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SOWER Ministry Newsletter
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Greetings!
It's AUGUST - and that means your annual SOWER Registration and Skill Sheet has arrived and needs to be filled out and sent in! Have you ever wondered why this has to be done EVERY YEAR???? There are a couple of reasons. The most obvious one is so you have the opportunity to update any of your personal information so the office (and the roster) has all the correct information. It also gives you a chance to reassess your skill levels. (Let's face it, that knee surgery will have an impact on your tiling ability!) 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 2013, consider changing your status from "Active" to "Alumni". You'll still receive the prayer chain, this newsletter, the January 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 choose not to return the registration, your status will become "Inactive" and you cannot sign up for projects in 2013. You will not receive the Annual Registration form again. The ministry truly values our Alumni prayer warriors, so if your workin' days seem to be over (or on hold) become one of our Alumni! 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! You know it will just get lost and forgotten if you put it aside! And don't forget - the office needs the signed original copy for their files. No scans or faxes. Just sayin'. :) Have a great rest of the summer! Stay cool! Resting in His Grace, Stephanie Conrad, #2509 for the Board of Trustees SOWER Ministry stephanie@rvthereyet.org |
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God's Perfect Timing
Dear Stephanie,
We are Mark and Joanne Brouwer, Sowers# 3033. Recently you commented on the many ways that people find out about SOWERS. Let me tell you how it happened for us! We'd been going to Lake Worth, Florida for 45 years as my mother lived there. When the kids were young we went every Christmas and when the kids were grown and we retired, we continued to go to the same RV Park and stay there for 5 months. We really enjoyed our community of friends as we shared each others' pains and cares.
In March of 2009 we left our FL spot to go home one day late because of some RV brake trouble. We only got as far as Ashburn, GA and stayed in a small campground there. About 4:30PM another RV came in and couldn't find a dry spot. After Mark helped him get settled, he came over with a SOWER brochure and shared that they'd had to leave a day early because his wife was sick. On the next day we met again in a Berea, KY campground! They invited us over for coffee and they shared more about the SOWER Ministry. We parted ways in the morning, us to Grand Rapids, MI and them to St. Catherines, Ontario.
The perfect timing of our mutual schedule changes might be enough of a God-thing, but we think it's even more of a blessing in who the couple was. They were Marinus and Grace Brouwer (#2674) and we shared the same last name! They even spell it the same as ours, but we are not related! How could that have ever happened? Only because God had His Hand in it!
We became SOWERS in May 2009 and have been blessed and happily serving Him ever since!
Mark & Joanne Brouwer
#3033
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5&6
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Feed the Hungry
There are many scriptures telling us to feed the hungry (i.e., Matt. 25:31-40), even when they are our enemy (Rom. 12:20). We have struggled with this because as we travel around, we see many people standing on street corners holding signs saying "Hungry" or have had people approach us in parking lots asking for money for food. I'm sure you, like us, don't feel comfortable handing out money to these people because there is no assurance that money is actually going to food. But thanks to Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Proj. CA-481, and Cam and Betty Clarkson (#2402), we now have our answer on what to do. We carry in our truck quart size Ziploc baggies filled with an 8 oz. bottle of water, a 5 oz. pull-top can of Vienna sausages, a 4 oz. pull-top container of fruit cocktail (or peaches, etc.), a 1.3 oz. package of cheese
 crackers, a plastic fork and spoon wrapped in a napkin, and a scripture verse. This costs us $2.50 per bag and they are easily accessible to us to hand out from our truck to those who say they are hungry. What they do with it is between them and God but we have done what we feel God has asked of us and we have had an excellent response to this. Ellen Berg #1518
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Upcoming Reunion Information
Whether you're a Seasoned Sower or New to the Family, there's nothing like a Sower Reunion to connect with friends old and new and get recharged about the ministry. Check out these opportunities - and mark you calendars! |
MIDWEST MICHIGAN 2012 REUNION
MICHINDOH # MI-139 4545 E. Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, Mi. 49242 Monday, Sept. 17 thru Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
This is just a reminder that our September Midwest Michigan SOWER Reunion is only a month away and already we are closing in on our best reunion ever. We are working hard towards making this reunion a time where we can reconnect with old friends and to Praise our Lord for His work in our lives. Remember that all we do is for the Praise and Glory of our Savior. Already all cabins have been reserved and we only have a few Lodge Rooms left and our RV sites are rapidly filling up. If you are remotely considering joining us for this reunion, I would encourage you to call your friends and let me know that you want to join us. Your reunion committee will do all we can to make sure we have a place for you, even if we have to double up on some sites to accomodate you. Please contact Jack LaRocque #2993 at Stratai@sbcglobal.net.
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Central Minnesota Reunion
Sept 18 -- 20, 2012
at Lake Beauty Bible Camp located between Long Prairie and Little Falls, MN.
Accommodations include Full hook-up RV sites ($20 per
night) or Rooms (4 still available @ 45.00/night). Enjoy the fall colors on the shores of Lake Beauty while reconnecting with your SOWER Family!
Questions?
Contact Larry/Dorothy Larson 651-636-8049 ldlarson@juno.com
or Corny/Judy Groth 612-834-1259 judycornygroth@gmail.com
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Do You LOVE Southern Gospel?
SOWERS is still looking for couples would like to host an information booth at this year's NATIONAL QUARTET CONVENTION in Louisville, KY Monday, September 10th through Saturday September 15th. We need 2 couples to man (and lady) the booth to help spread the word about serving the Lord through our ministry.
If you are available and would like to help please contact GARY CARTER for more information.
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Dear Sam and Sally SOWER......
Dear Sam and Sally,
I've noticed quite a variation in camp sites at the different SOWER projects we've worked at - everything from low water pressure to fluctuating electric service. Are there any guidelines that our projects need to follow?
Signed,
Getting Ready to Head out!
Dear Ready,
You are absolutely correct about the wide range of camping sites you are apt to find at different projects. Our ministry only requires that projects provide full hook-ups (E/W/S). If there are exceptions to that minimum requirement (such as our Alaska projects) those exceptions are noted in the Sowergram. It's important to remember that most of our projects are not in the campground business and their campsites can be simple and to the point. We want our affiliate ministries to concentrate on doing what THEY do, not on making sure we have the nicest accommodations in the neighborhood. Most of our projects WANT to have good spots for us since they value SOWERS and the work that we do. Some of them work on very tight budgets and can only supply the bare minimum of campsites. As Sowers we are there to serve, not to be served by having private campground grade sites.
Our prayer is that our members recognize that SOWERs is not about the campsite but about the ministries that we serve. As our motto states, "We serve and encourage Christian Ministries to fulfill the Commandments of Jesus Christ".
May your upcoming season of service be one of blessing to both you and the ministries you will be serving. Thank you for your continued work in advancing the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior!
In Him,
Sam & Sally
Sam and Sally would love to hear from you if you have any questions about the SOWER Guidelines or SOWER etiquette. Contact them at samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Page - We're having a great time at our July SOWER project at Grace Adventures Camp in Mears, MI. We have two other SOWER couples with us, Jarv and Kathie Overbeek and Tom and Marlene Golding, and it is a wonderful ministry here with great program activities going on all around us. Here is a picture of us sitting on the "Great Shark" rider boat by the lakefront...... Don and Priscilla Schager  Have you stopped by lately? Make sure you've "checked" the box to receive notifications, and feel free to post pictures and stories from YOUR projects!
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This Newsletter needs
YOUR Help! Still!
A big thank-you to those who have sent in stories for the newsletter! But we still need more! How about you? Do you have a God-Story to share? Have you been changed as a result of working at a project and would like to share your testimony? Maybe you know of a special need at a project that doesn't get much help. We're looking for ideas and articles for upcoming issues.
Do you have a photograph that might work as a "header" for this monthly newsletter? (It will be cropped to 600x125 pixels) Or maybe a favorite group shot that could be included? Submit your photos to Stephanie Conrad (stephanie@rvthereyet.org).
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NEW PROJECT
Herford, AZ
AZ-508
Huachuca Oaks Christian Camp is a 40 acre camp and conference center located south of Sierra Vista, Arizona. During the summer they run several weeks of their own programs, and also rent out their facilities to other Christian and community groups. They strive to provide a safe, enjoyable Christian camping experience for children, young people and adults, and give them the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, encourage them to accept Him as their personal Savior, to grow in their walk with Him, and to commit their lives to serving Him.
They are hopeful that SOWERS can help them with several new building projects, including their new Wagon Camp!
They are open for SOWERS starting in January through May, 2013 and have 4 spots open each month. Check out the latest PLS for all the sign-up details!
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Click on the Sunflower to get to the Members Only Page and the most recent PLS.
There are still lots of openings at our "Sun Belt" projects. Check out ALL the opportunities for service today!
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Just the Facts
Number of Active SOWERS
647
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance for August 2012
100
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance for August 2012
40
Number of SOWERS requested in August 2012 (Including SOAs)
414
Number of SOWERS working in August 2012 (Including SOAs)
69
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Sometimes just one -
We worked 3 projects in a row recently and were the only Sower couple on the project. Each project host mentioned how glad they were to have us. Each project we did was something that needed to be completed prior to the summer campers showing up. On the last project, the summer staff as well as the campers wrote us a large THANK YOU note. Yes, we missed the fellowship of working with fellow Sowers but the knowledge of really helping a camp reach more children for Jesus is the real payoff. We try to work different projects as much as possible. Sometimes it is nice to go back and see how a project is doing since the last time you were there. But, we like to work new ones as well, just to see how God is working at different ministries all around the country. And a bonus is that we get to explore new areas, too!
Ed and Laura Shuster
# 2459
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Sower Adventures
Bill and Carol Cairns
Roger's SOWER Blog
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
On a Wheel and a Prayer
Don & Jenny Rasmussen
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet -
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
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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Have a question or concern for the Board?
If you'd like to contact all the Board of Trustee members at once -
Send an email addressed to the SOWER office with " For the Trustees" in the subject line. Presto - the office staff will immediatly get it on its way to the entire Board. Of course, you are welcome to contact any member of the Board indivudually by phone or email using the information in the roster.
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You're more than a number to us, but ANYTIME you communicate with the office (or a trustee) - either by email or snail mail or voice mail, PLEASE include your full name and your SOWER number. This is especially important if you are requesting a project or making any changes to your personal information. Thanks!
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Don't forget to check out the link on the Members Only page get a "real earth" feel for where a project is located. But as always, use the directions in the Gram to get there with your rig!
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Looking for a past issue of the
e-Newsletter?
Check out the ARCHIVE of every issue of this e-Newsletter
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FREE brochures and business cards are available from the office!
Check out ALL the SOWER Merchandise available - On the Member Page or use the newly
revised form at the back of the Sowergram!
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Quick Links -
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
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So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
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