Beyond the Mission Field
A Place to Recharge
Gary and Kathy Meier
Written by Shari Martin
Header Photo Illustration: Evan Wise
Through years of missionary service in Ecuador, Gary and Kathy Meier witnessed God at work in extraordinary ways. They also experienced firsthand the challenges of missionary life and why missionaries sometimes need a place to step away and recharge.
Living and serving in Ecuador brought them unexpected challenges and many opportunities to see God at work. But missionary life also came with pressures that didn't go away when they returned to the United States. Home Ministry Assignments (time spent away from the mission field reconnecting in person with supporting churches and donors) often meant demanding schedules, travel, and little opportunity to slow down.
Gary and Kathy Meier
When their longtime friend Oliver Dossmann began talking about creating a retreat center for missionaries, Gary and Kathy immediately understood why such a place was needed.
The Meiers had served in Ecuador with HCJB World Radio, where they became close friends with Oliver's parents, Daniel and Françoise Dossmann. Their shared missionary experiences helped build a friendship that would eventually lead to the development of EdenRidge.
As early advisors to EdenRidge, Gary and Kathy joined Oliver in searching for property, spending hours checking out wooded areas in North Carolina and Georgia. When Oliver eventually found land in Tennessee, they traveled there to see it. Gary remembers, “We really didn’t stay. We simply rolled in, hiked the property, suggested to Oliver that we purchase it, and returned home.”
They also suggested the name EdenRidge, which the board ultimately selected. Later, they were given the opportunity to name the Faithfulness Cabin, which was dedicated to them.
But their involvement didn't stop with finding the property. Gary and Kathy's church, Grace Presbyterian, sent a team of approximately 20 men who spent nearly two weeks constructing EdenRidge's first building, a utility building.
Construction of EdenRidge's first building
Gary and Kathy also served for many years on the EdenRidge board, with Gary serving as chairman for much of that time. They continued sharing the ministry with others and encouraging missionaries to discover what EdenRidge had to offer.
Completed utility building
Eventually, the Meiers had opportunities to experience EdenRidge as guests themselves. When longtime missionary friends were staying there, Gary and Kathy sometimes reserved a cabin during the same period. Those visits became opportunities for fellowship, reminiscing, and enjoying friendships formed through years of serving overseas.
And those years overseas had given them memorable stories about how God had been working in their lives.
Gary remembers the challenges of adjusting to another culture, yet he says the joys and miracles far surpassed the difficulties.
Short-term mission teams in Ecuador often held Vacation Bible Schools. At one event, organizers anticipated 100 children, but many more showed up. It was another example of an unexpected blessing that God provided.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Ecuador
Whenever something memorable happened, Kathy would tell him, “You need to write a story about that.”
He listened. Over the years, Gary collected more than 100 stories. Eventually, 47 of those stories became his book, An Ecuador Compendium: Stories from the Mission Field, published by Christian Faith Publishing in 2024. The collection recounts extraordinary experiences, answered prayers, and the unexpected challenges of missionary service.
Author: Gary Meier
Kathy also compiled recipes collected from missionaries around the world into a cookbook to raise funds for EdenRidge.
Through their own experiences, Gary and Kathy know both the rewards and the demands of missionary service. Today, they continue recommending EdenRidge to fellow missionaries, describing it as “A secluded, pristine place to recharge your batteries.”
For Gary and Kathy, EdenRidge is more than a place they helped establish. It's a place where they know firsthand the value of the rest and fellowship they once hoped to provide for others.
You can read more about Gary’s book in this Press Release.
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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.