Our Story
This vision began in Germany in the early 2000s. Expats were welcomed, listened to, encouraged, and strengthened. It became a source that sustained many weary workers.
In 2011, The Haven Portugal was founded when the work relocated to this beautiful nation and expanded, opening two houses near Bombarral in the heart of vineyard and orchard country. Over the next decade, we hosted nearly 2,000 guests from 66 nations, providing a place of refreshment and renewal for those serving around the world.
In the early 2020s, circumstances beyond our control forced the closure of that property, beginning a long process of relocation. After much entreaty and contemplation, our team became convinced that a larger property was needed — one that could host more guests and also provide more on-site beauty and outdoor space within a walled property.
The search for a new setting took longer than expected. It involved months of fundraising, many property visits, and ten months between our first viewing and move-in. Renovations are underway, and we hope to begin welcoming guests again in 2026.
We honor The Haven’s history and those who have helped over the years. Though this is a new and larger chapter, the threads go back nearly 25 years, and the purpose remains the same: to provide a place of restoration for those who serve.
Our history is still in the making! With a 25-year lease, The Haven has a stable home for decades to come. We look forward to welcoming many new friends from around the world and continuing the work of helping weary hearts find renewal, so they can return refreshed to the causes for which they have labored.
OUR PURPOSE
We care for those living and serving cross-culturally, so they are revived, refreshed, and renewed, and can continue for the long haul.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of transition, isolation, or cultural stress, you are not alone. We understand the challenges, joys, and struggles of life overseas because we’ve lived them ourselves. The letter following our team bios shares why The Haven Portugal exists and hopes to support you on your journey.
Our Team
The Haven is staffed by three couples: Shoan & Michelle Holley have been serving at the Haven since April 2015. Glen & Ronda Clark joined the team in January 2019, and Donnie & Terri Standridge arrived in 2023.
Shoan & Michelle Holley
The Haven Portugal Directors
Serving at The Haven since 2015, Shoan and Michelle Holley are both native Texans, though their roots grew in contrasting soils—she from the bustle of a large city, he from the quiet expanse of a small-town ranch. They met at university in 1990, married 3½ years later, remain deeply in love, and are still best friends. They enjoy their four adult children and their spouses, and one granddaughter.
Shoan brings a touch of whimsy to life—he carves food art and likes the idea of camping more than the reality. Recipe-hunting is Michelle’s favorite sport, and she delights in creating extraordinary meals for those who truly love to eat. Hospitality, for her, is a love language. They’re equally at home in tearful discussions or playful banter.
Shoan & Michelle Holley
The Haven Portugal Directors
Serving at The Haven since 2015, Shoan and Michelle Holley are both native Texans, though their roots grew in contrasting soils—she from the bustle of a large city, he from the quiet expanse of a small-town ranch. They met at university in 1990, married 3½ years later, remain deeply in love, and are still best friends. They enjoy their four adult children and their spouses, and one granddaughter.
Shoan brings a touch of whimsy to life—he carves food art and likes the idea of camping more than the reality. Recipe-hunting is Michelle’s favorite sport, and she delights in creating extraordinary meals for those who truly love to eat. Hospitality, for her, is a love language. They’re equally at home in tearful discussions or playful banter.
The Holleys carry over 30 years of experience in this field. They’ve lived and raised children in both Africa and Europe, giving them meaningful insight into cross-cultural life. Having walked through difficult circumstances, they have learned to find peace in despair. Shoan’s life goals are to express a Father’s heart to others and help people know their true value and identity. Michelle is motivated to ensure each person she meets feels seen, honored, and unconditionally loved.
Those who meet the Holleys find it easy to open up. With empathy and compassion, they listen without judgment, offering a safe space where no one is expected to be perfect. People feel understood, accepted, and genuinely enjoyed.
Glen & Ronda Clark
Glen and Ronda joined the staff of The Haven Portugal in January 2019, bringing with them over 25 years of experience in shepherding and caring for people. They consider it a privilege to serve in a place dedicated to offering rest, renewal, and restoration to field workers. Having lived overseas, they’ve known the joys, adventure, and excitement of cross-cultural life, but have also navigated significant challenges—from frequent transitions to serious health issues.
Glen & Ronda Clark
Glen and Ronda joined the staff of The Haven Portugal in January 2019, bringing with them over 25 years of experience in shepherding and caring for people. They consider it a privilege to serve in a place dedicated to offering rest, renewal, and restoration to field workers. Having lived overseas, they’ve known the joys, adventure, and excitement of cross-cultural life, but have also navigated significant challenges—from frequent transitions to serious health issues.
In June 2025, they celebrated 41 years of marriage. Their four children and their spouses, and eight grandchildren live in the United States, yet remain close to their hearts. Both love spending time in nature; Glen can often be found exploring local hiking trails, while Ronda is joyfully discovering her gift for watercolor painting. They also share a love for games, whether just the two of them or in the company of friends, new or old.
Those who spend time with Glen and Ronda feel truly heard, genuinely known, sincerely loved, and wholeheartedly encouraged. They live by the motto: “Listen generously and be exquisitely present.”
Donnie & Terri Standridge
Donnie and Terri are from Oklahoma. From an early age, Donnie was deeply empathetic toward people and dreamed of one day shepherding others. He was especially drawn toward caring for other shepherds. After serving a local fellowship for four years, that childhood vision became a reality at The Haven in 2023. His compassion has been a guiding force in their shared journey.
As a young girl, Terri longed to marry a man with a compassionate, fatherly heart; someone who would love and care for others with depth and integrity. In Donnie, she found exactly that. Married for nearly two decades, they have built a life grounded in connection, trust, and a steady presence in the lives of those around them. Across many of these years, they took in young adults, modelling healthy family life and authentic acceptance.
Donnie & Terrie Standridge
Donnie and Terri are from Oklahoma. From an early age, Donnie was deeply empathetic toward people and dreamed of one day shepherding others. He was especially drawn toward caring for other shepherds. After serving a local fellowship for four years, that childhood vision became a reality at The Haven in 2023. His compassion has been a guiding force in their shared journey.
As a young girl, Terri longed to marry a man with a compassionate, fatherly heart; someone who would love and care for others with depth and integrity. In Donnie, she found exactly that. Married for nearly two decades, they have built a life grounded in connection, trust, and a steady presence in the lives of those around them. Across many of these years, they took in young adults, modelling healthy family life and authentic acceptance.
They delight in their four children, their children’s spouses, and four grandchildren, though they all live far away. Together, they enjoy cooking, long walks, and exploring new places. Through challenges and change, they’ve discovered that life’s adventures – especially those shared with others – are always worth it.
Donnie & Terri are known for their compassionate and caring hearts for others. They weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Wholehearted love is their defining character trait.
Dear cross-cultural worker,
Leaving the comfort of your home country and moving into a global living environment can be hard. Really hard.
If that’s you, we want to acknowledge just a glimpse of what you’ve faced. We understand, because we’ve lived and raised our family on three continents. When we moved our family of six to Africa in 2004, it was eye-opening, to say the least.
While this list is meant to be light-hearted, we know that the frustration, discouragement, and confusion of learning to live in a foreign land can run deep.
You moved to another country because you feel a burden for the people of that land. You learned about the new place, sold everything, and enlisted support from others.
Then you moved to a foreign city and had to learn EVERYTHING: 
- How to use public transportation in a language you barely know
- How to find your house again when every street looks the same
- How to speak the new language (though at least you can make an educated guess about ‘banana’. )
- …and why all the locals laugh every time you try
- How to rent a house and set up utilities
- Where to buy groceries and goods for your home
- Where to buy meat …then where to buy Imodium
- If you buy a car, then you have to learn to drive in this new place.
- Maybe you drive on the other side of the road now.
- Or maybe it feels like you’re in a piranha feeding frenzy.
- Why new friends sometimes start avoiding you (you can’t decipher the culture, so you unknowingly offend them).
- How to educate your children while helping them adjust.
- How to cope with the revolving door of fellow expats that arrive, become close friends, and then leave again
- And, most importantly, your support systems are thousands of miles and several time zones away.
You’re juggling all of this while trying to keep your marriage healthy. Or if you’re single, battling often-debilitating loneliness.
The stress of cross-cultural life is enormous. It’s harder than most people ‘back home’ will ever understand. And that’s before we even talk about feelings of disappointment, failure, anger, fear, or the worry that you’re ruining your children’s lives because they don’t have the opportunities their peers have back home. At times, it can feel overwhelming.
That’s why The Haven Portugal exists. We’ve walked this road ourselves and have helped many others navigate these same struggles. This is a safe place to talk honestly and process your challenges without judgment. Our team listens well.
When the storms of life are threatening to capsize you, come to The Haven.
Or maybe your story looks different, and you’re not in crisis at all. You just need a break, a reset, or time with your family. That’s okay, too — we welcome those who care for themselves proactively through rest. We believe it’s one of the healthiest choices you can make. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s essential.
We welcome you.
With care,
Shoan & Michelle Holley
Directors, The Haven Portugal
