Retreats & Getaways
“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Peter and Christy Strauch are true American heroes in every sense of the word. Peter is a double Purple Heart recipient who served in the Army from 2004 – 2012. A paratrooper and combat veteran, Peter was deployed to both Iraq and…
Read More
“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:6 Dan and Sandra Rivera were super excited when they heard about Family Retreat. Their sons DeMetrius (19), Nathan (11) and Isaac (6) matched their parents’ excitement. Both DeMetrius and Nathan have global developmental delays, making their day-to-day caregiving routines incredibly complicated – and making vacations impossible. Little Isaac was perhaps anticipating Family Retreat most of all. As he explained, “I was looking…
Read More
When retreat centers started opening up again, we were ready, and so were the special needs families we serve! During our two weeks of in-person Family Retreats in Oregon, families impacted by disability found renewed hope and new life after months of social isolation. The Happy Grams were flowing all week, sharing God’s love and Christ-centered encouragement with every…
Read More
“War zones have a way of traveling home with you, even when that Warrior comes home, war is ever by his side.” It comes in the form of Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and moral injury – which is the guilt and shame that follows veterans home from active duty. Whether there is a physical disability or…
Read More
Bryden, a medically fragile 19-year-old with Mitochondrial Disorder-Leigh’s syndrome, had the “time of his life” at our Arizona Half-Time Respite Program! After months of isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bryden was able to do crafts, play games, learn about prayer, dance and worship God in a safe and caring environment. And while Bryden was enjoying…
Read More
This summer our Bay Area Family Retreat was different due to the pandemic. Unable to hold an in-person Family Retreat, God gave us the idea to host Family Retreat at Home… and we are overjoyed at the way special needs families responded to this very special outreach. Will and Elizabeth’s family is the perfect example…
Read More
Coronavirus may have closed down retreat centers this summer, but it didn’t stop us from sharing God’s love with children and families impacted by disabilities. Far from it! When our traditional Family Retreat plans needed to be put on hold temporarily, Family Retreat At Home was born, and the Gospel was delivered right to families’ front doors! Liz and her daughter Paige, who has…
Read More
The responsibilities of caring for a child with a disability never end. Often, these moms and dads feel there is simply no relief in sight… they are at an utter loss as to where to find someone they can relate to, someone outside their own family. Isolation is an everyday heartbreak for families wrestling with…
Read More
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” – Proverbs 3:27 The Fernandez Family: Savannah and her family felt loved by everyone, and were overflowing with joy at Family Retreat this summer! Alessia in El Salvador: Alessia attended International Family Retreat in El Salvador for the…
Read More
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7 I’ve always had monumental respect for the men and women who defend our freedoms. My grandfather, a World War II Veteran, instilled that in me from the time I was a very little girl. A soldier…
Read More