Finding Peace in Recovery
Recovery comes with many challenges, but for the men and women who come to The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, the staff do all they can to support them on their difficult path. Days can be long and taxing, and the chaos inside one’s mind can feel impossible to escape.
Thanks to a recent donation that came with a vision, consumers at the Harbor Light Center have a new outdoor space in which to enjoy some moments of tranquility. For the first time, they will have use of a beautiful prayer garden specifically designed as a space for peaceful reflection and devotion.
This summer, more than forty local volunteers, Harbor Light consumers, and Salvation Army Staff members came together on a large, unused plot of land on the property. In just one day, the 4,400 square foot plot of land was transformed from a blank slate into a serene place of beauty and healing. Volunteers worked side-by-side with Salvation Army staff to lay new sod, plant trees and flowers, plot a vegetable and herb garden, build benches and raised flower beds, and shape pathways.
"The Prayer Garden is an oasis for our consumers to escape the spiritual battles they face during their recovery here at the Harbor Light Center,” said Major K.K. Mathews, Executive Director of the center. “God is a safe place to hide through prayers. He’s ready to help when we need Him. This Prayer Garden will help all who use it to stand fearless at the cliff edges of recovery, ready to renew hope and begin healing.”
Today, consumers can step outside into their very own private garden, where they can sit and read, watch the bird feeders, or help tend the flower and vegetable beds. It is a place where they can quietly pray and let the peaceful environment calm worried minds and lift heavy hearts. They have witnessed a weedy patch of ground be transformed into a place for healing and recovery and can pray for the same transformation in their own lives.
To see more pictures of the new Prayer Garden, check out our Flickr album.
The Prayer Garden was made possible through a generous donation by Jay and Jan Brill. The Brills saw potential in the open land and dreamed of an outdoor space where prayer and contemplation could take place under an open sky. By choosing The Salvation Army, the Brills knew they could make their vision a reality and make a long-lasting impact on the lives of people who are striving to rise above addiction and build a future filled with hope and God’s love.
To learn more about the Harbor Light Center, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/harborlightindiana/