The Fire

There are events in our lives for which planning is routine, the birth of a baby, moving to a new house, buying a car. But there are other events for which no planning can happen, but rather the event is dropped into our lives by our Loving Heavenly Father without any warning, or time to prepare.

That is what happened to the Dix family one Thursday evening late in September. A fire broke out in their home while most of them were out for the evening. Young Emmanuel called his mother to say he smelled smoke. Justina encouraged him to check the stove and other potential sources. As he was checking, the smoke alarm sounded so he announced that he was calling 911.

By the time Justina and the others returned home the fire department had arrived and was busy putting out the fire which had started in a bedroom occupied by her three nephews. They were later told by the Fire Marshall that had the fire occurred at night when the boys were sleeping in the room, they would probably have been overcome by smoke before the fire alarm would have sounded.

Everyone is fine, but there is significant damage to the room where the fire originated, and there is smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the house. The family was temporarily housed in a local hotel and has moved in with family for the time that it will take to repair the home. The down side is that they had recently paid off their mortgage and had not yet purchased fire insurance.  The expenses of the repair of the home and refurnishing will be costly.

We don’t always understand why God allows these things to happen, but we do know that we see His gracious hand in these events. The fire took place at a time when almost no one was at home, at a time when no one was asleep, at a time when a quick thinking young man kept the damage from being the total destruction of the home.

How can you help? Desire Street Ministries has organized and is receiving donations toward the repairs and refurbishing of the home. In addition, you can send gifts specifically designated for "Dix Fire Benevolence" to Summerhill.  Please do not replace your regular support to Summerhill for this project. The Summerhill program continues and still needs your regular and continued support.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide for the Dix family in this situation.


 

A Personal Note
from Justina

My family and I would like to thank you for your gift towards the rebuilding of our home. I must say that unexpected things happen in life, but I have learned over the years that no matter how unexpected or how much we are thrown out of our comfort zone, nothing is a surprise to God. He is in control of every detail of our life. 

We covet your prayers as we go through this transition. It's been an eye opener for us to see that not only are we temporarily displaced, but many of the kids and teens that flocked to our house everyday feel displaced as well. They are concerned and are also hoping that their "second home" will be fixed really soon. 

Despite this time away from home, we are encouraged and feel loved by so many! We appreciate everyone who has given time, clothes, housing, money, vehicles for hauling, gas, and food during this past few weeks, to help us during the most critical time of this journey. We are also thankful for every prayer and encouraging word spoken and written to us... It means more than we can say.

Our desire now is to be home for the holidays, but may God's will be done!

Sincerely,
Justina Dix