Feedback that touched our staff

Dear Hardy,

How does one extend an adequate expression of gratitude and satisfaction to you and your staff for the opportunity to share in your haven of peace and spirituality? A mere “thank you” sounds so superficial and doesn’t begin to reveal the depth of environmental serenity both in your naturally wooded setting and in your pleasant retreat accommodations.

I was so happy to know that my team members and retreatants alike felt readily welcome and at home even as they were driving into the driveway …… their very first visit to Bethel Park. Many other retreat centers just don’t have that “this is home” feeling of security and peacefulness that Bethel Park immediately offers.

Since I facilitate pregnancy loss healing retreats, privacy, comfort and the gentleness of your staff are of paramount importance in assisting the healing process that so many need. Every one of my team members and the retreatants commented on what a neat place this is for a private retreat. “Sue, you finally found what you’ve been looking for ….. this is definitely it,” was mentioned more than once.

Many of our retreatants will still try to turn around and leave even as they are driving in to a retreat center because of their fear, low self esteem, and the uncertainty of “what in the world am I doing here?” But your nicely wooded and cozy area seems to say in unspoken words, “you’re safe here, you belong here, it is good to be here and here is where you will find the healing that you seek.” They don’t want to turn around and leave because the serenity gently invites them to continue to come in.

Your center is so well kept and always seems so clean and fresh. You and your staff have more than gone out of your way to take in such a small confidential group as ours and provide everything that we needed for a very warm and pleasant experience for a very painful and difficult weekend journey through grief, loss and a myriad of other emotions that begin to surface during these weekend retreats.

Everyone commented on the wonderful food that you provided and it exceeds what most retreat centers offer. An extra convenience of having a variety of beverages available 24/7 is a big plus and saves so much on my having to go out and buy it and lug it all in on top of all the other things we use for the retreat.

This kind of retreat almost requires staff adaptability when it comes to meal times because we never know what we will be in the middle of just as a meal is ready to be served. You were more than generous with your patience and understanding when it just would not have been appropriate to suddenly cut off the flow of emotion of someone deep into their pain, loss and sorrow to break right at that moment for a meal.

The facilities were meticulously clean ….. unlike other retreat centers we have been in.The quaint decorations that made it seem more like home than a retreat center did not go unnoticed.

One can sense the enormous amount of love and care that goes into the preparations to make ready the warm and cozy welcome that is so appreciated by weary travelers. Many of whom have worked even the day of their journey to Bethel.

The equipment that you had so readily available made things so much easier to keep in flow. You weren’t intrusive into the retreat knowing that it is a confidential retreat and that people are really concerned about their privacy. This has not always been the case at other retreat centers and I have even felt violated for my guest’s apprehension about someone always skirting the periphery and fully noticed by the retreatants.

Everyone especially loved to walk outside and immediately feel at one with the beauty of nature that your retreat center is nestled within. It offered a serene place to think, talk, reflect and to ponder the Presence of God in all of this. If anyone was having difficulty re-connecting with God inside during the retreat, He was certainly more evident just outside the doors as one would go for a brief walk and come back looking and feeling refreshed.

The entire place just overflows with a spiritual essence ….. something we all need more of. You can’t help but feel it as soon as you enter the park and this certainly is an enhancement of what we try to accomplish throughout the weekend retreat.

You can be certain that I will definitely recommend your park and facilities to anyone looking for a comfortable and safe haven to hold a meeting or retreat of any kind.

Please know how much we appreciate all that you have done for us and continue to do. Such hospitality is difficult to discover in today’s world and I thank you so very much for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

You may list our events in your scrapbook under healing retreats for pregnancy loss, but would prefer it remains noted as a private event on your schedule of events ( for the privacy of those attending.)

My prayer for you and your staff is that you are able to continue to expand to accommodate even more people that will begin their healing experience the moment they drive into your park.

Please thank everyone involved for their kind generosity, warm hospitality and especially for making us feel “right at home” there. We will certainly be returning to your “haven” for all of our future retreats.

May God bless you, your family and staff abundantly for all that you do to help bring others into a fuller experience of life filled with hope and healing.

Blessings,

Sue