Day 4: The Bluffs

Today after breakfast and making lunches we hopped in the van to go to the Gardens (7 Bridges). When we got there we started to make another 525 lunches to handout, and were informed that we were going to the Bluffs, a group of complexes that is known for heavy drug use. The first stop was the one that impacted me the most, half way through singing our songs I noticed a little boy making his way towards us slowly because he didn’t have any shoes, so I walked over to him and immediately put his arms up for me to carry him. He didn’t talk to me or respond to any of my questions until I asked if he knew Jesus and he immediately nodded his head. I hope I see him next time we go to the bluffs.

-Jenny Wieskamp

After going to the first complex we hopped into the vans to go to our next stopping point. When we got to a parking lot we got out and each grabbed 3 lunches and our water bottles to walk the streets. While walking the streets we gave away well over 200 lunches. Then we went to a different apartment complex and gave away the rest of the packed lunches, and the other group with us even gave away their own lunches they made this morning. While eating our lunches in the park the 7 Bridges guys asked for volunteers to come up in front of the group and answer some questions. After eating lunch we headed back and the guys went swimming by Mrs. Demaster’s daughter's house.

-Angela Wieskamp

                                                                                                                                                Each night at 8:00 p.m. we worship together as a whole group.  Tonight we talked again about our brokenness.  The question was asked, "How do we use our brokenness?"  We are victors in Christ, but we can't be both victors and victims.  We must make a choice to either wallow in our brokenness and get comfortable with it and allow it to define us, or we can allow God to work through our brokenness and we can give Him the glory.  What are you doing with your brokenness?

Attached to the church, this is our nightly place of worship

Noah sharing his experiences from the day 

Devin takin' a break and watching others play 21 on the basketball court

Praying before we left this morning

Praying with the other groups before we hit the streets with another 525 lunches

Michael and his new friend

These kids need love and attention, and they get it several days a week when 7 Bridges comes with their volunteers to sing songs about Jesus and hand out lunches

What a sweetheart...

Jacob helping a boy with his lunch

The yellow house is on the most well known corners in the Southeastern United States for getting heroin

What is left of St. Mark's Church which had been rebuilt in 1939 (inside)

Andrew sharing his experiences with the group

Allison sharing her experiences with the group

Michael sharing his experiences with the group

Jenny joining others in closing us with prayer

A little fun after our worship service tonight

A little pool time by Megan and Aaron Johnson's place

 To the parents, relatives and friends...  You would have been blown away if you could have watched our youth today.  Most members of our group had the opportunity today to initiate a conversation with someone who needed food, offer that person a lunch and then pray over that person and give them a huge hug.  We smelled a lot of alcohol, urine and sweat today, but every last one of us would tell you we are blessed and highly favored.  What an incredible experience to be the face of Christ to those we are daily given the opportunity to minister to on the streets.