Testimonials
In church circles, we have often heard that “God is good, all the time." We depend on His goodness. Well, God’s goodness definitely touched lives on this Grief to Grace retreat. As a facilitator, I am privileged and blessed to watch grace deeply heal individuals who carry pain. I am not surprised at His graciousness, but in awe!
Dr. Burke, our counselor Carrie, and our team arrived a day before the retreatants. The next day retreatants arrived, and the retreat began at 3 p.m. On arrival, people showed a little reserve. A before and after retreat photo would speak a thousand words. I don't want to say that people looked dark and gloomy, but for most, the weight of the burdens they carried showed. On the fourth and final day, faces lit up from the inside, and a joyful glow emanated from each face.
The retreat schedule kept people busy and motivated. As sores open, retreatants encounter a challenge, to revisit their painful wounds. Two or three almost “bolted.” The artful caring and wisdom from Dr. Burke, Carrie, the facilitators, and the retreatants along with 24/7 prayer coverage from outside volunteers, encouraged and helped them to stay. This same compassion flowed into the small groups where retreatants shared their memories of childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, familial sexual abuse, spousal abuse, and emotional abuse.
After this sharing, the healing journey began. Using art, music, and physical activities, retreatants worked through their hurt and anger. Meditative scripture exercises took retreatants with Jesus through His abuse, humiliation, defamation, and abandonment on the cross. All came to see Jesus, Lord, Son of God, and King as a fellow sufferer, as one who truly knows their sorrows. Having fully identified with Christ, retreatants moved into forgiveness of their abusers and of themselves.
The final scripture exercise on the resurrection is celebrated with Handel's “Hallelujah” chorus and other joyful celebration songs. The next day, day five, retreatants left aglow having identified with Christ, now knowing that they are children of God, healed and restored.
-Christine Miller, retreat team leader, board member
​
“Prior to attending G2G, I was aware of and had poured forth much effort into working through childhood/adolescent wounds related to sexual impurity, performance anxiety, and self-esteem issues, which all would affect how I functioned in normal everyday life. Despite having sought out many hours of counseling and spiritual direction to work on and process these issues, these wounds had been deeply penetrated in my mind, heart, body, and soul, making it hard to feel a true sense of freedom. Attending G2G and stepping out of my comfort zone to actively participate in the retreat exercises allowed me to receive so many new insights and an abundance of healing and graces far more than I could have ever imagined. I will forever be so grateful for my retreat experience and to the volunteers who help make G2G possible for people desiring greater healing from the past traumas, violations, and afflictions they have endured in their life.”
- Kyle DeJesus, retreatant