Wednesday, October 28, 2020

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



Wednesday, June 10, 2020

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


Thursday, February 13, 2020

Spring 2020

Left to Right: Jocelyn Pantoja, Susan Stevick, Patty Cardona, and
Pastor Orlando Cardona, at Verbo Church, Redwood City, CA

Jocelyn Pantoja’s Appreciation

It is a huge honor to be the recipient of the Project Lost Sheep scholarship. I feel extremely blessed to not only receive this financial support but to also be encouraged by the board members. I started as a camper for Touchdown and later became a camp counselor. I have since then been able to go back and be a guest speaker to encourage the campers to pursue academic excellence and motivate them to believe they are more than capable of achieving their dreams as I am currently doing.

I am excited to be graduating from San Jose State University this coming May 2020. An accomplishment that at one point seemed impossible but with the help and support from the community that surrounds me, is possible. To God be the glory!