Retreats
Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
Mark 6:31
A retreat can be a preventative measure that is part of your normal rhythm of life and ministry – an intentional time away once or twice a year to reconnect with God and others, and to create needed space to focus on your emotional and spiritual health and growth.
A retreat can also be a way to experience a respite along with additional support and encouragement after a challenging or stressful event or season. Likewise it is taking time away to a safe space where you can engage your coping skills, reconnect, recalibrate, and receive care to assist with steps toward healing and positive forward movement.
One first step in creating a meaningful retreat is to list and evaluate your current needs, as well as your hopes, goals, and expectations for a time away.
What are your current needs? How could a retreat help to meet those needs?
In what ways would you like your time away to impact your own self, relationships, life, and ministry?
The next step is a conversation with one of our staff to discuss how we can provide the structure, services, and space to meet those needs.
Structure
Retreats can be scheduled for individuals, couples, families, or teams, and are generally 3 days to two weeks in length.
Care services are provided on weekdays Monday through Friday, with alternating care and rest days.
We recommend including a weekend before, during, or after your retreat for additional rest and relaxation as this is an important part of the process.
Services
All retreats include a basic debrief and materials for reflection, as well as prayer, support, and encouragement from our staff.
Additional care is then provided according to needs and requests previously discussed with our staff.
Space
Retreats are offered on location in Portugal. You can choose from two options
1. A hosted stay in community with one of our staff
2. An un-hosted stay where you choose your own private accommodation near us, and staff will come to you to provide care.
Retreat Locations
Un-hosted stays
Most guests choose a local AirBnB type rental. Once your care plan is determined, we will help you select accommodation based on your personal preferences, as well as the location of your primary care provider.
Hosted stays
Most hosted stays take place at ReCanto da Fonte, where a host lives on site. This house is located in a quiet village just a five-minute drive into town or to the beach, where there are lovely shops, cafes and restaurants, walking paths, and a variety of family friendly activities. ReCanto da Fonte has three private guest rooms and a shared bathroom on the first floor, and shared indoor and outdoor living spaces on the ground floor.
“ReCanto has truly been a place of blessing, refreshment, and renewal of strength.”
Ministry worker, Portugal
“What a wonderful place of respite this is! It has been a home to us while here. God has truly given a place of refuge.”
Missionary family, Germany
“The best part was being allowed to just be.”