Saturday (New Year's Eve)

We started serving by making 300 lunches for the people out there. We made sandwiches and bagged a couple other items so that they could have a nice big meal. Once we had gone on route we had visited a couple places and prayer over the people. I remember a couple people that either we prayed for in a group or I did independently. There was Richard who wanted prayer for safety. Josh who really wanted prayer for his family. Then Jose who had been home alone taking care of the house he had and ask for me to pray about his dad coming back from California. Finally someone who seemed like life had torn them down a whole lot, I didn’t catch his name very well but he asked for prayer that I think most people take for granted, being able to live tomorrow, and make it another day. Seeing all of this has really made me take a look at my life and see that everyone around me including myself are blessed.

~ Cam Hawver

I am blessed, highly favored, and loved! Which is how you are expected to respond when someone asks how you are doing. This morning we woke up, got ready, had a great breakfast and the guys had a morning devotional with the men from 7 bridges and us ladies had a devotional with the women that are staying here. It was a great way for me personally to start my day, since I had a lot of nerves and thoughts about the day ahead. After that we made 300 lunches! I really had a good time with everyone making the lunches. We worked as a team to make sure every sandwich was made properly. We then met in the sanctuary to discuss some things about what going on route meant. Soon we all loaded up in the van and headed out! Our first stop was at an apartment complex. We gathered in a circle and did a fun song and then prayed over the meals. We passed out lunches to all the kids and some moms. These two little girls were so sweet and one went on my shoulders and she thought it was the most amazing thing. There was a man in a wheelchair named Jerry, he was so kind and had a smile on his face. He was so happy we came. Our second stop we walked down this certain street, and we met so many people and prayed together with them. The first guy was named Richard and he was so happy to see us. He was so welcoming and open to prayer. Towards the end of this route, some girls and I prayed over this lady, named Amber. I had so much peace while I was praying with her. The last stop was a Hispanic trailer park. This stop was so amazing for me. There were so many kind people and the kids were so fun. They wanted to walk through the park with us and finish dropping off lunches. This one little girl, named Carmen would not leave my side. She was so sweet, so giggly, and just so happy we were there. Once we finished with everything, we came back to the church and showered and had devotions, then had dinner. Lastly to wrap up our night we had a great time, all playing games and hanging out with some of the little kids that are also staying here. Also since it is New Years Eve, we had a midnight sermon with all the guys and women from 7 bridges. God was really speaking with me during this, I went up to the alter on my hands and knees and prayed. I felt so close to God in this moment. This truly has been an amazing experience for me. Being able to help all the people in need, has made such an impact on me.

~ Andrea Moriarty

My favorite part of the first day on route was going to the Hispanic trailer park. Going to peoples trailers and giving them food and hygiene care felt really good to do. Seeing the families faces when they were giving the items warmed my heart. I was able to speak Spanish to the families since most of them didn’t speak English. It made me really happy how happy they got after hearing that I could speak in Spanish to them. I loved being able to pray for them in Spanish and show them the love of Christ. Seeing the gratefulness of the little kids was amazing too, they didn’t have a lot but they were still so full of joy. One little girl named Melanie really made an impact on me because she spoke so highly of the people that came regularly and said she loved how funny and kind they were to her. She was grateful for everything and was a bundle of joy. I was also able to have a great conversation with this older man and talk to him about the gospel and Jesus’ love for him. He appreciated it and is really happy that people as young as us are spreading Jesus to everyone. This opportunity really showed me how important it is to share the gospel and that everyone needs to feel the love of Christ.

~ Thalicia Weber

Breakfast time our first morning.

Our guys starting the day off with the men of 7 Bridges.  Every Monday through Saturday the men gather at 9:00 am to pray, speak truth over themselves and recite Psalm 23 as they get ready to start their day.

Making 300 sandwiches for route.

Cam and Mason opening our day in prayer before we go on route.

Thalicia and Anna praying at our first stop.

Some of the men were holding these little girls on one of their regular stops.  They asked the girls where they wanted to go and they both pointed towards our girls.

Circling up to pray at one of our stops.

Joey and Cam opening in prayer at our stop

It was so helpful to have 3 Spanish speaking students on our team! Thalicia, Grace and Andrea were able to connect and pray with people in this Hispanic community in a way the rest of us could not.

Cam H. praying with one of the young men we met.

One of the dogs teams from our last few years would recognize. This is one of two dogs that follow us during our whole time at this trailer park.

One of the little girls that knows the 7 Bridges men really well. She sat in the back of the van and handed us lunches as we walked through the route.

Andrea's new friend

Back at 7 Bridges having devotions before our meal. Members of our team reading through the "7 Bridges verses" and summarizing the meaning of each verse.

Playing games...

Joey and Josh

Getting ready for the New Year's Eve service

Bringing in the new year!!

Getting set back up so we can sleep.

Celebrating our new year in Atlanta like we have been doing now for almost a decade:)

Ready for bed. There's an inside story to this pic. You'll have to ask later:)