ABOUT SWEET WATER PLANTATION

Sweet Water Plantation is situated on a beautiful 750-acre ranch in North Florida, a part of which runs along side a portion of the Suwannee River. (The Suwannee River runs through Southern Georgian and North Florida, and was made famous by the song "Old Folks at Home," written by Stephen Foster in 1851, which now has the honor of being the Florida State song. It is otherwise known as "Way Down upon the Suwannee River").

Sweet Water Plantation sets in the middle of a 750 acre cattle ranch known as “Suwannee Ranch 505”. Located near the entrance of the ranch is a beautiful 5000 sf antebellum house that was built in the early 1800’s. The old house has been refurbished and is now being used as a Christian Retreat Center. The vision of the retreat center and desire to share this unusual property with others was placed on the hearts of Don & Jane Brewer shortly after acquiring the property.

John and Cindy Zeigler moved from Naperville, IL in Feb.'06, to run the Retreat Center. John, having retired from IBM loves to cook! And so he does! He is the main chef for the retreats, assisted by Jane Brewer, both of whom work hard at preparing and serving the meals. Cindy, with 30 years experience in Bible teaching, is the main teacher at Sweet Water. Don Brewer hosts the retreats, welcoming people, making sure they have everything they need and is often seen taking people on "Jeep tours" around the property during free time.

The Brewers, together with the Zeiglers, work hard to make sure that everyone who comes to the retreats has their needs met.

Bible Study topics are:

How to Study the Bible Personally
How to Study Prophecy
An Overview of the Scope of Scripture
The Battle with Amalek, a battle between the Spirit and the Flesh
The Picture of Marriage, from Adam to Christ
The Book of Ruth, a study on Christian Living
The Five Warnings of Hebrews

New studies are being continually developed!

What's in a name?

The name "Sweet Water Plantation" was chosen as the name for the Retreat Center for several reasons:

First, part of the property borders a portion of the Suwannee River. The name "Suwannee" is thought to have been derived from the American Indian word meaning "black muddy water."
Second, we found that the name "Marion" (the original name of the plantation [see HISTORY OF]) originated in France and carried a meaning of "Sea of Bitterness."

We pondered at these things, wondering about the time in our American history, both prior to and during the civil war years, wherein slavery ensued in the South and our land was torn into two divides.

Realizing that the meanings connected with the names Suwannee and Marion, along with the historical times of the plantation (slavery and war), and desiring for God to use the Plantation house and grounds for His Glory, thought was given as to how we would re-name the Plantation. We wanted the new name to reflect our purpose. Then we remembered the story in Exodus wherein God changed the bitter waters at Marah* in the wilderness into sweet waters for the Children of Israel. And since the focus of the Plantation would be teaching God's Word to His people, we decided to call the house "Sweet Water Plantation."

Exodus 15
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" 25 Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet.