SOWER Ministry Newsletter August 2019
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Greetings!
You know it's August when giant zucchini start appearing on the benches outside of church, begging to be taken home. Has this summer gone as fast for you as it has for me? Many of you have been busy at home this summer - tending your gardens (are you the ones leaving the zucchini on the porch?), watching those grandkids play soccer and baseball, and helping out with VBS or other summer programs at your home church. Maybe your summer has been a bit more muted as you've been busy caring for an aging parent or other family member or even struggling with your own health issues. (Please don't forget to share those items through the prayer chain so we can join you in lifting these requests to Jesus.) Some have had the opportunity to work SOWER projects this summer and have been blessed to see God at work at Christian Camps all across the country. Ziplines, water activities, crazy competitions and real-time Bible teaching. Quite a winning combination when it comes to kids and the Gospel. Many hearts have been won for Christ - Thank you, Jesus!
In the "SOWER World", August brought a new Sowergram and the Annual Registration. (Have you sent yours in yet?) And coming up in September is the annual Board of Trustees meeting. There will be lots to talk about, so I know they covet your prayers as they put together their Annual Reports and agenda items. Winter sign-ups are going well, and there are still lots of openings in the "Sunshine States". The office is waiting for your requests! =)
May the rest of your summer days be filled with joy, peace - and a couple of giggles too! Hope to see you 'down the road'!
Serving with you - for Jesus!
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
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Ridge Haven Cono Conference and Retreat Center (IA-543) is a new project in Walker, Iowa! It has been several years since Iowa has had a project. Karen and Bill Myers are excited to sponsor it and bring back a project to their home state. The project is now listed in the PLS on the SOWER member page and is asking for volunteers through Oct yet this year. So if you are looking for a fall project to serve on your way through Iowa, this is your opportunity. Watch for more information to come in next month's issue.
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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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Click
HERE
for more information about special speakers, Southern Gospel entertainment, and other activities!
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(MI-139)
September 16th- 19th
.
Registration: $85.00
Cabin rate: $25.00
RV Campsite: N/C
The registration fee includes 10 meals @ $6.00 each. We have eight (8) cabins reserved, so if you want a cabin please advise us ASAP. If additional ones are needed, we will try to obtain them, but no guarantee!
Please contact
Emory Rockafellow by email or call 810-869-0826 for more information, to register or volunteer, or with additional questions. We are looking forward to seeing YOU at Michindoh!!
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Long Prairie, MN
September 16th - 19th
RV Sites - $27.00/night
Loon Lodge - $54.00/night
Third night (18th) free
if staying for work day (19th).
Join us for a time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet SOWER President Gary Conrad
Contact
Bill Cairns
(320-295-3031 (T))for more information or to register!
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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
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: $7.50/person;
Early arrivals: $15/night
Meals included:
Supper
on Monday, Tuesday (Potluck), Wednesday
Breakfast
: Tuesday and Wednesday
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Texas Round-up
March 22-25, 2020
Alert Academy
(TX-410)
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Multi-generational SOWER-ing!
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A few years ago my son-in-law, Bob Gideon, started talking about his retirement. This would happen in the summer of 2019. As we discussed this, we realized that because my daughter, Lorrie, is a teacher, they could join SOWERS and squeeze in a project or two in the summer months; even before she retired. So over the next couple of years, they bought a truck, upgraded their very small popup to a small travel trailer, and joined SOWERS
.
June 25, 2019, was Bob’s last official day at work. They were packed and ready to go. The next day, they headed to Michigan and met up with us at
Spring Hill Camp
in Evart, MI (MI-269). Two other couples had signed up for this project: Gary and Linda McFarland, along with Mark and Sandi Henning. These two wonderful couples were first time SOWERS
, who had previously worked as volunteers for several years with another RV ministry. We wanted our daughter and son-in-law to have the whole SOWER
experience and not just work with the two of us, and that is just what happened. What a fun, hard working bunch.
It never ceases to amaze me how much can be accomplished in such a short time, how quickly you bond with fellow SOWERS
, and what an absolute joy it is to serve our Lord in this way. How wonderful to share this experience with my daughter.
Bob and Lorrie could not believe how fast the time went and before it was over, they began talking about what project we would sign up for next summer! I’m so grateful to God for allowing us this great pleasure of working together and it is our hope we will be able to work a few more projects with them before old age wins and we are forced to retire.
Carol and Dwight Martin (2537)
(See this month's Group Picture for a photo of the whole gang!)
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Are YOU a second-generation SOWER? Or maybe you are blessed to work with your brothers or sisters. We'd love to hear your story!! Send in your "Family Affair" stories to
stephanie@rvthereyet.org!
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September Board of Trustees Meeting
The SOWER Trustees will be gathering in Lindale, TX from
Sept. 23-25
for their annual meeting. They welcome your input and questions. Sending an
email
to the office marked for "Trustees" will insure that all the Trustees will receive it.
Please pray for these dedicated men and women as they meet and work together to further God's Kingdom through the SOWER Ministry.
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Beautifully tucked in The Adirondack Mountains of New York stands
Camp Shoshanah, (NY-220) drawing students from all over the world to intensive study of The Scriptures from a uniquely Jewish perspective. While listening to the testimony of a Liberian believer at devotions one morning, he hit me right between the eyes with this truth - God will not greet us “Well done, good and faithful
husband, wife, preacher (or even SOWER), etc. His Word says He will greet the redeemed “Well done good and faithful
servant.” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV) WOW! While I am so thankful that we have “Servant” as the first word in our SOWER acronym; I must continually check my “servant” meter.
Do I approach each project with a passionate servant's heart, remembering that we are not in service to ourselves but all our service is
to Him and
for Him? Maybe today would be a great day for all of us to check our “
servant” heart. ❤️
Kim Trivilino #3094
Trustee
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Seen recently on Facebook
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Thank you, Diane, for sharing about the work that is being done at
Lighthouse Christian Camp (NY-379). Looks like it was a profitable (and beautiful) month! Lighthouse in NY asks for three SOWER couples from May through September, and 2020 sign-ups are available now!
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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 860 "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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Do you have a question or concern for the Board of Trustees?
If you'd like to contact the Board of Trustees, please send an email to
Gary Conrad, President, and he'll be happy to direct your question to the entire Board or the appropriate Trustee.
Of course, you are welcome to contact any member of the Board individually by phone or email using the information in the roster.
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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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This month's Group Shot is from the July project at
Spring Hill Camp (MI-269).
L-R Lorrie & Bob Gideon (3582); Carol & Dwight Martin (2537); Linda & Gary McFarland (3591); Sandi & Mark Henning (3506). Photo submitted by Lorrie Gideon. Three of these four couples were on their first project!!
(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 -
Cedar Lake Camp (TN-264) at sunset. Photo by Melody Miller (3558)
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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
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
blueberries
above will take you to the Members Page, the August/September Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
Don't forget our Member site also contains other useful information, such as Project Work Dates, RV's for Sale, minutes from previous Trustee meetings, and the 2019 Roster!
If you have any questions, please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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We just received our August/September Sowergram and see that it is once again time to fill out our skill sheet. None of my information has changed so can I just send the office an email saying that no changes need to be made?
Signed,
"No change" is a good thing
Dear friends,
It's good to hear you are well and planning on remaining part of the SOWER family! However, even though maybe nothing has changed, the completed form must be returned. There are several reasons for completing the registration annually. Although the most obvious one is to update any of your personal information, it also gives you a chance to reassess your skill levels. But even more, it's an important way to renew your commitment to the SOWER Ministry. If your life circumstances have changed, and you don't believe you'll be able to work any projects in 2020, consider changing your status from "Active" to "Alumni". You would still fill out the information part, but you do not need to fill out your skill levels. You'll still receive the prayer chain, this newsletter, the December Sowergram and Annual Roster and will have access to the Sowergram on-line. And next year when you get your Annual Registration Sheet (or sooner if you find you are able to work), you'll be able to change your status back to Active if you desire. If you do not return the registration, we will assume that you no longer care to be affiliated with SOWERS and your status will become "Inactive". You will not be able to sign up for projects in the future and you will not receive the Annual Registration form again.
Even if you currently are Alumni, you still need to return the annual registration.
The Registration Forms are not due until October 1st, but why not take a moment today, track that baby down, fill it out and send it in! And to make it a bit easier, this year there are three options for its return. As always, you can mail it and now you can also fax in a signed copy (903-882-8010) or scan it and send it as an email attachment -
sowers@sowerministry.org
.
Just make sure both husband and wife sign the form and the office has it by October 1st.
Thankful for your continued service,
Sam and 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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