Faith groups and individuals arrive to provide support, comfort
Oct. 30—LEWISTON — As federal, state and other law enforcement agencies, and throngs of national media begin to leave the city after Wednesday's mass shooting, individuals and groups from across the country have arrived to assist local faith-based organizations and professional counselors help the community heal.
Many are well organized and church based. Some have national name recognition. Others are individuals following a calling.
One of the latter is Dan Beazley of Northville, Michigan, with a message of hope and healing. On Monday morning, he hugged and balanced a giant 10-foot wooden cross along Lincoln Street in front of Schemengees Bar and Grille, one of the mass shooting scenes. He waited for people to approach him, hoping to bring them comforting thoughts and reassurances. Sunday night he spent time there with relatives of those murdered, injured or involved with the tragic incident.
"I sell real estate back home," he said. "About two years ago I had a calling. It was during COVID and it was early one morning when I finally got out of my way in my head with all the distractions and let God take over my life. It has brought me a lot of places, literally and figuratively."
Beazley said he was not sure what the calling was for several months until he was in Georgia and drove past a man carrying a giant cross.
"It hit me then and I went home and built this 65-pound cross that I have been traveling all over with," he said. "I want people to know that God is with them and while this was not his doing here, he is with them at all times and is here to help them pick up the pieces and shine a light in their dark places."
Across town on Mollison Way in front of Just-In-Time Recreation where the other massacre occurred, a shiny motorhome from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was parked with an awning and literature, along with people available to help those with needs.
Chaplains and staff with reflective safety vests, official badges, hats and clothing clearly identified who they represented. But they all had a different story that led them to this calling. Chaplain Terry Lindley of Charlotte, North Carolina, drove the motorhome and shared his story of faith.
He said when he was 2 years old his father, who was in the military, died. His mother was disabled, but brought him up to be a devout Catholic.
"I did all the traditional things a good Catholic does and lived a good life," Lindley said. "Had a wife and family, successful business and all that. But I began drinking a lot, did drugs and even though I wasn't really dysfunctional, I had this big void that I couldn't fill," he said while watching people leave pumpkins at the makeshift memorial a few feet away.
"One night I just couldn't take it anymore and got to a point where I asked God to either take my life today or save me," he said. "I woke up the next day and dumped all the booze down the drain and flushed the drugs. I made a commitment to him and ever since I have had a fulfilling life. I have been helping others find their calling since, the past four years with this team that brings hope and comfort to those in need. Sometimes all it takes to heal is giving of themselves to God. He turned my life around and I want to give witness to that hope."
At Raymond Park at Main and Lincoln streets, a group from the Lutheran Church Charities Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry built 18 white crosses and affixed blue hearts with the name of each victim. A marker was hung around the cross for people to write a tribute.
Dozens of volunteers, along with eight K-9 comfort dogs, have come to visit with emergency responders, hospital workers, school students and staff. People and dogs from a half-dozen states are part of the different groups from the church that plan to be here during the coming week to help in any way they can.
Local churches and ministries have also joined to help people heal.
On Sunday night, thousands gathered at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ash Street. Special services are being held throughout the area, including Trinity Episcopal Church on Bates Street where people are welcome to come Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. to "stop by for tea, walk the labyrinth, quiet on-on-one listening etc.," according to its Facebook page.
Many of those offering help have experienced their own story of loss and pain where faith and healing have become their calling.
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