Please Support Lucien and Bridgette Castera
Bridgette writes:
For many years we worked in the hospitality industry doing the extremes from flipping eggs to serving the likes of Dr. Kissinger. In 1995, under the umbrella of Bible Camp Ministries, we came to France on a 3 month, short term mission trip. God used this as a catalyst for the vision of a ministry to assist missionaries with the practical things that bog them down; mowing the lawn, babysitting, cleaning the house, assembling IKEA furniture, etc.
1998, this ministry became a reality as we headed towards Pennsylvania for the first stop on a 7 year long traveling mission. For the first few years we traveled from project to project on a motorcycle and in 2001 upgraded to a camping van where we lived until 2005. During these years of travel we had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of project from building walls to building libraries. We laid tile, painted, cooked for numerous churches, mission and pastoral groups; as well as any other projects we could find that needed helping hands.
In 2005 all this changed as our surprise baby was born, Dominique. Thinking that our nomadic, van style of living was perhaps not the greatest environment to raise a child, we began praying and asking God to show us the next step. Through His grace and the generosity of supporters, that next step is now called “Rapha House” or house of refuge. We were able to purchase and begin renovation of a house which is 175 years old in the village of Arcy sur Cure, France.
For these past 14 years we have had over 70 people volunteer to help us in the renovation of the main house, as well as the little house next door which was added to the ministry last year.
Rapha House provides a true place of refuge, relaxation and renewal for Pastors from all around the world, missionaries working in France and other nearby countries, people on vacation, women's groups, Bible study groups, as well as pilgrims on the Camino Way.
God has allowed us to be involved for over 2 decades in a vital ministry which allows us to be blessed and to be a blessing.
For many years we worked in the hospitality industry doing the extremes from flipping eggs to serving the likes of Dr. Kissinger. In 1995, under the umbrella of Bible Camp Ministries, we came to France on a 3 month, short term mission trip. God used this as a catalyst for the vision of a ministry to assist missionaries with the practical things that bog them down; mowing the lawn, babysitting, cleaning the house, assembling IKEA furniture, etc.
1998, this ministry became a reality as we headed towards Pennsylvania for the first stop on a 7 year long traveling mission. For the first few years we traveled from project to project on a motorcycle and in 2001 upgraded to a camping van where we lived until 2005. During these years of travel we had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of project from building walls to building libraries. We laid tile, painted, cooked for numerous churches, mission and pastoral groups; as well as any other projects we could find that needed helping hands.
In 2005 all this changed as our surprise baby was born, Dominique. Thinking that our nomadic, van style of living was perhaps not the greatest environment to raise a child, we began praying and asking God to show us the next step. Through His grace and the generosity of supporters, that next step is now called “Rapha House” or house of refuge. We were able to purchase and begin renovation of a house which is 175 years old in the village of Arcy sur Cure, France.
For these past 14 years we have had over 70 people volunteer to help us in the renovation of the main house, as well as the little house next door which was added to the ministry last year.
Rapha House provides a true place of refuge, relaxation and renewal for Pastors from all around the world, missionaries working in France and other nearby countries, people on vacation, women's groups, Bible study groups, as well as pilgrims on the Camino Way.
God has allowed us to be involved for over 2 decades in a vital ministry which allows us to be blessed and to be a blessing.