Welcome to Rapha’s Rest Retreat!
[Read FULL DESCRIPTION w/HOUSE RULES + ANSWER Pre-Book QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING!] …
Our beautiful FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE is offered for 1-NIGHT STAYS ONLY, has 2BR + seasonal Sleeping Porch & 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.
Before describing this DESTINATION RETREAT, please note we are only set up for specific sojourners & may not be the best place for you ... Ask QUESTIONS @ HOUSE RULES BEFORE BOOKING. Ie. NO PETS, NO ALCOHOL or TOBACCO (incl. vaping) for liability reasons.
3rd PARTY BOOKINGS: We take GUEST SAFETY seriously. For that reason we RARELY accept 3rd Party bookings. 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 your place. All of our cabin guests deserve to know other guests have been properly vetted.
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, PLEASE READ ON...
This retreat at RAPHA’s REST is 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! 3 Cozy Rooms (Single nights) & 5 Cabins on 42 acres were created for sojourners seeking healing REST & RESTORATION to pray, hike, & explore. 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!
As part of the owner’s house, this FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE has 2BR + a bonus seasonal screened Sleeping Porch. FOOD is NOT ALLOWED in the bedrooms, but there are multiple eating spots outside on the property if you wish to bring a cooler with drinks/snacks or breakfast. You have access to a private small refrigerator & microwave. Perfect for a family of 3-4 or 2 couples!
FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE INCLUDES...
ROOM 1: BEDROOM offers a 4-post Queen-size bed with TEMPURPEDIC mattress. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere decorated in a modern twist of a vintage Shabby-Chic style. Screened in porch accessible to guests for enjoying morning coffee, listening to pool waterfall.
SUITE BATH:
Within the Suite is a spa-like bathroom including a walk-in shower.
ROOM 2: “THE LIBRARY” offers a FULL-SIZE Murphy Bed with plush memory foam mattress. A library of books & DVD’s is located here. When not in use for guest sleeping, this room makes a comfortable lounging spot for LATE NIGHT MOVIES. [NOTE: Room 2 is accessible by other guests utilizing the library during the day, but owners do their best to coordinate privacy for all.]
ROOM 3: “THE SLEEPING PORCH” is a screened porch w/entrance into FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or have your morning quiet time while listening to the soothing sounds of our pool waterfall outside. We don’t want food in the bedrooms, but there are multiple eating spots on the property if you wish to bring a cooler with drinks/snacks or breakfast to keep on the porch. You also have access to a private small refrigerator & microwave. The antique ‘futon’ folds out into a double bed (+$10 set up fee). This option for sleeping is obviously SEASONAL & WEATHER-DEPENDENT. Once in bedroom mode, a feather mattress and plush bedding is added for comfort. (Request bedding @ booking) Glamping at its finest!
** Need an extra bed? Ck out our “FRANCES ELIZABETH” RM - VRBO #3005510 or one of our 5 cabins.
FIRE-PIT: You will also find a fire-pit to enjoy late nights reminiscing or roasted smores and marshmallows on our Pool Deck. [SMORES BASKET $10]
GRILL: Since there is no kitchen amenities, so bring a cooler to keep any food refrigerated on the screened porch. Also small frig & microwave.
SELF-SERVE COFFEE BAR: Included ... however, FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST offered by DONATION when hosts available. [Details below]
PARKING: FREE/ 2 VEHICLES.
$15/stay for each addit’l vehicle. [DETAILS @ possible BOAT PARKING BELOW] … *CONFIRM 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) 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!! BLUETOOTH your favorite relaxing tubes to the Chair. Just another layer of “Rest” for guests here at Rapha’s Rest!!
BOOKSTORE/ MOVIES:
We just opened our BOOK-NOOK & VINTAGE COUNTRY STORE … books, gifts, snacks & farm-fresh eggs!! We want guests to be as free as possible from distractions, so we do not have cable in the cabins/rooms. However, we have a full LIBRARY of DVDs/ BOOKS FOR SALE for rainy & hot days!
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.
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 in each Cabin, but you may want to bring a robe/flip flops for walking back to room or cabin. Pls be respectful of other guests. [SAFETY PARAMETERS FOR MINORS BELOW]
NOTE: NO MUSIC PLEASE as guests have different tastes. If you would like to add MUSIC at the pool, please request Hosts to turn on SPEAKER for RAPHA’S REST RADIO (Coffee House Mix). THANK YOU!!
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. (We understand delays happen, but you may not be fond of cold showers if propane is depleted!)
LATTES/ FRAPPES: Upon request with small DONATION when “Barista Cheryl” is avail. [formerly owned a Coffeehouse]
FARMHOUSE BREAKFAST: Upon request with DONATION (Couple $30; Family $12ea /$8 under 8) when Randy & Cheryl are avail. REQUEST @ BOOKING. It may include any of the following ... farm-fresh eggs or egg casserole, our own coffee roast, juice, fruit, pancakes or sweet rolls/muffins, etc ... served inside Main House or outside, weather pending.
** When available, a dozen farm fresh chicken eggs ($5), a doz. quail eggs ($3) or a S'more's Pkg ($10) for the firepit can be purchased.
CHECK-IN/OUT: Important PROPERTY INSTRUCTIONS upon ARRIVAL … We may not work for you … SO PLEASE READ:
— CHECK-IN: 3-7:00pm [FIRM]
** Plan +30min for traffic/detours!
— CHECK-OUT: 12pm [FIRM]
** INSTRUCTIONS sent to cell#
** EARLY/LATE CHECK-IN/OUT: Up to 2-HOUR Early/Late Check-in/out for $25 Donation WHEN OWNERS AVAIL ($40/both) … INQUIRE @ BOOKING.
NOTE: All DONATIONS go to HEALING HAND-UP MINISTRIES which oversees maintenance at Rapha’s Rest.]
INTERNET: We encourage guests to get the full benefit of RAPHA’s REST by detaching from all devices. However, the POOL DECK does have internet available 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: Our property 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/quail, & 1 potbelly pig!
BOATERS: We are 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 required. BRING an extra long EXTENSION CORD. All Fish cleaned outside with remains sealed & placed in trash (not tossed on property). NOTE: We have ONLY 1 CABIN that can handle 2 BOATS [Inquire BEFORE BOOKING].
VISITOR POLICY: It is not a surprise that guests occasionally want to share their Rapha’s Rest experience w/ a friend or family member. However, due to past experience, we have a strict Visitor Policy. We do occasionally make exceptions for our CABIN GUESTS for a small donation, but NOT FOR ROOMS in the Main House.
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. Kids do enjoy it, however. We encourage exploring, playing with goats, etc, but please remain with your children, as there are many potential dangers. The 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.
FINAL WORD: 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
