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We are all trying to deal with the pain
of growing up and living in a broken world. Healing
retreats provide an excellent environment for the
wounded to surrender their heartaches, losses, and
responses to Christ. In one weekend, vital steps toward
surrender may produces deep inner healing for
participants who are walking the healing journey.
The Hope and Healing Ministries seeks to
build on those essential steps by offering continued
support, guidance, encouragement, and community. Our
aftercare program provides opportunities to take a
deeper look at what we have come to believe about
ourselves and God; our own uncertainties about why we
were created; what unique, God-given qualities we each
possess; and how knowing God’s purpose for our lives can
reduce stress, focus our energy, simplify our decisions,
give meaning to our lives, and most importantly, prepare
us for eternity.
These objectives are achieved by offering
retreat reunions, growth groups, one-on-ones before and
after retreats, aftercare weekend reunions, team
building meetings and team retreats, volunteer and
encouragers training, and the organization and
maintenance of our hope & healing e-group—an online
sharing and caring group for alumni participants and
team members.
Retreat Reunions . . .
“I very much enjoyed our
reunion!” The art therapy exercise was useful...a very
helpful tool.”
“Being able to see
everyone again who had helped me find healing on the
reunion retreat was wonderful; it was great to get
together in our circle of trust and discuss all the
changes that had happened in our lives since the
original retreat. The support of friends who truly know
you and sharing in on all the ups and downs was just the
blessing I was in need of.”
Growth Groups . . .
“Everyone is in the same
boat. We are all struggling with issues and are all
walking together. That is a real comfort. When no one
gets 100% of the attention, it is a subtle reminder that
other people hurt too. No matter how bad our pain is, we
know that other people hurt along with us and we learn
to have compassion on them.”
“As a participant in a
group, I have benefited when other people put words on
something that I feel too, but haven’t had a way to
describe yet. There are the voices of more than one
person to affirm, bless, and support me when I tell my
story.
One—on—One . . .
“I have been in therapy
for many years to deal with my addictions and character
flaws, but I began to feel "stuck," like I just wasn't
getting to the heart of the matter. I also tried other
things like support groups and a therapist who
specialized in sexual abuse because two different
therapists had brought up the subject suspecting I had
been a victim due to certain symptoms I displayed. Both
of these models had good to offer, but just weren't what
my heart ached for. Finally, I discovered Hope and
Healing Ministries had a ministry specifically for
survivors of sexual abuse, and I was drawn to this
because they invite God to be an integral part of the
journey. This also stirred up some fear in me, but I am
grateful I have pushed on. As I have worked through the
book "The Wounded Heart" with my encourager, I began to
see more and more clearly that true healing would only
come by facing the memories from my childhood AND my
responses to this. It is the attitudes of my heart and
mind stemming from the abuse that have interfered with
nearly every facet of my life. This is so different from
what I heard elsewhere, but I find over and over that it
is so true. I believe the most devastating effects have
been in my relationships with God and others, and my
view of myself. In the six months I have been working
with my encourager, I have begun to trust the One I
thought I could never trust and to know in the depths of
my heart that I am loved and cared for. I am no longer
alone. I am more than a survivor.”
“The retreat was such an
awesome experience. To stay connected with someone
afterwards helps to continue the healing and growth with
the things that were revealed to you on the retreat.
It’s been helpful to share with someone who knows my
story and accepts me for who I am.”
“I have never felt so
peaceful in my life. Getting to a place of peace is a
long and hard—self-and-God-search process. Having
someone to speak freely with and search with has helped
me greatly in getting to this point—A point of peace of
continual growth.”
Team Training & Retreats .
. .
Ongoing training of
retreat volunteers and the training of additional
“encouragers” is necessary to the growth and management
of this ministry. Training occurs through group studies,
one day training events, as well as weekend retreats for
current and prospective volunteers.
Aftercare Reunions . . .
Plans are underway for a
weekend retreat for retreat participants who desire
continued care and connection. Alumni—plan to attend
this year, Tending the Garden of Your Heart!
hope&healing e-group . . .
An online e-group is
available for all individuals who have attended any Hope
and Healing Ministries retreat. The mission of this
project is to provide daily encouragement, community,
and hope for those who are sojourners on the road to
healing from the wounds and pains of their past.
Opportunities for the facilitation of growth group study
discussion is available through this medium. |
