2011 MET Retreat Worthing UK
(November 08, 2011)OUR RECENT RETREAT FOR SINGLE MISSIONARIES BY THE SEA IN WORTHING, UK
1-8 November 2011
It was a very different retreat in that it was small in number and decentralised. Who could have known in 2002 that our small house in Ferring would be a retreat centre receiving missionaries from all over the world? God wonderfully extended the house in 2007 when Jan married Des – and it became the perfect “rendezvous” for this MET Retreat. Every day the nine missionaries converged on our home at 9:20 am, ready for a 9:30 am start. Our small conservatory was set out as a “meeting hall” which seated 17 at very close quarters (nine missionaries and eight staff). Our small dining room became a delightful place of hospitality and fellowship around delicious homemade food, provided by local church folk. The lounge was a special place of relaxation and chat – kicking shoes off and curling up in the chairs or on the sofa. The downstairs bedroom became host to coats, bags, books, cameras, laptops, slippers and shoes. Upstairs, Jan’s tiny sitting room was added to the available space for a small group to meet, and quiet prayer to happen. On Mintie’s side (the extension) we met twice a day with our retreat staff, and her bathroom became the second downstairs cloakroom. Add into that cocktail of accommodation a kitchen, which lies between the main house and Mintie’s extension, exuding delightful smells of cooking – you have the perfect picture of “home sweet home” bulging with missionaries for seven days!
Worthing Seafront, WEst Sussex, UK
The week passed so quickly there was hardly time to think or breathe. The homely environment and small number of missionaries created a very special close fellowship. There was nowhere to hide! What camaraderie as the single missionaries quickly identified with one another’s circumstance and experience. Conversations and subsequent prayer could be heard all over the house.
We gathered in our conservatory for teaching and worship
Even the most optimistic among them were discouraged and worn down. This was not surprising as some of their locations of service are extremely tough assignments, even for the strongest. (Haiti, Sudan among them) Some were depleted for lack of meaningful relationships on the mission field – it was all work with little opportunity to relax and unwind. They expressed how spiritually barren they felt in their hearts.
At the end of our mornings of worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship, members of our staff team took individuals back to their own homes for “one on one” appointments. Each missionary had opportunity to talk freely and honestly of their personal challenges and needs. We know from the testimonies heard on the last day that many felt that burdens were lifted, wounds healed, and hope restored. You cannot sort out every need in a retreat, but what you can do is start to restore equilibrium of body, soul and spirit, and provide the foundation from which they feel they can move forward again.
Pottery at Kingsleys in Ferring village
Each afternoon we offered different options, ranging from “one on ones”, pottery painting, foot massage, sea front walks, or returning to their hosts for a rest. Then, at 6:00 pm they all gathered back at our home for a tasty supper provided by local church supporters, followed by small group meetings scattered around the house. By 9:15 pm they were on their way back to their billets - warm and loving local church hosts. Wonderful days together.
How faithful our Lord is to meet with those who call on His name with such a desperate heart-cry. For sure, you can hear the depth of what transpired in the following missionary comments:
- God has used you to speak His healing and hope to my heart.
- I cannot find words to express my thanks. Thank you for so faithfully ministering to us from your place of grief and weakness. God has done more than I could have imagined, answering the questions of the last 3 years on the field!
- Thank you for sharing your lives faith, tears and sorrows as well as your joys and your richness of wealth in Jesus with us, and me.
- Thank you for the encouragement and wisdom you gave. God has done much more than I could have asked or imagined. Thank you for your faithful service even in suffering.
- I can already feel the effect of the retreat in my daily, working life; I am more relaxed, more gracious, and I give thanks to the Spirit for this inner-peace, which I honestly wouldn't have thought was possible even just two weeks ago. I am on the road back to my first love .... and the more I remember what it was like, the more I want to run towards it, even if I am tripping and falling along the way.
- It has been such a great week with Jan & Mintie and all else present but most of all God. I have drawn close to Him in a special way this week. I am closer to His Word and have been given a fresh desire to spend time with Him in His presence.
Supporters from the USA and UK made all these beautiful bags and
bracelets as gifts for the missionaries!
We would like to thank two groups of people: 1. MET supporters who gave financially, cooked lovely food, provided comforting B&B, helped with transport, and provided very special personal gifts. 2. Our hardworking and faithful staff, Pat Duffield, Caroline Hatherall, Rosie Kopecek, Christian Freed, Mary Atkins and Anthony Duffield.
Would we host another retreat in our home? We don’t think so. It was so right for this occasion when we personally wanted, and needed, to be at home. But in a proper retreat centre the blessing of being catered for, prepared rooms, and cleaning being done for you is a definite advantage. Certainly it is much less work for us as directors. Also, to be in one place, in one accord, seeking the Lord together is still the very best. The comings and goings, and the lack of space at home allowing the missionaries to seek the Lord alone were not the best. In a Retreat Centre we have the facilities and space to set aside a quiet room and a location for personal prayer. We learn!
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