WELCOME to RAPHA’s REST!! [READ Full Description & House Rules BEFORE BOOKING!] …
CABIN ON DOGWOOD POND is located at RAPHA’S REST Spiritual Retreat & Country Resort ... a PLACE OF PRESENCE ... surrounded by 42 wooded acres w/trails to hike, explore & spend time w/Papa-God.
Before describing this DESTINATION RETREAT, please note we are only set up for very specific sojourners & may not be the best place for everyone ... [QUESTIONS @ HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING. For example, NO PETS, ALCOHOL, or TOBACCO incl. vaping for liability reasons.]
IF THESE PARAMETERS ARE NOT AN ISSUE, PLEASE READ ON...
The Retreat at RAPHA’s REST offers 5 Cabins & 3 Private Rooms remotely located in the piney woods of E TX. With a location only 1-2 hours from Louisiana, Tyler, & DFW, Rapha’s Rest is a great space for single adults or couples to come for some Rest & Restoration, or small groups using multiple cabins to congregate for ministry or extended family gatherings! Cozy Rooms & Cabins on 42 wooded acres were created for sojourners seeking healing REST & RESTORATION. Play w/the goats, read a book, relax in the hot tub, roast marshmallows, enjoy seasonal show of bats dancing at sunset ... PERFECT REST-STOP on your continued journey!
ON DOGWOOD POND is one of 5 cabins located at RAPHA’s REST & one of only two cabins w/2 separate bedrooms. This cabin overlooks our wooded property and (future) pond. The kitchen comes fully stocked; includes stove, refrigerator, toaster, microwave & dishwasher! One of our only cabins where the sleeping is separated from living/dining, the Master includes an adjustable frame Queen Bed which raises head or feet for good night sleep. 2nd BR includes a FULL-SIZE bed also w/ plush memory foam mattress.
ON DOGWOOD POND offers the largest covered porch/deck of all our cabins! In addition to ample seating, on the porch is a gas GRILL with easy access to amenities ... pool, hot tub, & (future) pond. On its open deck, you will find a private firepit to enjoy late nights reminiscing or roasted smores and marshmallows [INQUIRE @ SMORES BASKET.] We recommend this cabin for families of 3-4 or 2 couples.
PARKING: FREE / 2 VEHICLES. $10/stay for each addit'l vehicle - INQUIRE @ BOOKING
**Ask about MULTI-NIGHT DISCOUNT for active MILITARY, VETERANS, & MINISTRY LEADERS (w/ documentation) **
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. Summer evenings bring a bat show over the newly dug (future) pond.
[ NOTE: You'll notice multiple unfinished projects @ 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: Weights, a TreadClimber, and MASSAGE CHAIR!! Bluetooth your favorite relaxing tubes to the Chair. Just another layer of “Rest”!!
POOL: Open 8-10pm so BRING SWIMSUITS!! Kids love it but it was designed around adults... Waterfall, Hot Tub, & Tanning ledge. BEACH TOWELS provided in each cabin, but you may want to bring a robe/flip flops for walking back to room or cabin. Please be respectful of other guests.
YEAR-ROUND HOT TUB: (Attach’d to Pool) **IMPORTANT** 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. (You may not be fond of cold showers if propane is depleted!)
LATTES/ ICED COFFEES: For small DONATION when “Barista Cheryl” is avail.
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.
- When available, a dozen farm fresh chicken eggs ($5), a doz. quail eggs ($3) or a S'more's Pkg ($8) for the firepit can be purchased.
- CHECK-IN/OUT … FOR THIS LISTING, important PROPERTY INSTRUCTIONS upon ARRIVAL. We may not work for all… SO PLEASE READ:
— CHECK-IN: 3-7:00pm [FIRM] ** Plan +30min for traffic/detours
— CHECK-OUT: 1:00pm [FIRM]
*** EARLY/LATE CHECK-IN/OUT: Up to 2-HOUR Early/Late Check-in/out for $25 Donation WHEN OWNERS AVAIL ($40/both) … INQUIRE @ BOOKING.
[Proceeds to HEALING HAND-UP MINISTRIES overseeing maintenance at Rapha’s Rest.]
ANIMALS: Our property cannot accommodate PETS. [Certified Service Dogs permitted]. However, we have a virtual zoo ... 2 LARGE lovable dogs, 2 cats, small goats, multitude chickens/turkeys/quail, & 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.
LIBRARY: Full LIBRARY of BOOKS & DVDs for rainy or extra hot days. We are also working on a small BOOKSTORE onsite for the future!!
BOATERS: Only minutes from Lake Fork/Lake Quitman, we make every effort to park your boat. All Fish cleaned outside with remains sealed & placed in trash (not on propty). If Overnight Battery Charging needed, we have a diff cabin avail. INQUIRE @ BOOKING.
ENGLISH: Guests must be able to communicate in ENGLISH for the safety of all. We are an interactive property & best experienced when all boundaries are clearly understood.
KID FRIENDLY? While the answer is YES, our design is ADULT-ORIENTED. For example, the pool was created with adult relaxation in mind - not a sports pool. The primary purpose of Rapha’s Rest is found in its name ... REST. If you choose to bring children, we encourage you to come back again to receive all the “Rest & Restoration” that God has waiting to give in His Presence.
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 & RESTORATION!
Blessings, Randy & Cheryl Bland
** NON-REGISTERED VISITORS **
VISITOR POLICY includes a DONATION + AGREEMENT to Property/HOUSE RULES with RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
PRIMARY REASONS:
1) MULTIPLE REQUESTS. We have 5 cabins + 3 Rooms where at times multiple bookings want to invite family/friends at same time. This can take away use of Amenities from paying guests, change our peaceful atmosphere, and increase property wear and maintenance. THEREFORE, your request is NOT GUARANTEED.
2) LIABILITY/ SAFETY. We need to know who is on the property at all times. Since family/friends are not vetted, nor under the liability agreement of registered guests, this leaves both us & other guests vulnerable, especially when our GATE CODE is given out.
CABIN VISITOR POLICY:
1) All Visitors must be pre-approved through Blands, and only approved when it is compatible with all guests booked during your stay. It is not an automatic privilege & we CANNOT GUARANTEE approval. INQUIRE @ BOOKING.
2) Please DO NOT give out our GATE CODE. This is for the security of all. Please meet Guests at Front Entrance and have them follow you to your Cabin.
3) All Visitors must agree to HOUSE RULES/ RELEASE of LIABILITY. The Donation PAYMENT is surety and a pledge of Agreement to such. A signed agreement may also be requested upon arrival.
4) NO OVERNIGHT VISITORS that were not in original Booking.
5) All visitors must be OFF PROPERTY by SUNDOWN.
6) $ DONATION OPTIONS are as follows:
- $10 DONATION/visitor… Less than 3 hours (ie. a meal / visiting) at your cabin area, NO AMENITIES (ie. pool, etc) LEAVE BY SUNSET
- $20 DONATION/visitor… More than 3 hours, NO AMENITIES (ie. pool, etc) LEAVE BY SUNSET
- $40 DONATION/visitor… Any length of time W/ AMENITIES (ie. Pool, etc.) LEAVE BY SUNSET
7) If you still wish to request a visitor(s), please clarify
a. WHO (Name/Cell# for HOUSE RULES)?
b. WHAT DAY / TIME?
c. HOW LONG?
REQUEST @ BOOKING. We will let you know what we can/cannot do once request is submitted.
** NOTE: If a DONATION does not work for your visitors, there are lovely Coffee Houses, Parks, and Restaurants within a 10-minute drive to meet your friend/family!