Selma, AL – Dec. 1-7, 2024

This week in Selma, we were joined by the Marion Schmucker group of 9 volunteers from Nappanee, IN., ranging in age from 15 to 75. This group included three 15-year-olds… one accompanied by his grandfather and another by his father.

The temperature in Selma was fall-like with low 30s at night and 60s-70s daytime highs and mostly sunny days.

We were joined by Christine Wertz for supper on Friday. Christine is a freelance reporter/writer who reached out to the Project Director to inquire about MDS. She spoke of her “hurricane story” and had a long chat with our Amish friends. She will come back to interview Selma MDS leadership next Friday.

Our UMCOR representative, Bud, also joined us on Friday for a delicious meal of local catfish donated by a friend. Bud spoke words of encouragement and gratitude on behalf of our Methodist friends and the people of Selma.

The week started off on a discouraging note as we had tools taken from the Indiana group’s trailer Sunday night.

This week we took a hiatus from Rosemary’s home. We hope to return next week to complete the work and sign off her job card.

At Jimmy’s home, volunteers fixed a damaged wheelchair ramp and his porch screen door. The job card was signed-off December 4^th.

The work continued at Terence’s home. This week volunteers continued the indoor paintings and completed the outdoor painting, as well as window trim and resetting windows and doors.

Work continues at Nadine’s home. The bedroom and kitchen floors were lifted and fixed. Much of the sanding and painting are complete. Also, new baseboard was installed and volunteers helped move furniture back.

Our new client Adrian was very grateful when volunteers removed and rebuilt his bathroom floor and fixed leaking pipes in the bathroom and crawlspace. We also removed and installed new drywall and taping and mudding almost complete.

Denis Sabourin, Office Manager