Testamonies A Christian retreat and renewal centre

Individual or group notes.

March 2007 note: My time at Bethesda has not been spectacular, just blessedly quiet and set apart. It was wonderful to have a day ahead of me and to know I could use that time to follow things through in the word, to pour my heart out to God, to wrestle with issues, and so on. It was a happy, peaceful time. Only in the last month or so am I realizing that I have grown from this time, quite a lot. I am more sure of the word and more inclined to turn to the Lord for everything. I am standing more firmly on the word of truth and am not as battered by doubts and uncertanties as I used to be. I have learned to pray through the word and to search it to find truth when I need to. I am more devoted than I was. All of these things take time to develop, and though I didn't realize they were happening they seem to have, and I find myself at a new level of seeking now. It seems as though if we give him a chance the Lord really will work in us.

I tried to have retreats elsewhere but no other place seemed to work nearly as well, so I made the hour trip for over a year once a month to Bethesda, and welcomed the attic room warmed and ready for me and the time and the space with the Lord each month. This retreat set apart for God's people to spend time with the Lord has been a great blessing for me. My thanks to my brother and sister Lorna and Ray. Sally Gray

Feb. 2007 Men’s Retreat: A retreat is defined as a safe and quiet place of rest or refuge. That’s what ten men from St Paul’s experienced when they gathered at Bethesda Renewal Centre for an over night Men’s Retreat on Feb 2nd and 3rd. The event was organized by Ray Brule who acted as host and spiritual leader. The weekend offered an opportunity to develop friendships, and strengthen a spiritual connection with God.

Bethesda is a spacious and comfortable facility in a quiet rural setting. It provides a great environment to relax and enjoy fellowship away from each person’s normal routine. The atmosphere is conducive to exploring spiritual growth, and Ray had a program of short films followed by small group discussions. The program explored the concept of a life based on vision and purpose, and focused on five topics: relationship with God, relationship with people, financial, physical health, and work.

Mealtime is always a time of fellowship. Meal preparation was divided up, with 2-3 men preparing and serving each meal or lunch period. Everyone had a chance to contribute their skills and add variety to the retreat. Saturday was a sunny but cold day. After lunch, most of the men donned winter clothes and went on a hike on the powdered snow-covered trails on the Bethesda property. It was a pleasure to experience the winter solitude in the natural setting of forest and field.

As good times always do, the weekend came to an end all too soon, and we departed with the determination to foster and strengthen new-found friendships and apply the spiritual and life skills learned from the program. Thanks go out to Ray for his organizational skills and spiritual guidance that made the time a complete success.

Gordon Ripley

January 207 Women's retreat: “Life is a journey” – we all know that saying. When I look back over my journey, those memorable times of my life (both ups and downs of which there seem to be too many…), the one thing that is a constant is my need to find a quiet place – for solace, for reflection, or just to be surrounded and renewed by the peace of nature.

My most treasured times are those spent in quiet communion with, and feeling the presence of, God, outside among His trees, His birds, His snow, His…everything.

The next most important thing is being with loving, caring friends - to chat, to share, to learn, to laugh, to cry, to rediscover my creativity, and to find renewed energy to go forward on my journey, facing the challenges, knowing I can overcome them all.

Believe it or not (and I’m not Ripley!) all of these things I have found over and over again in one very special place – Bethesda Renewal Centre – where Ray and Lorna Brule lead a unique and very precious ministry. My visits there are never frequent enough! I always want to stay longer, to drink in the peace, to shout for joy in the middle of the woods, to sing to God through the trees, to spin and laugh in the middle of a snowstorm that threatens to cut us off from civilization. All of these I have done on my weekends at Bethesda. But more that that, - during my last retreat there in mid-January, I, along with close to a dozen other blessed women from St. Paul’s, studied the book of Esther. We were inspired by her strength, her wisdom, her courage. We shared our own stories and gained strength from each other. We pampered ourselves, something we never do enough of. We joked, laughed, cooked and ate and slept like logs.

We drank in the warmth of the fire, and each others’ company. We reconnected with our inner selves.

I found grace, peace and joy, and strength, as I always do, in sharing that special time with such special women. The next Bethesda retreat weekend can’t come soon enough for me. It’ll be another irreplaceable step on my journey. Wouldn’t you like to experience that kind of step on your journey? Margaret Anthony

Previous years notes: "Bethesda provided a wonderfully relaxing environment for our recent cell group retreat. We sensed the presence and peace of God, and found it easy to draw close to Him in times of intimate worship and soaking prayer. The relaxed atmosphere also gave us the opportunity to strengthen relationships in our team." P.H.


	Individual or group notes. March 2007 note: My time at Bethesda has not been spectacular, just blessedly quiet and set apart. It was wonderful to have a day ahead of me and to know I could use that time to follow things through in the word, to pour my heart out to God, to wrestle with issues, and so on. It was a happy, peaceful time. Only in the last month or so am I realizing that I have grown from this time, quite a lot. I am more sure of the word and more inclined to turn to the Lord for everything. I am standing more firmly on the word of truth and am not as battered by doubts and uncertanties as I used to be. I have learned to pray through the word and to search it to find truth when I need to. I am more devoted than I was. All of these things take time to develop, and though I didn't realize they were happening they seem to have, and I find myself at a new level of seeking now. It seems as though if we give him a chance the Lord really will work in us. I tried to have retreats elsewhere but no other place seemed to work nearly as well, so I made the hour trip for over a year once a month to Bethesda, and welcomed the attic room warmed and ready for me and the time and the space with the Lord each month. This retreat set apart for God's people to spend time with the Lord has been a great blessing for me. My thanks to my brother and sister Lorna and Ray. Sally Gray Feb. 2007 Men’s Retreat: A retreat is defined as a safe and quiet place of rest or refuge. That’s what ten men from St Paul’s experienced when they gathered at Bethesda Renewal Centre for an over night Men’s Retreat on Feb 2nd and 3rd. The event was organized by Ray Brule who acted as host and spiritual leader. The weekend offered an opportunity to develop friendships, and strengthen a spiritual connection with God. Bethesda is a spacious and comfortable facility in a quiet rural setting. It provides a great environment to relax and enjoy fellowship away from each person’s normal routine. The atmosphere is conducive to exploring spiritual growth, and Ray had a program of short films followed by small group discussions. The program explored the concept of a life based on vision and purpose, and focused on five topics: relationship with God, relationship with people, financial, physical health, and work. Mealtime is always a time of fellowship. Meal preparation was divided up, with 2-3 men preparing and serving each meal or lunch period. Everyone had a chance to contribute their skills and add variety to the retreat. Saturday was a sunny but cold day. After lunch, most of the men donned winter clothes and went on a hike on the powdered snow-covered trails on the Bethesda property. It was a pleasure to experience the winter solitude in the natural setting of forest and field. As good times always do, the weekend came to an end all too soon, and we departed with the determination to foster and strengthen new-found friendships and apply the spiritual and life skills learned from the program. Thanks go out to Ray for his organizational skills and spiritual guidance that made the time a complete success. *Gordon Ripley* January 207 Women's retreat: “Life is a journey” – we all know that saying. When I look back over my journey, those memorable times of my life (both ups and downs of which there seem to be too many…), the one thing that is a constant is my need to find a quiet place – for solace, for reflection, or just to be surrounded and renewed by the peace of nature. My most treasured times are those spent in quiet communion with, and feeling the presence of, God, outside among His trees, His birds, His snow, His…everything. The next most important thing is being with loving, caring friends - to chat, to share, to learn, to laugh, to cry, to rediscover my creativity, and to find renewed energy to go forward on my journey, facing the challenges, knowing I can overcome them all. Believe it or not (and I’m not Ripley!) all of these things I have found over and over again in one very special place – Bethesda Renewal Centre – where Ray and Lorna Brule lead a unique and very precious ministry. My visits there are never frequent enough! I always want to stay longer, to drink in the peace, to shout for joy in the middle of the woods, to sing to God through the trees, to spin and laugh in the middle of a snowstorm that threatens to cut us off from civilization. All of these I have done on my weekends at Bethesda. But more that that, - during my last retreat there in mid-January, I, along with close to a dozen other blessed women from St. Paul’s, studied the book of Esther. We were inspired by her strength, her wisdom, her courage. We shared our own stories and gained strength from each other. We pampered ourselves, something we never do enough of. We joked, laughed, cooked and ate and slept like logs. We drank in the warmth of the fire, and each others’ company. We reconnected with our inner selves. I found grace, peace and joy, and strength, as I always do, in sharing that special time with such special women. The next Bethesda retreat weekend can’t come soon enough for me. It’ll be another irreplaceable step on my journey. Wouldn’t you like to experience that kind of step on your journey? *Margaret Anthony* Previous years notes: "Bethesda provided a wonderfully relaxing environment for our recent cell group retreat. We sensed the presence and peace of God, and found it easy to draw close to Him in times of intimate worship and soaking prayer. The relaxed atmosphere also gave us the opportunity to strengthen relationships in our team." P.H. "I have been truly blessed through meeting Ray & Lorna and the stays at Bethesda during a significant personal crisis. I was welcomed, healed, comforted knowing God was present." B.W. "Just a note to say Thank-you, I always have a wonderful time visiting Bethesda. The atmosphere is loving and restful. From the moment I step out of the car, and the dogs greet me, I feel a boost of peace and contentment.” M.S. “Thank you for your motherly touches and all the prayers you’ve prayed when I couldn’t”. S.S. “Coming to the prayer house has changed my life drastically; not only me, but my home and even my marriage. … I do believe God allowed you to have this place for a special reason … for people to get away from daily activities, and spend quality time with God, away from phones, noises and people – so that we can commune with Him." C.R. Thank you, Brule family for all that you do for all of us. Bethesda is a beacon in our lives. M.A. Pastor notes. A silent retreat allowed me to discover certain things that I needed to discover (and process/ confess/ acknowledge/ whatever). The silent periods were also time to retreat to the woods on the grounds. The grounds of Bethesda offer beautiful trails, sightings of wildlife and cleared fields with no concrete in sight – Ray’s vision of a virtual tour of the holy land is inspired! The environment was lovingly soaked in prayer. I’ll be back. M.W. Thanks for allowiing us to come visit, pray, relax, renew ourselves. We will hold up this place in our prayers. God Bless, T & L.
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