On our way home

Time sure slips by quickly!  I had hoped to provide some in depth insight about our trip every day...obviously that didn't happen. So.....sorry bout that!  

I sat down last night ready to write and then got pulled aside to do something else then I sat down with a few teens and talked for a while (that will always win out!) then before I knew it it was almost 1:00am. But now I am sitting in a van of very quiet girls and Bob is driving so I will catch you up a little. 

The 3 service ministries we worked at this week were absolutely wonderful. Each one touched our hearts in different ways. We had our kids and adults preparing and handing out food to homeless people at Clyde's Kitchen (Clyde is an amazing man with a heart for what he does). We delivered healthy meals to senior citizens and packaged and bagged up meals at Open Hand ministries. And the one that probably touched us the most was 7 Bridges To Recovery. We made sack lunches and delivered them to homeless people, we talked with them, we prayed with them, and we hugged them!  Quite an experience!  

The roofing crews were amazing!  They worked very hard in extreme heat!  One roof got finished completely and the other got very very close (they made arrangements for a small group of volunteers to finish it on Monday). 

We met some great people!  One of which was Ms D, who I am sure you will hear more a out at the mission trip service. 

We fished out the week with a group of 48 going to six flags and the smaller group sightseeing. 

Now we are heading home!  Once again I am proud of our kids! They proved that they are capable of doing some amazing things. We have some new leaders emerging!  Yes, some still have a lot of growing up to do....but, don't we all?!

1Corinthians 12:12-27 has been interpreted 59 different ways and we heard them all ... And we did our best to live it out. 

Our mission trip service will be Sunday, June 23rd at 9:30am. You will not want to miss it!

Steve

Wednesday

Hard to find time to sit down and really describe our days... We are at 5 sites each day and all 5 have been a great experience. Both roofing crews  got off to a very slow start due to rain on Monday and have been trying to catch up since, but they will get pretty close to bring done tomorrow and there will be another group that can finish next week if necessary. Each of the service ministry sites have been great experiences. Good and necessary work not just busy work. Handing out food to the homeless has been very touching...but talking with, praying with and hugging the homeless has been even more touching. 

Check out the pics from yesterday's blog and you will see crystal and a homeless lady (Sonia) GOOD NEWS: today she decided she wanted off the streets and 7 Bridges to Recovery made that happen today. Our group had shown her a lot of love the past couple of days and I would like to think we played a part in her decision!  We never know who's life could be changed forever, just because we showed Gods love! 

A few more random pics from today:

Bagging over 1500 meals at Open Hand

The Varsity (great Frosty Orange; chili dogs, onion rings......)

Working hard!

Ms D  from Ms D's Pralines had a great message to share and loved our group so much she came and ate with us tonight and went to the Varsity with us

Tuesday

Here are a few pics of our group who served at 7 Bridges To Recovery. We fixed and packed about 500 sack lunches and then our group delivered 100 of them to homeless people living under the Atlanta Interstate bridges and on the streets 

Steve

Monday when it all changed :)

Hello, there, It's Emily Monier! :) Today, I went to Open Hands, an out reach where there are people who don't have many meals to eat or enough food to last a few days. The homeless get food delivered to them. We arrived, then went to a meeting room to talk with Rabecca Fox, one of the many ladies in charge. She talked about what we were going to go do. At first, I was nervous ever since I read about how high the crime rate was in Atlanta. Later though, that didn't stop me from coming out of my shell and showing the world what I could do. My group and I went to an apartment building to deliver meals. A funny moment was when Matt and Will went to the first door and Matt knocked. Will heard the lady coming to the door and said "We're here!" The lady, half way to the door, said "Who?! What?!" because she didn't understand. But still, the kind lady came the door happy as she could be, thanked us, and laughed about how funny Will was. I was blessed enough to be with one great group who came out of the comfort zone, didn't complain, and gave food to the people with Open Hands and a loving heart. It really touched my heart the whole day with what we did in the kitchen. We put foods in trays at Open Hands and delivered food to the people who, without us, wouldn't have had food. I'm truly blessed to be with a great group of people who I would call my church family. I have been with the Edge for 2 years now. I don't know how I could stay so strong in my faith without them. I will always be with god and he with me through all the ups and downs. I can always count on him , he's amazing :) I would like to pray for all of the people out there needing hope. God is with you and always will be! Amen! Lots of love from me and everyone on this great trip so far,      God Bless :)

Atlanta pics

Just a couple of the groups:

Fiesta night taco/burrito/nacho/queso bar!

Monday

Rain...grrrr!  The construction crews were  hindered a little bit...ok, a lot by the rain today. They at least got started and are ready to really get moving on it tomorrow. The service ministry groups all came back today full of stories and excitement. 

We spent some time sharing with each other tonight and specifically telling about the person or people that they admired today and why. The comments were heartfelt ... Sometimes touching and emotional and sometimes funny but its safe to say that we have a great group and everyone is valuable and more importantly everyone is valued!

What an awesome group of people to be associated with!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

Day 1 at Open Hand

Had a fabulous first day in Atlanta serving at Open Hand.  This is an organization that provides healthy nutritious meals to mostly senior citizens who are ill, recovering or just don't have the means to provide for themselves.  We delivered meals and prepared over 1,000!! ready-to-eat meals for tomorrow's deliver.  Here's a shot of our crew!

Hello Atlanta

We made it! Pulled into the Jefferson Ave Baptist Church about an hour or so ahead of schedule...we got settled into our sleeping rooms...shared our instructions for the week...now we are ready to serve! We will share a little about the projects and ministries we are working with at the end of our day tomorrow. Good Night. Steve

Atlanta

60 of us will be heading to Atlanta on Sunday, June 9th!  Follow our adventure through our blog.