Day 4 - Monday on the Bridge Route

Today was another wonderful day in Atlanta. Before going on the bridge route we made over 200 lunches and a bunch of bracelets for the kids. On the bridge route today I got car sick and had a horrible head ache, so on our second stop I had to stay back with Mrs. Hendrikse and two other guys from the 7 Bridges group. While the others continued on the route and went under bridges something happened I didn't expect, people came by even when we weren't "on route" and I got to pray with them and give them lunches. At first I thought it was a bummer that I got sick, but when these people came up I started to feel better. It was amazing to see this work of God in my time of sickness. One guy in our group named Sterling told me after the others got back that there was a reason God made me feel sick and stay back, and I agree. If I wouldn't have got sick we might have never met these people that I met. Thankfully after this stop I felt better and got to go back and do route again. Another one of my favorite stops today was at the apartments with Ms. Jackie. This woman truly is an inspiration to me and the others in our group. She gives us such good advice about our future, about our lives, and how God loves us. To end of the night another highlight was going to Starbucks after devotions and then playing the game Mafia.

--Jocie Van Der Pol

Today we had a amazing time going on our routes. It was  a lot better then yesterday because I was a lot more warmed up for what was in store. Praying at first was not what I intended to do, but once you're out there you have no choice, and to be completely honest, it was truly amazing. There was a spiritual bond that was created and I couldn't ask for more. At our first route Matt and I stopped to pray for an older woman. We asked for her name and asked if there was anything that she needed to pray about. She said everything and so we proceeded to pray and as the day went on it was the routine. As the day ended it was time to reflect on how the day went, and just being able to sit down and talk about how strong every one is here. After we leave 7 Bridges, these beautiful bonds will still remain with the Word of God,  and I truly believe that it will be bitter sweet to move on from here.

--Dayjah Wield 

The fourth day of Atlanta was definitely different than the first. As a team we made the same route as we did the second day, which consisted of apartments with dozens of children waiting for lunches, walking down the streets and under a bridge, another apartment, and two other bridges. The apartment stops were much different than the bridge stops, neither being better or worse, just had significant differences. Personally, going under these highway bridges to see only old stained blankets or a vodka bottle or two, had a huge impact on me. The strength these people need to get up and have the mental and physical strength to live another day amazes me. One man came from under the bridge while we were all holding hands and praying. He took my hand and he was absolutely freezing. His hands actually made me cold, which made me question how he does this routine everyday. Yet, he was so happy and thankful for the prayer and when he gave me a hug it made me want to pray for him even more considering his gratefulness. The apartments on the other hand, were entertaining with all the kids to play with, the singing and handing out lunches. As soon as the first van pulled up to the apartments they beeped their horns and dozens of kids ran out of their homes, amazingly excited for a lunch. Though there were very difficult and somewhat heart aching times, it was definitely a worth while trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

--Hope Landgraf

Making necklaces and preparing lunches for the route.

David, one of the leaders, gives a brief orientation...

Various pictures from our first stop today.  This apartment complex is racially divided.  The only time the African American kids mix with the Mexican kids is when 7 Bridges comes to lead in singing and hand out lunches.

A house we stopped at where a large family (about 12 kids) lived.  We provided blankets, jackets and food.

The above few pictures are from a couple of our bridge stops.  If people weren't by their belongings, we prayed over their bed and left a lunch.





Miss Jackie (left) prays with several of our girls.  Miss Jackie knows the Lord and was an encouragement to our group.

The "all girl" picture with Miss Jackie and Miss Houston.  Both of these women were a blessing to our group.