WELCOME TO RAPHA’s REST!!
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...
This FARMHOUSE SUITE is offered for 1 NIGHT STAYS. The retreat at RAPHA’s REST offers 5 total Cabins + 3 Private Rooms remotely located in the piney woods of East Texas. With a location only 1-2 hours from Louisiana, Tyler, & D/FW, 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 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!
Our beautiful FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE is offered for 1-NIGHT STAYS ONLY. (EXCEPTION: when all multi-night cabins are booked. Welcome to ask.) As part of the owner’s house, this 2BR has a bonus seasonal screened Sleeping Porch. You have access to a private small refrigerator & microwave. Perfect for a family of 3-4. We ask that you not have food in Bed/Bedroom areas, but there are multiple eating spots on the property if you wish to bring a cooler with drinks/snacks or breakfast to keep in the porch. Need an extra bed? Ck out our “FRANCES ELIZABETH” Room.
FARMHOUSE GUEST SUITE INCLUDES...
ROOM 1: “RACHEL’s REST” 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 RACHEL’s REST. 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!
**You will also find a firepit to enjoy late nights reminiscing or roasted smores and marshmallows on our Pool Deck. [Ask about a SMORES BASKET $8]
GRILL: We do have a gas grill for your use, however, since there is no kitchen amenities, we recommend to bring a cooler to keep any food refrigerated on the screened porch in your suite. There is a small frig and microwave on screened porch as well.
NOTE: SELF-SERVE COFFEE BAR included ... 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 egg 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.
LATTES/FRAPUCCINOS: Upon request with small DONATION when “Barista Cheryl” is avail. (formerly owned a Coffeehouse in Saint Jo, TX).
[DONATIONS given to Healing Hand-Up Ministries]
CHECK-IN: 3:00-6:00pm
EARLY/LATE CHECK-IN/OUT OPTION: Up to 2-Hour early/late check-in/ late check-out for $20 Donation when available ($35/both). Please INQUIRE BEFORE BOOKING.
PROPERTY: In addition to 42 acres to explore, 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 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!!
SEASONAL 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!)
PETS / 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 & DVD's for rainy or extra hot days (or bring your own!) We are also working on a small BOOKSTORE & small PRAYER CHAPEL on site 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 comeback 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, we make every effort to park your boat. However, if you need to charge your battery, we have another cabin available called TEXAS HICKORY HIDEOUT CABIN which, 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!)
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 means "God our Healer". Rapha’s Rest is a PLACE OF PRESENCE ... a PERFECT rest-stop on your continued journey for healing REST & RESTORATION!
Blessings,
Randy & Cheryl Bland
