Rachell Bangs
Joy House Graduate and Victory House Resident 8

Two years ago, I knew what it was like to have no hope. I was 28 years old with a 2-year-old child and nowhere to go. I had left an abusive relationship and due to my addictions, I had no family left to turn to. That is when I met my Lord and Savior, “Jesus Christ”.

I came to live at Joy House and was welcomed with open arms. I was broke and had only the backpack I left with. During my time at the Joy House, I had entered a program through
the Emily Griffith Opportunity School where I was able to go to school and learn floral design. I had always been a creative person growing up. I am now currently employed as the “Head Designer” of a local flower shop and have been with them for over 2 years.

I am also very proud to announce that I am 28 months clean and sober!

Not only has Joy House been a big part in restoring a once lost hope of mine, they also have been a big influence in my daughter’s life. I am simply in awe as I watch my girl grow up with such a blessed spirit of knowing what God’s love is today. She has been involved in play therapy for 2 years now and the amount of growth I have seen in her is truly amazing.

After graduating from the Joy House program, we made our home at Victory House. Then last spring I met my (new) husband through the Providence Homes community!

Lena and Sean Got Married!
Three years ago, both Sean, a Providence House II resident, & Lena, a Joy House resident, were lost in their addictions from the damage that had been done to them throughout their lives. They were broken spiritually, emotionally & mentally. In June of 2005 (after several months in our program), Lena and Sean were married! Not only have we witnessed the blessing of their union, but they have recently become Live-in Staff members at Joy House, giving back to the community that provided the love and support they needed to regain their lives.

God reached out to me ~ by Nate Hill
Seven years ago, I made a conscious decision to turn my back on God. I decided that he wasn’t doing me any good and was trying to keep me from having fun. I quickly found friends who were more than happy to help me distance myself from Him. I left my church and dove head first into the world of excess. Daily alcohol use and smoking weed was the norm. Soon my family, my job, and all my responsibilities were no longer as important as my new life. Over time, the whiskey stopped working, the weed stopped numbing and I started searching.

Methamphetamine was the answer to it all, so I thought. Meth took over my life faster than brush fire and I was seriously out of control. I was a slave to the chemical that I thought would free me. In one year, meth was able to take my family, my house, two cars, multiple jobs, all my money, any trace of respect or dignity, put a bullet in my leg and landed me in jail.

One year ago, God reached out to me. He brought me to the Providence Homes. He saved my life. Even though I chose to turn away from him, he refused to turn from me. I don’t think I realized what I was getting myself into when I walked into Prov II that day to interview. But whether I was ready or not, God changed my live.  I’m a different person today. By God’s grace and mercy, I am a psychology major at Colorado Christian University, I’m a volunteer staff member at Prov II, I have a healthy relationship with my family, and I have respect, dignity and integrity.

All those things that drugs and alcohol took from me, well, they can keep them. God has restored to me a life that is better than I could ever have imagined.

On top of all that, here is a look at her schedule:
Cares for her five children every day by herself
Attends groups three nights a week
Attends the morning prayer group five mornings a week
Has counseling once a week
Has an accountability meeting once a week
Attends church on Sunday
Has to do laundry for six
Makes breakfast & dinner for the entire crew every day
Then ends the day with prayer and scripture reading

Jessica is making the most of Joy House. She has to work very hard, but she has an opportunity here she would never find anywhere else! By the way, Manuel & Corena are two of her five kids!

I came into Providence House on November 4, 2004. Through the Providence House program, I came to believe that Jesus was the only one who could heal what was broken in me and I put my trust in Him. Through this program, the Lord has changed and transformed me from the inside out. He has given me new life and my identity rests in Him. I have been blessed with the gifts of His Holy Spirit and abide in His love.

Today I live at peace in my heart and soul. I know I belong to Him and that He is in control of all things. I will always be changing, learning and growing. Today I have reconciliation with the Lord and with my family. I am a positive example to my children and grandchildren. I believe He will use my experience with drug addiction and recovery to help others and I am now working as a staff member at Providence House doing just that!  I am learning how to truly love and to be who He intended me to be. With deepest heartfelt sincerity, I am truly grateful to The Lord and Providence House and pray that I can be of service to Him and to love others as He has loved me.

Maureen Luebbers, Former resident and current staff member