WELCOME TO RAPHA’s REST RETREAT!!

PLEASE READ ALL HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING. Before describing this Destination Retreat, please note we are only set up for very specific sojourners & may not be the best place for you ... (let us know if you have any QUESTIONS @ HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING). Property & Cabins are ALCOHOL-FREE, TOBACCO-FREE (incl vaping) & 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 & best experienced when all amenities & boundaries are clearly understood. 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 East Texas. With a location only 1-2 hours from Louisiana, Tyler, and Dallas/Fort Worth, Rapha’s Rest is a great space to congregate for small family reunions or ministry groups! Cozy Rooms and Cabins on 42 acres were created for sojourners seeking healing REST & RESTORATION to hike, explore, & spend time w/Papa-God. 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!

TEXAS HICKORY ‘Honeymoon’ HIDEOUT is one of 5 cabins at Rapha's Rest. It was named because it is nestled inside a Hickory grove within an East Texas Loblolly Pine Forest. Though private and set apart, it is only a short walk to all property amenities such as library, pool, hot tub and (future) pond.

Due to its seclusion & being our only cabin featuring a KING SIZE BED with BATHTUB & SHOWER, it is set up ideally as a COUPLE getaway. There is a Queen foldout couch in 2nd Room with memory foam mattress, however, for 2 additional children or guests. Small but very comfortable. Also room for an infant Portacrib. [We ask that you NOT sleep on the couch due to unnecessary wear.] When couch is used as a bed, you will lose living space, but there is still a table & chairs to sit in, or watch a family movie from the comfort of the “bed”.

TEXAS HICKORY ‘Honeymoon’ HIDEOUT is 1 of 2 cabins that comes with a complete kitchen fully stocked with full-size appliances including a stove, refrigerator, and microwave in addition to its outdoor grill. Kitchen also includes a waffle iron, hand mixer and multiple other tools by request. This is one of our only cabins where the sleeping is in a separate bedroom from living/dining area. Outside its covered sitting porch, you will also find a private firepit to enjoy late nights reminiscing or roasted smores and marshmallows [Ask about a SMORES BASKET available for a small donation.]

We especially recommend this cabin for anniversary and honeymoon couples. STILL NOT SURE?? Check out all of our cabin designs, or ask for our recommendation … https://www.vrbo.com/p/properties

NOTE: Due to its wooded location, it may need to be accessed on foot when rainy or muddy, unless you have 4WD or SUV. (Less than 75’ to main rock driveway, & we have had no issues to date.)

**Ask about DISCOUNTS for active MILITARY, VETERANS, & MINISTRY LEADERS.

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; we make every effort to park your boat. And, for a donation of $20, this is our ONLY cabin where we can provide Overnight Battery Charging 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 & RESTORATION!

Blessings,
Randy & Cheryl Bland