WELCOME TO RAPHA’s REST RETREAT!! No
PLEASE READ ALL HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING - your entire group will be held accountable to them. Also, PRICING LISTED is only an estimate - your FINAL PRICE may be less depending on number of cabins/rooms needed for your Group.
Before describing this Destination Retreat, please note we are only set up for very specific sojourners and may not be the best place for you ... (ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING). For example, Property and Cabins are ALCOHOL-FREE, TOBACCO-FREE (incl vaping) and PET-FREE, all for liability reasons. Guests must be able to communicate in ENGLISH for the safety of all. While your privacy is important to us, we are an interactive property and best experienced when all amenities and boundaries are clearly understood. IF THESE PARAMETERS ARE NOT AN ISSUE, PLEASE READ ON...
This particuar LISTING is open for SMALL GROUPS needing multiple cabins and/or rooms to inquire … youth groups, church staff, couples intensive retreats, family reunions, etc!! A good estimate is @ 18 Men , 26 Women, 10 couples OR a custom mix of the above.
**Since every group dynamic on sleeping is different, and we are not set up like a bunkhouse (one size fits all), we cannot a guarantee availability or price for your specific group … BUT WE WILL DO OUR BEST!!
DESCRIPTION: The Retreat at RAPHA’s REST offers 5 Cabins & 3 Private Rooms remotely located in the piney woods of East Texas. It was created especially for time w/Father-God with 42 acres to hike, walk & pray + several cozy Cabins and Rooms for sojourners seeking healing REST & RESTORATION before continuing on their journey! While we are primarily focused on individuals/couples/families, we have had many requests for GROUP STAYS as well.
PRICING: If you do not need all 5 cabins + 3 rooms for your small group, and your Group does not require EXCLUSIVITY (no other guests on the property), YOUR PRICE COULD BE LOWER!
** ASK ABOUT MINISTRY and CHURCH DISCOUNTS!!
GROUP INQUIRIES: Each cabin does have its own listing here on VRBO, so not all cabins may be available at time of an inquiry. In order to know if we are able to host you, please let us know the following…
- HAVE YOU READ and does your GROUP AGREE TO ALL PROPERTY / HOUSE RULES (RENTAL AGREEMENT)?
- ARE YOU NEEDING EXCLUSIVE USE OF PROPERTY/ AMENITIES? (Ie. No other guests booked.)
- PURPOSE of your stay (family reunion, church group, etc)
- DATES needed (alternate date options if any)
- TOTAL#/ GROUP DYNAMIC: TOTAL number of guests and how they should be grouped together for sleeping … ie. all men/women? couples only? mixed youth? etc. If families, who can be together? Separate? etc.
CABIN DETAILS: For details about each cabin & its amenities, see LISTING #’s. (listed below).
CHECKIN: 3pm-6pm
EARLY/LATE CHECK-IN/OUT OPTION: Up to 3-Hour early/late check-in/ late check-out for $25 Donation when available ($40/both). Please INQUIRE BEFORE BOOKING.
PROPERTY: In addition to 42 acres to explore & your own private deck, relax on large Retreat Center Pool Deck - also perfect for group gatherings when using multiple cabins. A hot tub & fire-pit is perfect for enjoying those cooler evenings. Multiple yard games including corn-hole, frisbee golf (1 basket), horseshoes, etc! Summer evenings can bring a bat show over the newly dug (future) 2acre pond.
[ NOTE: You will notice multiple unfinished projects around the property! We're a work-in-progress, but it shouldn't keep you from having a good time!!]
HIKING: There are 42 tree'd acres to hike, pray, & explore. You will need good shoes for exploring/walking, especially when wet.
WORK-OUT ROOM:
Complete with weights, a TreadClimber, and MASSAGE CHAIR!! Just another layer of “Rest” for guests here at Rapha’s Rest!!
POOL: Open 8am-10pm so BRING SWIM SUITS!! Kids love it but it was designed around adults: Pool features Waterfall, Hot Tub, & Tanning ledge. BEACH TOWELS provided, but you may want to bring a robe/flip flops for walking back to room or cabin. Please be respectful of other guests sharing.
YEAR-ROUND HOT TUB: Attached to Pool. DUE TO RISING COST OF PROPANE, use 1x FREE/Booking. Each additional use = $15 DONATION. [Once temperatures drop below 50 degrees, each use $15]. We ask that once you request heat on, you arrive within 10 MINUTES of being ready - after that we have to cut it off. (We understand delays happen, but you may not be fond of cold showers if propane is depleted!)
LATTES/FRAPUCCINOS: Upon request with small DONATION when “Barista Cheryl” is avail. [formerly owned a Coffeehouse in Saint Jo, TX]
NOTE: FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST avail. by DONATION (Couple $30; Family $12ea /$5 under 5) when Randy & Cheryl are avail. PLEASE REQUEST UPON BOOKING. It may include any of the following ... farm-fresh eggs casserole, our own coffee roast, juice, pancakes, bacon, sweet rolls/muffins or other ... served inside the Retreat Center Main House or on the poolside deck.
[ALL DONATIONS given to Healing Hand-Up Ministries]
ANIMALS: Unfortunately, our property cannot accommodate PETS or EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS. [Certified Service Dogs permitted]. However, we have a virtual zoo ... 2 VERY LARGE lovable dogs, 2 cats, small goats, multitude chickens/ducks, and 1 potbelly pig!
INTERNET: The Retreat Ctr Main House has internet available, but it is VERY SLOW - fine for a quick email check, but it does not stream well if you need to do extensive work/Zoom calls, etc. We also ask that you not upload/download/ or stream movies, games, etc. while here due to the LIMITED SPEED/ DATA.
TV/DVD PLAYER/BOOK NOOK: We want guests to be as free from distractions as possible, so we do not have cable in the rooms/ cabins. However, we have a full LIBRARY of BOOKS & DVDs for rainy or extra hot days (or bring your own!) We are also working on a small BOOKSTORE onsite for the future!!
KID FRIENDLY? While the answer is YES, our design is ADULT-ORIENTED. For example, the pool. was created with adult relaxation in mind - it is not a sports pool. Kids can enjoy it, however. The primary purpose of Rapha’s Rest is found in its name ... REST. If you choose to bring your children one time, we encourage you to come back again without them to receive all the “Rest & Restoration” that God has waiting to give you in His Presence.
BOATERS: We are only minutes from Lake Fork and Lake Quitman, and only a bit further to Lake Hawkins. So, for a donation of $10/night, this is our only cabin where we can provide Overnight Battery Charging & parking for one boat. Bring Extension Cord. (We are in the woods, so seasoned drivers only please!) We ask that any fish be cleaned outside but remains be sealed and placed in trash (not tossed on property).
PRAYER CHAPEL: So excited to have our “CHAPEL IN THE WOODS” finally open - it’s been a labor of love!! Another quiet space to spend with Papa-God.
One name for Jesus is Jehovah-Rapha which means "God our Healer". Rapha’s Rest was created as a healing PLACE OF PRESENCE ... a PERFECT rest-stop on your continued journey for healing REST and RESTORATION!
Blessings,
Randy & Cheryl Bland
**CABIN TITLES/ ROOM DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:
- HUMMINGBIRD NEST HIDEAWAY #2643413: This cabin is 2BR w/QUEEN + 4 ADULT BUNKS, Complete Kitchen, Living/Dining, Main Cabin for meal prep) This is our largest dining/living area combo and great for group gatherings. NOTE: A COT-SIZED TWIN can be set up in living area for additional fee.
- CABIN ON DOGWOOD POND #3621515: 2BR (QUEEN, FULL), a separate Living space and full kitchen. This cabin has the largest porch + deck. Only cabin with TV SATELLITE in addition to DVD’s. It has a small deck top firepit, but is also easily accessible to our large pool deck firepit.
- SHADY CEDAR LOG CABIN #3364558: This is our most rustic cabin with a vaulted log cedar trelli, 1 Space w/QUEEN + TWIN, Living, Kitchenette, Shwr. 4th person could sleep on a fold-out ottoman which converts into COT-SIZE BED. We add a memory foam mattress but it is shorter than a standard cot.
- TRINITY OAK OASIS CABIN #2643405: This is our smallest cabin but does have separation in sleeping w/QUEEN + SLEEPING LOFT w/2 TWINS w/ladder access, Kitchenette, Small Sitting space, Shower
- TEXAS HICKORY HIDEOUT #3442134: 2 spaces w/KING, Complete Kitchen, Living/Dining area, Tub/Shower … IF NEEDED Couch converts to QUEEN but Living space is lost since it is a permanent conversion for duration of stay. It is our only cabin with a tub/shower and a King size bed.
ADDITIONAL 3 ROOMS WHEN NEEDED…
- FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE #2706417: QUEEN, FULL
- THE FRANCES ELIZABETH Room #3005510: QUEEN
