Summer 2024

Dear Friends,

Love in Action is what everyone experienced this year at camp!

Journey into the Process

- Preparations and actions for camp started months before with prayer and planning.

- Verbo Family Services held a garage sale, and Patty Cardona was able to order the CEF program "Diving Into God's Love" (the theme of this year's camp) with the proceeds.

- Then more action happened with appeals for funds and supplies. Letters went out to local businesses, and Trader Joe's and Chik Fil A both responded.

- Patty made repeated church calls for people to give up vacation time to serve at camp. These appeals produced twenty new young adult workers. Besides that two nurses from different hospitals came to teach Bible lessons.

- Patty's daughter, Fabby, created files of jobs for the 20 young adult leaders, and did training for them.

- As usual, former campers wanted to serve. Fifty came this year!

- Love in action included craft materials from another church as well as all decorations being donated.

- Patty Cardona's teaching on Hudson Taylor, miissionary to China, included visuals of scripture booklets on the table. Patty shared that Hudson Taylor always gave people scriptures wherever he went.

- Love in community action included churches again providing backpacks for each child, filled and lovingly packed by volunteers with the best school supplies. These were given when parents and campers returned for the Sunday church service.

- There is no doubt that seeds of love and truth were deeply planted to grow in these 110 children. They will never forget camp and what they felt and received all week long.

Patty Cardona states, "God always remembers us." Elaine Biser, board secretary, said, "It is important to remember what God has done over these 20 years. He has been faithful to provide." 

All of us are aware that this is God's work, and He is sustaining and expanding it as He wants in response to your heartfelt prayers.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Spring '24

Dear Friends,

"Camp 20th is a big number." Patty Cardona told the Project Lost Sheep team. In a way it seems not so long ago that camp opened in Redwood City with only 40 children. Now camp hosts 100 elementary children in Redwood City at Verbo Family Services Church.

Over the years more than 1000 children have benefited from free camp in this inner city area. Camp continues to shine the light of the gospel in the most needy areas. This year Camp 20th will be held from July 22nd to 26th at that location and also the same week in Tracy, CA.

A new feature this year in Redwood City will be a memory verse program which Patty is adapting from her Sunday school experience to fit into camp. The Project Lost Sheep team believes it is vital to these children to have the scriptures inside them early.

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Camp 20th is indeed a big number, but I am looking for many more camps in the coming years.

Camp will always be remembered by these children. That is why around 50 former campers each year show up to help with camp!

My sincere thanks for your prayers and continued support.

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Winter 2023

Dear Friends,
In Touchdown camp each year we encourage campers to stay in school. As a result, many more campers get motivated. Out of this emphasis on education blossomed the Project Lost Sheep leg up college scholarship fund. So far we are funded for one worthy student per year. We would like to greatly expand this fund to help more former campers attend college. Be blessed, reading the stories of two recent award winners.

Monserrat Munoz

Because of a childhood illness which caused her to be hospitalized, she decided to become a nurse. She said that the expert care of the doctors and nurses helped her to completely recover. She graduated magna cum laude in Allied Health at Cañada College in 2023. She will enroll in the College of San Mateo nursing program and then transfer to San Francisco State University for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.

Said Gonzalez

Said will complete his associate degree in computer science at Canada College in 2024. He is currently applying to four-year colleges as a transfer student to continue his study for a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. Our college fund is helping him with the costly application fees.

Last summer, Said completed an internship at Stanford University, during which he created a software program for 3-D printers. In a Zoom meeting, our board members were very impressed by his PowerPoint slides summarizing his research work at Stanford University.

Said was a Touchdown camper in elementary school and then participated at camp as a staff volunteer during high school. One of his favorite activities was to prepare and give out Christmas food boxes to needy families at Verbo church in Redwood City. Said has worked hard at Cañada College and has been on the Dean’s List each semester.

Your prayers and gifts will make a lifetime difference. 

"Do not neglect to do good when it is in your power to do it."

100% of your donation goes to the next college scholarship recipient. Please mark “scholarship”on the memo line of your check and send your check to:

Project Lost Sheep

P.O. Box 2735

Menlo Park, California 94026

With gratitude,
Sue Stevick
Project Lost Sheep College Scholarship Fund

Summer 2023

Camp really ends each year on Sunday as campers and families are invited to the church service which spotlights camp. This year the church was filled with people, children, and some of us.

Pastor Orlando Cardona gave an inspired message to the parents to "be careful with the kids and come to church!" There was a great atmosphere of joy and celebration and welcome at the door for all who came in.

The theme for camp was LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS with excellent video lessons provided by CEF plus small groups to talk about what they saw.

Another regular feature of camp is the adult speaker series. This year a lawyer from LA, Sharon Ramirez, gave an excellent story of how her parents came from Guatemala but urged her to stay in school.

She brought a small gift for each child and showed them pictures of the courtroom where she worked. The children had many questions for her, and no doubt some of the children are now thinking about doing what she does.

There was Light in the camp! There was Truth! There was Vision given. There was Love.

"There was an amazing sense of the presence of God" according to Patty Cardona, director, who again worked with the team of volunteers to bless all these 110 little ones who did receive a heavenly week.

Rejoice with me!

Joyce Dueker
Founder

Spring 2023

Dear Friends,

Let's think together about the advantages of reaching at risk children. To draw a large picture, helping them is essential to the betterment of society.

When children grow up in poverty, they face challenges that can have long lasting effects on their lives. Poverty can lead to lack of education, malnutrition and poor health. This can lead to a vicious cycle which is hard to break.

Children are given the opportunity to receive at least a high school education, then they are more likely to break out of poverty. Education is one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty, and it is essential that at risk children are given extra help like free homework help. But, it is not just about education, it is about mentor helpers who can give them hope, love, and support. This shows the children they are not alone in the unimaginable challenges they face daily.

Every child deserves a chance to succeed regardless of background or circumstances. As members of society if is our responsibility to ensure that every child has the help he needs to thrive. We must act with empathy, compassion and love to help them overcome and see a brighter future.

Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to be swept into criminal gangs. They lack the resources and support needed to make positive choices. By providing these children with education, support, and resources, we can help reduce crime and create safer communities for everyone.

Giving to poverty, can also benefit the economy as the poor children grow up to be employed and contributing adults, rather than being unemployed or underemployed.

As we pull together for these children, we help promote social cohesion. When we invest in the well being of our community, we create a sense of belonging and solidarity.

Helping the poor is a moral obligation. We are to "remember the poor". It is our responsibility to do this consistently and persistently for the blessing of us all.

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

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

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!

Winter 2019

Dear Friends,

What is anticipation? It involves looking forward to something, such as a person, a present, an event or a season. We anticipate the holidays. We anticipate people visiting and spending special celebrations at home and church.

Anticipation has an element of emotion. We may feel choked up because we finally get to see someone we have missed. Or, we may feel anxious at family gatherings.

Every year we anticipate communications from people via email, cards etc. We anticipate seeing new faces of babies and saying goodbye to older people.

As I look ahead to the future for Project Lost Sheep, I am anticipating new camps and new tutoring programs. However, beyond that, the people that God will tap, as He did the founding group, to sign up to help children.

Here in Idaho, we are working to form a core group and to see the change that God wants. There are gangs and drugs here. Poverty is real in parts of Idaho. There is an urgent need for our free tuitoring and mentoring programs that bless the families and bring hope. We soon expect to have a strong church base which I have been anticipating for some time.

Anticipation always involves waiting. We wait in hope, for what we do not yet see, because God always come through. It is in the fullness of time that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, in the flesh so we could experience and depend not on our efforts or resources, but on his GREAT LOVE AND MERCY for us all.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Autumn 2019

Dear Friends,

Behind the scenes of every camp, there is a lot of preparation of work. One of the major needs each year is finding the right people and filling all the necessary volunteer positions.

This year there was a major problem because most of the teenagers were working two or more jobs and Patty Cardona, director, needed full time teaching leaders plus a complete kitchen staff for preparing food for 125 campers plus 50 volunteers.

We flew in two full time leaders into Redwood City, California, from San Antonio, Texas. However, there was no staff for food service. So Patty asked a group of ladies outside the church who were getting help with food each week from a program run by Verbo.

Ladies in Orange T-Shirts helped in the preparation of the food.

“We really need help in the kitchen,” she told them, and they responded by saying they would come and help out at Camp.

The Ladies in Orange T-shirts took charge in the kitchen. As camp progressed, the ladies got to see and hear many good things. It is hard to miss good news when it is all around you for five days.

Thank the Lord for the good hearted Orange Ladies to help out in the kitchen for our kids.

Often, when we report on camp, it is about the children. This 15th Camp touched kids as well as adults. More families than ever came to the Sunday service and about 15 adults came to faith because of camp. Pastor Orlando Cardona gave a clear message to all the adults.

Ladies in Orange T-Shirts led in the games of the kids.

God is also at work in the kitchen at camp. “I became a Christian, so now I pray,” said one of the ladies in orange as she announced to the others!

Hallelujah! 
Praise our Heavenly Father!
Miracles do happen after all!

Sincerely,

Joyce Dueker

Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Summer 2019

Dear Supporters,
God is always doing works of grace. Sometimes they come, and we are surprised and delighted.
In response to parents’ request for more help for children, Patty Cardona, our president, has opened a new camp!

Academic Kids Camp in July
Academic Kids Camp ran for five weeks, from Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 12 noon, at the church.

Academic Kids Camp, Redwood City, CA

Under the experienced tutoring leaders, this camp sprang up as a model for future works of grace. Without help, children lose interest in school. None of these in the camp had access to people who can provide basic skills. That is why the parents went to Patty Cardona. Twenty children now have been helped to have a chance at success.

Touchdown Camp Coming in August
Summer is a busy time for Verbo Family Services with the 15th Touchdown Camp in August! 100 children again are expected, and I urge many of you in the area to come and see what it is about.
Dates: August 5th to 9th, 2019. Help is needed!

God never runs out of grace for blessing the children. Jesus said, “As you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me.” Thanks for rejoicing with us as we continue to be a part of His work. He is faithful always.

Sincerely,
Joyce Dueker
Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Spring 2019

Dear Friends,

Chicago Report
It was exciting to be in Chicago for a week in July, 2018. The board of Project Lost Sheep funded my attending a conference at Moody Bible Institute. This included Monday to Friday living in a dorm in the downtown area. The meetings were sponsored by CDCA, an established non-profit that works to promote inner city Christian work.

Attendees were from America and beyond, under 100 participants, but a small enough group in which to get acquainted and to plant seeds.

The first day, I walked across campus to a classroom where we had a full program of talks about community development. It was like being in college, but what a wonderful group of people - ministers and other leaders in one room together with the presence of the Lord felt.

The next day was the same with more lectures and getting to know others.

Wednesday, we got on a bus for a field trip across Chicago to their Chinatown for lunch and to visit a Christian church. After that, we went by bus to another area where a huge health center had been built in response to the felt needs of the community of Lawndale.

After that, the program changed for me. While walking on very uneven pavement, I fell and was bleeding so much that it was decided I should go via ambulance to ER at nearby Mt. Sinai Hospital. Being whisked away by ambulance was an unnerving experience.

I was hurting, but nothing compared to what I saw and heard while in ER for about 3 hours. A man robbed and beaten in his own home, a shooting victim, and cries all around. I kept waiting for x-rays and scan for my face which was bleeding profusely. During those hours, a sympathetic leader was with me. What a comfort to have a Christian there with me in my pain.

Thursday came with hurting, a closed black eye, painful wrist and knee, and a shaken feeling. Meals were brought to me. For many hours I was alone in the dorm room with ice packs and my thoughts, which were surprisingly unafraid. I knew that I had been called to Chicago with a mission of hope building. I had not expected this accident, but I did not feel that God had left me. The group was off on another tour, but I was dorm-ound.

At the end of the day, a leader came with a book of messages for me. I could hardly read them for the emotion that overcame me. Here are a few:

“I am so sorry to hear about your fall. I feel blessed to have been with you on the trip to Lawndale, and I value our friendship. I pray that you will have a speedy recovery and just know that we all love you.”

“Hey, Joyce! Everyone on the bus is thinking of your amazing spirit and caring that is with us as we move throughout the day. Praying for a quick recovery.”

“I am so grateful that you were the first person I met when I got here. I love hearing your heart for the kids you work with and know you have God’s heart, ears and eyes. I pray God heals you quickly so you can get back in the trenches with us! I love you.”

“Sweet Joyce, I have been praying for you. So thankful you have no broken bones.”

There were many more encouragements and notes. I can tell you that the Lord even woke up one of my Chicago intercessors to pray for me in the night. She had no idea what had happened. So, I rested and received all the prayers.

Friday, the last day of the conference, I was back with my black eye and bruised body to attend the final sessions. There was a line of people to greet me and rejoice that I was back in action.

So what was Chicago all about?

I was there where I was called to be, and God used me to influence others. But just as important, God showed me His love and care in difficult circumstances.

Friday night I went with hat and dark glasses to a dinner meeting with a pastor and team, not part of the conference, who were interested in camp. Not sure at this writing what will happen out of that, but I was sent to Chicago, and Chicago has permanent marks on not only my body, but also my heart.

The Lord showed me His goodness in a strong city. He let me feel the pain and hurt of Chicago and allowed some of my blood to be shed on the streets. I thank God for the many good Christians and works inside Chicago and grieve for the blood shed on the streets, the violence, the sickness in families, and the deep gulf between what is happening and what must happen to bring change from the roots up.

As it would happen, the day I left there was an organized prayer march in the Southside. My Uber driver, a Muslim, told me he had seen the religious people out marching. “The good people need to be visible.”, he said. “They need to inform on people selling drugs.” I thought, truth is truth, and my driver had underlined some of what had been said in the conference.

It is not enough to put a bandaid on a grievous wound or a bleeding city. We must care enough to get involved and be part of the healing process. Salt and light. We need to be salt and light.

Sincerely,
Joyce Dueker
Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Fall 2018

Dear Friends,
Summer was packed with travel as expected, culminating in spending a week at Touchdown Camp, held at Verbo Church in Redwood City.

Highlights from camp:
Strong Bible seeding in children using the Shipwrecked Series from VBS on the big screen with the theme JESUS RESCUES. Cynthia Cardona was lead teacher, and the average attendance was 110 children with 60 volunteers. 

On the last day, most children came forward to receive the Lord and were encouraged to share with their families. Sue Stevick, our chair for the college scholarship, was able to interview Jocelyn Pantaga, a former camper and active volunteer at camp. “She deserves this scholarship,” president Patty Cardona commented.

Jocelyn Pantaga, a former camper and active volunteer at camp, receives scholarship.

It was great for me to see a whole group of youth with the pastor and his wife from Rancho Cucamunga. They were enabled to come by a generous gift from a business man. And most of the group was there all week getting “on the job training” so they can start camp next year at Verbo Church, Rancho Cucamunga. Generous seed money, and your prayers, will make this camp happen. I am wishing all of you joy and peace as you receive this, and may we all continue to bless the children of America.

Sincerely,
Joyce Dueker
Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Summer 2018

Dear Friends,
Touchdown Camps are at the heart of what we do to serve children.  The main camp is in Redwood City and will be held for the 14th year at Verbo Church, Redwood City, Ca., on August 6th – 10th, 2018.

The church is located in a former warehouse that has been remodeled with a large auditorium where the 150 children, plus 40 volunteers, can gather. Music and Bible teaching happen there. Sports are held at a local school, and at the end of the week there is a barbeque in a nearby park with delicious chicken served by the men of Verbo.

An offshoot of this is Touchdown Kids Camp in Tracy, CA. Patty Cardona recycles crafts and t-shirts, along with providing helpers for the group. Tracy is a city that has much poverty and needs all the help we can give. This outreach and church are important, and Patty reports that “Camp Tracy is getting stronger”.

In some cases such as Verbo Church in Austin, Texas, which has a strong Vacation Bible School, some ingredients from Touchdown Camp are added to their program. In Austin, it is our “Stay In School” speaker series. At noon each day, a different adult comes to talk about their career so that children are given vision for their futures.

Then we have many camps “in process” where visitors to our camp have caught the vision, but the church is too poor to have enough space or has a very limited staff. We hope in God’s mercy that these will be able to birth camps soon.

Expansion is what we expect to see as we have more people get excited about this effective outreach that promotes the gospel.

Camp stirs hearts. These are real children and families who need the body of Christ around them, not only to survive but to thrive. Children can be children at camp and have the best week of their summer. Camp changes children, and it makes a difference in the communities in which we serve.

Sincerely,
Joyce Dueker
Founder of Project Lost Sheep

Spring 2018

Dear Friends,
Our theme for Project Lost Sheep this year is BE VISIBLE. As we know from the Bible (Mat. 5:14), “We are the light of the world”, and we are not to hide that light but bring glory to God.

A big way we are more visible is with our new website: http://www.projectlostsheep.com. This is the result of many hours of work with www.Shamikodesign.com doing the design. We have our programs clearly set out, and they can be seen across all mobile devices and platforms. We are introducing more ways to get involved, including volunteering, and are actively looking for people in the Bay Area to expand the ministry there.

At Touchdown Camp in Redwood City, we are again expecting a full camp of 150+ children. We will be engaging our team more so that the children can see us, and also so that the visitors from other cities can find out how they can draw from community support to help start new camps. I plan to be there to help this August 6th to 10th 2018.

Camp continues to make an impact that we can see on the high schoolers who come back to serve. This year we anticipate giving a scholarship for a worthy former camper who has been accepted to college or is entering college. We plan this to happen in front of all the campers as a visual encouragement and I hope help all to “dream big”.

My plans for this year include more travel to other cities and networking with other Christians who work in community. As God opens the doors, I will be flying in.

Let’s move forward together for the children.

Sincerely,
Joyce Dueker
Founder of Project Lost Sheep