Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Matthew 10:46-52)
What is Restoration Week?
Many of us have been sitting on the roadside, waiting for Jesus to perform his miracle. Whether that be a physical ailment, a long-held desire, or the need for direction, we are all in need of some form of restoration. Come away to the mountains of Italy for one week and restore your sight! Jesus is asking you “What do you want me to do for you?” Take time to ask, seek, listen, and rest in his love while also around community.
Restoration Week is a time set apart to listen to the Holy Spirit at work in our own lives. The first half of this time we will stay in a comfortable mountain bungalow outside of the city of Arco for four days where we will engage with spiritual practices like prayer, lectio divina (divine scripture readings), and community meals. We will also take day-trips to the dolomites for some optional hiking, and exploring the beauty of Italy. The second half of the trip will be spent in Arco to our second location where we will explore the Italian countryside, visit a winery, pray over the people of Italy, and learn about the history of the nearby city of Trentino.
Values:
- Silence
- Solitude
- Community
- Beauty
- History
When:
Fall of 2026: September 14-20
Cost:
700 (euros) – includes food, housing, transportation after arrival, and most activities.
Timeline:
- (Mon-Thurs) Restoration in the mountain retreat house. Includes outdoor activities, silence & solitude, teachings on spiritual practices, and community meal times. An on-site chef will be provided.
- (Thurs-Sun) Experiential in Arco and Trentino exploring the history of the city, prayer over the global church and the people of Italy with an opportunity to visit a winery.
Logistics
Use this time for both spiritual growth and exploration of the mountains of Italy. Flights are not included in the cost. All passengers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the retreat location. A van can be reserved for pick-up from the train station at the nearby city of Rovereto. Beds at the bungalow consist of separated twins and shared queens. Be prepared to share a gender-specific room.
Who
Someone, male or female who is looking to be spiritually formed in their own journey with Jesus, who is interested in meeting new like-minded friends, who can be open to learning about the culture of Trentino through prayer and curiosity, and who is flexible to changing timelines and exploration.
Planned Location in Arco, Italy
Registration closes May 1st 2026
Disclaimer: A registration form sent does not guarantee a spot on the trip. Once the registration comes through, a questionnaire will be sent to the given email to see if this trip is a right fit for you. Many factors contribute to acceptance into the retreat including expectations, lifestyle, and the ratio of gender to room assignments. Take some time to reflect and see if this retreat is right for you!
Email: maya.goodyear@gmail.com for more details.