By Cris Greer
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org

After a large amount of time had passed, a fireworks accident that partially burned down a Kentwood family’s home is now getting rebuilt due to a labor of love with volunteers and donors.

A year-and-a-half had passed since the home at 1855 Tradewinds caught fire during Memorial Day Weekend in 2025. The charred remains of the garage were still evident up until a week ago. The family was at their pastor’s house for a Bible study meeting and they came home to find their house ablaze.

“They were devastated,” said Steve Beukema, who’s instrumental in the restoration. “That was shocking for them. It would be for any of us.”

After finding out their house insurance was inadvertently removed, Burmese refugees and homeowners, Nai Win and Nyein Nyein, had hoped and prayed for help.

Enter Steve Beukema.

“My wife and I were going for a walk on the trail here (Kentwood East West Trail), facing the home in June, and took notice of this house, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s unfortunate … and all the things dealing with it,'” he explained. “Fast forward to late September of this year, we were out for a walk, and the home is in the exact same position.”

After that walk on Sunday, Beukema called the City of Kentwood to enquire about the house and how long it has been sitting in that condition.

“They (City of Kentwood) were frustrated … a year-and-a-half of trying to find a governmental approach that would solve this problem, when, in fact, the house really should have been condemned,” Beukema said. “But they chose not to do that as to not add additional injury in damage and hardship to the family.”

A rough sidenote

And to make matters worse, the family went away for a long weekend and squatters actually took over their home, thinking it was abandoned. 

“It was just one wave upon another wave of challenge to these people that have been through more than their fair share,” Beukema said. “But the Kentwood authorities were on that pretty quickly, and they (squatters) were evicted without notice.”

The “Promise”

After speaking to the Kentwood authorities about the home, Beukema had a meeting with the homeowners and their pastor Cung Bik of Myanmar Christian Church, a member of the city commission, and Beukema’s good friend, Pastor Bawi Lian of Michigan Chin Baptist Church, who they’ve been working with in the area for over 20 years “welcoming their Burmese refugees and friends.”

Beukema asked all for permission to help, and that was granted, and he made a promise to have the home fully rebuilt before the snow comes.

“Once that was translated, the homeowner began to weep,” Beukema said. “”Finally, finally, through everything they had gone through, their home will be restored to what it was before.

“And so, today, we’re celebrating.”

Beukema said the family has been in the home for quite a while.

“They’re established members of the community, and loved by their neighbors, who also are stopping by and smiling today as this community eyesore is being restored to a beautiful home.

“They are Burmese refugees that fled a country that’s been in a civil war for over 75 years.”

Volunteers, donations at work

On Friday, Nov. 6, a flurry of activity took place at the house in hopes of quickly restoring it. Listening to the sounds of hammers pounding, saws buzzing, and workers talking, their house was quickly getting rebuilt.

“So currently, we have about 12 people working on it, including nine volunteers that were in the local home repair business,” Beukema said. “And we have a homeowner, his pastor and another friend that are actually helping to raise the trust as we speak.”

Kingdom Currency: “Out of the goodness of their hearts”

“And no money was required,” Beukema explained. “We’re dealing with something much more valuable; Kingdom Currency. We have people giving out of the goodness of their hearts. People who want to be a part of something good, and to be able to support this family, even though no one here, previous to this, had any relationship with them.

“What’s interesting about this is that no one is really asking to have their name out there. I will tell you that these are recognized individuals, recognized for their craftsmanship, but also their hearts. There are a couple of builders, there are electricians that have come around. We have local supply houses, both on building supply side, the electrical side, that have decided to join this joint party.”

Advocating for the local community: Millbrook Community Bridgeworks

Beukema said he founded and directs a neighborhood association about 28 years ago, Millbrook Community Bridgeworks, which gets involved in a variety of things where he can assist and be able to advocate. 

The association now advocates for more than 14,000 people.

“We identify opportunities and gather resources under the banner of MCBW,” Beukema explained. “I want to clarify that we are not a charity organization, but rather an advocate for those whom we can assist.

“We happen to live in Grand Rapids, but we have no boundaries where we serve. One of the most physical, obvious things is the brand new fire station, GRFD Fire Station 12 on Kalamazoo Avenue. We worked for almost 10 years to bring that to reality, and it’s making a huge difference. So, our thanks to our friends at the Grand Rapids Fire Department.”

Mostly retired, Beukema said he seeks opportunities where he can add value.

“I like to give promise and hope to these kinds of situations,” he explained.

Two church communities joining hands

“We’ve been walking alongside the local Burmese refugee community for over 20 years,” Beukema said. “One of the pastors, Bawi Lian, leads a large congregation here. 

“Grand Rapids is one of the very welcoming communities for many immigrants and refugees. So as it turns out, our pastor friend is very much aware of the other Chin refugees (from Chin State in Western myanmar) that are in the area. 

“We have a larger church and a smaller church congregation coming together, along with total strangers from the community. So it’s beautiful.”