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Keith Dow shares the experience of a family retreat that highlights the deep love and care within communities. He explores how spending time together fosters belonging, especially for families navigating disability. The post shows God’s presence in everyday moments of connection and support.
From January 13-15th, 2017, Christian Horizons partnered with Galilee Bible Camp near Ottawa, Ontario to provide a winter Family Retreat experience for families, many of whom live with disabilities.
Reflections on the Retreat
As someone who was involved in the leadership and facilitation of the camp experience, I spend much of my time focused on what needs to be done and the ways in which I need to give or contribute to make the camp a success. As is often the case, however, I am quickly reminded that I also have so much to learn and to receive from these families.
A Father’s Dedication
One morning I awoke early to get ready for the day. Still half-asleep I headed upstairs to prepare. As I passed a window, I looked outside to see one of the fathers from the retreat pushing his son with autism on a swing. Here I was, just waking up, and who knows how long this father had been outside already in sub-zero weather pushing his son on the swing, in the snow. This boy took great joy in the simple act of swinging back-and-forth, and the father considered it joy to have a part in his son’s joy. What a tremendous challenge and encouragement it is to me, as a father, to see this father’s dedication. I can’t help but think of God’s love for His children:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” ~ 1 John 3:1a
Information and Involvement
To learn more about Christian Horizons Family Retreats, visit the website here: https://www.christian-horizons.org/what-we-do/family-retreat. We always welcome volunteers to help with this ministry, and have people join us from both the United States and Canada.
You can also read an article about the Winter Wonderland Family Retreat on Spur Ottawa.
Community Focus
From that article:
“We want to foster ‘belonging’ within our city and church communities,” explains Jill Black, Community Development Manager at Christian Horizons and also a retreat volunteer. “We want to bless families so they are able to go back to their communities, full and ready to bless others. We want to see the body of Christ using the gifts and talents of all its members.”
About the Author:
Keith Dow:
Keith Dow lives near Ottawa, serving as Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Karis Disability Services. He holds his PhD in caregiving ethics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is the author of Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving (Baylor, 2021). Keith Dow is a credentialed Pastor with BIC Canada for his role with Karis Disability Services, where he supports the spiritual health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and equips churches to be more accessible and hospitable.
Recent Posts:
Keith Dow shares the experience of a family retreat that highlights the deep love and care within communities. He explores how spending time together fosters belonging, especially for families navigating disability. The post shows God’s presence in everyday moments of connection and support.
From January 13-15th, 2017, Christian Horizons partnered with Galilee Bible Camp near Ottawa, Ontario to provide a winter Family Retreat experience for families, many of whom live with disabilities.
Reflections on the Retreat
As someone who was involved in the leadership and facilitation of the camp experience, I spend much of my time focused on what needs to be done and the ways in which I need to give or contribute to make the camp a success. As is often the case, however, I am quickly reminded that I also have so much to learn and to receive from these families.
A Father’s Dedication
One morning I awoke early to get ready for the day. Still half-asleep I headed upstairs to prepare. As I passed a window, I looked outside to see one of the fathers from the retreat pushing his son with autism on a swing. Here I was, just waking up, and who knows how long this father had been outside already in sub-zero weather pushing his son on the swing, in the snow. This boy took great joy in the simple act of swinging back-and-forth, and the father considered it joy to have a part in his son’s joy. What a tremendous challenge and encouragement it is to me, as a father, to see this father’s dedication. I can’t help but think of God’s love for His children:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” ~ 1 John 3:1a
Information and Involvement
To learn more about Christian Horizons Family Retreats, visit the website here: https://www.christian-horizons.org/what-we-do/family-retreat. We always welcome volunteers to help with this ministry, and have people join us from both the United States and Canada.
You can also read an article about the Winter Wonderland Family Retreat on Spur Ottawa.
Community Focus
From that article:
“We want to foster ‘belonging’ within our city and church communities,” explains Jill Black, Community Development Manager at Christian Horizons and also a retreat volunteer. “We want to bless families so they are able to go back to their communities, full and ready to bless others. We want to see the body of Christ using the gifts and talents of all its members.”
