Winter 2022

 Dear Friends,

This is a time to rejoice that God has come to us as a baby to deliver the good news of peace and hope for all who believe in Jesus, his only son.

We in Project Lost Sheep have prayed and keep praying for the children in America and beyond.

Camp in Redwood City at Verbo was powerful and the good news was preached to 150 youth and I can tell you God worked in a wonderful, holy way to provide all provision for camp including workers like Fabby Cardona who led in place of her mother, Patty Cardona, who was ill in bed but praying for camp with us all. There was a huge move of God and 100 percent of children came to believe and families
from camp have now come into the church.

We, in Project Lost Sheep rejoice to see a new camp in San Jose, California Verbo with a strong tutoring program now and leaders trained at Verbo Redwood City.

Nothing is wasted. Every prayer counts. God hears, and we know the angels of children are before the throne of God.

Jesus said, "of such are the kingdom of God". Make room in your heart to pray for the children of a city you choose that they will hear the gospel at a young age and grow to become mighty servants of the most high!

Sincerely,

Fabby Alvarado Cardona 

Author of Newsletter for Project Lost Sheep

Spring 2022

Dear Friends,

Project Lost Sheep announces our college scholarship recipient for 2022. Monserrat Munoz was one of a small number of students on the Dean's List at Canada College.

From left, Patty and Orlando Cardona, Monserrat Munoz and her parents,
Sue Stevick, Monserrat's advocate.

She and her family have been involved at Verbo Church in Redwood City, CA for the past 12 years.

Monse recalls "I was part of Touchdown Camp as a kid. It was an impactful camp I always will remember. It was so much fun but it also brought me closer to God. I became a Sunday School teacher and am now part of the youth group leadership. My goal in college is to become a nurse. Growing up I was in and out of hospitals with a dangerous infected kidney. I remember how the nurses always made me feel safe and always made me smile. So I grew up wanting to be a nurse who would do the same for children."

For her academic success, combined with service to children at church and a focused goal for her life, we are very happy to provide assistance for her two years ahead at San Jose State University Fall 2022.

Sincerely,
Patty Cardona
President, Project Lost Sheep

Winter 2021

Dear Friends,

We thank God at the end of the year for His goodness and provision in the midst of difficult times. Although 2020 was tough because everything was closed, this year we were able to celebrate the return of TOUCHDOWN camp.

It was different from the other years, but we did it! This was possible with the assistance of 35 volunteers and attendance of 90 children.

This particular year was a very special year as the ages we received were 5-10 years old and camp guides as young as 13 years old. Most of our volunteers had to wait 3 years to come back to our camp and I was so glad to see them now helping, guiding, taking care of our little ones. It was great to see that the seed we are planting is bearing good fruit.

As always, our classrooms were filled with joy, songs, games, art, food, Bible stories, and the visit of community workers every day. The joyous finale was where whole families attended our church and where each child was able to receive a backpack with school supplies and a Bible, so that the word of God reaches each home.

                                     

Also Verbo in Tracy and Hosana Church in Guatemala each held their children’s camp that was accomplished by the hand of God and the collaboration of many people.

Looking forward to an even better year.
We keep moving forward!

Sincerely,
Patty Cardona
President, Project Lost Sheep

Summer 2021

Dear Friends,

You may have heard the expression, "to turn on a dime". At our very first camp in Redwood City at Verbo church on the first day of camp, Patty Cardona and I had to do just that. We adults had planned the camp to let the children choose sports or crafts. The children wanted both! We changed everything so that could happen for the children. 

Overnight we did our dance on the dime and so children were made happy. Each camp is different. We still have sports and crafts and of course the Bible teaching in various ways. We plant good seeds in children not just for the one week of day camp but for their lives! 

Our camps appeal to unchurched children, and we have so many who come to camp, then come into church, and later as teenagers serve at camp. We thank God who has blessed so many children with eternal lives and more hope here. I am happy to report that, after a pandemic pause, camp is reopening in July in Redwood City!

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Winter 2020

Dear Friends,

After the shepherds had gone to find the baby in the manger, they left and told others the good news of what they had seen and heard. They were humble and excited at the same time.

We, who know the Lord, have been worshipping in church and that is a good thing. But now there is a change and the change is this: It is time to be humble, filled with joy and excitement as we realize, WE ARE THE CHURCH outside the walls.

People are going to read us. We need to be prepared to share the good news by having scriptures on hand or memorized by us. I like the booklet, “The Way to God” printed by World Missionary Press. It is a complete outline of the Bible, meant for children but great for adults. 

If you consider yourself a living member of the body of Christ, should you not be dressed and be prepared? That includes the spreading of the word of God.

This is a time when people are looking for God. There is great openness and spiritual hunger. We need to shine our light brightly because many have not been to church, and so many have not really read the Bible. We are the light of the world. This is not a time to hide under the nearest bush but to be authentic and real in our care for others.

We know that to meet the real needs of others shows love. During this time of COVID, Patty Cardona and her team have been weekly feeding over a hundred families with huge boxes of food. But, along with the food, they have invited people to listen to the online services. Faith with works makes impact!

But when you, as a loved child and ambassador of Christ, stand in front of a lost, seeking soul and begin a conversation, ready to share “the hope that is in you”, miracles can happen.

Today at a gas station where I asked a young person to help pump my gas, we had a very brief encounter. I thanked her and handed her the booklet, “The Way to God”.

She looked a bit surprised but smiled and said, “Last night my husband and I said we should find a church.”

Well the church just came to her via one of us. So, this is the time to follow the shepherds out from the manger and tell others the good news we have seen and heard and lived in real time.

We are the church wherever we are. Do not hide out and ignore this great time to grow in your love and faith as you experience God’s power to set up divine meetings to bless many and to extend His Kingdom here on earth.

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Autumn 2020

Dear Friends,
This year has thrust us into unknown territory. As you know the COVID virus has not only killed many in the US and all over the world, but it has put a space of uncertainty between us.

Today a woman related to me how an older woman attacked her verbally because she ran into a store without her mask.

"She knew nothing about me. I was getting food there because we were moving out of our home of 17 years because my husband lost his job due to COVID."

I could only listen to her vent because that is what she needed as she pumped her gas. It was startling to have a stranger pour out her heart, but she needed someone to listen. There are people all around us who need reassuring and help. 

As you know churches have had to meet online. Regular ministries like Touchdown Camp and many others can't happen until things change.

But fellowship is personal and communication needs to happen even if remotely. Let's be thankful that there are new ways to communicate like videos and online communications.

We who belong to Christ need each other more than ever. We need to share and pray with at least one other Christian frequently. We need to pray for pastors and those in authority over us and be thankful for them.

We need to pray for more children everywhere to have the chance to learn from and love Jesus. Our attitude is really important as we aim to reflect Christ to others.

We must be extra kind and considerate and always reflect light and truth into this dark world. This means that we need to be strengthened ourselves with regular times of personal worship. This is vital to the race we run and the victory that is ours over all the forces of the adversary. When we get off track (and we do and will), we need to let ourselves admit our sins, be cleansed and go on.

I am very thankful now for all the years of camp that have been accomplished because we were able to plant seeds of Truth in so many ways into all the campers. Many children have the light of Christ within them wherever they are now, plus all the camp families have Bibles given to them. Let us not ignore that these wonderful things are real!

We need you to pray for this ministry and for more cities to have camps. We are ready to start again when we can, but only with the winds of many prayers under us.

When we get bogged down by this life let us look up and get the eternal perspective and have hearts that are deeply thankful for the God who never changes and loves us now.

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Summer 2020

Dear Friends,

We proudly celebrate Jocelyn’s Graduation. She has done an amazing job with dedication to her studies and her well deserved degree!

Message of Thanks
Becoming a student at San Jose State University has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I strived for academic excellence and achieved this each semester, making it onto the Dean’s Scholars List.

I have faced several obstacles during my time at SJSU seeing as I had to leave my job in order to be a full-time student. Project Lost Sheep so generously decided to make me the candidate for the scholarship in 2018 when I first transferred. Their financial assistance and moral support have relieved me of much stress. Their continued financial support in my second year was unexpected but so appreciated.

Our graduate, Jocelyn Pantoja

I volunteered at Verbo church as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Working with children became my passion, and it pushed me to dive into The Word of God more deeply because the children asked a lot of questions. Volunteering for Touchdown Camp was a different experience as I was working with many children who did not know The Lord. Answering questions and seeing these children learn about The Lord was an indescribable experience.

What encouraged me to pursue my studies was really about leading from example. In my church, with my family, and with my friends. If I could do it, so can they. I can encourage those around me and tell from experience that it is possible.

I have had the opportunity to experience Touchdown Camp both as a camper and as a volunteer. I had the honor of being a guest speaker at Touchdown Camp, the summer of 2018, where I shared my experience in transferring with the campers. I encouraged the campers to believe in themselves, not to be afraid to ask for help, and to pursue their education with diligence.It is a huge honor to have been the recipient of the Project Lost Sheep scholarship. I feel extremely blessed not only to have received the financial support but to also be encouraged by the board members.

San Jose State University, CA

I am excited to say I have graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a focus on Early Childhood Education. An accomplishment that at one point seemed impossible but with the help and support from the community that surrounds me, was possible.

Sincerely,
 Jocelyn Pantoja