SOWER Ministry Newsletter November 2020 |
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Dear Friends
I must confess that November has always been one of my favorite months. It's not too early to start giving some serious thought about Christmas plans (please don’t tell me your Christmas shopping is done!), but there isn't the holiday panic that sometimes happens once December hits. Plus it’s the month of Thanksgiving – a time of heartfelt gratitude. Of course, like everything else in 2020, this November feels different. The pandemic is still impacting our everyday lives and our Thanksgiving table might look different this year. The political climate in the country has many of us wondering ‘what’s next.’ However the call (and need) to give thanks remains the same. So this month (and every month, actually!) let us all become obedient to that great Biblical principal - In ALL things, Give Thanks! I know I'm thankful for all of you - for your encouragement regarding this e-newsletter, for your prayer support for the SOWER Ministry, and for your servant hearts willing to serve our LORD in this ministry. May HE get all the Praise and Glory!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Resting in His Grace, Thankful for His Mercy,
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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You want us to do WHAT????
Dennis and Lorree Johnson (#3658)
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It was Monday morning, our first day at our new project, when we all met to learn what our assignments will be. The Camp Director explained that they are going to host their 2nd Annual Fall Festival outreach for the local community. They wanted us to help set things up for that. “So, we’d like you to help put together a corn maze using corrugated plastic panels and make some candy corn out of some giant foam blocks for one of our photo ops”. Our SOWER group of four were incredibly quiet as we looked at each other and then back to the Director. |
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The ladies were instructed to take the cut out shapes from huge blocks of retired boat dock foam and paint as candy corn for a photo op location. Who would have envisioned pieces of candy corn from these blocks of foam? Well, that is what you get when the camp staff are creative visionaries and artists. After following their directions, lo and behold something beautiful happened. “They look like giant pieces of Candy Corn! What a joy to get this text from the director, “It turned out great. Thank you!”
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Heart of Texas Camp and Conference Center (TX-429 Brownwood, TX) takes “repurposing” to the extreme. We used the donated campaign signs of someone running for an election several years ago, along with T-posts and zip ties to create a “corn-maze-without-the-corn” in the center of an open common area. The college baseball team came in to give some umph to the planting of the t-posts (so thankful!) and then the guys used black paint and zip ties to create an awesome maze for the Family Fall Festival.
I wonder what they'll have us be doing next week!
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Missionary Flights International (MFI) is a faith-based nonprofit mission aviation organization operating flights between Florida and areas of need in the Caribbean. Since 1964 MFI has met the growing need for air service. As that need increased, MFI acquired larger planes and added new countries. Today MFI operates out of two hangers, flying turbine-powered DC-3s to meet the needs of over 575 mission agencies in the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and wherever the Lord directs. About 375 tons of supplies and 3,000 Christian workers are transported every year. MFI has state of the art RV facilities to accommodate 12 RV’s year around. Much of the work is focused on maintaining the hangers and grounds to a high quality standard. There is also work focused on the construction and maintenance of the hospitality park which is used by missionaries coming or going to the field. There is need for electricians, plumbers, and all other types of skilled labor. There is a beautiful swimming pool available and many sight-seeing opportunities in the area. This worthwhile project is a great location for those traveling the eastern corridor, so sign-up today. They are requesting SOWER assistance January through November.
Milt & Paula Palmer (3522)
Project Sponsors
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Long View Ranch in Mosheim, TN, is our newest member of the SOWER partner ministry family. It is a Christian Camp that is host to their own programs along with facilitating other group events. Located along the winding Nolichucky River, with beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the camp is eager to welcome SOWERs and the volunteer help we can provide. We are originally from that area of TN, and it and that area of TN is especially beautiful in April & May for spring color and foliage and Oct & Nov for the spectacular fall foliage. They are open for SOWERs every month except June and July. Check it out in the latest PLS and sign up today!
Dave and Nelda Thompson #3445
Sponsors
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SOWER, can you lend a hand? |
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These ministries, along with 27 others, have received less than 6 SOWER couples in the last 24 months (pre-COVID). As you make SOWER plans for the months ahead, consider these! There are lots of opportunities to serve, especially during these pandemic influenced days! Check out these ministries - and see where you can help!
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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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SAVE THE DATE!!!
FLORIDA SOWER RALLY
March 1-3, 2021
FL-143 Florida Baptist Youth Camp (FBYC)
Groveland, FL
Stay tuned for more information!
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March 28-31, 2021
Alert Academy (TX-410)
Big Sandy, TX
Northeast Texas is a natural stopover from winter projects to summer projects, so please plan to join us in March.
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Cost:
$15 Registration Fee
$35/night camping fee
2 lunches at $8/person/lunch
1 supper at $12/person
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If not bringing your RV, call for lodging information.
For more information, or to register, contact Dwayne and Margaret Gearhart #3263
Phone:970/214-4626
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Click on the calendar to download a one page PDF calendar with all of our project start and end dates.
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Seen recently on Facebook |
Thank you Genece for sharing about the work being done at Pacific Bay Christian School (Alma Heights) CA-459. They ask for SOWERs October through June and can always use the help! |
Have you stopped by 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 1070 "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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NEW NAME BADGES are now available through the office! They can be ordered using the merchandise order form in the back of the Sowergram or the form on the Members Page.
PS - The original logo badges still work fine! However, they are no longer available.
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This month's Group Picture is from the September 2020 project at Warm Beach Camp (WA-255) in Stanwood, WA. L-R:Dave Pincus & Laura Clark ( #3663), Golden & Matt Phillips (#3708) Lucille & Mike McGuirk (#3645)
(Photo by Lucille McGuirk)
(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 - Harvest Time Bible Camp, Ellenboro, NC (NC-522) Photo by Delores Holcomb (#3689)
Verse Photo - Missionary Flight International (FL-550)
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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
Conrad & Pam Popp #3652
Dennis & Lorree Johnson #3658
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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What's in YOUR Toolbox??? |
Probably the most frequently asked question by a new SOWER is "What tools should I bring?" So let's find out just what's in YOUR toolbox! Send your "must-haves" to Stephanie@rvthereyet.org and we'll see if we can put together a list! Thanks! |
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Clicking on the Pumpkins
above will take you to the Members Page, the Oct/Nov
Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
The Dec-Jan Gram, PLS and 2021 Roster will be mailed to all members November 23rd.
Memo from the Office
Effective with the Dec-Jan SOWERGRAM, the Gram and PLS will be published as two documents. Beginning with the February-March SOWERGRAM those receiving a printed SOWERGRAM will only receive the Gram portion. The PLS is updated weekly on the member website. The printed PLS is a minimum of 2 weeks out of date by the time you receive it in the mail. If you wish to continue to receive a printed PLS you must notify the office via email or in writing. As the Gram is also on the member website if you do not need a printed copy you are encouraged to request not to receive the printed version.
The Members Page Password will be changing December 15th. The new password is included in the Dec-Jan Gram.
If you have any questions,
please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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Looking to make a change in your RV?
If you have previously listed an RV, please make sure your listing is up to date and remove any units that are no longer available.
Thanks!
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Dear Sam and Sally,
We’ve been SOWERs for a couple of years, but I remain confused about the difference between having a “Home Project” and being a “Project Sponsor”. Can you help with this?
Signed,
Trying to keep it straight.
Dear Trying,
I’m happy to try to clarify these two SOWER terms. Let’s start with the Home Project. You can claim a Home Project if you had a relationship with the ministry either before you were a SOWER or before the ministry became a SOWER project. For example, if (before you became a SOWER) you were volunteering at a retreat center, met some SOWERS and then became a SOWER, you could claim that retreat center as a “Home Project”. Likewise, if you were already involved with a ministry (before or after you became a SOWER) and then that ministry joined our SOWER ministry family, it also could be your “Home Project”. Claiming a home project gives you more flexibility in working outside the framework of our standard sign-up procedures. (See the full guidelines of working at your Home Project HERE)
A Project Sponsor does not necessarily have a prior connection to the ministry (though they may), and agrees to promote it as they are able. A Project Sponsor is an active SOWER couple that is willing to work at that project a couple of times during the first two years the project is open for SOWERs. By working the project, the Sponsors can mentor the project host as to how our ministry works and to help to get the project established. By developing a relationship with the project (host), the Sponsors can act as cheerleaders for the new project and encourage others to serve there. Contact Bill Myers if you have an interest in becoming a Project Sponsors. There is always a need!
Serving with you - in our Savior's Name,
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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