LEWISTON – A family of four from Auburn is stuck in Lebanon, looking for a way home.
Nick and Violet Mitri and their children, Nicholas, 9, and Leanna, about 1, were due to leave Lebanon on July 18.
Instead, their flight was canceled amid the region’s escalating violence.
“Nick is in good spirits, but it’s scary,” said Nino Naous, Nick’s cousin from Lewiston. “We’re able to get in touch with him occasionally on the phone.”
They are safe, for now.
The family is in the northern Lebanese city of Tal Abbas, far away from most of the fighting between the Hezbollah and Israel.
Not all the fighting has been in the south, though.
Within the past two days, a small airport only a few miles from the family was bombarded.
“There are a lot of people over there who might be hurt who have nothing to do with nothing,” Naous said.
The Mitris had been vacationing since late June, visiting family in the mostly Christian region.
When the fighting escalated, the Mitris asked for help from the U.S. Embassy.
“The evacuation has been slow,” Naous said. “We’re hoping that in the next few days we’ll see them here safe.”
The Mitris have been investigating leaving by way of Syria or Jordan, but it is uncertain, Naous said.
Meanwhile, friends and family here at home are talking and praying.
Members of their their church, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, have gathered and prayed.
“Most people think of Lebanon as a Muslim country, but many Christians are there, too,” said the Rev. Ted Toppses.
They are getting caught in the crossfire, he said.
“We just thank God the Mitris are in the north, where the fighting is less,” Toppses said.
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