From Cat (2019 School of Connection Student)
Reflection on the School of Connection
Process is slow and can be painful. At the School of Connection, I said yes to meeting God in the slowness of the process. He changed so much in me during that time that I don’t even have words to express all that He’s done. But for you, dear reader, I will do my best.
The School of Connection was a journey of discovering my identity. It was a beautiful process, with so many surprises. Of course, not everything was a surprise. I expected more of God. I expected to go deeper into relationship with Him, and by all means I did. But He surprised me with just how much He wanted to give me. He surprised me by showing me how big His love is – for ME. Right in the middle of my messes, I experienced the reality that He doesn’t want anything from me, He just wants to be with me. He showed me what it really means to be His daughter.
I came to the school already knowing Him. I have been walking with God for years, but I came wanting more of Him. I had no idea that He would reveal and shift so many things in my heart. He worked so faithfully and patiently with me in the process! In the safe atmosphere that Gary and Cathy created, I began to understand what it means that God is a Father. I felt His love from them. They loved, taught, and spoke blessing over me. They challenged me when I needed it, and I never felt an ounce of condemnation. During the school, I was invited to interact with God, and I began to trust for the first time that He is my true and perfect Daddy. I experienced His love poured out on me in abundance. He gave me the courage to face deep pain, and I encountered Him as my Healer. When I knew Him as Father, I started to recognize myself as His beloved daughter.
It felt like I was learning for the first time who I really am, who I have been all along. I felt deep acceptance from God, my Daddy, and that changed everything for me. It is like I had vision clouded with debris: bitterness, pain, judgments, wounds. Because of it, I couldn’t see myself, God, or the world clearly. At the school, my sin was revealed and removed, wounds and pain were healed, the debris scrubbed away. As a result, I can see clearly who I am, who God is, and His desire for the people around me. I learned how He thinks about me with so much love, and realized that I am not condemned at all. In a lot of ways, I feel like I have just now come alive to what is true, to my true identity. It amazes me to realize that I didn’t even know what I was missing.
In this transformation, I realized that God doesn’t want to change me into something besides myself. I had harbored this idea deep down that He wanted to take everything about me and make it different, that I was a problem in need of fixing. I thought He could not possibly accept me as I am. At the School of Connection, I realized that those things aren’t true at all. I felt His total acceptance of my awkwardness, my creativity, my flaws. He loves all of me, and the changes He wants to do only free me to be even more myself than I was before. He lovingly showed me where I had gone wrong so that I could finally be myself.
I am so thankful that Gary and Cathy said yes to God, and continue saying yes to Him. Because of their obedience, I had time and space for God to transform like He did. They said yes to what God asked them to do, I said yes to the process, and God transformed. He worked on my heart day by day, repairing, redeeming, recreating. And at the end of it, He launched me back into life, saying, “I can’t wait to watch you fly!” What a joy it is to be soaring through life with Him!
From Holly – University Student who was a frequent visitor to the farm during 2017 A little taste of heaven! Fields of the Fatherless is an incredible atmosphere that facilitates getting in touch with oneself and with a Greater Father. Gary and Cathy are kind, warm-hearted people who have mentored and encouraged me beyond what words can convey. My time here will always hold a special place in my heart.
From Nathan, a University Student who was a frequent visitor during 2017 God works so powerfully through Gary and Cathy. They are gifted, intelligent, and loving human beings. They helped guide me towards a stronger relationship with the Lord. I am forever grateful for my experience at the Feilds of the Fatherless as it changed my life for the better. I would 10/10 recommend and I would definitely return in the future. Thank you guys so much! You know how I feel about you
From Brandon, a University Student who was a frequent visitor during 2017 The rest and peacefulness that I experienced at the Fields of the Fatherless farm in Uruguay was nothing short of a blessing! I am immensely grateful to Gary and Cathy for cultivating a safe environment for me to grow deeper in relationship with myself, others and our Creator in a place that exudes compassion and comfortability. It’s still my favorite place in the world to date and I can’t wait to come back and visit soon!!!
From Rob School of Connection 2020
As I look back on my trip to SA, Uruguay. I realize, just what a specially crafted adventure my LORD had precisely structured for me.
There are many more blessings here, then I have space to list; but, the School Of Connection hosted by Gary and Cathy Stallings in Uruguay will be considered a turning point in my life.
GOD’s love, patients and peace flows through this beautiful 100+ year old Estancia. Laden with Red Eucalyptus, cedar and palm. The summer days are filled with Parrots singing and a cool satisfying breeze.
It’s the connection though, you begin to feel and the way Gary and Cathy foster you into GOD’s care that begins to transform your past way of life and allows you to see, feel and hear GOD’s voice of love.
GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT transformed within me a new and exciting spirit that is today creating a closer and more intimate bond with THE TRINITY. Prayer time or study, music praise or worship, GOD fills this countryside meadow with a peace you will continue to long for, after you leave.
The children are a true added blessing to the School, their hearts are so open and accepting of all who attend. I was moved to tears the first time I met some of the children, teenagers all 19 of them, ages 13 to 18, made me feel so wonderful. They all stood in a single file line, each one to shake my hand, introduce themselves and to lightly kiss me on the cheek. I don’t know that I’ve ever been so humbled and blessed by so many, whose language I couldn’t speak.
GOD nurtures you here. Cathy disciples, you through praise and worship along with Gary’s theological thought-provoking messages, illuminating GOD in a more visible picture of HIS love and adoration for us through the body of CHRIST.
Chef Gary’s talent’s in the kitchen and Cathy’s background in nutrition, will have you asking more often than not, “When are we eating, again…”
This was a True Delight to have experienced this remarkable opportunity. One, You will be glad You made !
Listen, for GOD’s Call…Rob