JANUARY 27 — FEBRUARY 2, 2026


Gather with Global Women 
Reconnect with God's Presence 
Make Space for Your Soul

Serving cross-culturally is a beautiful calling. But it comes with a unique set of challenges—navigating visa stress and political instability, coping with isolation, managing health needs, balancing ministry demands, raising children far from home, and maintaining relationships. Over time, these pressures can wear on your body, mind, and soul.

Ava is an invitation to pause.
To breathe deeply.
To step into God's healing presence and be renewed.

Thoughtfully created for global women like you, Ava is a six night retreat that offers space to rest, reflect, and receive. It’s a sacred opportunity to slow down, reconnect with who you are, and experience the tender care of God through community, counseling and worship.

WHY AVA?

The name Ava is derived from Eve, meaning to live and breathe. And that’s exactly what this gathering is about—helping you rediscover space to breathe freely and live fully in the presence of God.

Set in the stunning Costa del Sol region of southern Spain, Ava combines holistic care and soul-nourishing beauty. Our team of compassionate, skilled volunteers—including professional counselors, spiritual directors, life coaches, physicians, an educational consultant, and gifted worship leaders—are here to walk with you as you reflect, heal, and gain fresh perspective.

During the week, you’ll have the chance to:

- Meet one-on-one with a counselor
- Join other women who understand your life for meaningful conversations and shared meal
- Experience worship and teaching that speaks to your heart
- Rest, laugh, and enjoy free time for reflection, creativity, or exploring the Mediterranean coast, charming Mijas, or the surrounding Sierra de Mijas

WHO IS AVA FOR?

Ava is for English-speaking women serving in full-time global ministry—those living and working cross-culturally who long for a safe, sacred space to exhale and be replenished.

Because space is limited, we give priority to women who are continuing in ministry and plan to remain outside their passport countries.

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Location

THE VILLAGE OF MIJAS IN THE COSTA DEL SOL REGION OF SPAIN

Ava is held at the TRH Mijas Hotel in the urban center of Mijas, located 25 minutes from the city of Malaga and the coast. Built in the typical Andalusian architecture, it offers fabulous panoramic views to the Mediterranean. Its quaint rooms are for double or single occupancy and have toilets and showers en-suite. There is a pool, wellness spa center, tennis court and solarium terrace. Mijas is a ten minute taxi ride to the beach. The pueblo of Mijas is full of artisanal shops, cafes, and beautiful vistas of the coast. Meals are prepared by the excellent hotel staff (three meals a day made by someone else!). It's a restorative location — safe, peaceful and beautiful!

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WHAT TO EXPECT

You've probably been to lots of conferences. We hope this is different.
Morning Gatherings – Worship, reflective teaching, and discussion groups.
One-on-One Appointments – Meet with a counselor each afternoon for four sessions as well as an appointment with a physician, spiritual director, and/or life coach.
Time to Reflect & Rest – During the conference, you will have space to journal, nap, process, or explore.
A Mid-Retreat Free Day – Visit the beach, spend the day in Málaga, hike the trails of Mijas, or simply be.
A Beautiful, Safe, and Peaceful Setting – Space to breathe deeply and hear God’s voice.
Meals Prepared for You – Because sometimes, the simplest joys—like not cooking—are the best.

RHYTHM & FLOW 

Day 1

Tuesday, January 27
Guests arrive. Welcome reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner, and a brief evening program.

Day 2

Wednesday, January 28
Morning gathering (worship & message). Discussion groups. Afternoon appointments.  

Day 3

Thursday, January 29
Morning gathering (worship & message). Discussion groups. Afternoon appointments.

Day 4

Friday, January 30
The day and evening are free for guests and staff. 

Day 5

Saturday, January 31
Morning gathering (worship & message). Discussion groups. Afternoon appointments.  

Day 6

Sunday, February 1
Morning gathering (worship & message). Discussion groups. Afternoon appointments. Final worship, communion and sharing.

Day 7

Monday, February 2
Guests check out by 10 a.m.

DETAILS | FEES

Arriving & Departing

Guests arrive Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Our first gathering is at 6:00 p.m. Guests depart Monday, February 2 (must be checked out by 10 a.m.). The main international airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. From the airport, a taxi or Uber can be taken to the hotel (about 25 minutes). Pending arrival times for guests, we can help coordinate a shared taxi. Guests will take a taxi back to the airport when departing. If you would like to arrive a few days before the conference, it's possible to do so (per night rate applies). Ava is desgined to be experienced as a whole. Please plan to stay for the entire gathering.  

VISA

Citizens with a US passport or in the Schengen region do not need a visa to enter Spain. This may change for US citizens in 2026; we will keep you updated. Citizens from many countries outside the European Union (EU) will likely require a visa to enter Spain, including countries like China, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Cuba, Saudia Arabia, the Philippines, and most African nations.

FEES

A portion of the cost of the conference has been underwritten by generous donors to Catalyst Intl. Fees for the 6-night conference include lodging, buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee break, counseling/debriefing and medical consultation. Rooms sleep 1 or 2 persons. There are two payments:

1) A deposit of $150 per person paid to Catalyst Intl reserves your spot.
2) The additional conference fee is payable to Catalyst Intl by December 1, 2025.
3) Accommodations available:

  • Private room for 1 person, 6 nights — Deposit of $150 plus conference fee of $800; additional days before or after the conference are $100/night
  • Shared room for 2 persons, 6 nights — Deposit of $150 plus conference fee of $600; additional days before or after the conference are $100/night

Shared accommodations feature two single beds positioned closer together for a cozy setup. If you're traveling with a friend, this works perfectly! However, if you prefer more personal space while sharing with a new roommate, you might find a single room more comfortable.

Ava is a unique one-time retreat. Space is limited. To ensure more women have the opportunity to attend, each guest is invited to participate just once—we encourage you to make the most of this experience.  If the conference is full, we will place you on a wait list and contact you if a spot becomes available.

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STORIES

I have nothing but good things to say about the conference as it was done perfectly. It is evident to me that Ava is something God orchestrated and something that was well thought out and prayed over.
- Global worker serving in Guinea 

I came to the conference with so much weight from several years of hard heavy stuff. I was weary and hanging on by a thread. I needed a place to lay it all down. Ava not only let me do that they also invited me on the journey to healing and resting in God’s deep abiding love.
- Global worker from Middle East 

As a therapist serving global women who are often tired, weary, and feeling alone as they navigate all kinds of grief, loss, and trauma, I am so grateful for the gracious invitation of renewal that Ava offers. What a gift for like-minded woman to experience 5 days of unhurried, grace-filled renewal in a gorgeous setting. Time to rest. To laugh. To cry. To linger over conversations. To saunter along a quiet pathway. To eat food someone else has cooked! To “go out and play.” This is life. This is grace. This is Ava.
- Karen Merry, Counselor, Budapest 

I remember thinking to myself, ‘If I knew where to go, I would go. If I could talk to somebody, I would. But I don’t know where to go and I don’t know who I can talk to.’ At the time I was being stretched, pulled, pushed past limits of knowing—of strength. How I would have loved to step out and step into something like Ava. A place to be away! But not just away—a place to be met, just where I was, just how I am. It’s a gift we don’t often receive. It’s a gift Ava gives generously. I hope you will come. You will be met, seen, accepted, and loved.You can trust that. I have—and it made all the difference for how I went forward from there.
- Jeanni Shepherd, Founder, Ministry Essentials 

It was so special to feel loved on, prayed for and encouraged by so many people who were there for us! It was a blessing to not be in charge of anything, to be a participant at such a beautiful event and to feel valued, affirmed and invested in.
- Global worker serving in Macedonia 

I go to conferences of one type or another at least once a year and I got more from this conference than any other conference I have attended.
- Global worker working in N. Africa