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| SOWER Ministry Newsletter |
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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 our annual Board of Trustee meeting. There will be lots to talk about, so we covet your prayers as we put together our Annual Reports and agenda items. Winter sign-ups are going well, and there are still lots of openings in the "Sunshine States". Now that the lottery is over, sign-ups are back to a first-come/first-served basis. The office is waiting for your requests! =)
May the rest of your summer days be filled with joy peace - and hopefully a couple of giggles too! Hope to see you 'down the road'!
Resting in His Grace,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
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Spreading the word!
Don and Jenny Rasmussen (#2824) recently set up SOWER Ministry booth at their home church's mission festival. They had some great interest in our ministry and we pray that those seeds have been planted on fertile ground. Does your church have a Mission Conference/Festival? The banner that is displayed behind them can be borrowed from the SOWER office and is a great marketing tool! Plus, the office always has a supply of FREE brochures and business cards available for you.
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Boys will be Boys!
The ladies might have their tea parties and the famous "Ladies' Day Out", but sometimes the guys kick back and put those power drills away, too!
 | | Bob Lovell (#2183) and Ed Soltes (#1864) at Sunshine Bible Academy (SD-495) |
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Yes, that is a toilet bowl race!
(Shocco Springs (AL-422) April 2007
L-R Gary Conrad (2509), Bob Lovell (2183), Willie Tyree (2623), Lee Smith (2626)
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Progress for the Kingdom
Greetings Sowers, from your friends at Macedonian Christian Academy (TX-499)! It's been an exciting summer (despite the heat!) here at MCA and since many of you were with us from the beginning, we wanted to share what the Lord is continuing to do!
We've been blessed with Summer Mission Teams from around the country - from large church groups to individual families - who came to complete the work begun by SOWERS at MCA. Over the course of the summer these teams completed the electrical wiring and HVAC systems, installed the sprinkler system, painted the interior, hung the drop ceiling and begun the landscaping around the building. And let's not forget getting the bathrooms completed! An additional bonus was the generous offer of a matching gift challenge of $50,000 that was enthusiastically received! This gift is helping us to envision the gym and other work that is still to be completed.
 Much has been accomplished, but much is yet to be done! Lord willing, this campus will be occupied by enthusiastic Junior and Senior High students in just a couple of weeks. And that wouldn't have happened without you! Thank you for laying the groundwork for this school. But the gym, stage, kitchen, and mission team dorms are still on our "to-do" list! Join us this winter in the beautiful Rio Grande Valley and be a part of the exciting work God is doing at Macedonian Christian Academy! We give HIM all the glory for the work HE has accomplished through our volunteer teams!
Macedonian Christian Academy (TX-499) has spots for 10 SOWERS during the months of September through May.
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Welcome Back!
Good News! After an absence of almost three years Lake Retreat Conference Center in Ravenswood, Washington (WA-235) has once again joined our SOWER project family. Beginning in 2015, they will be open for SOWERS from February through October, with 5 RV spots available.
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Southern Florida
AREA REP Position has been filled!
We are giving God all the praise and glory as we announce that Paul and Gerda Clark (#2164) have offered to fill the position of the Southern Florida Area Rep! Please join with us in prayer for Paul and Gerda as they begin this important part of our SOWER Ministry.
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Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Group Page
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 Have you stopped by lately? Make sure you've "checked" the box to receive notifications, and PLEASE post pictures and stories from YOUR projects!
And if you're a member of Facebook, but haven't joined the SOWER Group, click on the icon to join the family!
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Camp Shoshanah (NY-220) is open for SOWERS through September this year. Thanks to Deb Wall (2533) for sharing this on Facebook!
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While you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out your favorite projects. Many of our project 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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Dear Sam and Sally
We just received our August/September Sowergram and saw that it was 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 2015, 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 the office has it by October 1st.
Thankful for your continued service,
Sam and Sally
Do you have a question about SOWER policy or etiquette? Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at -samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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Quick Links
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit something to the newsletter
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Google Earth SOWER Style!
Don't forget to check out the Project Locator (Google Earth) on the Members Only page. It's a great help in scoping out project locations, especially if you're trying to "bundle" projects to cut down on travel time (and fuel costs!). Maybe there's one near you that you could work this summer!
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Contributors ALWAYS Needed!
Do YOU have a testimony to share about a recent SOWER project? Maybe a word of encouragement to other SOWERS? We'd love to hear about it!
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?
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2014 Midwest Michigan SOWER Reunion!
Monday, Sept. 22 thru Thursday, Sept. 25
MI-139 Michindoh Ministries
4545 E. Bacon Road
Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
An excellent guest speaker, music, auction, book exchange, and other activities are planned. Costs for the reunion are as follows:
Meals per couple
$60.00 (5 meals @ $6.00 each per person)
Registration
$27.00 per couple
Cabin rate
$25.00 (Limited availability)
RV Campsite $0.00 (That's right - FREE!)
Plan now the auction items you will bring. Please remember the auction items are to be worthwhile items another Sower would consider valuable. Also consider the testimony you may want to share regarding your ministry and service as a SOWER.
Please contact John Crandle at jmcrandle@sbcglobal.net for more information, to volunteer, or with additional questions. We are looking forward to seeing YOU at Hilltop!
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2014 Minnesota North Area Rally
Come and have fun with us
Monday afternoon, Sept 22 to Wed. Sept 24,2014
Optional work day Thur. Sept 25th
LAKE BEAUTY BIBLE CAMP
25766 Hummingbird Trail
Long Prairie, MN 56347
RV Campgrounds costs $22 per night
Also 8 rooms available for $48 per night in Loon Lodge
More information coming soon.
Need more information now? You can email Morris and
Jackie Emerson @ morjac60@hotmail.com, or call 763-350-9797
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On the horizon -
Plans are in the works for the 2015 Texas Round-up (aka Texas Reunion), March 29 - April 1 at Trinity Pines (TX-254). Stay tuned for more details or contact Gary Conrad (215-343-9678) to join the team! |
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Our God Story
When we signed up to work at Sherry White Ministries, (FL-485) we knew it was a ministry to help young men and women with addictions and enable family restoration. Little did we know that we would be personally impacted. As we drove into the driveway this overwhelming thought came to me -"this is where my friend needs to be." As we worked there I could really see that this would be a wonderful healing place for my friend.
After returning home, I had lunch with her and shared what happened . "Jenny," she said, "I have been praying for a place to go. I have to do something or alcohol is going to kill me." We praise God that 6 weeks later she was admitted into the program and is so thankful that God provided this place of healing, that she never knew existed.
God works in mysterious ways.....his wonders to perform. Floyd and Jenny Forner #3269
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Annual Board of Trustee Meeting
September 29-Oct 1 Lindale, TX
Do you have a question or concern you'd like to share with the Board of Trustees?
Send an email to the office, marked "For the Trustees" and we will all receive a copy. If you prefer, you are also welcome to contact individual members using the contact information in the Roster.
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As a Lady GL I made the trip to town to purchase six King Size Pay Day candy bars for the wonderful work accomplished by our SOWER saints. The group all had such servant's hearts and an attitude of no shabby work done in the name of the Lord that I knew they each deserved KING size bars.
While a mother and daughter made their purchase, I put my six candy bars down. The little girl's eyes nearly popped out of her head. She tugged on her mother's arm and showed her all the candy bars lined up. She exclaimed, "If she can have six, why can't I have one small one?" Oh, the look I got.
I showed the little girl my SOWER badge and told her of the work our ministry was doing in their town. The mother and daughter went back to the candy rack to make a selection, praising God they were together in their home and not separated as some of the children at the nearby project. As they got back in line again, she proudly held up her treat to me and said, "I got just one." It still appeared to her that I needed to get control!!!!!
Two months later, at another project in another state, I was picking up another batch of PayDay candy bars for our final SOWER meeting. In check-out right before me were sad little eyes giving me the "Lady, you need to eat your vegetables and lay-off the sugar" look. Again, I was able to share our ministry and the local ministry where we were serving. We just never know who is watching and what they are thinking. Only God could use Pay Day candy bars as a witnessing tool!!!!!
Sheryl Jones (2813)
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Prayer Chain
Question
Have you been experiencing some odd messages from the prayer chain indicating that your email account on the prayer mail list will be terminated? Ed Soltes, our webmaster, has developed a "work around" for this problem until the various email providers can fix the problem. If you have had this problem and would like more information about the solution, please send an email to -
(This has not effected everyone, so if you don't have a clue what this is all about, you're in good shape!)
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Clicking on the SOWER Logo will take you to the Members Only Page and the lastest updates on our project openings.
Along with the PLS, the August/September Sowergram is there in its entirety. Check it out!
If you're having trouble connecting or signing on, contact the office - they'll be happy to help!
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Just the Facts
for August 2014
Number of Active SOWERS*
545
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
146
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
92
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
37
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
418
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
76
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Roger's SOWER Blog
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
On A Wheel and a Prayer
Don and Jenny Rasmussen
Paul Alton.com
Paul and Juanita Alton
Benedictus
Terry & Alice Burnett
RV Craze
Wayne and Gail Fieler
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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Photo Info/Credits -
Header Group Shot - Living Stones Church/Victory Camp (TX-333) January 2014 - L-R Chuck & Eleanor Sprague (2985) Roger & Charlene Quakkelaar(1987), Phil & Terry Barnes (3138), Kenny & Nina Brown (3275), Charlie & Deanna Schoenenberger(2029)
Facebook Project - Debbie Wall (2533)
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Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you."
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
Psalm 16:1-2 (ESV)
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