Celebrating 50 Years of the Travis Hospitality House
Joyce and I recently participated in the 50th celebration of the Travis Hospitality House ministry near Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. Fifty years! Not only has this hospitality house been a beacon of hope for this military community for 50 years, but the ministry has been located on the same five-acre property and facility the entire time. This property was purchased by Cadence in 1973 under the direction of one of the mission’s founding couples, Tom and Dotty Hash.
Around 80 people attended this celebration, and we heard stirring stories from our Travis Hospitality House alumni of how God transformed their lives during their time in that place.
Cindy Zulli, former Cadence board member said, “I was saved right here in this living room in 1975!” She pointed to a specific spot in the room as she shared this praise. Wow!
Current Cadence staff Char Hauser, who ministers to women in the military community of Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base Hawaii, wrote, “It was at Travis that Tom and Dotty modeled the ministry for me and my husband, Ray. They prayed that I would see God leading us to commit our lives to sharing the gospel and our lives with the military. Tom and Dotty were amazing, patient mentors, and here I am 45 years later, still going. It all began at the Travis Hospitality House.”
The stories kept coming of life-transforming moments over five decades. We also met Airmen who were enjoying the hospitality house right now in these days under the care of Cadence staff, Zach and Cassandra Brown. In addition, four different chaplains approached me to express gratefulness for Cadence and the privilege of partnering with our staff there and in many other locations around the world. What a blessing!
Tom and Dotty’s son, Dan Hash, said this at the celebration: “Facilities matter. They ground us and connect us. They open the doors and give us context for ministry through God’s number one delivery system, which is people who are not all put together.”
Homes, facilities, properties—they matter. They may be temporary dwellings on this earth, but God uses these places to reach souls and touch lives as military people connect with Him and others in lifechanging community.
One of the other fifteen Cadence-owned properties God is using for His work is on the other side of the world in Rota, Spain. In 2025, we will celebrate 50 years of the Rota ministry, all on the same property which Cadence has owned for 40 of those years. And yet this property needs significant renovations. To that end, in the coming months you will be hearing about our Joshua Project campaign to raise funds to stop erosion on a perimeter hill, repair the perimeter fence, restore a deteriorating apartment, and more.
As we celebrate God’s faithfulness at the Travis Hospitality House this year and look forward to celebrating in Rota, we are grateful for how you partner with our missionaries and ministries around the world.
David Schroeder
President