John was about to be released from the Kingman prison. Finding placement in transitional housing meant three to six fewer months in prison. There were a number of places he could apply, but during his two years of incarceration, John had become a Christian and wanted to live in a Christian atmosphere.

While in prison he studied his Bible and surrounded himself with books from the prison library. He felt the Lord speaking to him through Adventist materials and books by Ellen White. "It took some time," says John. "I wrote to the Arizona Conference and found out about Heaven’s House. But there were delays. I could have been tempted to find something else, but I knew it was God’s voice I was hearing, and this was where He was leading me. I waited, and God was faithful."

Now, John is not only a part of the Heaven’s House family, but is also on the management team. Heaven’s House is a peaceful family-style home in Mesa, Ariz., for people who have made a commitment to recover from drugs, alcohol, imprisonment and homelessness.

"Our goal is to share the tools to help rebuild their lives," says Director Dean Smoyer. "We offer Christ-centered programs, classes like 'Binding the Wounds' that minister to issues of the heart, Bible studies, opportunities for employment, church involvement and experiencing service to others."

One of the service activities includes assisting with the homeless ministry at Escalante Park in Tempe on Sabbaths. Five volunteers from Heaven’s House were there to help serve Christmas dinner.

The mission of Heaven’s House is to fulfill the commission given in Ministry of Healing: "In every city a place should be provided where the slaves of evil habit may receive help to break the chains that bind them" (171).

"This place is awesome," says Greg, who has made it his home for the past two years. Greg is now a deacon at the Mesa Palms church and serves on the management team at Heaven’s House. John believes his time in prison was a benefit to him. He learned to wait on God for all his needs. When he recently told his mother that he had become an Adventist, she said, "Your grandmother and great-grandmother were both Adventists." This news confirmed to John that God had been leading him all along.

Heaven’s House of Recovery is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help set up recovery homes in any city. For more information, contact Smoyer at: Heaven’s House, P.O. Box 30933, Mesa, AZ 85275; 602-628-0779; heavenshouse@hotmail.com; heavenshouseofrecovery.com.