My Experience is that in our stress-filled, hurry-sick world, it has never been more important that people have places where they can step back, and be refreshed in body, mind and spirit Chris Edmundson, Bishop of Bolton, "A spiritual retreat is where the seekers are seeking God. It is where God is seeking the seekers. It is the meeting place. "Sister Louise Dowgiallo, OSB, of the Benedictine Pastoral Centre in Virginia Put succinctly, a retreat is an intentional time away for prayer. Margaret Guenther, 'The Practice of Prayer, ..It will then be up to the seeker to complete the mission of finding God in the peaceful surroundings of holy places. God is speaking to us all the time and our daily world is too busy to hear His voice. Retreat centres offer an environment for this conversation to take place. www.findthedivine.com.Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." -Albert Einstein. For burnt out, exhausted, disheartened Christians, seekers and enquirers if you like, a retreat is obviously the most compelling way to recharge human batteries in a bid to find our physical and spiritual equilibrium. Jesus said "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" Mark 6:31. The question though is do we go on retreats? The answer lies in the fact that in todays environment, very few are saved the punches of life. The challenges for Christians are multifaceted, ranging from marriage to careers, businesses, and health or rather the lack of it, to finances and so on and so forth. Hosea 2:16 says, "I will allure you, I will lead you into the desert and speak to your heart... Isnt it about time we retreat - which is symbolic of the desert - and allow God to speak to our hearts? Some go on retreat for an intensive period of prayer and fasting away from everyday surroundings and distractions. Others go on retreats simply to be. To reflect and rest and talk to God in their own way. Still others go on retreat seeking an atmosphere of silence and contemplation, listening for the still small voice. Others go simply to rest, having been buffeted to physical, mental, spiritual and emotional exhaustion. Many return refreshed and renewed with many miracles as a result of time apart with the Lord.It is my firm believe that our Lord and Saviour encourages those who follow him to withdraw to a quiet place now and then to recharge their batteries. Then Jesus said, lets 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, NLT. No matter why you decide to go, just go. This book will help you to finding a suitable place to go. Financial challenges stop many from going on retreats. However, even that is no longer an impediment because there are venues that allow people who cannot afford to pay to go and retreat anyway. You will find them among the pages of this book. Please make contact and enquire if unsure. Some venues also allow their guests to make donations as opposed to paying regular published tariffs. So what are you waiting for?At His service Anna Vanderpuye
