This past summer, we thrived in Lewiston
After a long academic year of remote learning and limited social interaction, we were excited to offer numerous opportunities for our neighborhood to get outside, reconnect, recover and thrive. The discomfort that came with the limitations of 2020 moved in many of our hearts to new levels an understanding of the contrast between the flourishing, communal, abundant life that God intended and the brokenness we inhabit.
The opening line that the band Casting Crowns expressed in their 2014 Title Track: “Here in this worn and weary land where many dreams have died” is a sentiment that many of us can relate to in this time. But blessedly, at The Root Cellar this summer, we also clung to and experienced the second line of the song: “Like a tree planted by the water, we never will run dry.” We came together as neighbors to renew and to forge social connection and learning. We loved one another. We shared laughter and adventure. Our unity was powerful and we drew from the hope we have in God’s Word and promises.
In our Super Summer Day Camp for elementary kids, we practiced reading, creative writing and thoughtful planning. We learned about the history of the Olympics, Japanese culture and Maine wildlife. We explored creation on field trips including hiking, canoeing, fishing, visiting historical landmarks and of course, swimming! We tried over 20 different Olympic sports, many of which were anomalous to a typical kids summer camp. We contemplated and were inspired by the Acts of the Apostles and exhortations of Paul to the early believers. We worked through differences and celebrated teamwork, creativity, competition and conquering fears. And we highlighted moments where we saw campers displaying Lebab 167 (“heart” in Hebrew, from 1 Samuel 16:7) values like integrity, compassion and love.
Our Lew Crew Work Experiences this year consisted of 14 teens committed to overseeing squads of children in the Super Summer camp and 6 teens dedicated to neighborhood beautification by running the 3rd year of Lew Crew Lawn Care!
We learned accountability through work experiences and job training classes. We practiced engagement by building close relationships with Super Summer mentees and staying focused on yard maintenance and lawn care tasks. We learned life skills in elective classes like Workshop, Home Economics, Computer Programming, Sewing, Character and Leadership, Human Psychology, Spiritual Development, and Justice and Crime Prevention. We went on outings like mini golfing and river floating, and four overnight camping trips - including 3 days in Acadia where we even took in a lumberjack show. Above all, we became a family.
In the Friends and Neighbors Network (FANN), we shared lively conversation and fervent prayer. We grew closer and more unified through translated discussions and the sharing of resources. We provided food for our families through working together.
Each Thursday evenings, we enjoyed Park Nights - outdoor community cookouts and a variety of games in the park for the kids and the kids at heart while inside our English Language Learning classes ate, studied and discussed current events to practice reading comprehension and speaking skills and bonded through good listening of diverse perspectives.
It was a beautiful summer. As the Casting Crowns song ends: “We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It's time for us to more than just survive; we were made to thrive.” This song was the anthem of our Super Summer day camp for kids (check out our Instagram @rootcellar_lew to see them singing and dancing along!) and also represents what summer programming was in our community -- we didn’t just survive, we truly thrived.
