SOWER Ministry Newsletter July 2020
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Greetings!
July. Usually this month is filled with reunions and picnics and trips to the beach. This year it seems to be filled with cancellations, postponements, delays and disappointments. The world, it seems, continues to spin out of control. However, maybe instead of dwelling on all the things we can’t do during these uncertain days, we should instead dwell on the many things we GET to do! We GET TO extend additional grace to our neighbors by lending a hand since we’re all staying closer to home. Maybe we even GET TO spend additional time with our close-by family. We GET TO perhaps learn a new skill (baked any bread lately?) or even concentrate on a home or RV project. We GET TO see our friends and family members using Zoom or FaceTime, when even 10 years ago that would’ve been out of our reach technologically. While we may not be able to join with others in person at our local churches, we GET TO experience a variety of churches throughout the country through the miracle of live-streaming and get a feel for the Church Universal. With our quieter schedules, we GET TO spend more time in the Word. And we GET TO encourage each other, and those around us, by sharing the Peace that we have found in Christ. AND – we GET TO pray! For our families, our communities, our partner ministries, the SOWER ministry and for our countries. I’ve heard it said that the most exercise we're getting these days is shaking our heads in bewilderment. Let’s instead take the opportunity to BOW our heads and lift these unprecedented days to the Throne of Grace where our Savior awaits our prayers. He's "got this", and of that we can be certain!
Resting in His Grace,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
Editor
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Do you have a Pandemic Testimony of how you've seen God working during these days? Especially in regards to SOWER projects? Send them in to
stephanie@rvthereyet.org. We'd love to hear from you!
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Congratulations to our newly elected Trustees
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These men and women will be joining the rest of the Board for the September meeting.
Nelda Thompson will be completing the last year of Roy Olson's term.
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Please be in prayer for the entire Board as they continue to work together to further the SOWER Ministry.
A big thank you to all who were willing to run!
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A New Normal
Jerry Sheckell (3064)
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Since my wife was called Home last October, I have searched many ways to try to regain my focus in life. Towards the end, Lynne begged me to continue serving our Lord through SOWERs. By the end of January, after much prayer, and advice from friends, I pretty much had the summer plans in place, or so I thought! We can make all the plans we want, but God directs our steps. The COVID-19 pandemic and all of its implications really knocked me hard. I thought I'd be spending the summer in Arizona and the heat. A couple we befriended a number of years ago, non believers, found me a place in Wyoming to spend the summer. Needless to say, the trip was somewhat difficult and very quiet, but God got me through it. I'm spending the summer in some amazingly beautiful country and I'm currently writing down Lynne's and my life history together. After almost 53 years, that's a lot of history. The final result will be used by our pastor to weave a salvation message at a Celebration of Life service in October for my "honey". In all, I've continued to learn to always lean on God; and seek His direction. (By the way, I'm still working on our friends and praying that they come to Christ.)
In Jesus Love, Jerry Sheckell #3064.
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The Options have changed!
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Do you ever get a recorded voice on the phone saying, “Please listen to the entire message as our options have changed?” Well, there are some changes coming to the 2021 SOWER Registration Form, which will be included in your August/September Sowergram (or mailed if you are web only). Yes, it's that time again! While the general information portion (name, address, etc) remains basically the same, you will see that the Skill Level portion has a new look! All of the skills are being listed together with columns for the husband and wife to rate themselves. On the back of the form are the explanations of proficiency levels which have also been updated.
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The Project Committee needs your help! There are currently two prospective projects that are in need of a Project Sponsor. A Project Sponsor is an active SOWER couple that is familiar (or willing to become familiar) with a potential new project and will commit to promote and work the project a couple of times for the first two years to help them get a better understanding of SOWERs and establish the project. Can you help? Contact
Dick Howard for additional information.
These projects still need Sponsors:
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Camp Siloam is a non-profit Christian camp and retreat center in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. For 97 years God’s name has been honored here and people have been encountering the Father on these holy grounds. In the summertime, the camp hosts seven weeks of camp during which gifted evangelists share the Gospel of Jesus with thousands of campers. During the fall, winter and spring, the camp staff hosts youth retreats and rents the camp to groups for retreats.
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Missionary Flights International
(MFI), located in Fort Pierce, FL, was formed to meet the growing needs of Bible-centered missions. As need for air service increased, MFI acquired larger planes and added new countries.
MFI operates out of two hangars flying turbine-powered DC-3s to meet the needs of over 450 missions in the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and wherever the Lord directs. About 300 tons of cargo and 4,000 Christian workers are transported every year.
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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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Looking ahead
Here is the latest information regarding our Fall 2020 Rallies
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Western 2020 Wound-up
SOWERS Intentionally Following Jesus Christ
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
Monies will be taken at Rally
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Due to the limitations of the facilities this year at Lake Beauty Bible camp, and while exercising an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel the MN reunion for 2020. We look forward to 2021. Bill Cairns
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Seen recently on Facebook
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You never know what extra 'perks' might come when working at a SOWER project! Thanks, David, for sharing this!
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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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Thank you to everyone who gave our
SOWER Facebook Page
a "Like" last month! We're over 1030 to date
! 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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While the SOWER Facebook
Group is for sharing SOWER stories (and is something that you join), the SOWER Facebook
Page is where the ministry shares information and works to generate interest in our ministry (and is something that you 'like').
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Don't forget to check out your favorite ministries on Facebook. 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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WEBSITE UPDATE
The Media Committee is reworking the photo gallery on the SOWER website (
www.sowerministry.org). Many pictures that will be used are taken from our Facebook Group page. If you would prefer that pictures with you in them
NOT be used, please contact
Gail Fieler. Thank you.
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This month's Group Picture is from the June 2020 project at Michindoh Conference Center, Hillsdale, MI (MI-139)
L-R: Nancy & Dan Ragatz #2838, Sandi & John Barber #3365, Elmyra & Bob Grant #3348, Joyce & Jeff Brooks #3372, Marge & Bill Richards #3468
Photo submitted by Bill Richards, taken by Sandi Barber
(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 - Ethnos 360 (MO-465) Bill Myers #3190
Opening Paragraph Photo (Sunflower) - Melody Miller #3558
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Ed & Patty Soltes #1864
Gary & Stephanie Conrad #2509
Paul & Juanita Alton #2766
Bruce & Katie Gay #3659
Terry & Alice Burnett #3071
Wayne & Gail Fieler #3187
John & Connie Nicholas #3322
Jim and Cathy Fry #3564
John & Druann Bauer #3521
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 Flag
above
will take you to the Members Page, the June/July
Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
The August/September Sowergram will be on line by July 24th.
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.
If you have any questions, please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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Sam and Sally are away on vacation this month, but they'll be back in August to answer your SOWER questions.
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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