An important letter regarding ministry at the Well

 

April 10, 2025

Dear Friends, 

After 12 years of an amazing ministry and with prayerful  consideration, we, the board of Women Refreshed at The Well wish to inform you that the ministry will be closing the doors. 

Since 2013 The Well has provided many people with a safe sanctuary and a place to be still!

The property is going up for sale as of May15th, 2025. While we don’t know what God has in store with this property, your prayers would be appreciated as we finish well. 

With Gratitude, 

The Board of Directors

Allan Fast, Janet Fast, Ashley Klassen, Lorrie Jones, Paul Jones, Tracy Wiebe Reimer, Alvin Klassen and Joy Klassen

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The following is a transcript of the video: 

Dear Friends, 

We have just noted the 12th anniversary of the ministry here at The Well.  As Alvin and I reflected, there are so many things that flood our heart.  The countless number of people who passed through our doors and experienced refreshment through retreat.  The countless number of church and para church leadership groups that came with their teams.  The couples who came to spend time with one another and with God, often seeking out next steps on life decisions. We have been the ones to be invited into the stories of each one, and feel that providing a safe place for those stories to be heard, was a gift in itself.

About this time last year, we had a strong sense that we needed to seek God for next steps for our lives.  We felt a strong call to be more available for our family.  While we don’t think we are getting older, we realize we are, and just really had a sense that God wanted to tell us something.  So we began to pray, seeking His will for us, and therefore the ministry.  We asked our family to pray for us to hear what God was saying, and to have clarity.  We sat around the table at Christmas, and we talked.  It was at that point we knew that God was saying our time running the ministry was coming to an end.  We spoke with each of the board members and they affirmed us in the decision.  The one question they all asked individually was “what do you feel now that this decision has been made?”  Our answer was “we feel peace about it.”  

I told Alvin that the decision is a hard one, and with some sadness.  He replied that there would be sadness whether we finished today or in thirty years.  We have been so greatly blessed by each and every one that has been a part of this ministry.  

So what next? Since we personally own everything (except some of the physical assets that the ministry owns) we know that we need to sell the house.  We only built it this size as it was built specific for the ministry God called us to.  Our plan is to put the house up for sale May 15th.  We have no clue whether it will sell quickly, or take time.  But we need to move somewhere else, and if you know Alvin, you realize that the place will need a shop.  There are many moving parts.  

In the meantime ~ we have retreaters booked in.  People will be notified of this decision.  We will hold the bookings tentatively as we have no clue right now, until the house sells, how long ministry will be open.

We ask you to join us in prayer.  It would be so amazing if there was an individual, a team, a church, who wanted to do retreat ministry and considered the opportunity to purchase the house, and start a ministry.  However we also realize it could be a good house for a multi family to buy, or a family with lots of children.  We ask you to pray about the sale of our house.  As mentioned, it will be listed for sale on May 15th.

And please join us in prayer as we desire to finish well.  I still firmly believe in the value of retreat ministry.  That has not changed.  We just know that for us, we have to conclude.  And, we would rather finish on a high note. 

We are gladly open to any conversations.  We thank God for you all as you have allowed us to pour into your life, and you have poured into ours.  We will be forever grateful.  Thanks for your prayers on our behalf.

With much love and thanks,

Joy & Alvin Klassen

12 years but really its 25?

Joy writes from her heart stash of memories!! 

Say what?  12 years but really 25?  What are you talking about you may be thinking.  Let me explain.  

For fear of making this a post that will be too long - I will try to sum up the last 25 years in one or two sentences per year

2000 - God spoke these words to me "create a place where women can go to just be".  I heard him but was not sure exactly what that would look like.

2001 - my journal is full of the ways God continued to speak through dreams I got at night, through impressions and through hearing him speak to me, and also to me through a friend Lynda who said that "God is going to do something for his glory but he is going to use you.  All I can say is you better fasten your seatbelt."    I left my 25 year career working my last day as Daycare Director Dec 31, 2001 never to look back.  We formed a board for the ministry

2002 - I applied for Charitable Status for the ministry, and got it without any problems.  I was called into pastoral ministry by our Church in the interim Associate Pastor role.  Ministry perked on the back burner but our ears were tuned to His voice on it

2003 - God made it very clear I was to apply for the permanent position.  I was very confused because the ministry was perking on the back burner.  I did not have seminary - but God spoke, and I obeyed.  

2004 - I was asked to let my name go forward for the pastoral role.  I was nominated in with the 93% vote which God had given me the number the summer of 2003.  I asked God to make it clear what He was doing with me, and the ministry.  In one week I was the recipient of a prophetic dream and a prophetic vision.

2005/2006 - I loved pastoring in our home church.  

2007 - God gave me a picture.  It was of a cake.  A hand had a knife and was running around the edges.  My pastoral advisor asked me if I thought God was gently removing me.  I believed He was and that the ministry burner had been turned up.

2008 - I spoke with my friend Louise Sinclair Peters while in Thailand on a mission trip.  I told her I felt God was turning up the heat on the retreat vision.  She encouraged me to connect with Steve and Evy Klassen of The Mark Center in Abbotford, BC.    This was a big year of expectation for us.  A mission trip, an engagement of our daughter, our 50th birthdays, expecting the birth of our first grandbaby, and our 30th anniversary.  It was the year of our biggest sorrow as our little grandson Jay Benjamin was born silently, beautifully perfect.  Only God understood.  Our kids went away and God gave them something for the vision of ministry.  It resonated strongly with us.  Alvin and I went and retreated at The Mark Center and were encouraged by the Klassen's during our visit with them.  We had more vision on moving forward.

2009 - we bought the land.  $124,900 marked to 119,900 to 114,900 and we offered 94,900.  Three hours later I received the call that said they didnt like our offer but they liked what we wanted to do with it, and it was ours for 94,900.   I resigned as Pastor effective mid Sept.  We hosted a "Come Walk and Pray" event at our land in September as we wanted the land rained on with prayer!  Lots of people attended.  In fall we planted a row of evergreen saplings from a Manitoba ditch into our new land.  

2010 - spring, our house sold and we in June began to build the shop.  We moved from Anola July 31st, 2010 and moved into our kids loft.  The house build began in October.  

2011 - the build continued.  It was a long build as Alvin and Josh and Michael built on the days that Alvin and Josh were not at the firehall.  We lived in the top of the barn and loved every moment!!  It remains one of the best years of my life!  

2012 - In September we moved into our house and began "basement dwelling" lol ...  and finished up the finishing touches/decorating etc.  My girls gave such incredible insight and support as we dreamed how the rooms would look.  Audrey (Ashley's friend) also gave some great advice.

2013 - our dedication was mid March, aprox 13 years from the time God spoke.  Our house was full of people celebrating God's goodness with us.  Our opening date was April 1 and our first booking was a group of pastors from Kilcona Park Alliance Church for a day leadership retreat.  Ministry began.  I had no clue if people would come, or how many.  All I knew is when God calls, He never hangs you out to dry.  We were personally invested as well as financially invested in the building of our home/barn etc.  We were doing this unlike anyone had (at least to our knowledge) and I realize if I knew how hard it would have been in every which way, I may not have been so obedient.  I am thankful for the years it took to build as I saw how God called Alvin into the ministry as well.  

2014 - 2019 - people came.  We did not advertise other than through word of mouth, Facebook and Instagram.  We believed God would bring those who would or should come.  Every year we grew in number of people attending - day retreats, overnight retreats, leadership retreats, mother/daughter retreats, elders/pastors/lifegroup retreats.  We built it and they came.  2019 (if I recall correctly) saw us host about 330 people in the year of 2019.

2020 - Covid hit and everything came to a screeching halt.  We had to cancel the fundraiser a week before it happened.  All bookings were cancelled.  God spoke in a mighty way to me within the first month of silence and said He wanted me to bring things back to our first call as it had morphed into things that we did not need to me.  He wanted this to be a place of retreat - where people could come and rest and spend time in the presence of God.  To be still.  I heard him speak that morning.  

2021 - we did our first virtual fundraiser and delivered so many pizza kits to people!  It was amazing and a huge success.  We began with retreats again, but board chose that we open and take people who were doubly vaccinated.  I have some lung issues so I appreciated the concern of the board and my family.  However this decision was a tough one, and there was some really harsh emails that I received and some judgment calls as to whether I was really doing what the LORD wanted me to do.  Of course that was hard to receive, but we believed we were doing what God was saying.  

2022 - our second virtual fundraiser.  We carried on with more retreaters coming, but definitely not like before.

2023 - regainding momentum although it is very slow.  However we see how God is bringing new people here, as well as regulars.  We are thankful.  We did a hybrid event - celebrating 10 years!!  We delivered about 10 desserts and hosted about 100 people.  It was small, intimate and a success in that we celebrated well!  We also resumed our Advent Walk-Through with about 70 people.  

2024 - momentum is growing, but still no where close to the amount of people pre covid.  However we have had more people coming during the week.  We had our 11th Anniversary fundraiser with Steve Bell as our special guest and it was beautiful!  We had about 200 people in attendance.  Great desserts, wonderful music and fellowship.  We were so blessed as a board, ministry and all who attended.  We also hosted our annual Advent Walk-Through with about 75 in attendance.  It always serves to be a wonderful time of reflection.

April 1st, 2025 - Happy 12 years Women Refreshed at the Well.   Up to this point we have hosted individuals (both singly retreating men as well as women which is our first call) and also we have hosted couples, and also Bible Studies with a group fo 8-10 women in attendance.  While we are not "full" which would mean 5 rooms booked 7 days of the week, we have enjoyed the gentle quiet pulse of having people come, often they may be here alone.  We had one woman here 4 nights, and she enjoyed that.  Mostly people come for 1-2 nights, and some only for the day retreat.    So in the 3 months, we have hosted about 75 people.  We have also hosted some neighbours who have just heard about what we do!  God continues to share the vision.   So we are 12 years in operation but 25 years since God began to speak ....  and one thing we know for sure, is that He does continue to speak to us.

Thank you for your love, support, prayers and financial support as well.  Words are never enough! We give God the glory!

JOIN US October 8th!!

 

We would love to have you join us, and our friend Steve Bell for 

The Well's Evening of Celebration & Giving Dessert Fundraiser

Our theme for the night is Stories of Thanksgiving

and our special guest is our friend, and Winnipeg Singer/Songwriter Steve Bell

Let me know if you want to come - please call Joy @204-223-5467

or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com

That time of year ~ wrapping up 2023

This is the typical time of year when one looks backward with hearts of gratitude, and then looks forward with hearts of waiting, anticipation, wonder at what the future holds.

For the ministry this marks the 11th Christmas season.  It has been a full one with the Advent Walk through (about 50 people signed up) and then with some retreaters.  And then we finished off the week before Christmas by giving me time to breathe!

Looking backwards, I see the changes that have happened since Covid.  I see that many more are coming to retreat, and working through so much emotional/mental health things. I will admit, I have not been immune to the fall out emotionally and mentally.  I have learned alot as I have sat with people, putting my Spiritual Direction training to "informal" use.

This was also the first year in 7 summers that we did NOT get a garden grant.  We just said this morning how grateful we were that it was NOT as dry of a summer as we had last year when our garden nurturer spent min 2 hours watering the trees.  However it also meant that there were more weeds than we would have liked there to have been.  It showed us that the garden is way to big for just Alvin and I to keep on top of.  Okay, at times I admit that I have to ask WHAT WERE WE THINKING!!  I am thankful for the fact that our son can supply fresh mulch every year to replenish the areas.   So if you pray for us - please pray we are able to secure a grant this year for garden caretakers.

Most of the year was slow. I also got some requests where I was thankful that during Covid, the LORD told me that we needed to go back to the basic of what it was HE called us to.  That was good because it made it easy to say no to some requests that were not within our vision.  

I think that the slowness of retreaters is also due to the fact that lets face it - financially, most of us are trying to make ends meet. (note: we are not self sufficient, even with our fundraiser and if you want to know more about what I mean, again, I invite you to meet me for coffee and a chat about ministry). But really -   I think that people are needing to decide.... 

Do I spend this $85-$100 on a retreat for myself, and to just breathe in the stillness 

OR

Do I buy groceries for myself or my family ?

So the year was pretty slow. And then came August, it began to get a bit fuller on the schedule.  I had some groups which make life full for me, but that's all part of serving right?  And then there were people wanting to book more than one night, and a few more day retreats.  This year I had no one during this week between Christmas and New Year's.  (Last year I did have retreaters) 

And at this point, I have already been booking as far as August for some.  People do not want to be caught without an opening.  Of course, booking that far ahead means that I tell people, this is LORD WILLING, and we hold it in the calendar, but loosely.

As I also look backwards, I also think about the fundraiser event.  My daughter told me that it is very normal for me to stress, but this event felt abnormally stressful. I know full well why it was more stressful for me and those things I will keep off this blog post.  If you want to know, I encourage you to call me, and lets book a coffee and we can talk.

ANYHOW we did the event SHINE BRIGHT in September.  I am attaching the video here for you to watch.  We did the event IN PERSON, with a handful of virtual.  And we had the excellent friends @Kilcona Park Alliance Church do the audio/visual, so then Ashley my daughter put it together with music, and the different components.  

I want to again say a big thank you to the Sponsors of the event: $1000 donation

Allan & Janet Fast

Blue Jay Family Works:  Alvin & Joy Klassen

Dr. Phoebe Thiessen

World of Water:  Leanne and Rory Bochinski

Bill & Margaret Fast Family Foundation

Friends Funeral Service:  Danielle Froese & Jotham Koslowsky

Fast Insurance: Ryan Martens

as well as "Friends" donors of the event: $500-900

Waldy Derksen -  Lawyer, PKF

Fast Covers:  Neil & Lois Fast

Cheryl & Brad Klassen

as well as anonymous donors toward the event

And to Michelle Bloom, Three6Tea in Selkirk for supplying the tea table

And to Laura Wall, friend, for making the cookies that each person got

Our event brought 100 of our family, friends of The Well together for an evening of great desserts (so yummy) and good fellowship and the short program.

We are very thankful for the money that it raised towards our ministry.

Looking back, I am also thankful for the group of women who have been meeting (most of them since fall of 2013) for Bible Studies.  We do about 3 studies a year.  Unfortunately I do not advertise it any more as we are as full as we can be for a group study here.  We call one another "sisters loved by God" and I am thankful for these women who have prayed for me, the ministry, my family but also for one another, and have walked through some hard hard times.  

There are many things to look back on, and those things bring much gratitude.

I am grateful that I can still climb stairs to take up laundry.

I am grateful that I can still make beds in pretty record time.

I am grateful that I can still cook and people say it is good!!  lol

I am grateful for people who have come through our doors as strangers and leave as friends.

I am grateful for each new day and what it holds.

I am grateful to be able to pray for those who come, both in person, as well as via email, text or FaceTime.

I am grateful for being able to hold other's stories in my hands so to speak - like a treasure entrusted to me, to be a presence for the person.  Your stories have blessed me!

On that note, I will wrap up for now.  This sun shiny day at the end of December ... as we inch towards 2024.  I will plan to write a New Years post.  But in the meantime - I hope you can take half hour to watch our video - and to pray for us.  Thanks.

Pause and experience the beauty of Waiting

 

Pause and experience the beauty of Waiting:

This was the second “station” in our advent walk through.  And as part of the response in this room, people were asked to write down what they are waiting for.  Let me share the responses with you.   

This is what I am waiting on God for:

• For my son and daughter to return to God
• For my son to be able to see his daughter
• For the salvation of all my grandchildren
• Healing for my friend
• Peace on Earth and within
• Restoration of relationships
• Guidance for the future
• Joy above all concern and pain
• Healing and freedom
• Belief that I am worthy
• Wisdom with decisions in regard to our son
• My niece to come to Jesus
• Healing and restoration 
• Spiritual and physical healing for my family / accountability and apologies
• Peace and healing for all, specifically those who are impacted by today’s tragedies
• Acceptance and understanding
• Rest and nerves that are not so raw
• Calling for the next season
• Rebirth of my marriage
• My daughter’s future
• My next baby.  For my family to be complete and our home full of peace
• For life to slow down and time to become more abundant … For wisdom to know if leaving my job is the net step to take to get there …to a space where I have more time for the ones I love most
• For peace in my parent’s marriage
• For trusted leaders and friends, like I used to have
• Breakthroughs for friends struggling with mental health
• To know my purpose
• Some of the prophetic words to be fulfilled - inventions ministry and healing of our son
• God to show me what I’m supposed to do when I grow up and what I’m supposed to do now
• I am waiting on God to bring healing in my marriage and in our family …. That relationships with our daughters would heal and grow … that we would see God do new things … that we would be able to look back and be a amazed at how God takes all the broken pieces and makes a beautiful mosaic from it!
• For a pain free day
• Healing and an MRI or surgery
• Waiting for our daughter to see her true identity in Christ

This is what I am waiting on God for:

• For our son to find a job
• Waiting on God’s word, whether or not I should stay in my current job
• To find my people: my destiny that is intricately connect to people ho share the same heart
• The healing of my mom’s diabetes
• My son to mature and grow into the man God wants him to become
• For the LORD to change the hearts and minds of my family members who have walked away form the LORD, who have become influenced by todays culture - pray the LORD will silence the noise that speaks so strongly to them.
• For another baby
• Complete healing and wholeness for my marriage
• Closure to some family ties
• To truly know the words ~ The Way, The Truth and the Life
• To feel freedom within 
• Reunion with myself and my husband
• Waiting for our son to receive healing in his mind.  Waiting for him to desire to do those things that he can do to help his body feel better and desire to push himself out of his comfort zone in different areas of his life.  
• Waiting for salvation for nieces and nephews
• Restoration in my family
• Another baby and peace about my family being complete
• Healing
• The surrendering and the trusting to be easier
• Healing
• Freedom from fear
• For my husband to have his faith and hope in God rekindled
• For my own faith and trust in God to be strengthened to what it was in the early 90’s while my life was in the midst of crisis
• For God to impassion my heart for the next step in serving him - discernment around intercessory prayer
• The “firsts” to be over and life to feel more settled and somewhat “predictable” again
• My future
• My son to realize more fully his identity in Jesus
• Wisdom in some career decisions
• Healing from migraines
• Healing my heart
• My husband (ex) to come to Jesus
• Ministry hurts to be headed and restored for my husband and kids
• healing/restoration/revelation
• Marriage: of the earthly and eternal type
• True Peace Everywhere on Earth
• Habitat for Humanity (Global Village) to do a mission (build) in Africa
• My church’s next service (missionary trip)
• All food-banks/shelters to close because they no longer have any need for them!

This is what I am waiting on God for:

• Our son to return to his faith.  God is good all the time!
• Restoration with my relationship with my parents
• Dear LORD, I pray and hope for Harmony in my life and for my family
• A husband, a man who hunters for the righteousness and holy fear of the LORD and to raise a family
• Healing an deliverance
• salvation/holy revelation for my family 
• Healing, hopeful future
• Freedom from fear and worry
• Alive in Christ
• For my son and I
• Family city.  Love for one another
• Spiritual and physical healing in our family
• My great nephew who has so much happening in his life, and needs to let Jesus rule it
• friendships/community
• husband/family
• True commitment to my family
• Joyful harmony in my family
• To hear from God to what is the next step
• For healing, for negativity
• For Jesus to work through my family for healing and wisdom
• Waiting to see glory of God through my family and myself and kids
• For vision, for God to move, for the next right step
• Waiting on God to give me a friend that understands me
• My mind to comprehend that my Mom is really gone
• My brother to kick his addictions once and for all
• Healing
• To live my dreams … my dream to write and publish my book and my dream to pay off our mortgage and to pay off someone uses mortgage
• The birth of a new grandchild
• Treat results for a family member
• “what’s next” for us

You may see that amongst everyone who wrote something, there tends to be similarities.  Oh that we would continue to wait on the LORD, and to expect His answer.  And in the meantime, to experience his hope and peace.  

Some responses from our Advent Walk Through - the station on LOVE

On the second last station it was PAUSE to Experience LOVE.  Once people went into the room, there was something to read and respond to.  It was so interesting reading the responses.  

The question was asked - WHO DID GOD lay on your heart and the page was FULL of names.  And the second question was HOW CAN YOU SHARE GOD’S LOVE with the person you wrote down - and here are the answers:

• Spend time visiting her
• Hear her.  Pray with her.  Pray for her.
• Write and encouraging note and send a gift basket
• Words of affirmation in large amounts
• Visit people to remind them they are not forgotten in the dark  
• Remind them that you see that they are doing their best an that is enough!
• Take a meal after hip surgery
• Christmas gift/care package/chocolate/tea  
• To be remembered when they are feeling forgotten by others
• Impromptu visits with food
• Share the gospel
• Bring her flowers and send her a card
• Pray for her and remind her that she is loved and valuable
• For the person I can not contact - I WILL PRAY FOR HER
• Be kind, friendly, understand, and be helpful
• Pray for her
• Be patient
• Make time and effort to enjoy more of life
• Drop by with treats and flowers and a card for their birthday
• See her again before I go and keep in touch often after I leave
• Be encouraging
• Be positive 
• Listen
• Protect from stress
• Have tea/coffee together 
• Ask about her life
• Express my love
• Keep in contact 
• Just LISTEN
• I will greet (Name) in the morning and when coming home
• Hugs and Kisses  
• Have lunch with (name) and listen
• Encourage 
• Work as a team
• Support
• Connect through phone call, coffee visit and ask how they are and LISTEN!  
• Pray
• Kind words 
• Being a safe place 
• Doing things he wants instead of what I want
• Spend intentional time with her and plan a day together
• Inspiring faithfulness, child-like hope and trust.  Mid-day prayer
• Be comforting and encouraging
• Re-Focus on Him 
• Involve Him in your ministry 
• Be Kind and hopeful
• Have dinner together
• Bake something I know she likes
• Keep regular contact
• Invite for dinner
• Take her a gift