What to ExpectWhether you are a seasoned missionary in the field or simply seeking Jesus, this retreat will bring you back to the basics of what it means to delight yourself in the Lord. And conversely, experience His delight in you.
Intentional StructureOr rather a lack of structure. While we will have a list of adventures and experiences for us to go to do, there will be plenty of time to relax and be fluid with plans in the moment. Rather than a structured itinerary, we’ll have some “must do today” items and then some “fun” items to choose from each day. “Must do today” things might look like bible study, or family dinners. “Fun” items might look like a train ride into Edinburgh, or boat tour to the Farne Islands or a trip to a coastal castle.
A Heart for Study
Studying the Bible can be fun, boring, complex and simple all at the same time, especially if you want to be interested in it but just aren’t always in the right headspace to digest it. We get it, we’ve been there too. While on this retreat, we’ll have several opportunities for group and personal bible study, knocking the rust of those techniques that make the Bible come alive.
LogisticsWe’ll be staying in a warm and beautiful cottage, owned by a friend and local racehorse trainer. We will take care of your meals, group experiences and have a rental car, so you won’t need to worry about logistics once you arrive in Newcastle. This approach allows you to take a back seat from the every day tasks and simply enjoy England’s gorgeous countryside (and maybe even some of Scotland).
Key Scripture for the Trip“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalms 37:4
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalms 37:5-7
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23-24
FAQs
When are we going?
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The retreat itself is from May 10th through May 16th. Coming from the US, you would fly to England on May 9th and back to the US on the 16th. You are welcome to add any independent travel to the front or back of these dates, but we’ll plan to pick you up from Newcastle Airport on the 10th of May.
What area are we staying in?
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Northumberland is one of the largest National Parks in England and encompasses the North East portion of England. It borders Scotland with only a short train ride into Edinburgh. We will be staying in Otterburn, Northumberland for reference.
How does travel or booking flights work?
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We have a wonderful travel agent that will book your flights for you. While you aren’t required to use her, she is a great resource! If you plan to use airline points or book additional travel before or after the retreat, you can still consult with her, but points have to be booked through your airline directly.
What should I be expecting for trip costs?
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On average from the Houston, Texas area, flights are around $1,000. The Trip Package is $500, and this includes 3 meals a day, group experiences, lodging and our rental car. We would say, depending on how much you’d like to spend on shopping, you should budget around $300 for shopping or miscellaneous things.
