Ruah Moments: Sharing reflections and experiences from retreatants of God’s marvelous works within

“Thank you for making room for this weary pilgrim to rest from my weariness. This is a safe place to lay down my burdens at Jesus’ feet. I’m lighter as I leave. Blessings.” –- Alison

“This truly is a pilgrimage to refresh and renew. Thank you so much for the Centering Prayer weekends at the Ruah Center. The breath of God certainly breathes upon me.” -- Connie

“This is my first visit to Ruah and I am overwhelmed with God’s peace and presence. I thought I could not handle the silence, but it came so easy once Jeannette showed me how to focus on my spiritual senses and just pay attention to God’s invitation. I will be back very soon. Thank you and God bless you all.” --Lisa

“Thank you for your tireless stewardship and effort in continuing Ruah’s mission of meditation and spiritual healing. I know it takes an enormous amount of work to make the Center the oasis of peace that it is. I hope I will return again. This is truly sacred ground. -- Molly

Ruah Prayer Sessions with Students a Success

   Ruah Spiritual Director, Patricia Valderrama, has relaunched prayer gatherings at St. Austin Center for literacy students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 10:30 am. About 10 students are attending the half-hour sessions. “They are all women with a purpose,” Patricia shared. “They have the determination to learn English or to get their citizenship. This extends to their determination to be with the Lord!”
     
   Patricia added that the sessions are a component of Ruah’s goal to do more work in the Hispanic community.  “My experience with these sessions is that creating a space for the students to pray is a great gift, otherwise they may go the week without group prayer. Sometimes people may not pray simply because they do not have the space to pray. In other words, having the "church" next to them [where they are attending class] facilitates prayer for them.” Patricia emphasized that while the sessions were part of the Center’s outreach, plans include extending beyond St. Austin Center as well.