GRANTHAM, Pa. - AROMA (A Revolution of Missional Athletes), sent out three teams on global church visits this past month during Spring Break. The women's soccer team traveled to Colombia to serve alongside ministry partner COSDECOL. The women's volleyball team also headed south to Costa Rica in partnership with Push the Rock in San Jose. Lastly, members of our track and field team began break with some local service and then headed to New York to partner with 12th Rock Sports.
See below for recaps and personal testimonies from the trips.
Women's Soccer in Colombia
Over spring break, the Women's Soccer team had the opportunity to visit Medellín, Colombia, and work alongside COSDECOL, a soccer club and outreach program. Our days were very full; we played four league games, practiced with the women's all-star team, and visited eight sectors to run practices or play small-sided games with kids of all ages. After each practice, game, or sector, one member of our team shared their testimony with the group. These testimonies were very impactful, not just for the bonding of our team, but also as an important opportunity to be bold in our faith and to get a glimpse of what being part of the global church means.
"This trip gave me unforgettable memories with my teammates and reminded me how sports, specifically soccer, are a vessel, and how easy it is to show people you care about them. We played HOURS of soccer with people whom I could not easily communicate with, yet we were able to laugh together, share victories, and join together in a common goal. No words were even needed. I learned that there are some things in this world that you don't need words to express, like how much you like soccer, or how much you love somebody. This trip was marked by our actions more than our words, a hug before leaving, a shared smile with a stranger, or a high five after a goal. I hope to always remember this experience, the COSDECOL staff and kids I met, and the words shared with me before I left to come back to the States. Gaty, a coach for COSDECOL, showed me a message on Google Translate saying, "God loves them all"." -
Kenzie Derstine
Women's Volleyball in Costa Rica
"During our time in Costa Rica on our missions trip, it was so abundantly clear that God was moving through and around our team. Before the trip, our team had been discussing about spending time at the feet of Jesus and the altar. On Sunday, which was our second day, we attended MCED for Church. While worshiping, it was incredible to be singing a different language, yet all unified and not letting that barrier make a difference. We were all worshiping the same loving God which was beyond powerful to see how He is moving in Costa Rica as He is in the United States. After the song ended, a member of the worship team invited our team to come and kneel at the altar. With no doubts, we immediately went and kneeled at the feet of Jesus. This spoke at lengths because this is what we had been preparing for. She said how we are here and being called to Costa Rica for a reason. How incredible is it that God knows us intimately and specifically called us to serve in Costa Rica to share the gospel! This moment was indescribable and to have a calling as a team is unwaveringly special. To follow our altar call, the sermon was all about saying yes and how our "obedience begins when our comprehension ends". This set a strong foundation for our week ahead and God knew exactly what we needed to hear. This impacted the rest of our trip which continued leading to life changing moments
There is specifically one thing that has remained constant in my mind since the trip. Our team visited a senior citizens' prison which was incredible. While there, Ellie and I saw a man doing push-ups by himself. I asked Ellie if she wanted to go with me and do push-ups with him. Her "yes" turned into so much more. We joined him to do some physical fitness exercises on the open field. Although it was very hot outside, we were excited to join him. Afterwards, we prayed for Carlos, and he said some things that were eye opening. He said that our lights shine so brightly and we should never let that light go out. I realized in that moment how important it truly is to spread our light that Christ has gifted us with. The light that we give off can be so impactful to others even if we don't realize it. Later that week, we received a gift from the prisoners. This was a bookmark that had Matthew 5:14-16 written on them. The prisoners did not know that this was our team's verse. The verse is, "You are a light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify our father in heaven". This meant so much to me because I had the privilege to be in Costa Rica to share my light and the gospel with people in hopes that they too can have an intimate relationship with God. Every day since the trip, I pray that the rest of the team and I are able to spread our light to everyone we come across. All For Him." - Courtney Wolf
Track and Field in New York
The week started off with Track and Field team members supporting the Ability Ottobock's Amputee Mobility Clinic in partnership with the Falcon Fitness Center. The team then had a few days to serve with Wild Heart Ministries in Harrisburg as well as time as a team to train, bond, and pray with each other.
The team spent the rest of spring break in Middletown, New York in partnership with 12
th Rock Sports. They participated in a variety of service projects including doing cleanup and maintenance at Tri-State Christian Camp, working on a new cross country course, and working an all-abilities sports clinic.
Click the link below to read an article about the team's time with 12 Rock Sports. Here is a snippet from that article:
"Mid-session, the students were called to center court for a group huddle. Megan from the Messiah team shared a personal devotional, recalling details of past travels and her own interrupted plans.
"I could have gone to Europe [for Spring Break] but my best friend was praying for me…and I was just like 'OK, I think I need to do this trip instead'…because God has good plans for my life."
Community Sports Night Recap
