SOWER Ministry Newsletter March 2021 |
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Dear Friends,
March 2021. It’s been a full year since so much of our world came to a screeching halt. Stores closed, schools closed, churches closed. Everything around us seems to have changed – but one thing that never closed and never changed was our Great God! Perhaps this was a year when you had to say a hard good-bye to a loved one. He was there in your tears. I pray you felt His comfort. Maybe it was a year when a new life entered your family. He was there in that joy too! Many (perhaps even most) of our SOWER ministry projects faced cancellations and greatly reduced cash flow. Yet over and over we have heard testimonies of how God provided through those uncertain days. He is our Jehovah-Jirah!
God is continuing to bless our ministry as well! In the last three months we’ve welcomed 26 new couples to our ministry!! This March there are twenty (20!!!) more couples working than March 2020. To HIM be all the praise and glory! This Pandemic Season isn’t over, and the days ahead still hold many question marks. But the God of the Ages is the God of THIS Age as well. His truths are never in question! His faithfulness is new every morning!
Resting in His Grace, Thankful for His Mercy,
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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Office Restoration Update
By Gail Fieler #3187
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Wayne & I arrived last Thursday, March 4th, to train to be office relief and to assist with the restoration process at the SOWER office following the flooding during the sub-zero temps last month. WET, WET, WET is best way to describe how we found it even after 2+ weeks! Ray & Alean had worked to get insurance adjusters in, restoration companies to give bids, and make copious decisions about what could be thrown away and what can be saved. We’ve already taken a pick-up truck (completely full) of wet files, books, cardboard, copy paper and various other articles to the landfill. There are several pieces of machinery and pieces of equipment that will need to be replaced. |
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Here are several ways you can pray about the restoration process:
1. Mold and mildew will be stopped by fans, dehumidifiers and low humidity days.
2. Favorable settlement with the insurance company.
3. Although we are still actively working with the insurance company, the decision has been made to do these repairs ‘in house’ since the wait time with area contractors was prohibitive. Roy Olson #2964 has graciously stepped in to manage the restoration process.
4. Patience for office personnel to endure the mess and be able to conduct business amidst the turmoil.
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We know this event did not take God by surprise, and we are trusting His hand in the process of clean up. He is already answering our prayers as we have been able to secure a container for storing furniture during the renovations! Inconvenience - YES, but SOWERs continue to do what SOWERs do: persevere amidst the adversity. We are flexible, willing and available. This too shall pass. |
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SOWER, can you lend a hand? |
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Forest Home Millcreek Canyon - CA 92339
Forest Falls, CA
Bill & Shirley Trosper #2064
We worked at Forest Home, Millcreek (CA-500)last fall. The camp is nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains and is just 20 minutes from downtown Yucaipa. It’s open to SOWERs from April through September and help is especially needed right now in preparation for summer since the camp has been closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19. This camp is where Billy Graham dedicated his life to the ministry. A cross and plaque are located at the site where he received his calling. It’s a beautiful camp and a great place to work. Check out the PLS to see all of the ministry opportunities! |
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I'm So Glad!
Sandi Barber #3365
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“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,” and I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of SOWERs! I love that we are a family, even though there are many I have never met. We connect by praying for one another, a member only has to ask via email. We learn from one another through service and through sharing via Facebook. We grow, we encourage, and we rejoice at the posting of a brand new member. We can’t help but feel their excitement as they anxiously await their first project. We give thanks for those who have served and have left the road, but who also testify that the years they spent as SOWERs were the best years of their lives.
What a great privilege it is to serve Jesus, our precious Lord, as a SOWER. I sometimes feel guilty even calling it service, because I’m blessed beyond what I can express in words. I continue to meet lovely people, who come with servant’s hearts, and together in a matter of three short weeks, we become family. Thank you, dear Lord, and thank you, dear SOWERS, for loving me and affording me this great privilege. Thank you, fellow SOWERs, for being His light in what seems at times a very dark world. By the way, if you are on Facebook, and you don’t visit the SOWER Facebook page regularly, I want to encourage you to do so. You are missing a blessing!
Sandi Barber #3365
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70+ members of our SOWER family gathered in central Florida for a lovely afternoon of fellowship! |
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Many Thanks
Rob Kessler, Texas Baptist Encampment, TX-364
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Our facility and coastal town experienced a prolific freeze and power outage event where the temperatures got down to 16 degrees. This is highly unusual for tropical coastal Texas. The SOWER leaders were so conscientious about the forecast that they wrapped pipes, ran water drips, and prepped the entire campus ahead of time, which saved us thousands of $$s in repair costs and time. They then searched for and repaired the 10 or so water pipes which ended up bursting afterwards. During the freeze and 48-hour power outage, they were incredibly patient & flexible, NEVER griping or complaining, and living/working through it all with smiles on their faces, back to work immediately afterwards, even giving up an off-day to replace a day of work lost during the freeze. They were simply amazing. True servant-heartedness that inspired our entire staff during a very hard time. |
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Longview Camp, located in Arcade, NY (SE of Buffalo), 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!
Friday, March 19th 12 Noon
Camp Horizon (FL-174), Leesburg, FL
Bring your own lunch and lawn chair and join us for a no fuss-no muss gathering of SOWERS before we all begin the Great Exodus of Florida!
See you Friday!
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March 28-31, 2021
Alert Academy (TX-410)
Big Sandy, TX
Lots of things going on this year!
GL Training, Trustee Q&A,
Silent Auction, and wonderful fellowship throughout!
There's still room for YOU!!!
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Cost:
$15 Registration Fee/couple
$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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Seen recently on Facebook |
So many of our SOWER projects were hit hard with the history making cold weather that dipped into Texas and surrounding states. Thank you, Janet, for sharing about the work that was done at Acadian Baptist Center (LA-509) during the month of February! |
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 1150 "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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TRUSTEE MEETING
March 31-April 2
Please be in prayer for the SOWER Trustees who will be meeting in Lindale for their first in-person meeting in 18 months. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to be addressed, please contact Gary Conrad.
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This month's Group Picture is from the February 2021 project at Camp Good News (FL-244) in Hawthorne, FL. New SOWERS, Teri & Geri Larkee (#3747) are on the right and Pam and Al Talkington (3347) are on the left. Thank you, Geri, for posting this picture 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
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 Redbud branch
above will take you to the Members Page, the Feb/Mar
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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Dear Sam and Sally,
I am an alumni SOWER member due to health conditions. I am not able to work the full 3 week work month but am able to work a few days once in a while. I would still like to serve at a project, so is there any way this is possible?
Signed,
Limited, but willing!
Dear Willing,
Good question. As an alumni, we and the projects still value your help. The board has approved a procedure for alumni SOWERs to work at projects near them or near where they may be staying. If you want to work at a project, just follow the unscheduled project work participation procedure. There are two guidelines under this procedure. If you live near or visiting near a project and it is a project month, contact the GL for that month. The GL can than verify there is work to be done and get approval from the host. If it is not a project month, contact the host directly and make arrangements with them for work. In either case, let the office know to avoid confusion. Also, this should not involve bringing in an RV. Hope this helps and thank you for your willingness to serve as an alumnus.
Thank you for your service - both today and in the past!
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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