled all over the United States, serving with SOWERS and other volunteer organizations. In 2009, they were part of a large group of volunteers who went to New Orleans and helped feed families following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Marge retired from SOWERS following the death of her husband in 2015, but that didn’t stop her servant’s heart. Serving at Food Now (a nonprofit that works to provide food assistance, community outreach and support services to families and individuals in eastern Riverside County, CA) as volunteer coordinator and program manager — as well as vice president of their board of directors — Marge is a very active senior, donating more than 120 hours of her time per month. She views the responsibility of feeding the homeless as well as helping families with low incomes and treating the elderly, challenged and handicapped with pride and honor.
When asked about retirement, a smile comes over her face, and her answer is succinct: “Only when my body can’t do it anymore.” For now, Dennis is an active 83-year-young member of her community with a infectiously positive attitude. “I wake up every morning,” she says, “and look at the day ahead and find something to be glad about.”
Condensed and edited from an article in the
Desert Sun,
Palm Springs, CA
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A Note from Tim Levendusky at Alert Academy (TX-410)
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I want to thank you both for the way that you tackled various projects for us recently, but especially this pump room clean-up and repainting. It has turned out beautiful and more importantly, it has been another example of the way SOWERs ministry blesses others through the oft-neglected or out-of-sight ministry needs that you take on as projects.
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The fresh room, new painting, and clean-up of all of those pipes are all tangible results that are seen, but there are unseen things that are equally important. The quiet, behind the scenes work that you often do is sometimes known only by and rewarded by the Lord Himself. That is far greater than any praise or reward that man can give for a job well done.
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Then there is the encouragement that you bring to our facilities people, especially Chris, as he tackles so many projects and needs daily. And for all of us here at IBLP and ALERT, we get the benefit of fellowship, wisdom and experience, and friendship with you all because you SOWERs come to help on-site projects like this that need to be done, and your members tackle them with experience and energy. It is more than the pictures above can tell how your work is being a blessing to us, and observed and rewarded by the Lord.
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Project Highlights
Prince George, BC
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In September, we drove up to Prince George, BC to see
Ness Lake Bible Camp
(BC-434)
, the most northerly of the 3 SOWER Projects we have in BC. It was a good long drive from our home in the Fraser Valley, but so interesting to see a new area of our huge province. And it was also our first visit to
Ness Lake Bible Camp
! We had a wonderful time touring the camp with Joe Klassen the Facilities Manager, and took a number of pictures. Here are a couple to give you all a peak into a great Project. For people going to Alaska, Ness Lake would be a good place to stop-off on the way, and spend a few weeks volunteering some time. They have space for 2 large RVs right near the Welcome Centre and would be delighted to have SOWERs come any time from May through to October. Consider this for next summer!!
Wayne & Dorothy Farquhar
#2238
Canadian Area Reps
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Looking for an "At-A-Glance" calendar of all the 2020 SOWER work dates? Clicking on the image on the left will take you to a downloadable PDF you can easily print!
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Rallies Ready and Open for Sign-ups!
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Whether you're an Alumni, a Seasoned SOWER or New to the Family, there's nothing like a SOWER gathering to connect with friends old and new and get recharged about the ministry. If you live in close proximity to a SOWER project, let them know you're nearby! There are often impromptu gatherings of SOWERS happening all around the country all year long! Whether you're camping together or just meeting for a meal at a local restaurant, a SOWER Gathering is always a blessing!
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Winter Rallies - Sign up TODAY!
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To Help the Rally Committees plan effectively, please send your reservations in ASAP!! Thanks!
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Looking forward to seeing you at the Reunion!
Bill & Ruth Stoll, Jon & Cathy Richmond, Jeff & Barb Kaiser
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2020 Florida SOWER Reunion
Theme: Serve the Lord with Gladness
Florida Baptist Youth Camp (FL-143)
Groveland, FL
Feb 24-26, 2020
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Cost: (Cash or check at registration) $70/rig W/E 30 amp; dump;
Room Rent: $70/couple;
Walk-ins: $15/couple for one day; $25/couple for multiple days
Early arrivals: $15/night
Meals included:
Supper
on Monday, Tuesday (Potluck), Wednesday
Breakfast
: Tuesday and Wednesday
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ALERT Academy, TX-410
Big Sandy, Texas
Sunday through Wednesday
March 22 - March 25, 2020
(
Date correction from the Sowergram)
54 Full Hook Ups with 30/50 amp
Large pull thru sites
New for 2020 are 8 asphalt pads for heavy motor homes!
Fun, food, music and fellowship in the Piney woods of northeast Texas.
For more information, or to register, contact Dwayne and Margaret Gearhart #3263
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Cost:
$25/night camping fee
If not bringing your RV
$70/night lodging with private bath
$60/night with shared bath
2 lunches at $7/person/lunch
1 supper at $12/person
Instead of a registration fee, there will be a donation box to cover incidentals.
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Northeast Texas is a natural stopover from winter projects to summer projects, so please plan to join us in March.
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Looking ahead - September Rallies
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Western 2020 Rally
Aldersgate Retreat Center (OR-320)
Turner, OR
September 21-24, 2020
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Costs include 4 days/3 nights will be as follows (includes 2 lunches and 1 dinner):
Full hook ups - $75
Dry Camping - $50
Lodging - $30 per night
2 additional dinners available at $10 per person per dinner
Registration and other details will be announced in March.
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The
Michigan Rally, traditionally held at Michindoh (MI-139), is on hold due to lack of a coordinator. If you are interested in heading up this rally, please contact
Emory Rockafellow who will be happy to share his insights in planning this rally. Thank you!
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June 21-26, 2020 SOWERS will be hosting a booth at the Escapades Rally located in Rock Springs, WY.
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Any SOWER wanting to help manage the booth and the informational session is more than welcome to be a part of this fun event to help spread the word about our organization. You would be paired with other couples so you would not be running the booth by yourself. We are needing help even partial days/week if you are available. The cost to park your RV at the Rally is your own expense, and details of registration are on the
Escapees website. If you need additional information contact Wayne or Gail Fieler at 704-853-2274 or 704-813-0015,
wfieler@gmail.com or
gailfieler@gmail.com.
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Seen recently on Facebook
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Thank you, Eunice, for sharing about the work being done at
Macedonia Christian Academy (TX-499) in Alamo, TX. This year the school is asking for 6 SOWERS in January and February.
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Have you stopped by lately?
Please use caution and respect when posting. This is a Closed group (only members can see posts and add posts), but it is still good Facebook etiquette to get permission before you post someone's picture. Thanks!
If you're a member of Facebook, but haven't joined the SOWER Group, click on the icon to join the family! Just enter your member number in the question, and the Administrator will approve you. If you invite other interested folks to join the group they will still need to answer the membership question. Thanks!
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While you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out your favorite ministries. Many of our partner ministry locations have a Facebook page and it's a great way to stay up to date on the places you love to serve!
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We've reached over 930 "Likes" on the
SOWER Facebook Page
! If you haven't already given it your thumbs-up, head over there now! It's a great way to spread the word about our ministry.
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January Numbers
Number of Ministries asking for SOWER Assistance
75
Number of Ministries receiving SOWER Assistance
39
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I'm still waiting for YOUR story!!!
Do you have sweet memories from your first SOWER project? Or maybe you'd like to share how you learned about SOWERS and how the LORD led you to this ministry?
This newsletter is always looking for SOWER testimonies, God Stories, project highlights, group pictures, and more! And
Bill Myers
is always on the look-out for some great tips!
Submit stories, ideas and photos to
Stephanie Conrad
.
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It's that time of year again...Trustee Nominations!
Included in the Feb/March Sowergram (or in the mail if you are web only) will be the 2020-21 Trustee Nomination Forms.
To be eligible to become a Trustee, a candidate must be a member in good standing of the organization for at least two years and must have participated on-site at a minimum of four different approved project locations. Managerial and basic computer skills are a plus. Please get the nominee's permission before submitting their name.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE IN THE OFFICE BY MARCH 15, 2020
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A new media presentation is in the works to be used for advertising and trade shows. If you have any short video clips and/or pictures of SOWERs working, fellowshipping, playing games, etc. please submit by e-mail to Gail Fieler at
gailfieler@gmail.com. Be sure to get permission to share anyone’s photo for this purpose. Thank you.
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This month's Group Picture is from the December 2019 project at Camp Tejas (TX-240) -Top row left to right: John & Sandy Barber #3365, John Remple #2756, Bob Losinger #3653, Bill Richards 3648, Gail & Wayne Fieler #3187
Middle left to right: Mike Griffin #3264, Anita Remple #2756, Gayle Losinger #3653 and Marge Richards #3648
Front row left to right: Bonnie Griffin #3264, Druann & John Bauer #3521, and Jeff & Joyce Brooks #3372
Photo by Gail Fieler (who said it was great to welcome the Losingers (first project) and the Richards (second project) to our SOWER family.
(Do you have a favorite Group Picture (past or present) you'd like to share in the newsletter? Send it in!!
Stephanie@rvthereyet.org
)
Header Photo - Header Photo - First snow at Doe River Gorge (TN-467), photo by Nelda Thompson #3445
Verse Photo - One of the cabins at Sherry White Ministries (FL-485)
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Jeff & Mary Peace
Ed & Patty Soltes
Bob & Billie Wakeman
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
Paul & Juanita Alton
Don & Jenny Rasmussen
Terry & Alice Burnett
Wayne & Gail Fieler
Robert & Shana Carman
John & Connie Nicholas
Jim and Cathy Fry
John & Druann Bauer
Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share?
Send me
the link, and we'll add it to the "Blog Roll".
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Clicking on the
NEW SOWER Logo
(this is the embroidery/screenprint version)
above
will take you to the Members Page, the December/January Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
Members' Page Tip:
Always look at the
Project Listing Sheet (updated weekly) and not the Sowergram (updated only when a new Sowergram is published) when you are looking for the most current project listings.
The Feb/Mar issue will be available online by the end of the month.
If you have any questions, please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
The SOWER Member Page Password changed on December 15th. Check your Dec/Jan Sowergram for the new password.
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Area Representatives Needed
The SOWER Area Reps (AR) are crucial to the smooth running of the SOWER Ministry. They check in with the projects in their area annually to make sure all is well and to strengthen our relationship with them. They also research any reported problems with the site and report back to the Project committee. Another responsibility is to physically check-out new projects before they can be approved.
The AR for the southern CA projects has a lot of projects and a large area to cover. We would like to divide the area by adding two additional AR's. One AR position would cover CA-213, CA-263. The other AR position would cover CA-414, CA-464, CA-489,and CA-494. Any new projects would be assigned to the respective areas. If you are interested in an AR position, please contact Dick Howard. Best way to contact is by email
richard022@ameritech.net.
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Dear Sam and Sally,
We enjoyed reading the minutes of the 2019 SOWER Trustee meeting in the last Sowergram, but we do have a question. We like the updated logo, but are wondering what impact it will have on our existing SOWER ‘stuff’?
Signed,
Liking it but wondering!
Dear Wondering,
Thank you for your question – and for taking the time to read through the minutes. While having the minutes available is helpful, it’s impossible to relay all of the conversation that happened during those meetings. After several years of incorporating the “RV with a Purpose“ graphic design in our literature, website, tee shirts and advertising, it was decided to also incorporate it into our logo. Our original logo will still be used and the change-over will be a gradual one. No new name tags will be issued, and until our current stock is used up, even new SOWER name tags will have our original logo. Currently the office has available 6" decals with the new logo and will be having 12" decals and magnets in the next couple of weeks. Over time, more and more merchandise will display the updated logo, but our original logo will always have a place in our hearts and history! If you have any questions about the ‘roll-out’ of the new design, please feel free to contact the office or any of the Trustees.
Serving with a purpose,
Sam & Sally
Do you have a SOWER Etiquette question? Or maybe you'd like some clarification about a policy or rule. Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at -
samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit something to the newsletter, send it to
To submit a SOWING TIP, send an email to
To add photos to our Photo Gallery, contact
Ed Soltes
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