Hope in the Midst of Tragedy in Lewiston
On the afternoon of September 11th, 2021, firefighters and emergency responders were called into action as 226 Blake St., one of downtown Lewiston’s largest buildings, billowed in smoke. Within minutes, flames rose five stories up from sparks on the street level and eventually reached the units of the two lower levels down to the ground by the adjacent play structure at our Paradis “Root Cellar” Park. The flames persisted for hours, until the structure was completely destroyed and near collapse.
Residents of the structure and surrounding evacuated apartment complexes gathered in the streets, almost in disbelief, watching the 9/11 smoke. Our building was soon filled with English students, volunteers and staff, Lew Crew teens and after-school kids, but it was a Saturday night -- all of these 70+ neighbors were residents of the building of total loss and the next-door identical structure that was charred, damaged and unsafe for return. We cried together, mourning the loss of life of one dear gentleman and friend who was forced to jump from the top story and perished on impact. We ate together, filling hungry bellies as plans were made for an emergency shelter. We played together, as kids found ways to bring smiles to our faces and we passed the time having only what was in front of us at The Root Cellar. And we prayed together, sharing God’s shalom and hope, with His presence and with the hugs of comforting solidarity between neighbors of different cultures but shared values.
Over the month to follow, we witnessed the most beautiful demonstration of what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. Residents of the buildings mourned together, advocated for each other, took care of each other’s children, shared blankets and food with each other, worked on translating and learning one another’s languages and provided hope for each other, even as they moved from temporary shelter to hotel to other temporary accommodations and back again. We witnessed graciousness and generosity among the 18 families displaced from the buildings who rallied together in support and love.
We also witnessed graciousness and generosity from you. You opened your homes to these neighbors and welcomed them as family. You flew into town to cook meals for them while they had no kitchen or pantry of their own. You brought them to church and forged new friendships with them. You provided financially and materially. You were the instruments of God’s provision and evidence that “He is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). In all things, you loved your neighbor.
From the sincere, mending hearts of the fire victims and us, thank you.
In reflection, we can say that it’s cliché but nothing short of the truth that the Lewiston community came together in tragedy, and ultimately, in a triumphal rebuilding, renewing and restarting. All 18 displaced families are now in permanent housing. Beds and kitchen starter kits have been delivered to each new home. We are collecting donations for a winter coat and boot giveaway for the coming weeks.
Relationships continue to develop. The sense of community that was shared that night is still strengthening even now. These resilient neighbors have settled back into life rhythms, but are ablaze with new perspective, new friendships and new hope. The Lord is faithful and His Word is true: “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:2).