Arapohue Healing & Recovery Centre

the Father's love healing the hearts of the fathers and the sons

Feb 2026

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Dear friends,

Attending our local church, The Lighthouse as part of the Arapohue Centre programme encourages the spiritual growth of our guests. Some of the men have children who are able to visit on the weekend to spend precious time with their fathers.

"He (Jesus) will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers... " Malachi 4:6.

Stay blessed,
Ray, Jan and the A-team at Arapohue Centre

Keep scrolling to see all the pics and stories!

Wiklunds and baptisms

We were privileged to receive a visit from Geoff and Joanne Wiklund (from Auckland) who came up to share with the men, two of whom he had discipled in Ngawha Prison. He then baptised three of our guests (Tangata whaiora), assisted by David Junior (DJ) Thomas (a previous volunteer/boarder) who now works for Arataki Ministries with youth in schools.

Geoff has an itinerant ministry. He previously ran Bible studies in Ngawha Prison and is now working as an industrial chaplain. He was previously Chairman of Promise Keepers men's ministry.

Thanks to our lovely neighbours and Lighthouse Church parish council leaders Grant and Pauline Taylor for the use of their beautiful pool.

Back to school

Ray, Jan and two Arapohue Tangata whaiora (guests) are starting studying towards their NZ Cert in Health & Social Wellbeing Community Health, Mental Health & Social Services Level 4 through Ringa Atawhai Matauranga Ltd, Whangarei. This is a year-long course with a monthly full weekend Wananga (in-depth hui) in Whangarei... plus two 2-hour evening online sessions a week as well as the assignments for 12 modules. Please pray against brain bleeds!

Out the gate

Big thanks to Jaime (1st left) our resident bricklayer guest and Gary, building supervisor (2nd right), plus helpers (L-R) Ashley, Matthew, Anthony and Josh (Toa is not here this morning). Now we have stunning gates sourced from Jan's favourite shop, Burrell Salvage in Morningside, Auckland creating a smart entrance for Arapohue Centre. Thanks to God for his provision of the old bricks at a good price.

BELOW LEFT before work began (Nick and Jaime in front the old farm gate). BELOW RIGHT the A-team after a lot of hard mahi.

The Arapohue Centre pond

BEFORE (Arapohue pond now)

WHAT IT COULD BE (this is Benji's natural pond)

Benji Woodman (orchardist/landscaper) and Caleb Salisbury (arborist/digger) have planned the pond restoration (top photo) to be done this autumn. The current pond water is black and smells like Rotorua (no offence Rotorua). However, our precious therapy animals have to drink it!

Restoring the pond involves draining, digging it out, laying a pond liner, installing an aeration pump and planting a riparian zone of natives. Est cost is $16,000. This work has to be done in autumn in the window of one week so the rain can fill it up quickly. Can you help? Every bit helps!

A bonus to this project, apart from providing safe water for the farm animals, is a swimming and baptism pond for our hard-working guests.

Urgent needs at Arapohue Retreat, Feb 2026. Can you please help us tackle a huge month of bills?

GET ONE-THIRD OF YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION BACK IN APRIL 2026 • The needs below are urgent... can you help us?
$ 1,166	March mortgage interest
$ 1,200	Water systems maintenance
$ 1,500	Vehicle insurance and maintenance
$ 3,100	New shower and vanity in Cottage bathroom
$ 16,000	Pond restoration (farm water)
$200,000	MORTGAGE: FULL REDEMPTION
Please send your tax-deductible donation to Wild Side Charitable Trust 12-3098-0013945-00 Ref [your name & project] Please email janet@thewildside.net to let me know so I can send your tax receipt at the end of the financial year. Many thanks!

A huge thanks to our partners for your support!

Arapohue Retreat receives no government support. Your ongoing partnership means we can continue to work with people who are struggling.
You play a VIP role in providing a place where people's lives can be restored by God. We can't do it without you.
Kind regards and many thanks,
Ray & Jan Curle on behalf of Arapohue Centre & Wild Side Charitable Trust