For many of CAP's clients the idea of a holiday or a break away from often still stressful and burdensome circumstances is a dream made hopeless by their financial situation. It is therefore one of CAPs privileges to take away some of our clients who for one reason or another have not been able to afford a holiday or even a short break away from home.
We call these holidays "Discovery Breaks" where the true message of hope - the gospel, is shared making it easy for them to discover Jesus. It is also a fantastic time for clients to rest, relax, laugh and have fun as well as meet others in similar circumstances leading to shared stories and faithful friendships.
I had the privilege of volunteering to work on one of these Discovery Breaks down in Basingstoke where we had about 50 clients for a weekend of pampering, love and care. With many clients getting in to debt due to either their own ill health, a partner's sickness or having to care for a dependant relative, the opportunities for a restful and energising break are limited therefore it was such a joy to see so many blessed by God's peace that weekend.
On the Saturday we set up our own little pampering studio which involved foot baths, manicure stations, massages and facials. Having the amazing opportunity to serve these beautiful people by literally washing their feet was so humbling as well as seeing people set free, released from past pain and given life-changing confidence where there was none.
In the afternoon some of us went for a walk where the first signs of Spring began to gleam even amongst a few stormy showers.
We saw thick clusters of crocuses resplendent in royal amethystine, waxen white and gilded gold carpeting the fresh green grass in rich, luscious swathes beneath the thin branches of newly budding trees.
The glossy flowers glowed in the creamy spring sunshine as milky clouds splashed themselves across a chalybeous blue sky and hope stired in the cold earth.
When the rain broke, sunshine dripped in warm, yellow dapples across the dewy ground and peace nodded within the ivory heads of smooth white snowdrops.
The first signs of new growth, new hope and new beginnings glowed in the faces of our clients as we laughed, found joy and for many of them, saw hope spring eternally.
