“We want to foster ‘belonging’ within our city and church communities.”

Elizabeth Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

Christian Horizons and Galilee Bible Camp teamed up in mid-January to beat the winter blues by hosting the Winter Wonderland Family Retreat. From January 13 to 15, they welcomed families that include members with special needs to enjoy winter-themed activities.

“The purpose behind these family retreats is to create an environment in which families living with a child with a disability, day in and day out, can be encouraged and refreshed physically, spiritually, and emotionally,” says Andrew Fitch, General Director of Galilee Bible Camp.

The families enjoyed activities like snowmobiling, tobogganing, skating, crafts, and more. There were also times set apart for the parents to have devotionals and spiritual encouragement. Meanwhile, the family members with disabilities had the chance to spend one-on-one time with a counselor.

“We want to foster ‘belonging’ within our city and church communities,” explains Jill Black, Community Development Manager at Christian Horizons and also a retreat volunteer. “We want to bless families so they are able to go back to their communities, full and ready to bless others. We want to see the body of Christ using the gifts and talents of all its members.”

The families enjoyed activities like snowmobiling, tobogganing, skating, crafts, and more. Photo courtesy of Christian Horizons.

Christian Horizons normally holds a retreat during the summer at Elim Lodge near Peterborough. Fitch was invited to the 2015 summer retreat to observe the activities and decide if they could replicate a similar winter arrangement at Galilee Bible Camp. They held their first Winter Wonderland together in January, 2016, and carried on the new tradition this year.

“The feedback from the families is that they do leave encouraged. Families that attend, who may not have known disabilities, have a greater respect and appreciation for those individuals who live day in and day out with a disability,” explains Fitch.

Mark and Rachel Barfoot and their three children are well acquainted with the summer retreats. They made it out to last year’s Winter Wonderland, as well. Looking back to the previous year, the Barfoots recall the morale-boosting environment, the kindness the volunteers showed their family, and the sense of belonging they felt among the other families.

One of the Barfoot boys having a great time. Photo courtesy of Christian Horizons.

“Just knowing that there were a lot of people who cared enough to make this retreat happen for us and other families like ours was a huge encouragement. I’m talking about all the short-term missionaries who gave up their time and resources to be there for us and all the others who did stuff to make the weekend special,” says Mark Barfoot.

“Families come away seeing how the gifts their children have are valued and can be used within the Body of Christ,” explains Black. “Members of various churches see what ‘belonging’ looks like. Parents get a time of respite where their children are safe and have a good time.”