Each year, toward the middle of August, the women of the Charis House look forward to their annual retreat. A caring and considerate couple - supporters of the Charis House ministry who wish to remain anonymous - selflessly donate their beachside condo for the Charis House ladies to enjoy. It is a time of relaxation, reflection and renewal that is deeply appreciated and very much enjoyed. The additional costs of the retreat, including food, travel, and entertainment, are provided by donations from Bargain Center shoppers, Ministry Village supporters, and staff members.

During this year’s retreat, the ladies enjoyed swimming, spending time in the condo’s lazy river, and strolling on the beach. “We also held a special devotion time by the water with one of our volunteer teachers who made a special trip out just to spend time with us for a few hours,” said Vanessa Bettis, Director of Women’s Recovery Ministries for Ministry Village at Olive.

Vanessa finds the annual retreat to be a vital component of reaching the women on a whole different level. “My purpose of the retreat is to help remove ourselves from the familiarity of our usual patterns and surroundings…to set aside time to get away with God in His creation, and to listen to His still, small voice. We find the perfect time to do that at the retreat is during sunrise. Everyone needs time to unplug and refocus, so retreats are very important to schedule into our lives. My word to the ladies this year was for them to be renewed – to refocus – and to regain hope. This special time away gives the ladies a chance to bond together, to get to know one another on a whole new level – to share their thoughts and expressions in a group setting. It’s really special for the ladies to dedicate time to the Lord and restore themselves so that they can be better disciples in everything. Sometimes we have to disconnect in order to better connect. Forget-me-not flowers were always one of my favorite flowers as a child, perhaps because something deep within me knew the importance of remembering who we are and all that we love most in our lives.”

“What I have seen come out of this year’s retreat is a better connection between the women - such a beautiful thing of unity and love. They also were able to focus and build confidence so they could each leave the retreat with a plan and specific steps to bring more fulfillment and joy into their every day lives. My wish for each lady is for them to leave the retreat feeling seen – for them to leave feeling special, understood, and valued. The foundational work that we did will set the tone for a future filled with more peace, fulfillment, and success.”

Thank you to all of the Charis House and Ministry Village donors, volunteer teachers, and staff members who helped to make this retreat special and fulfilling for everyone! And a special thanks to our Bargain Center shoppers whose donations helped make the retreat possible!

·      To learn more about the Charis House, click here or contact Vanessa Bettis at 850-475-1116 or VBettis@MinistryVillage.org.

·      To donate to the Charis House or any Ministry Village program, click here.

·      The Charis House has created an Amazon Wish List, where you can choose needed items, purchase through Amazon and everything will be shipped directly to Ministry Village. To shop through the wish list, visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3S2AXDSG4CY93…

·      If you prefer to donate in a more traditional way, Walmart gift cards are always a blessing to the Charis House and the Esther House. Gift cards are used to purchase necessities like towels, toiletries and other household items. Please send gift cards to Ministry Village at Olive, Attention: Ms. Vanessa Bettis, 1716 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.