By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – Mercy Tree Cornerstone, a recovery and rehab facility for woman that uses a scripture-based 12-step program, held a tree planting ceremony Friday morning. The facility, which is associated with the Lord’s Table Church located at 1975 Vernon Street on the south side of Wabash, offers women who just got out of jail for non-violent drug offenses a chance to stay clean, get focused on getting a job and find structure in their lives.
Twelve little concrete steps rest in the grass between the Lord’s Table parking lot and Mercy Tree Cornerstone. These steps will eventually be painted with the tenets of the 12-step program and will be placed within a sidewalk that will be poured there.
Currently, Mercy Tree Cornerstone has two residents. Roxane Mann, Pastor of the Lord’s Table Church, told MiBash News that she hopes the facility will be as successful as the New Beginnings Ministries half-way house which is directly across Vernon Street. The men at that facility have even helped mow the large plot of grass at Mercy Tree Cornerstone and have assisted with construction.
Helen Reid came in from California first to Warsaw and then to Wabash in April to look after the residents at night. Reid said that God has been good to the Lord’s Table Church and Mercy Tree Cornerstone, adding that He is the focus there. To that end, the residents attend bible studies classes and engage in daily devotionals.
(L to R) Resident Sherry Fairchild, board member Barb Gilbert, volunteer Christina Martin, Pastor Roxane Mann, night house mom Helen Reid.
Sherry Fairchild has been a resident since June 3rd. She told MiBash News that Jesus Christ saved her life and hinted that the drug problem in Wabash is far more serious than the vast majority of people realize. But Fairchild has a hopeful message to those who want to get clean.
She went on to say that she was addicted for 10 years and even lost her sister three years ago to an overdose. As evidence of how devastating the loss was to Fairchaild, the little picture she keeps of her sister in a locket is starting to fade from being rubbed so much. Fairchild said that she not only became clean for herself but for her sister, as well.