Day 3 Church, Aquarium and New Year's Eve Service

We started off our day walking up, eating our breakfast, getting dressed and ready for the church service. Afterwards the church service began. We heard from two different pastors, and some points that they touched on was, leaving the past behind, and looking forward to God and what God has planned for us, they also mentioned how yes we are saved but, we need to Christ our Lord and Savior because he saved us. They also mentioned how it’s not what God can do for us, but it’s what we can do for Him, by being able to follow what Jesus did, by going out to help and serve just like him, after the sermons we did communion and listened to inspiring songs. After our service the group ate soup and left overs with some of the men from the ministry. Today was our free day so we were able to visit the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium, and explore and experience the beautiful works and creation of our God. But before we entered the aquarium, we decided to take a picture in front of an Atlanta sign, we were then approached by a man named Ricky, he came up to us telling how we should stay in school, but to also be a leader and not a follower. He had asked if we believed in Christ and once we said yes, he asked if we could all pray together. We circled holding hands listening to him explaining how we are the next generation and we have to make a difference in our generation and to be a leader. After our prayer, Ricky had asked for money since he previously told us how he would stay at the YMCA, but Mr. Hendrikse offered him a number for the 7 Bridges ministry, and explained to him how they would be able to help him and also teach him more about the gospel. After we spoke to Ricky, we had said our goodbyes. When we first arrived at the aquarium,we checked in and first visited the shark sanctuary, which displayed several different species of sharks. Some of the species that we saw was the hammerhead shark and tiger sharks. There was an open area with glass over top of us and the sharks swam over top. In this shark enclosure there were a school a fish circling over and over and it was mesmerizing to watch and appreciate God’s creation. Another example was the dolphin show that amazed us at the talent and intelligence of each dolphin that preformed. Afterwards there was a huge glass window displaying several different species of animals, such as a huge manta ray, sword fish and whale shark. In these exhibits, it shows how God can create such amazing creatures and shows the vast differences in each animal. Later we stopped at a souvenir shop and afterwards we went to eat at a place called the Varsity. When we were waiting in line there were free donuts being passed out from a bakery next door. The overall customer service was excellent even with it being super busy. We ate dinner and returned to the church where the group all hung out and bonded with one another until a small church service that was being held with some of the men of the ministry. In this we were told how 2024 will be a new beginning for each of us and in this year we can be able to grow our relationship with Christ. After his sermon we did communion and celebrated the new year with the group.

~ Madelyne

We woke up at 8:00 and started our day by eating breakfast. Most of us had cereal for breakfast. After getting ready we sat down for church at 10:30. The message was about leaving the past and all of our sins behind us in 2023 and welcoming 2024. After church we ate lunch. For lunch we had different kinds of soup and bread. After lunch we headed to the Georgia Aquarium. We had to park a couple blocks away from the aquarium and we ended up running into a man named Ricky on our walk to the aquarium. Ricky told us to stay in school and to stay out of trouble. He told us he just got out of prison and that the jails are full of followers. He told us to be leaders and not followers. He also shared that there are 15 jails in Atlanta and that 85% of the inmates are between the ages of 18 and 21.  He asked us we we followed Christ and then he told us to keep following him.  We prayed with Ricky and then we continued our walk to the aquarium. We arrived at the aquarium at 2:00 and first looked at the different sharks and then we went to the dolphin show at 2:30. The dolphin performed many tricks which was really cool to see. After the dolphin show we went to many other exhibits. We saw beluga whales, manta rays, whale sharks, albino alligators, and many other creatures. My favorite animal we saw was the whale shark. The aquarium was very busy so it was a bit hard to see all the exhibits and move around with our large group. The aquarium closed at 4:00 so we started heading out and looking at the gift shop at about 3:50. After the aquarium we went to a gift shop to pick out some souvenirs. Soon after that, we headed to The Varsity to eat dinner. While we were waiting in line to order , some guys from a bakery across the street came in and handed out a bunch of donuts to us which were really good! After eating our burgers, we headed to target to get some snacks and other things. We were at target for about 45 minutes and then we headed back to the church for the night. We all played games and watched the packer game for a couple hours until the church service at 11:30 pm. We all had communion together and cheered when the clock hit midnight. We then celebrated by having sparkling grape juice and blowing the horns. After our celebration we all went to bed at around 1:00 am.

~ Maddie Hendrikse

Today we woke up at about 8:00 and went downstairs to eat some breakfast and had some cereal and granola bars. Then we got ready for church which started at 10:30, the service was mostly about leaving 2023 behind us along with all of our sins that we have committed in 2023 and welcoming 2024. The service was different than what we are used to but it was cool to see some of the guys so passionate about reading the Bible and giving their lives to Christ. After church we went downstairs again to eat lunch which was soup and leftover pizza and then headed out to the aquarium around 1. We went to a dolphin show and it was the funniest thing to watch because the dolphins could do some cool tricks like splashing people in the audience.  Then after that we walked around and saw animals like a whale shark and manta rays then headed out pretty quickly because it was closing. After we stopped at a gift shop and then heading over to The Varsity which was this huge restaurant where you could get all kinds of burgers and we met a couple that asked us what we were doing and how they could pray for us. When we were done we went to Target to get a few things and walked around for a bit. When we got back to the church we sorted through our donations for tomorrow and hung out in the basement and played games and showered. Finally there was a church service at 11:30 where we read a few devotions and prayed until the last minute where we all stood up and said hallelujah when it was midnight. After that our team had a little party with sparkling grape juice and whistles and then headed off to bed around 1:00 am.

~ Addison DeBlaey

Morning devos

Elliot and BJ under a magnolia tree

Ready for church!

Heading out on the town, making our way to the Georgia Aquarium

We had multiple opportunities to enjoy God's creation. We marveled at the design in the different creatures we would never see in person if it weren't for these large aquariums.

A sea dragon

Our first look at one of the two whale sharks

There were some crawl spaces that allowed students to pop up in the middle of the water. Here Jackson and Elliot are checking out a lion fish.

Supper at The Varsity

Sorting donations for route tomorrow and Tuesday

Thanks to all who donated clothing and blankets!  We look forward to blessing people with them.

BJ and Elliot leading in some worship before our devos

Ice-cream!

Catching up with friends we met years ago when we first got connected with 7 Bridges

New Year's Eve service

                                

The celebration begins:)

Happy New Year!!