SonScape Colombia
by Larry Magnuson
It was an amazing trip! On October 23rd of last year, Barbara and I boarded a plane for Colombia. We were going to observe a retreat led by Rob and Shini Abraham, our international retreat leaders, followed by spending a few days with the three couples who will soon be leading our retreats in Colombia.
Barbara and I were not prepared for what we experienced. The retreat was attended by remarkable people who are serving the Lord in incredibly difficult circumstances. For instance, there was a single woman who had given 45 years of her life serving a remote mountain tribe, bringing the gospel, discipling converts, and translating the New Testament into a language that first had to be put in written form. Every person, every story was an incredible testimony of people willing to go to the ends of the earth to bring the gospel to people who need to hear. Yet they had grown weary, discouraged, and some even questioned their calling. By the end of the retreat, they shared all that God had restored in their lives and thanked us over and over for allowing Rob and Shini to bring the help and healing of a SonScape retreat to them.
After the retreat we spent three days with Félix and Yury, Hernán and Mariela, and Julio and Emily who will make up our team in Colombia under the guidance of Rob and Shini. Each of them had experienced life change at a SonScape retreat in the last couple years. Their life stories and testimonies are amazing. They told us over and over how honored they were that Barbara and I would come to meet them and spend time with them. But honestly, we were the ones who were honored to spend time with three incredible couples who love the Lord so deeply they would give their lives to serve the people of that region bringing the hope of Jesus.
The dream of our Colombian team for 2019-2020 is to hold four to six retreats in three different Colombian cities with an additional retreat close enough to the Venezuelan border to allow those who serve Jesus in that very difficult place to attend a life giving retreat. They are three passionate couples who are making so many sacrifices to bring rest and renewal to the pastors and missionaries serving in Colombia and surrounding countries. Please pray for Félix and Yury, Hernán and Mariela, and for Julio and Emily.
In a few weeks you will receive our annual scholarship appeal letter. This year’s funds will help make SonScape retreats possible for the Christian leaders serving in that part of the world and beyond. Please join Barbara and me in giving over and above regular giving for SonScape to support our international brothers and sisters. Let’s help them in their calling to bring the gospel to Colombia.
Our International Leaders
God has brought us two remarkable people to lead our international program. We wish all of you could see the impact Rob and Shini are having around the world through our retreats. You would be proud to watch the couple you support working so passionately and effectively.
Rob + Shini Abraham
The Mejias
We came to the retreat exhausted, disconnected, needing refreshment after many years in ministry. We received clarity on our struggles and on steps we needed to take going forward. We were served with love and grace. We were able to reconnect as a couple and learn to receive from each other again. We leave this retreat with renewed love and commitment to one another and to God.
During the retreat, we felt that we were on a very special dream trip. It was wonderful to get out of our usual routine and to take a good look at ourselves, to be “filled in those gaps” that we have had for a long time in our lives. Now, back at home, it feels like a dream, but it was all very real and we have a lot of work to do personally and as a couple. We trust in God’s help to move forward and we want to honor Him for giving us this gift by continuing in our personal calling, individually, and as a family.
Additionally, meeting our retreat leaders, receiving their advice, seeing them working in the service of the LORD together, as a couple, made this space a great impact and a great difference in our lives to experience the love of God through them.
W Luff
I have never received so much care, love, understanding, and encouragement in my life! For me it was very helpful to be able to share with leaders who were from another culture, understood the struggles of living cross-culturally, and they were able to present the teaching in simple refreshing ways that are seldom seen in Colombia.
God has brought me to a new place of understanding and accepting myself and enjoying my uniqueness. I have learned the importance of celebrating differences rather than being threatened by them. I am facing the future with new hope and practical steps to help me grow and become all that I was created to be.
It was great and so helpful to have so much emphasis on practical steps and personal application.
The Transformations Continue
Wow! I wish I would have had something like SonScape way earlier in my 20 years of ministry. Grace and truth that the pastoral couple needs comes with power and deep reflection as you gain a new perspective on how a loving Father meant for us to minister from a place of health. It has been rare in my life that I have felt so loved and convicted at the same time by a retreat leader. I sincerely will be a different kind of minister for Jesus as I will incorporate a rhythm of rest and refreshment in my life.
Thank you, SonScape Team, for literally changing my approach from a rushed, busy ministry to a ministry that draws from the well of the refreshing intimacy with my loving heavenly Father.
• Dwayne Eslick
Quite honestly, I struggled with coming to SonScape Retreats with my husband because we were in the midst of turmoil, moving out of our house, and preparing to move to another state and ministry. I kept feeling like this wasn’t the right time – we had so much to do.
Boy was I wrong!! It was exactly what we needed and it was the right time. Even in the midst of so much turmoil, God showed me it is possible to slow down and rest.
SonScape equipped and challenged me to come away with the Lord and off the treadmill of busyness that consumes so many of us. Our retreat leaders, Larry and Barb, loved on us and drew from the deep waters in our lives to bring out those things that were hindering our walks with each other and the Lord.
We feel emotionally, mentally, spiritually more healthy. Letting go and ready to face our new adventure in Christ together with our family. The surroundings were incredible. We had the perfect balance of together time, alone time, teaching time, counseling time, and time to explore the beautiful mountains surrounding us. Thank you so much!
• Cecilia Eslick
As of the writing of this Update,
40% of our 2019 retreat openings are already filled!
35th Anniversary
In 1984 Bob and Sandy Sewell launched a dream that became SonScape Retreats. Thousands of Christian leaders have found help and healing across the years. The work God accomplished in their lives impacted marriages, churches, and communities around the world. Together we celebrate the past and look ahead to what God has in store for the next 35 years.
Major Facility Repairs and Upgrades
Two severe hail storms that damaged cars and homes around our retreat center have led to a new roof and exterior paint for SonScape. Work will begin this Spring. Decks have been repaired and should last a few more years before replacement will be needed. In addition, our parking lot has new asphalt, our guest suites have new carpeting and window blinds, and the great room in the retreat center has had a total makeover. All in all, our Colorado facility is in top rate condition for the coming years.
New Part-Time Retreat Leaders
Ken and Sandy Moore have joined the team of SonScape part-time retreat leading couples. They have served churches in Minnesota, Illinois, Colorado, and Alaska. In addition, they have worked internationally with national pastors serving in Nepal and India over the past several years. A SonScape retreat had a significant impact on their lives and ministry a decade ago and they are now excited to come alongside other Christian leaders. They bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to the team.