Restored. Renewed. Refreshed. A Marriage Retreat to Remember in Colombia
This past weekend in Colombia, we witnessed something truly extraordinary.
We gathered 15 couples for a marriage retreat inspired by The Prayer Cottage and The Secret Garden — not simply to get away, but to encounter God in a fresh and intentional way. Alongside them, 4 host couples helped guide the journey with intentional love, humility, and grace. And from the moment everyone arrived, we could sense the Lord had something special in store.
Each room was carefully prepared with personalized touches: chocolates, candies, bottled water, and a custom name tag on the door. It wasn’t just hospitality — it was our way of saying, You matter. You are seen. You are loved.
From the very first session, the atmosphere was filled with joyful expectation. We kicked things off with fun, lighthearted games and laughter that broke down walls. The joy of simply being together created space for hearts to begin softening.
Throughout the two-day event, we heard powerful testimonies from our host couples — stories of brokenness, restoration, and redemption in Christ. These moments revealed how vulnerability can spark the beginning of healing. My wife and I were also blessed to share our story, and we watched as hope and healing began to rise and hearts opened more and more.
A central part of the retreat was giving couples two extended sessions of prayer and reflection to dive deep into The Prayer Cottage and The Secret Garden. These quiet, personal times allowed couples to journal, sit with Scripture, and meet with God in a deeply personal way. Many later shared that these moments were pivotal to what God was doing in their hearts.
One of the most joyful moments came during a creative workshop, where each couple crafted a symbolic figure together. It wasn’t just arts and crafts — it was a space for reconnection, laughter, and teamwork. You could feel something being rebuilt between spouses — intentionally and joyfully.
As the retreat drew to a close, God had one more sacred moment in store.
Each couple had sent in a photo of their family ahead of the weekend. We had printed and displayed them on a wall. Then, during the final evening, one by one, each couple stepped forward, took their photo, and knelt before a large wooden cross, laying their picture at its base. Some wept. Others embraced in silent prayer. All of them surrendered their marriages, families, and future to Jesus in a deeply symbolic act of faith.
We then surrounded the cross with lanterns and flowers, transforming it into what truly felt like holy ground. As worship filled the room, no words were needed — only the undeniable presence of God. It was beautiful. It was sacred. It was unforgettable.
To end the retreat, we gave each couple a small gift — a simple token of our deep appreciation. And as we gathered for a final group photo, I looked around at glowing faces. Couples who had arrived weary and burdened were now leaving refreshed, restored, and renewed.
This gathering was a beautiful reflection of God’s heart for marriage. It brought together joy, healing, laughter, and reverence in one unforgettable experience. Every couple left reminded that their marriage is not just a relationship — it’s a sacred covenant worth protecting and surrendering to the One who designed it.
With deep gratitude,
Carlos Alfonzo
