On-Site

On-site Phase

Our guests either drive to *Deer Ridge Lodge (Bowling Green, Kentucky) or are flown into the Nashville International airport, where they pick up their rental car and make the one hour trip up to the lodge in Bowling Green.

Upon arrival they have an evening to settle back for a relaxing time of orientation to their home surroundings and the goals and structure of the retreat days ahead.

*Note: Sometimes Mary's Place retreats are conducted in some other location nationally or internationally.

Daily Routine:

Each day consists of an entire morning devoted to prayer using the "Life Reorientation" guidebook.
Guests are provided with food for breakfast taken privately in their rooms.
Mary's Place guests gather for the main meal of the day at noon. During this time conversation is eventually guided toward the thoughts and questions arising from the morning time of prayer. The atmosphere is casual and no one is pressured to talk. However, a typical meal time lasts approximately two to three hours, because conversation flows smoothly around the table. Some of the most important insights of the week are expressed and exchanged during this rich time of fellowship.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free time. Food for an evening snack is provided to be taken privately in their rooms.
Often groups decide to spend time together during a few of the evenings in conversation, Bible study and prayer. (This is determined by the group.)

Practical resources:

Conversation and guidance:

Our week at Mary's Place was a powerfully formative spiritual experience. God used our time there to strongly impact our prayer lives and help us reorient our life patterns to make the needed changes. All of this took place in a beautiful, relaxed, and non-threatening atmosphere.
-- Al and Evon Buckta