“How do we discern the voice and call of God amongst so many other voices in our lives demanding immediate attention and action?” This was the question Heidi and Hermann struggled with during 2017. This in short is their story…

God wants us to do What? Develop and open a retreat centre? You must be joking! Yet that was the call. Almost like Abraham “…leave and go to the place I will show you…”

After many visits to many possible locations, God showed is the place He had in mind for us. Both of us clearly remember that 21st of September 2017 when we first set eyes on the property and we both instantly knew this is the place God promised to show us. We could scarcely contain our excitement, but were reluctant to express our delight in the presence of the estate agent. (Heidi, being the experienced estate agent warning Hermann about sending out too many “buying signals” and making the estate agent’s job too easy.)

One of the first things we decided was that the official name of the farm as it appears on the title deed “Remaining Extent of Portion 4 of the Farm Groenvlei 353JT” did not quite have a Biblical ring to it. The chosen name became one of the easiest things we had to deal with – iDwala (The Rock in isiZulu), named after the rather impressive rock overhang on the mountain behind the house. This name, borrowing from marketing jargon “has legs” meaning that there are countless descriptions, especially from the Psalms, where God is referred to as our Rock. Just looking at the Steenkampsberg mountains, is a constant reminder of this fact.

Our journey to iDwala still is one whereby God proves to us, on a daily basis, that he is merciful and faithful beyond what we could ever imagine.

Tucked away in the Steenkampsberge between Emakhazeni (literally “The Cold Place”) and Dullstroom, lies the newly established 93 ha Franciscan Retreat Centre called iDwala – The Rock. Currently three well-appointed, en-suite double guestrooms are available, inclusive of all meals.

The overall aim of iDwala is to create the space in a spectacular natural setting for people from all walks of life to (re)connect on a deeper and perhaps different level with God. As such we are fully aware that there is only one Retreat Director, who meets all visitors to iDwala in the space where they need to be met. .

iDwala boasts 3 dams with abundant bird life, including black-, fish- and long crested eagles; the Elands river that meanders through it, as well as a clear and fresh mountain stream feeding two of the dams. iDwala teems with wild life including mountain reedbuck, duiker, dassies, baboons and monkeys and the odd otter in the dam – not to forget iDwala’s three Labradors and two cats.

Whether you want to go for long or short walks, meditate on your own or have a personal retreat programme designed for you – you will find it at iDwala. The atmosphere is easy and intimate and you are guaranteed our personal and undivided attention.