Recap: Selma Comfort Relief - February 24-25, 2023

Selma Comfort Relief

February 24-25, 2023

Tabernacle Baptist Church 1431 Broad Street

Selma, AL 36701

The Preparation to Minister

On March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, a 600-person civil rights demonstration ended in violence when marchers were attacked and beaten by white state troopers and sheriff’s deputies. The day's events became known as "Bloody Sunday."

January 12, 2023, a horrific tornado left some of Selma’s residents destitute without housing, electricity, and other sustainable items to live comfortably. Pastor Jones announced near the end of January to the Friendship family we would provide comfort relief through donations to serve and support this hard-hit community.

February 24 -25, 2023 A team of 9 persons drove to Selma to deliver 5 pallets of food (1,880 lbs), new clothing items for children, youth, and adults, towels, soap, toiletry items, socks, caps, underwear, pullover shirts, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, masks, gloves, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and many, more items.

Pastor Otis Dion Culliver and others from the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1431 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36701, www.tbcselma.org, met us with warm smiles and hearty handshakes.

The Exceptional Servant Volunteers

In addition to the Selma 9 servants, there were volunteers from Friendship who sorted, boxed, bagged, packed, shrink wrapped items for the trip from February 9 - 22, 2023.

The Selma 9

Andrea Betaudier

Diane Dunn

Chandra Pretty

Robert and Freda Robinson

Deacon Freddie Scales

Valerie Singleton

Michael Stoeling

Cleo Washington

Testimony

Serving as project manager for the Selma Comfort Relief was an honor and privilege. The servant volunteers worked well together both in Charlotte and in Selma. Upon our safe arrival, we toured the devastation of mostly wood-frame homes, whereby nothing remained but a pile of wood. On a high note, we witnessed Selma’s spared homes and businesses. Our guide and host praised God that there were no fatalities due to the tornado.

It is humbling to see joy in Selma as they rebound from this tragedy. My prayers and hope will continue for FEMA and other agencies to move expeditiously in restoring the demolished neighborhoods.

Submitted by Andrea Betaudier

Testimony

I knew we were traveling to Selma to provide relief from the Jan. 12th tornado. What I wasn’t prepared for was the devastation we would see. We arrived on Feb. 24th, six weeks in the aftermath, and the damage was still devastating. But God!

We met person after person who, during this tragedy, their faith in God shined through. Their hope, Godly perspective, and love for each other and their community were a blessing to experience. Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Selma community showed us tremendous hospitality. They were highly grateful for the donations provided by FMBC and for having us physically be there with them.

Thank you, Pastor Jones, and to our entire FMBC family & friends for having the heart to serve others. May God continue to protect, provide and help the residents of Selma.

Submitted by Diane Dunn

Testimony

Grateful to have been chosen to participate in this disaster relief effort. No one, at least not I, could have prepared themselves for the disaster in Selma, AL. It appeared like the tornado was that of a basketball, hitting down, then bouncing up, back down, then up again. Destroying what it could, ripping trees from the roots, leveling some homes, and displacing families. But what couldn’t be destroyed was the faith of so many. I heard a gentleman say I walk with the Love of Christ Jesus, and am reminded of Phillipians 4:12-13 when it says: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do ALL this through him who gives me strength.” I was moved in a way I had never been before. The attitudes and conversations of Selma residents are that of “JOB” in chapter 13, verse 15 -

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” Those of us, that were not directly impacted should always be thankful for the mercy we have received. Thank you Lord, Dr. Jones, and the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church for the opportunity to serve!

To God be the Glory, in and through ALL things!

Submitted by Chandra Pretty

Testimony

As we traveled to Selma, I wasn’t sure of what to expect as we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It was my first time witnessing the random destructive power of a tornado. Giant Oak trees were uprooted, entire homes destroyed, and shattered businesses with windows blown out. A sense of sadness and compassion touched my heart. Some people lost everything. How does someone begin to recover? Even during all that destruction, I saw a backyard family fish fry about to start..

Life is in God’s hands. Six skids of canned goods, cleansing products, hygiene items, and clothing donated via FMBC was a good start. Because of God’s grace, no lives were lost in Selma during the storm. The residents we interacted with were very hospitable and thankful that we came to help. A hot to-go meal, some can goods, cleaning products, hygiene items, clothes, and a smile can go a long way. That’s what we saw that Saturday morning as we helped to serve. It felt good to help someone who didn’t have to ask. The opportunity to help others and provide goodwill should always be foremost. Thank You for the opportunity.

Submitted by M.V. Stoeling

Testimony

I went to Selma, not expecting the extreme devastation that we saw. It was heartbreaking to see destroyed homes and businesses, and the displacement of residents. We heard powerful testimonies of lives spared. Cleanup is labor-intensive, and the need for assistance is ongoing. The experience was humbling and inspired me to be more intentional serving to others. It was not only the opportunity to serve but also to contribute to the great work of GOD. I pray that GOD will continue to strengthen the people of Selma and that the recovery will be swift.

Submitted by Cleo Washington

Testimony

Testimony

We were glad to have an opportunity to serve. I was amazed at the amount of damage that was done. I have been deployed with the Red Cross on their disaster Team and have not seen this much damage.

Submitted by Robert and Freda Robinson

From Charlotte, NC to Selma, AL