An Unexpected Blessing
Duane and Jayne DeJong
Written by Shari Martin
When Duane and Jayne DeJong arrived at EdenRidge, they came to serve missionaries who needed rest and encouragement. What they didn't anticipate was how much they needed that same encouragement themselves.
After serving four years serving in a small country in Eastern Europe, Duane and Jayne returned to the United States at the end of 2020. Leaving the mission field was difficult, and they were still working through the grief of that transition. But they knew God wasn't finished using them in ministry.
Having sold their home before moving overseas, they began considering an unconventional approach to missionary care. What if they purchased a motorhome and traveled wherever ministries needed help?
They joined Paraclete Mission Group in 2021, an organization that shared their commitment to supporting missionaries and ministry workers. Instead of settling in one location, they could travel by motorhome directly to those who needed help and encouragement.
Jayne and Duane DeJong
That calling eventually brought them to EdenRidge.
Through connections with Paraclete, Duane and Jayne met Vaughn and Maralee Groen, who were serving as EdenRidge's hospitality directors. The DeJongs initially committed to six months of service, but as that time ended, they agreed to stay another year.
During those 18 months, they became part of nearly every aspect of life at the retreat center.
Duane operated heavy equipment, cleared trails, maintained roads, and helped prepare areas for future expansion, including the cross and brick plaza. Jayne assisted with administrative work, prepared meals for retreats, welcomed guests, and helped coordinate special events.
They also tackled unexpected assignments, from assembling Christmas trees to helping transport people when six inches of snow covered the property.
But their most meaningful work often had nothing to do with equipment, meals, or maintenance. It happened through conversations with the missionaries who came to EdenRidge.
Many guests were carrying burdens that weren't immediately visible. Having experienced missionary life themselves, Duane and Jayne understood some of those pressures. They listened, prayed with guests, shared stories, and offered a safe place for people to talk openly about their experiences.
Some of their most memorable conversations took place around a campfire, where friendships developed and missionaries felt comfortable sharing their struggles.
Yet something unexpected was happening in their own lives.
They had arrived at EdenRidge still processing the loss they felt after leaving Kosovo. As they worked alongside staff and volunteers, they found themselves welcomed into a community that valued and encouraged them:
"We were welcomed in and treated as family and still feel that way today. Their investment in us during our time here was very instrumental to our healing and growth."
Through their experience, they also gained a deeper appreciation for the attention EdenRidge gives its guests. Personal welcome notes, friendly volunteers, and comfortable accommodations showed that each missionary was valued. Those lessons have helped the DeJongs encourage other retreat ministries in their travels.
Today, Duane and Jayne continue serving wherever God opens doors. Their motorhome has taken them across the country, including ten months in Alaska, while overseas assignments have brought them back to Kosovo.
Their work may involve construction, administration, filling in for missionaries, or simply offering a listening ear. They provide that assistance without charging the ministries they serve, relying on their own missionary support.
One ministry described them as "Missionary Multipliers," recognizing how their behind-the-scenes efforts help others focus on their calling.
Their time at EdenRidge reinforced a lesson they now carry wherever they travel: Sometimes the people who come to serve are the very ones God intends to encourage.
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“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” Psalm 66:5 (NIV)
Was your stay meaningful? We'd love to hear how God used your time at EdenRidge.
Email us at rest@edenridge.org and we'll schedule a short conversation with you.