There are many reason to return home but Casey (Hyten) Sluder returned to Dexter with her husband, Jacob, to simply say "thanks" to those in the community that continue to support their ministry through Campus Outreach.

Local Supporters and family of Casey's gathered at the 1st General Baptist Church in Dexter for a dinner and a ministry update by the couple. The enthusiasm of their work with college students was evident throughout the evening.

"I was fortunate to grow up in a home with two wonderful Christian parents", noted Jacob. "But it wasn't until my freshman year in High School that I really understood the meaning of a true relationship with Jesus Christ."

As a freshman at Tennessee Tech, Jacob walked on to the football team as a linebacker. He highlighted a friend that was the kicker on the football team that was very active in the Campus Ministries and his passion began at that point to serve God on university campuses.

Jacob was inspired throughout his college career to work with other students promoting events and working closely with other sharing the love of Christ. During his junior year, he joined a campus missionary team on a 9 weeks trip to Brazil. This is where he met his future wife, Casey.

"It only took me one and a half years to finally get the nerve up to call Casey and say 'do you remember me'", recalled Jacob. But as the old cliche goes, it was a match made in heaven.

Casey has worked with Campus Ministries for over six years. As a graduate from Arkansas State University, she was actively involved throughout her undergrad years. Upon graduation, she took a job at Butler University near Indianapolis, Indiana.

The couple shared story after story of the times their ministry allows them to pour the love of Christ into these students. "I just wish you (supporters) could be there at those moments when the lights go on for these students and they realize that Jesus died for the sins of the world", said Casey. "It's not something we work to receive but a free gift from God".

After the couples marriage on January 8th of this year, Casey joined Jacob in his ministry on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Jacob has served students there for the past two years.

"It was difficult coming in mid-year to get to know the girls", added Casey. "I am looking forward to this Fall when relationships are much easier to make with the girls on campus."

The couple gave the attenders a prayer card and asked the group to continue to pray for them throughout the year. Their prayer request are:

* New and deep friendships with freshmen.
* Boldness in leading them toward a relationship with Christ.
* To end the year with several students who will be ready to impact others.
* Our personal walk with God and marriage.

The couple plans to continue their adjustments to married life while they work to see lives on the Bradley campus transformed through Christ.

If you would like to learn more about Sluder's ministry or receive their newsletter "The Sluder Source", SMT readers can contact Casey at her email address ... chyten@campusoutreach.org.

The vision of Campus Outreach is "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World." Campus Outreach seeks to build laborers with a commitment to the Great Commission through evangelism and discipleship. They are passionately reaching students with the gospel and training them to become mature followers of Christ. Their desire is then to see students leave college fully equipped to labor in the harvest field for the glory of God.

A SMT Report

A couple of Dexter men are looking for some mud.

Patrick Barbour and Jeff Jarrell of Dexter just opened their sixth Mud Magnet car wash in Southeast Missouri. The newest location is at 224 E. Business Highway 60 (next door to Faye’s Bakery) in Dexter.

This new car wash has all the latest features for keeping cars and trucks sparkling clean, but has a new feature to help keep the furry friends at home clean, too. This newest Mud Magnet features a Doggie Wash.

“We’ve seen the Doggie Wash for several years at industry shows, and decided to add it to this new facility,” Barbour said.

The Doggie Wash features a small room and a specially designed work area where the dog can rest while its owner uses the wash. The machine features cash, rinse and even conditioner, disinfectant, flea and tick control and odor control rinses. The owner can use the dryer to complete the dog wash experience.

“Everybody says that the odor control works really well,” Barbour said. “It really lasts and has a minty smell to it.”

The new Doggie Wash has already become a popular feature, Barbour said.

Barbour and Jarrell own and operate Mud Magnet Car Washes in Bloomfield, two in Malden, Chaffee, and now two in Dexter.

The car wash features self-service car wash bays, vacuums, and an automatic car wash. All systems accept credit, debit and Mud Magnet loyalty cards.

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

A favorite spot in Southeast Missouri for many girls and generations of women will open its gates once again this summer.

Activities at the Latonka Program Center (known to many as Girl Scout Camp Latonka) will resume on Aug. 1. The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland announced Monday that while events were “temporarily suspended” due to the aftermath of this spring’s historic flood, the camp will open its gates next month.

“Activities had been suspended during the restoration process from the historic flooding that affected the Lake Wappapello area in May. All facilities at the program center – including the waterfront, challenge course and camping units - will be available to Girl Scout groups and community groups,” the statement said.

To help get the facility “back into shape,” a special clean-up day is planned for Saturday, Aug. 13. Among the “chores” that need to be completed include raking leaves, clearing trails, cleaning cabins and shower houses and other tasks around the property. Volunteers, girl and adults members who would like to participate are invited to become involved in the effort.

The Latonka Program Center Clean-Up Day will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 13.

Volunteers may want to bring work gloves and tools such as rakes and pruning shears if they have them.

Volunteers may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the clean up is finished and Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland will provide beverages, watermelon and ice cream for dessert. It is stressed registration is required for the clean-up day so that the council can anticipate the number of people participating.

In addition, adults will need to attend with girls in order to provide adult supervision.

To register for the event, please contact Sandy Vaughn, Property/Risk Manager, at svaughn@girlscoutsmoheartland.org or call 1-877-312-4764 ext. 1514 no later than Wednesday August 10.

Girl Scout Camp Latonka is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer. The gates at the camp were opened for the first time to greet girls in July 1951.

Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland was created in through the merger of Cotton Boll and four other Missouri Girl Scout Councils. The new council includes all of the former Cotton Boll area, and stretches to the Oklahoma and Kansas borders and north past Columbia and Fulton. Its headquarters is in Springfield, with service centers in Dexter, Joplin, Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau.

Photos Above: Top Photo – The campfire circle near the shore of Lake Wappapello at the Latonka Program Center; Bottom Photo – the Dining Hall at Latonka. (File photos by Annabeth Miller)

Local Agent Featured in State Association Magazine

The Missouri Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) hosted the 2011 Young Agents Conference in Van Buren this month. Jason Comfort of County Wide Insurance Agency of Dexter was part of the leadership team that coordinated the event as the Committee Chairperson for the Young Agents group.

The event was marked by the high level of insurance education, sales training, life motivation and just plain old fun on the Current River. Dallas Buchanan and Doug Cox of Dexter were also on hand to help with the Monday evening dinner on the river, serving a great BBQ meal with all the trimmings.

John Mabry, former member of the St. Louis Cardinals, was the featured speaker for the event. John shared with the group his life experiences in the major leagues and those significant decisions in life that have brought him the most satisfaction.

Sam Bennett of Columbia and Steve Anderson of Nashville, Tenn., were on hand for the education and technology seminars for the weekend. Sam is no stranger to the area, as East Prairie is his hometown.

The group included 100 agents and their family members from across Missouri. The Monday afternoon float trip was a fun and exciting time of building relationships and learning from one another.

Jason Comfort has served on the Young Agents Committee (YAC) for the past five years and assumed his leadership roles in 2009. Normally having to travel to further destinations, Jason was instrumental in getting the event a little closer to Southeast Missouri in Van Buren.

The event was held at The Landing, a Van Buren tradition which has been newly renovated and expanded to accommodate groups of this size.

“The YAC is an important committee for our industry,” states Comfort. “This allows younger agents the opportunity to participate in the coordination and leadership of our industry. ”

County Wide Insurance Agency has a long heritage of serving the insurance industry through the MAIA. Previous board members include the late Jim Tate and Alan Hedrick. Hedrick served as President of the Association during 2005-2006. Jason continues that tradition as he continues to work in several committee capacities.

NewWave Offices Offer Convenience For Dexter Area Customers

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

A large crowd gathered Thursday morning at the new location of NewWave Communications for the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Celebration. On hand was NewWave Communications President Jim Gleason and Mike Burns, General Manager.

NewWave recently remodeled the Pruitt Glass & Paint building at the corner of Nina Street and One Mile Road. As customers enter the sleek new building they walk into a large service area where they may speak one-on-one with a representative. The area also features NewWave’s products and services, including NewWave Home Security, which creates a "digital home," including interactive home security, home monitoring, home management and control, energy management and home health care.

The new headquarters also features expanded offices, conference rooms and service areas.

NewWave is hosting an Open House for the public from 3 – 6 p.m., Thursday, July 21. The public is invited to visit the new offices and see the new features NewWave is offering customers in the Dexter area.

Photo Above: A large crowd was on hand Thursday for the Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Celebration at NewWave Communications. Helping with the ribbon cutting were (front row with ribbon, from left) Alderman Jerry Corder, Chamber Director Mendy Bell, Dexter Mayer Joe Weber, building owner Steve Holden, NewWave Customer Service Manager Kim Stokes, NewWave General Manager Mike Burns, NewWave President Jim Gleason, Chamber President Ed Gargas and Chamber Executive Director Janet Coleman. This was the 14th ribbon cutting celebration sponsored by the Dexter Chamber in 2011.(SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)