Events
October 28, 2023
What a beautiful day to pray and break bread with our brothers. The day got off to a slow start from Alabaster due to a long Hardees biscuit line, but we finally got on the road and arrived at the foot of the bridge in convoy style ready to pray and break bread. The group was twelve men, several new guys and a couple of Stuart’s grandsons. Upon arrival at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, we had a special guest to dial in to encourage the guys and to share his efforts related to reconciliation. The special guest was a major league baseball player with the Oakland Athletics, Tony Kemp. Tony is a Vanderbilt grad, having played for the Commodores before being drafted in 2013 to play for the Astros, and then the Cubs, and now the Oakland A’s. Known for being a Golden Glove recipient, he is also known for his faith in Jesus Christ and his outreach efforts from a racial reconciliation standpoint. His passion for giving back to the community and for reconciliation led to his being named the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee for the 4th straight year with the Oakland A’s. His started the “+1 Effect” campaign to combat social injustice through individual conversations. Tony stated that it is that one on one willingness to be vulnerable and have the tough conversations about race that will bring about understanding and healing between the races. We could not agree more. R12’s “one on one” invitations to pray and break bread with one another while remembering what Martin Luther King, JR advocated for in the 1960’s is what it’s all about. It was a blessing to hear from Tony and his experiences.
Following our 15 minute visit with Tony, we prayed at the foot of the bridge and then walked over the bridge to the other side, hand in hand, arm in arm, side by side. As we crossed the bridge, we had a moment of remembrance for our fellow R12 brother who recently went to be with the Lord, Jeremy Holloday. Jeremy will be missed but we know he is in the presence of Jesus.
Following our prayer and bridge crossing, we proceeded to the Selma Marina to break bread at the Sandbar Restaurant. The food was great, but the fellowship was even better. Guys shared personal stories about their times in the military and various other experiences in life related to racial experiences. A new guy with us, William Njogu, who immigrated a number of years ago to the States from Kenya, shared his immigration story and his love for America. He also shared stories from his homeland about “pants” and the first time his father had a pair of pants to “put on”. The story was quite comical! William felt led and picked up the tab for lunch for the entire group. What a blessing. William is entertaining and still has a thick Kenyan accent. Several times I had to ask him to “please say that again”, just so I could be sure I heard him correctly. He asks that of me from time to time with my southern accent.
All in all, we had a grand time with laughter and remembrance, and most of all brotherhood. Christ was clearly a part of this experience. We hope those of you reading this can be a part on our next trip. May the peace of Christ be with each of you.