A Look Back at Our 2023 October Retreats
Coming away from our Del Mar retreats this past October, I cannot help but be grateful for all God has done in the 10 years of retreats. For our 2023 Beautifully Flawed and Forge retreats, we witnessed a total of 30 young women and men with limb difference come from all across the country and God do the impossible!
We saw fears conquered and courage take flight as attendees got into the ocean, despite any unease and with perseverance, were able to stand up and catch waves! We saw prosthetics taken off during crossfit workouts and jiu jitsu, which for some was the first time they’d done so and they experienced an overwhelming amount of support and freedom. It was so incredible seeing friendships formed whether it was while making haku leis, giving wakesurfing a shot, riding roller coasters at Belmont Park, enjoying a bohemian picnic at the beach, or in times of group session. Attendees opened up to one another and shared their stories, their struggles, and the pain they’ve encountered in their journeys. In doing so, we saw God move!
We have seen so much growth, so many healed, an overwhelming hope birthed, and lives forever touched by God. The Beautifully Flawed Retreat was filled with brand new girls, many fresh in their limb loss and the pain so raw. We had some incredible leaders there to help love the girls well. It is always amazing to see the way these retreats come together and how who is supposed to be there is there. I love seeing how a family-like bond is birthed, and how everyone genuinely cares for each other.
There are so many memories that stick out to me, like all of our retreats, but this Beautifully Flawed Retreat was so powerful and full of so many stories. One of the stories that stuck out to me most was that of a girl who had lost her arm to a dog just three months before the retreat. When she arrived she seemed guarded and a bit unsure of the retreat. She shared that she came not knowing what to expect, but certain she would not get much out of it. She was still processing her loss and working through the PTSD of what had happened to her. Over the days I began to see a working happening, and I saw her push through the pain of even getting out of bed, to the power of God’s healing. The last day of the retreat, as we were all saying our goodbyes, she came up to me with a tear-soaked face and said she was choosing to surrender to the Lord. She shared her story with me, saying she had run for a long time, and in losing her arm, she became angry because she could not understand. It was through the retreat she found peace, hope, and the need to surrender. I told her that the Lord has so much ahead for her life, she is a leader and God was going to use this story in her life in huge ways.
The Forge Retreat was just as inspiring. The bond the men created at the retreat has turned into a daily check in and time of encouragement/accountability through a group text. During the retreat deep bonds were made as together they navigated through the struggles each was facing. Private struggles often can be kept hidden in the closet, but when in a safe community, transparency is birthed. We had a great group of guys and for the first time we had returning attendees come as leader/speakers, helping carry the theme of the retreat through powerful messages. I am so excited as the guys really feel called to help grow this program. Many shared they did not know how much they really needed this until they attended it. They shared how the transparency of struggle can be so hard for men, but the retreat really opened the door to work on the hard things locked within. I am so grateful for our team who has helped to really take the reins and lead this program. I look forward to great things ahead for the Forge.
As a nonprofit, we aim to raise $70,000 by December 31st, 2023 so that we can continue to offer these life-changing programs to many more young women and men with limb difference. Can you help us? Thank you for prayerfully considering Beautifully Flawed Foundation in this giving season.
Aloha,
Sarah Hill
Executive Director
Beautifully Flawed Foundation
Mahalo to Our 2023 Retreat Sponsors!
Bancel Foundation
Jake’s Del Mar
RX Smart Gear
YETI
TR Davis
San Diego Picnics
Share the Dough
Hakus and Love
Kissed by AML
Liquid Force
Belmont Park
Point One Vision
Fjallraven
Mae Cargo Jewelry
Solawave
Pit Viper
Rustico
Hemlock Hat Co
Slunks
Hoa Kai
Love Handle
Coola Skincare
Karma Nuts
Suja
Mela Water
Fair & Square
MammaChia
Unreal
Make Incredible Things Happen
Help further our mission and programs that support young people living with limb difference or those who’ve experienced traumatic limb loss by making a tax-deductible donation.