When planning our routes, there are some places we would like to go, but there are other stops that are important to us. These are the stops the we plan our route around. This was one of those important stops, the “While We’re Waiting Refuge” in Hot Springs Arkansas.
On July 2, 2019 Gregory Gordon was born to Val and Ryan. He lived about an hour. This group has been extremely helpful to them. They continue to go to the support group meetings held in Redmond, OR.
Brad Sullivan, one of the co-founders, met us when we arrived. We hit it off right away. He gave us a tour and shared many stories of God’s provision, not only in the building of this Refuge, but the lives of those the ministry has touched, and in their personal life. The phrase kept coming up “you just can’t make this stuff up.” How God has grown this ministry beyond their wildest dreams. Brad and Jill’s daughter went to Heaven at age 17, you can read their story here. God has used this ministry to bring comfort through Jesus to many parents, including Val and Ryan, who have lost children. There is a beautiful walkway on their campus. Gregory’s name is engrave on one of the stones. This walkway has around 800 other names, all children who have gone to Heaven, before their parents. If you know anyone who is suffering after the loss of a child, consider checking out this ministry.
The following is from their webpage:
Finding hope and life after the loss of a child can be incredibly challenging. The loss of a child, no matter that child’s age, is profoundly life-altering.
It’s as if the foundations of everything we once held dear have been shaken and cracked.
The While We’re Waiting ministry offers free Biblically based retreats, where bereaved parents form bonds and make connections with other moms and dads who truly understand the experience of child loss.