Selma, AL – May 11-17, 2025

What a week! The incredible group from Goshen College finished up every MDS job site in Selma.  And they did it in very hot weather with beautiful attitudes and loving hearts. Meeting and hearing the stories of clients was inspirational and many MDS volunteers made heart-warming connections with those of the Selma community.

A highlight (among many highlights) this week was the home dedication of the “new-build” house. The day was hot, but the program was touching. Many who were involved with the building of this house, from funders to coordinators to city officials to volunteers, were in attendance and many spoke at the celebration. Gifts were given to the family, including a rocking chair from a previous volunteer group from PA, a cutting board from the cabinet shop in KS, and, of course, a new Bible. Goshen College students provided a touching song of blessing that made a little four-year-old very, very happy.

We had several guests join us for supper this week. They provided stories and inspiration to the volunteer group and, in some cases, the volunteer group provided inspiration to our guests. The light of striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus shone brightly.

The time has come to close the Selma MDS site. All volunteers pitched in with the hard work of tearing down bunks and walls and loading up the trucks and trailers for delivery to the warehouse in Columbus, MS. Deep cleaning was accomplished and even a necessary move to another bed for the last night was met with joyful attitudes by our volunteers who have been in Selma for two weeks now.

There were many thanks and words of appreciation among the volunteers for each other and for the inspiring people of Selma, Alabama. The experiences of the last two weeks will live in our hearts and manifest in our hands and feet for a long, long time to come.

Submitted by Jan for the crew: Michele, Larry, Janice, Katie, Jonathan, Maik, Adam, Mary Joyce, & Lucinda.