retreat facilitators Dale and Susan Folen

Dale and Susan Folen are lifelong Minnesotans, married in 1990. Dale is a drinking water Civil Engineer. Susan is a Registered Nurse in a radiation oncology department.

After a short journey with infertility, God blessed them with the thrilling and overwhelming adventure of adopting 3 “babies” from Russia, within 3 months. Ben Nikolai, age 4, Rita Marjorie, age 3 1/4, and Kirk Viktor, age 11 months. The Lord gave strength and guidance as they navigated special education, disability, and mental health concerns with the children.

Kirk struggled with anxiety and depression and started marijuana and alcohol as a teen. Though he loved Jesus and participated in several Christian programs, the disease of alcoholism led to his “rescue to heaven” on October 24, 2023. His humor, musical talent, and companionship is greatly missed.

Because of the adoption experience, God gave Dale and Susan a heart for orphans. They have taken 15 mission trips to an orphanage in Russia and 4 to Kenya. They enjoy serving in children’s ministry and on the global missions committee at their church, going to Christian concerts, and traveling. They look forward to joining other parents in their grief journey, and serving as God directs.

Psalm 121 (our help comes from the Lord)

“All my life You have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God!”