Please follow our team as we serve alongside 7 Bridges to Recovery in Atlanta, GA. Pray God would shape our hearts as we spend time together on the streets of Atlanta.
Our last night was a good night at 7 Bridges. After finishing up our work we went inside to join the Bible study that lead into our meal together. Afterwards we had some good hang-out time with the kids and some of our own reflection and share-out time. It's a little bittersweet this year for Kim and me. We have been coming to 7 Bridges with groups of students for 8 years now, and this will be the final year at the current location. The building and the property have been purchased by the city so they can level it and make room for a walkway that will go into the city. 7 Bridges will be moving somewhere else, but just where is not known for sure at this point. They have a few leads and they continue to trust in God's leading. I will say it was harder than usual to leave the parking lot this morning knowing we won't be returning to the grounds. Next year will be new in some ways, but the work will be the same. Lord willing, we will continue to bring groups down in the future.
For me and Kim I would say the our favorite part of this trip every year is watching the transformation in the students as we go throughout the trip. It really is hard to explain, especially to those who haven't been on this trip and especially because I am not a particularly good writer. I am thankful for the work the Lord has done in each of the students and I am thankful for their willingness as individuals and as a group to step out (with some slight nudging at first) of their comfort zones to speak into the lives of other people. There are always points during the trip I wish parents could see what their kids are doing. At first students are a little hesitant to pray, but after the first day prodding is no longer necessary as students really begin to take the initiative to open in prayer or to go up to doors and offer prayer and food to those in need. We really enjoyed watching them on rout as well as spending time with them working onsite. They really grew as a group. During our share-out time most students commented they learned it really isn't that hard to pray for someone. I would say it is not a stretch to say this has been a life changing trip for each student. They all learned something about themselves and they were all impacted in their own ways by different experiences and different people along the way. If you see any of the students from this group, please ask them about the trip!
Thank you to 7 Bridges for hosting us again and for treating us like family! Thank you parents for allowing/encouraging your students to go on this trip, and thank you to anyone who has been praying for us. We really appreciate it!!
Today we first made 200 lunches that contained a bologna-muastard sandwich, 2 bags of chips, 2 sweets, 2 candies, and a water bottle. Then we traveled to a trailer park where I had the chance to use my Spanish and pray for a hispanic family that understood no English what-so-ever. Then we traveled to the bridge where this ministry began, and we met a lady that was in bad condition. There was urine running down the incline, and the smell was horrid. Next, we went to Downtown Atlanta, and walked around near the Atlanta Recovery Center where I met Raymond who needed prayer for his leg because he was shot 4 days after his birthday. After we walked a while, I saw Raymond walking with a tad of a limp. I prayed that he would still be able to heal and have protection through this rough situation he is in. Finally, we went to the street where Gateway (a shelter) is located, and handed out our lunches that we were going to eat, yet we decided to give them to those who need them more than us. There were a lot of people that were very accepting of the prayer, and we met a little opposition when we were praying in a big circle by a gentleman that said "Ya'll are rude. I'm trying to walk here and ya'll are in the way. I know you are trying to have your praying moment, but get out of the way."
In the afternoon we were back at 7 Bridges. We first cleaned the dining area (which entailed cleaning the walls, tables, chairs, moping the floor, counters, cupboards etc.), and then we spent a ton of time playing with the kids which was a ton of fun! We played basketball, raced, gave piggy-back rides, played games, and made crafts.
At 5:00 we had Bible study, and the staff made it so clear how we were a blessing, and I was just happy that I was able to be apart of something greater than myself. The scripture reference was Philippians 2:3-11, which was about humility. It was a very humbling message.
At night, we spent some time lighting off fireworks with one of the men at 7 Bridges. For some reason somebody donated fireworks? It was very fun lighting off firecrackers. There were a few of huge fireworks that were awesome to light. I gave the kids a few sparklers which they really enjoyed.
When it came time to say goodbye, the kids were very upset, especially Ella. She was both VERY tired, and sad to see us go. Faith and I made a secret handshake, n and we are now going to be pen-pals so we can catch up, and she can talk to me about how school is going. All in all, it was a very good time, and I really wish we had more time to serve with these amazing people! I really am going to miss serving and playing with the kids! It definitely was a worth-while trip!
~Ashley Rahn
Today being the last day comes with lots of different feelings, this is the most benifitial trip I have ever been on I have learned so much about myself and others and most importantly God. Today we went on a day route at around 11 we went down town and pretty much just walked the streets and in search of anyone that looked like they could use a lunch and some prayer. Something that happend to me personally today was how I saw the Holy Spirit move in a lady’s life in under 24 hours. Last night I went and prayed with a lady that was breaking down crying because she was cold and wet and concerned her daughter was worrying about her. She asked me to text her daughter and tell her she’s okay. I had a good 10 minute talk with her and after the talk I prayed with her. During this prayer I have never felt the Holy Spirit speaking through me like this before I felt as if I wasn’t even speaking and the Holy Spirit was using my mouth for him to speak. It was awesome. Then today on our route we saw her again (about 5 miles away from where we met her last night) and she prayed in front of our whole group because she said the Lord was speaking through her. After I went and talked to her and she gave me a huge hug and thanked me for what I did the night before. In short this experience was amazing. I’m really sad I’m leaving. I am going to be forever grateful for what I have. I have learned that praying for people really isn’t all that hard.
~ Justin Wagner
Today we woke up with the routine of breakfast and then a little free time after then at 9 did the mens gathering upstairs. We then went on a route we visited the trailer park and handed out food to families that we had previously handed out on Saturday. We played with the dogs, favorite dog Bino? Beano? And Vezzo and Rio they were fun to play around with. After we went past places we went around during night route and stopped at a parking spot and I met a man named Richard who we handed food to and prayed with. He was a 53 year old veteran. He as well left some wise words for us to look up to where God is and keep our heads up through trials.
Then after we walked down to a bridge where Pastor 7 (the pastor at 7 Bridges) first started his ministry to the poor. We met Bobby and gave him food. Very eye opening to see his situation and how he is still very happy with his life and just puts trust in God. Then after we went downtown giving lunches to people downtown by the prison then went Gateway (a homeless shelter we visited the night before) and had a great time talking to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This time we went there where many people there were grateful for our company and we prayed for many. After our day route we did work around the church and helped clean out a cargo container with donations and put them in a truck. During this time we had talks with the men of the ministry about music and things. We had a fun time connecting with the guys like Justin, Zion and David, as well as Jonas and Kevin. Most of the men left, but David stayed with us as we finished loading the truck. After we finished we went in for Bible study and then ate dinner. After dinner we lit fireworks (found in the donations) and that was a great time. Now getting ready for a long drive back tomorrow. This trip has been very exposing and joyful and I will miss the people and hope that God will be with them and lead them and guide them and provide for them as they move forward in the ministry.
Yesterday, an event that impacted me was connecting more with the men at 7 Bridges. It was fun and cool talking with the guys about things like working out or like football. And just basic talk but it was really cool to get to know more of the men like Mike, David, and Jonas. It’s mind blowing to see that some guys are not that much older than us that are in this ministry and there are some other guys that have been in the ministry for years. It’s just inspiring to see that these guys really love the Lord and have dedicated their lives to helping people in the Lord's name.
~Kenneth Lee
Today was sadly our last day here, and to be honest I’m pretty sad about it. There were so many fun activities that we did and almost all of them were to either help someone or make someone smile. I’ll rate my top 3 memories from this trip. Third I’d have to say was going outside today with Justin, Justin, Zion, Kenny, and Charlie. We didn’t even do that much we where just folding a huge tarp and picking up trash but we where just all messing around the whole time and laughing and having fun. Second I would say was handing out the lunches, it was so satisfying to see all the joy that the lunches brought to these people and you could really tell that they appreciated it so much. Along with praying for them, you can see there eyes glowing with interest and eagerness to hear about the gospel and God in general. But I would have to say my overall favorite part was meeting the men that work here, Justin, Zion, and Jonas (picture below) are some of the most generous, hard working, and gospel hungry guys I ever met. The talks that I had with them alone made this trip worth it. They really got to me and made me open my eyes to so much and made me realize how much I am worth in the eyes of God. So over all I’d have to give this trip a 9/10, the only reason that it isn’t a 10 is because of the drive… But yeah, I’d definitely recommend this trip and experience to anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God and truly find who they are in Christ.
~ Kyle Kuck
Some journaling time before heading down to make lunches.
Bologna and mustard sandwiches
Loading up the lunches.
Prayer over the food and the people they would feed, and for the opportunity to share the gospel.
First stop - the trailer park
These two dogs follow 7 Bridges around the trailer park every time. We have seen them the last 3 years.
Kyle with three of the men in the ministry (Zion, Jonas and Justin)
We helped out on sight by washing walls and sweeping and mopping the floors.
One of the strange donations we found in the back of the storage pod
Nice shades
This is the front of an old school bus. It was packed with donations all the way to the back.
The meals were always awesome
Game time
Friends
Lighting off some fireworks that were found amongst the donations.
