The Restory Retreat Centre

The road leading to Barrowfield. Photograph by Ralie du Preez At one stage, while renovating our bathroom, we had no bath, basin or shower. After a day’s work we took our toiletries, went over to Johan and Debbie, our neighbours, and cleaned up. One evening I washed myself in a bucket under the stars. For outsiders it might have looked as if everything was in a shambles with little hope of a decent result or at least a returning order. All we needed was a sign reading, “Under Construction”.  Spiritually I have use for such a sign as well. I am under construction. For years now, I haven’t found nourishment in business as usual where religion was concerned. All the traditional pillars that held that roof in place became stumbling blocks for me instead. I experienced it as being: - sentimental, - fear-based,  - rooted in a sense of merit despite the lip service given to terms like grace and the love of God,  - sepa...