Mission Atlanta (7 Bridges): Saturday, January 3: The Bridge Route and hanging out at the Garden

Today was our first “official” day of our mission trip and it was a blast! We first woke up after sleeping in the sanctuary (girls) and went and freshened up. Then we were able to go eat breakfast with the women and children living at The Garden. We then went back and had quiet time where we did devotions and wrote in our journals about what God plans for us on this trip are. After we were finished with that, we went and played games with the children of The Garden where I got “creamed” in jenga by a little boy and where a little tiny girl and I used the blocks as dominoes to knock over. Then I got to snuggle with my little cuddle bug Amir who just slept on my shoulder and chest and was adorable. Then it was time for our orientation where we learned what to do with the people who we would come in contact with and how we should hug and love on them. It was then time to go and hand out lunches at the bridges, apartment complex, and parking lot. We prayed over everyone we gave lunches to, hugged them, and knew their name. At the apartment complex, the majority of people were children whom we played with and loved on. Two little sisters, Emily and Kelly held my hands as I brought them over to get lunches. Another little girl also named Kelly started to run at me with her arms open for a hug and I gladly picked her up and hugged her. Those little girls were all so cute and sweet. After we had gotten back, showered, and ate supper with the women and children, we again got to play with the kids where I got to cuddle with my little Amir again, he’s adorable. Overall, the day was and amazing first day and I’m so thankful that I get to be a part of this trip. If you are wondering how we are, we are blessed and highly favored. J

--Carissa Wisse

Today as been a great day, after a good nights sleep we got up, had breakfast then went down staris and played with the little kids staying at The Garden. Me and Michaela played cards with a little girl for an hour and talked to all the little kids. Then afterwards we went out on the streets and handed out the lunches and prayed with the homeless. First we went to a parking lot and handed out lunches there and prayed. Afterwards we went to an apartment complex and a bunch of kids ran out to come and get lunches. It was awesome being able to share the love of Christ with the kids and play with them. Carissa was holding these two little Hispanic girls hands and they were so cute. They didn’t really know a lot of English so my Spanish came in handy. One was named Kelly and the other Emily. Emily was 5 and Kelly was 3. After talking with the little girls we all got into a big circle and sang some songs and did some dances when I saw this girl crying so I went up t her and asked her what was wrong she said “she thought she looked weird” she looked so cold she only had a t-shirt on so I asked her if she wanted to put on my jacket she said she was fine. After giving a big hug and praying for her, I gave her a lunch. Then David started talking to me in broken Spanish and introduced me into Alonzo, he didn’t speak any English. After giving everyone hugs goodbye we left and went to the bridges. We set the lunches by the beds and prayed over the people in the beds. After we took one last stop and went home. We ate supper with the people in the garden and now we are at starbucks. So far its been a great day serving Gods sheep and as they always say “ we ae blessed and highy favored”

-Alycia Shilts

Hiya everyone! The past two days have felt like a week from the little sleep, long days and quality time with some rambunctious kids, but you won’t hear me complain. It has been such a time already. The ride up here was long, I’ll admit, but the views have been amazing. Seeing the large skyscrapers to the quiet lakes with tall evergreen surrounding them was absolutely breath taking. Makes me want to see more. But furthermore, the church and its family have been nothing but kind and amazing towards us! The kids are so nice and very welcoming. The adults are always smiling and aren’t afraid to start a conversation. I love that about them. Going out into the community today, I was very nervous. I was ok with talking and hugging complete strangers, I knew that wouldn’t be hard. But I’m a horrible prayer so I was very nervous that I would mess up, trip over my words or offend someone I was praying for. Once we got into it, I started getting used to it and it was very fulfilling to know these strangers were leaving with a heart full of joy. I think the most shocking thing of today was actually seeing how little these people have. Obviously, I knew these people weren’t like me and have all the things I have. But when I actually saw it with my own eyes, it was a ‘wow’ moment. I mean these kids were wearing shorts and tank tops in 40 degree weather and the people under the bridge had maybe 10 things in there little ‘home.’ I just look at it, think about it and just lose my words and my breath. How can a kid or human, just like me, end up in a place or state like this? It amazes me, but knowing that the 7 bridges church is doing everything they can to help these people and encouraging to get them back on there feet is very fulfilling. And also me getting to be apart of that is truly a blessing. I love helping people so I could say I’m in my element down here!:D I can’t wait to see what the last three days have in store for the group and I. Keep us in your prayers! Oh and hi mom, its all going well.

~Meredith<3