SOWER Ministry Newsletter April 2021 |
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Dear Friends,
Ah, sweet April! God has fulfilled his promise once again! Daffodils are popping through the last of the snow, redbud trees are lining the highways and the dogwood is beckoning you to come out and enjoy the day! For some, this has been an especially rough winter. Loved ones have slipped into heaven and, though they are dancing on streets of gold, they have left behind grieving hearts. Others have seen families broken and dear ones facing life-changing health issues. Our world is still grappling with an unseen villain, COVID-19. But through all of these times, God has remained faithful. Just as spring has arrived once again, God's promises remain true! Many have welcomed new grandbabies and great-grandbabies into their families. New and enthusiastic SOWERs have joined our family (we’ve worked with brand new SOWERs on each of our last four projects!), blessing many ministries this winter and hopefully for years to come. Families have been restored, hearts have been mended, and dear ones have been healed! We come to spring with great expectations - some of us eager to be home and closer to those grandbabies, some of us excited about what the road ahead may have for us and some of us just enjoying the renewal of spring around us. Wherever YOU are - may you continue to grow in the Lord, and feel his loving arms around you!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Resting in His Grace, Thankful for His Mercy,
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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Complete resumes and ballots will be available in the June-July Sowergram. |
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Office Restoration Update
By Gail Fieler #3187
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As the office renovations/repairs from the February freeze draw close to completion, we need to give a big shout-out to Roy Olson #2964 who was the 'general contractor' for the project. Along with Wayne & Gail Fieler #3187 (who thought they were coming for office training!) and Rick & Dru Pack #3791 (who came to help because he had drywall experience), Roy orchestrated the work and sub-contractors to get the job done! Lord willing, the office will be fully functional by the end of April. May we give our Savior all the Glory! |
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You Want me to do WHAT???
Dennis Johnson #3658
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While serving at Texas Baptist Encampment in Palacios, TX (TX-364) we were given a “to-do” list at the start of each week. We were checking things off pretty fast and had Rob Kessler, the Camp Director, scrambling a bit to keep the lists coming. While he kept us busy doing “normal” things like painting, repairing wood siding, washing windows and the like, we were eventually challenged by an out of the ordinary task!
“Can you take off and replace the felt on this donated billiards table?”
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The billiards table was already in pieces – taken apart by a previous SOWER team to move this donated item to the camp. We had the pieces and a bag of bolts and screws. Rob had ordered new felt because the old felt had been cut and damaged by the previous owners. We immediately went to You-Tube and started watching videos on replacing the felt. This was intimidating for all of us – none of us had ever had this “adventure” before! We started the process of removing over 1,000 staples. We contacted the previous SOWER team and received helpful information on how all the parts were supposed to go together. We laid out the new felt and stretched it over the tabletop and the bumper rails and began stapling. Over 1,100 staples later we had the table looking great. It took another day to re-install the bumper rails and re-fasten the top to the frame. Whew! God was certainly helping us with wisdom and patience. Unfortunately, we could not try it out – pool sticks were not included in the donation! |
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Longview Camp, located in Arcade, NY (SE of Buffalo), is still in need of a Sponsor. It is a home missions ministry, using the unique aspects of the camping ministry to reach young people for the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen families, and serve local churches. It is a place of decision in the areas of salvation, full surrender, and consistent Christian walk. They have been tentatively approved to join our SOWER project family, pending a final Area Rep visit and finding a sponsor.
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Let us not forsake gathering together.... |
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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!
With all that is going on with the Coronavirus, staying connected with SOWER friends is all the more important. Watch for details for upcoming events!
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Impromptu Central Florida Gathering!
Camp Horizon (FL-174), Leesburg, FL
God blessed us with a picture perfect day for our casual gathering of SOWERS at Camp Horizon today! We had 20+ couples come, including several Alumni, one couple who had just joined and one couple who were waiting for their application to arrive! Loved every minute of it!!
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The 2021 Texas Round-up
Karim and Michelle Malek (#3785)
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Michelle and I attended the March Texas SOWERs Round-Up at the scenic ALERT ACADEMY in Big Sandy, TX. We joined SOWERs in February 2021 and this warm and welcoming Round Up was the first SOWER event for us. We met so many awesome SOWERs and learned about their experiences in working on projects throughout the country for the past 17 years. We learned how God’s work through ALERT trains up young men and we learned about fertile fields as we prepared bound books of John and Romans to spread God’s Word overseas through the Institute in Basic Life Principles. |
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Our days at the Round-up provided us with anticipation and excitement while in fellowship among so many talented and service-oriented people. The in-person group leader training provided us with the assurances we needed to take on that role and equipped us to serve as a Group Leader. We appreciate how the training is designed to provide consistent service among a diverse SOWERs membership as well as a diverse host project environment. Taking part in the training was invaluable! We look forward to our first project in our home state of Colorado with some SOWERs we met during the Round-up! Thanks to all the Trustees and the ALERT SOWERs project team for their attention to details and for setting up some fun group activities like shooting Easter Candy Peeps with rubber bands! We felt welcomed and that SOWERs is an answer to our prayers. |
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For more photos, along with ones of each couple/attendee, click HERE!
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Seen recently on Facebook |
Thank you, Wiley, for sharing about the improvements made at Ridge Haven Conference Center (NC-294). Looks like they're more than ready for some good SOWER help! |
Have you stopped by our Facebook Group lately? Please use caution and respect when posting. This is a PRIVATE 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.
Since the SOWER Facebook group is a ‘private’ group, we try to limit our members to folks that are SOWER members or project hosts, and couples that are interested in joining our ministry.
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 has given our SOWER Facebook Page a "Like". We're over 1200 "likes" 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'). |
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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You're more than a number to us.....
But it is important to include your SOWER number in any correspondence with the office!
Did you know that SOWER numbers are never repeated? The first member was assigned number 1 (Hello, Frank!), and right now we are just starting the 3800's! Praise God for the steady growth we've seen over the years!
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This month's Group Picture is from the March 2021 project at Dry Creek Camp (LA-287) in Louisiana. Back row L-R: Art & Tamara Raine #3609, Jim Lyon #3609, Dana & Jodye Sharp #3648 , Chris Schanen #3686, Druann & John Bauer #3521, Front Row-- Marsha Lyon #3609, Barb Schanen #3686. Thanks to Jim Lyons for posting this on Facebook!
(Do you have a favorite Group Picture (past or present) you'd like to share in the newsletter? Send it in!! Stephanie@rvthereyet.org)
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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
John & Connie Nicholas #3322
Jim and Cathy Fry #3564
John & Druann Bauer #3521
Conrad & Pam Popp #3652
Dennis & Lorree Johnson #3658
Sondra Smith #3779
Spencer & Lorraine Saints #3574
Mark & Jeanette Sheler #3782
Doug & Laurie Schneider #3704
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 Tulips
above will take you to the Members Page, the April/May
Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly)
NOW AVAILABLE
Found on the Member's Page, the Wait List details those folks who are either waiting for an opening at a project, or waiting for a GL to sign up since they are new SOWERS. It will be updated automatically each week as the PLS is updated. Check it out!
If you have any questions,
please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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Buying or Selling an RV?
Don't forget to check out the RV's for sale on the Members Page if you're looking to make a change!
If you're the seller, please keep your listing updated, and notify our webmaster (Ed Soltes) when your unit has sold!
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Dear Sam and Sally,
We were on a project and the host asked us to work in an area where mold was very obvious. I know there are different types of mold but I am not an expert to know how to tell one from another. What should we do when we come across this situation?
Signed,
Concerned
Dear Concerned,
Good question, as some members may not be aware of any reactions to mold. Many of us are in an age category where we need to take health concerns more seriously. Mold is present in some form everywhere. Mold comes in many colors so it is not possible to tell one from another as far as toxicity. Some people know they have allergies to mold while others may not. If you don't know, here are the CDC recommendations:
What to wear before entering a home or building with Mold Damage:
• Goggles or eye protection
• N-95 respirator or one that provides even more protection
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Protective gloves
• Long pants
• Waterproof boots
• CAUTION!
If you have a breathing problem like asthma, do not enter a building with mold damage. Mold can make asthma symptoms worse.
If you have a weakened immune system (such as from cancer treatment or medicines that suppress the immune system), do not enter a building with mold damage. People with a weakened immune system are more likely to get a serious illness from mold.
We always have the right to refuse work requested by the host if it is deemed unsafe. Working around mold can certainly fit into that category. Hope this helps answer your question. There always seems to be plenty of work available, so don't hesitate to turn down work if you are concerned about your health.
In Him,
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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