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New faith-based recovery home coming to fruition
About a year-and-a-half ago late on New Year’s Eve, the concept (or divine inspiration) of a ministry-based recovery program in Putnam County dropped like “Bam!” for Rev. Lynn Dunning.
Recounting that moment during a benefit dinner held two weeks ago at Greencastle Christian Church, she heard Papa (her endearing name for God) tell her to write down everything that was coming to her. This, she said, led to considerable research on recovery homes — and then eventually to Greencastle.
“When Papa said ‘Greencastle,’ I honestly said, ‘Are you crazy? What do you mean ‘Greencastle?’” Dunning related, saying she “kinda hem-hawed” for a few weeks afterward. Being based in the Sullivan area, Putnam County might have seemed rather out of the way for such an endeavor.
However, after making a call to a friend about the concept, she got in touch with Sheila Holloway, a dedicated recovery advocate who has spearheaded the Putnam County Recovery Coalition and Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL). The ball got rolling from that first meeting between them.
Now finally making Buckets of Love a working reality depends on finding a suitable house here.
Being a ranch-style environment, the ministry would provide a 12-month program centered on encouraging a disciplined lifestyle with one-on-one attention to each resident’s needs. Beginning with an emphasis on addressing the root causes of addiction and encouraging positive approaches, the residents would learn life skills to be financially independent.
As such, they would sell canned goods, eggs and produce, as well as make and sell candles and grow their own gardens. All of this would be to offset court costs, whatever those might entail.
Though without a physical place as of yet, Dunning said furniture and other items for the inside have already been donated. Corporate sponsors have also gotten involved with the project.
Buckets of Love has meaning for Dunning. She herself has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and has been clean for 34 years. Since then, she has devoted her life to faith-based recovery initiatives. Being out of Putnam County until working with Holloway, she has taught at House of Hope, a recovery ministry located in Brazil, apart from her general pastoral duties.
“This was a walk of faith,” Dunning said about getting Buckets of Love to this point. “This is being obedient. In every way that I can, this is obedience walking with Papa and loving Him. He has given me such amazing connections, such amazing people in this room. I am so blessed.”
One invited to speak at the dinner perhaps got at the heart for many present about faith being central to recovery. With his testimony, Curt Hoesman shared how his addiction to speed led him down a path of self-doubt, how he once “allowed” it to grip him and dictate who he associated with.
“I was hand-picked by God for His kingdom, but there were some things that I had to do to get that true freedom,” Hoesman said, relating one incident in which he tried to help one of his “friends” who belittled him for wanting to be clean, all the while he only saw his face blurred out. “The hardest things I changed were my friends.”
“We all have a purpose,” Hoesman yearned. “Just imagine a time that God has waved His hand over things in your life and you didn’t even realize it. Just imagine if you’re living for Christ and let Him reveal things to you, it’ll blow your minds. I’ve had my mind blown, over and over.”
The point Hoesman made about his lived experience is that addiction and the ramifications can be left behind in recovery. Ultimately, he provided, this is about making a choice to go around the obstacles and grow in faith, as well as surrounding one’s self with godly people.
“We are all recovered,” he concluded.
To purchase candles and donate to or connect with Buckets of Love, persons may visit www.bucketsofloveranch.com, call 812-778-0190 or send mail to P.O. Box 124, Greencastle.