WELCOME TO RAPHA’s REST RETREAT!
** Read entire LISTING DESCRIPTION + HOUSE RULES BEFORE Booking! **
[Ie. NO PETS, NO ALCOHOL or TOBACCO incl. Vaping for liability reasons.]
BOOKING REQUESTS: If Pre-Book QUESTIONS REQUIRED TO BOOK have not been answered, you will have until the noon or the end of the day (whichever is sooner) to provide information, OR we will DECLINE BOOKING REQUEST.
NOTE: Due to multiple issues this past year, we NO LONGER accept LAST MINUTE Guests, 1st VRBO STAY Guests, or Guests with NO PRIOR REVIEWS, except in rare instances.
** DISCOUNTS for MULTI-NIGHT GUESTS & MILITARY/ MINISTRY LEADERS (w/docs) **
3rd PARTY BOOKINGS: We take GUEST SAFETY seriously so we RARELY accept. If you wish to “scholarship” a gift (ie. pastor appreciation), we can usually accommodate! HOWEVER, if you wish to book for different party (ie. business trip, friend, etc.) we are not for you.
ENGLISH: Guests must be able to communicate in ENGLISH for SAFETY of all. We are an interactive property & best experienced when all amenities & boundaries are clearly understood.
IF THESE PARAMETERS ARE NOT AN ISSUE, PLS READ ON...
CABIN is located at RAPHA’S REST Spiritual Retreat & Country Resort ...a PLACE OF PRESENCE ... surrounded by 42 wooded acres w/trails to pray, hike & explore. RAPHA’s REST offers 5 Cozy Cabins + 2 Rooms remotely located on 42 acres in the piney woods of E TX, 1-2 hrs from DFW. Great for sojourners seeking healing REST & RESTORATION, or for small family reunions & ministry groups! Play w/the goats, read a book, roast marshmallows, or enjoy seasonal show of bats dancing at sunset ... PERFECT REST-STOP on your continued journey!
TX HICKORY HIDEOUT CABIN is our most private cabin, nestled inside a Hickory grove within an E TX Pine Forest, yet only a short walk to all amenities. Due to its seclusion & being our only cabin featuring a KING SIZE BED & BATHTUB, this ‘Honeymoon’ Cabin is set up ideally as a COUPLE getaway.
There is also a QUEEN foldout sofa for 2 addit’l children in separate Living/Dining Rm. When sofa is used as a bed, you will lose living space, but there is still a table & chairs to sit on, or watch a family movie from the comfort of the QUEEN “bed”. [Pls do NOT sleep on the sofa due to unnecessary wear.] Room for Portacrib.
KITCHEN stocked w/full-size appliances including a stove, refrigerator + waffle iron, hand mixer, & microwave. Outside is an outdoor grill, covered porch w/extended deck.
We especially recommend for couples (Tight for families of 3-4). STILL NOT SURE?? Ask for our recommendation from all cabin designs.
PARKING: FREE/2 VEHICLES.
$15/stay for each addt’l vehicle. [DETAILS @ BOAT PARKING BELOW]. *CONFIRM BEFORE BOOKING*
FIRE-PIT: Private fire-pit to enjoy late nights [SMORES BSKT $10]
FIRE-PIT SAFETY: Wood provided. If need more, pls request. Do not use wood larger than circumference of fire-pit. Pls do not use project lumber @ Propty. NOTE: Fire-pits may NOT be a used when FIRE BAN in affect, or when Hosts determine winds/weather make fire dangerous. DO NOT LEAVE FIRE-PIT UNATTENDED (controlled smoldering coals fine) … common sense!
PROPERTY: Relax on large Retreat Pool Deck overlooking the Pond - perfect for group gatherings when using multiple cabins. Yard games including corn-hole, frisbee golf (1 basket), badminton, etc!
** MINORS: We encourage exploring, playing with goats, etc, but there are many dangers. So ALL MINORS under 18 must have an adult ONSITE. ALL CHILDREN under 13 must be accompanied around Propty by an adult or older sibling … for SAFETY of ALL.
HIKING: 42 tree'd acres to hike, pray, explore — bring good shoes, especially when muddy.
WORK-OUT ROOM: **ADULTS ONLY!** Complete w/ weights, TreadClimber & MASSAGE CHAIR!! BLUETOOTH favorite tunes to Chair - another layer of REST!!
BOOKSTORE/ MOVIES: We just opened our BOOK NOOK & COUNTRY STORE … books, gifts, snacks & farm-fresh eggs!! Includes full LIBRARY of DVDs/ BOOKS for rainy days!
PRAYER CHAPEL: So excited to have our “CHAPEL IN THE WOODS” open — a labor of love!! Another quiet space to spend with Papa-God.
POOL: 8am-10pm — BRING SWIM SUITS!! Designed around ADULTS … Waterfall, Hot Tub, Tanning ledge, etc. BEACH TOWELS provided, but you may wish to bring a robe/flip flops for walking back & forth from cabin.
** KID FRIENDLY? While the answer is YES, RETREAT design is ADULT-ORIENTED, so it is NOT a sports pool. Kids do enjoy, however [See parameters]:
POOL NOTES:
- Keep CHILDREN RESPECTFUL of NOISE LEVEL & other GUESTS’ PERSONAL SPACE. An adult must be within eye-site — for SAFETY OF ALL!
- NO JUMPING from Hot tub to pool!
- NO MUSIC PLS (even on your phone) as guests have different tastes. If you would like to add MUSIC at the pool, pls ASK HOST to turn on SPEAKER for RAPHA’S REST RADIO (choose from 3 Mixes). THANK YOU!!
** SWIM AT OWN RISK **
YEAR-ROUND HOT TUB:
(Attach’d to Pool) **IMPORTANT** DUE TO RISING COST OF PROPANE, use 1x FREE/Booking (when temps above 50. If below, each use $15]. Each addt’l use = $15 DONATION. We ask that once you request heat on, pls ARRIVE WITHIN 10 MINUTES of being heated or we will have to cut it off. (You may not be fond of cold showers when propane depletes!)
LATTES/ FRAPPES: Upon request with small DONATION when “Barista Cheryl” is avail. [formerly owned a Coffeehouse]
FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST: Upon request with DONATION (Couple $35; Family $15ea /$8 under 8) when Hosts are avail. REQUEST @ BOOKING. May include any of the following ... farm-fresh eggs or egg casserole, bacon, biscuits/gravy, our own coffee roast, juice, fruit, pancakes or sweet rolls/muffins, etc ... served inside Main House or outside, weather pending.
NOTE: If you require a specific diet, we may not be the best option for you … many amazing Breakfast Eateries listed in our GUIDEBOOK provided!
** When avail, a dozen farm fresh eggs ($5) or a S'more's Pkg ($10) for the firepit can be purchased.
CHK-IN/OUT: Important INSTRUCTIONS given @ ARRIVAL … PLEASE READ:
— CHK-IN: 3-7:00pm [FIRM]
** Plan +30min for traffic/detours!
— CHK-OUT: 1pm [FIRM]
** INSTRUCTIONS sent to cell#
** EARLY/ LATE CHK-IN/ OUT: $25 Donation WHEN OWNERS AVAIL ($40/both). ASK @ BOOKING.
INTERNET: We encourage guests to get full benefit of RAPHA’s REST by detaching from all devices. However, POOL DECK does have INTERNET avail when needed - slow, but fine for a quick email check. We ask that you NOT upload/download/ or stream movies, games, etc. due to the LIMITED SPEED/ DATA. THANK YOU!!
ANIMALS: Propty cannot accommodate PETS or EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS. [Certified Service Dogs permitted with DOCUMENTATION]. However, we have a virtual zoo ... 2 VERY LARGE lovable dogs, 2 cats, small goats, multitude chickens/turkeys & 1 potbelly pig!
BOATERS: Only minutes from Lake Fork/ Lake Quitman! We cannot guarantee BOAT PARKING, but make every effort, depending on what all of our other guests’ needs are. If Overnight Battery CHARGING needed, there is a DONATION of $10/night. BRING ex-long EXTENSION CORD. All Fish cleaned outside w/ remains sealed & placed in trash (not on Propty).
NOTE: ONLY 1 CABIN can handle 2 BOATS [Inquire BEFORE BOOKING].
UNREGISTERED VISITOR POLICY: It’s not a surprise guests occasionally want to share their Rapha’s Rest experience w/ friends or family. HOWEVER, due to past experiences we have become STRICT @ non-reservation visitors on Propty. VISITOR POLICY includes an added $DONATION (Outlined Below) + AGREEMENT to PROPERTY/HOUSE RULES + SIGNED RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
[NOTE: All DONATIONS go to HEALING HAND-UP MINISTRIES overseeing maintenance at Rapha’s Rest]
FINAL WORD: One name for Jesus is Jehovah-Rapha which means "God our Healer". Primary purpose of Rapha’s Rest is found in its name ... REST. If you choose to bring your children, we encourage you to come back again to receive all the “Rest & Restoration” that God has waiting to give in His Presence!
Blessings,
Randy & Cheryl
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** NON-REGISTERED VISITORS **
1) All Visitors must be pre-approved through Blands, & only approved when compatible with all guests booked during your stay. It is not an automatic privilege & we CANNOT GUARANTEE approval. INQUIRE @ BOOKING.
2) 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?
3) $ DONATION OPTIONS are as follows:
- $40/visitor/per day… Any length of time + AMENITIES (ie. Pool, etc.), LEAVE BY SUNSET
- $20/visitor/per day … 2-8 hours, NO AMENITIES (ie. pool, etc), LEAVE BY SUNSET
- FREE … Less than 2 hours (ie. a meal / visiting) at your cabin area, NO AMENITIES (ie. pool, massage chair, etc) LEAVE BY SUNSET
4) NO OVERNIGHT VISITORS that were not in original Booking.
5) All visitors must be OFF PROPERTY by SUNDOWN.
6) All Visitors must agree to HOUSE RULES & SIGN RELEASE of LIABILITY upon arrival. The Donation PAYMENT is surety & a pledge of Agreement to such.
7) Pls DO NOT give out our GATE CODE. This is for the security of all. Pls meet Guests at Front Entrance & have them follow you to your Cabin.
REQUEST @ BOOKING. We will let you know what we can/cannot do once request is submitted.
PRIMARY REASONS:
a) 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 & maintenance. THEREFORE, your request is NOT GUARANTEED.
b) 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 GATE CODE is given out.
** NOTE: If $DONATION does not work for your visitors, there are Coffee Houses, Park & Restaurants within 10min to meet friends/family!