$25,000 in repairs we didn’t plan for… but God is faithful!
Well, there went the summer!
There’s something heavenly about summers in Maine—the perfect weather, the ocean and lakes, the sound of kids laughing (and yes, sometimes screaming!). It truly is the best.
This summer, we saw God’s presence and love at work in powerful ways:
250+ youth joined us for Super Summer, including 40+ teens who completed our Youth Work Readiness program.
In Portland and Lewiston, classrooms were filled with conversations as our neighbors continued to practice English.
We welcomed 9 mission teams from churches spanning Boston to West Virginia, each one serving with passion and eagerness to learn how God is working through The Root Cellar.
And through your generosity, God provided a 15-passenger short bus to expand our ability to serve.
At the same time, we’ve faced some significant challenges:
Every single van and truck we own has needed major repairs, totaling more than $21,000—far beyond what we budgeted.
In Lewiston, we’ve made key investments in our residential building project, including apartment renovations, upgraded lighting, and increased trash removal to ensure a safe, drug-free environment for families.
Looking ahead, we also face big, unbudgeted needs:
A boiler replacement at our Blake Street residential building.
Lead abatement work at our Birch Street building to protect the many children living there.
Through it all, God has been faithful. To be honest, the weight of these unexpected needs has stretched my faith. But the ministry of The Root Cellar doesn’t rest on my faith—it rests on God’s faithfulness and His relentless love for our neighbors. And time and again, that faithfulness is revealed through you.
Your generosity is building a beloved community where children, teens, and families encounter the love of Jesus.
As we step into fall, would you prayerfully consider making a gift today? Your partnership allows us to continue loving God and loving our neighbors in Portland and Lewiston.
