It's Sunday, March 7. The clock on the bottom of my computer screen reads 9:37 pm. There's one thing on my mind, as is on the mind of most Hillsboro residents, I'm sure.
It's been about five hours since I was about to step into the shower, when my dad called the family to inform us that the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church was on fire.
Yes, the congregation was on fire for the Lord, especially after the great missions report that had been shared by a family who is preparing to leave for India. But this fire, as I'm sure you've already guessed, is the kind that a church-or anyone else-does not want to have.
At about 8:30 p.m., I was standing in the lot that is on the west side of church. I looked at the window from the room I had been in 12 hours ago. The room, and the window, were engulfed in flames.
But there has to be some reason why the church caught fire. By that, I don't mean the boilers that are being blamed by some, but a spiritual reason.
I think this may be a message from God pushing us as a community, not just as a congregation, to pull together.
The past couple of months, or even years, some issues have seemed to pull us apart. I experienced firsthand today that this tragedy has brought the community closer together.
When the block south of the church was being evacuated, many people who didn't even know the home's resident brought box after box of things out of the houses, to be sure that the person's belongings and special memories were safe.
Unfortunately, not every home and homeowner was so lucky. Not only did the church burn, but a house in the area caught fire, too. It is my strong opinion that if this community that was so together and caring for each other this afternoon can carry their short-term actions into long-term actions, we will help those grieving their losses. I'm just thankful no one was injured.
And I'm sure we will. After the Thayer house caught fire in 2000, we came together to donate items to them. I know we will help those who have lost personal belongings and even their homes as best we can.
The Hillsboro MB Church building may be gone for good, along with the custom-made pipe organ, the great sanctuary and even a man's many pieces of beautiful woodwork made especially for the church. But the people of the church, along with it's community, still stands strong.
We are going to show the world that a fire will not destroy our rural community, no matter how devastating the situation may be. Yes, it does hurt, but it would hurt even worse if the community fell apart, while the building stood tall.
It's times like these when we shouldn't ask why.
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UFO: The Liberty Bell was made in England.
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