Beloved Ones,

Sending you all our heartfelt greetings from the Southwest Sufi Community and Voice of the Turtle Retreat Center. We have come to a decision about our Summer Camp and want to share with you that we have found it necessary to cancel camp for this year. Although it's sad to make this decision, we have come to it collectively, honoring the need for safety and well-being in all of our lives, thus we avoid risking the health of travelers as well as community members.

Pir Shabda spoke about this time as a paradigm shift, and although it holds extraordinary difficulties for humanity, it also holds a great healing respite for the planet, a new time of clear skies and clean air, animal populations venturing into our towns and cities, and a cessation of human movement across the globe.

Upon making this decision, it became clear that it offers the community an opportune moment to reset, to listen from within to the Land, and time to create more beauty for the retreat center. As we look toward the future, we will be exploring the next phase of how we gather together. There will be new opportunities for people who want to come to the Southwest Sufi Community and Voice of the Turtle.

Meanwhile, great things are happening here on the Land. The new Dance Pavilion is in its early stages of construction. The site has been readied, the lumber delivered. Michael Kothrade is applying his masterful vision to our new Dance Pavilion. We expect it will look similar to his, however with unique attributes for Voice of the Turtle. Here is a photo of Michael and Wren’s Pavilion:

In addition to the Pavilion, much progress towards refurbishing and remodeling the retreat center is taking place! Adobe of The Message is undergoing a complete makeover. A new window and wood-box, paint and furniture are just the beginning to beautify this adorable space. We look forward to hosting our Teachers in the historic adobe cabin.

Additionally, we are working on a plan to re-model the Ranch House kitchen and expand the guest capacity, creating a beautiful, cozy, light-filled, clean house and bathing facilities for our retreat center, as well as for guests and residents, who lovingly care for this space.

By next year, our glamping tents will be set up and ready for you to inhabit during camp. These tents are available for retreatants who wish to join us for camp, but travel without cumbersome camping gear.

These are just some of the expansive visions at work. New waterlines are being laid, and new residents building their home. With spring fully in season, and summer temperatures on the rise, the gardens are also getting a work-over. The Mother Garden is coming alive with blooming fruit trees from last year’s plantings, a circular mandala with rows of newly planted seedlings, and several residents working together to plant the seeds for community sustainability. There are growing opportunities for service. We invite you to consider joining us, helping us expand our capability, fulfilling our mission as a hidden jewel in the heart of The Ruhaniat Family.

Inshallah, we will host camp in summer of 2021. Pir Shabda has given his commitment to welcome you along with the residents of the community. The gardens and the Land await your arrival. May all beings far and wide feel the Presence from within. May all beings be well. May all being be happy. May the Blessings of God rest upon you. When the time is right, we will see you here.

In Loving Service,

From the Southwest Sufi Community