Hello all!
I apologize for being MIA during my trip and these last few days. The time was simply not there to write in Nicaragua and since I have been home I have been working a lot of hours. I also figured that writing about my trip afterwards would be a good time of reflection. I shared in my last post what the purpose was behind and a little bit of what we would be doing during our trip. Just a recap if you did not read the last post, this trip to Nicaragua was a missions opportunity with my college basketball team. As a team, we would be volunteering and doing humanitarian work as well as holding clinics for the youth to come and improve their basketball. We also played the universities women's teams to help them improve their level of competition.
Okay, so bear with me as I am not totally sure where this is going but I will attempt to be thorough. I also have a ton of pictures but I will try to be selective.
To begin, I want to say how much I love my team. Unfortunately not all of them were able to come on this trip, but being with the ones who could brings me so much joy! From the second we woke up at 2:30 a.m to go to the airport, we all were enjoying each others company. I was excited to be going to the airport and flying. My family does not travel often so this was an exciting part of my journey. I love airports. A building that connects you to different places is an awesome concept in my mind.
Our day was long consisting of three different flights, long layovers, switching two time zones, overpriced food, and customs paperwork. All in all, it was a very smooth day, long but nothing unmanageable. We were so happy when we walked out of the airport to see our missions leader and translator waiting for us with big smiles. We partnered with Ignite International for our trip which is run by Judy Fox, an alumna of Houghton College. Judy is such an awesome woman! She has such a passion for using sports to minister to others in other countries. She has made lasting relationships with people in so many countries. She was a major part of this journey as was our translator, Claudia. She has worked with Judy for many years and really bonded with us over the course of our trip. She was such an integral part of our team since she was relaying our words to the people of Nicaragua.
We took a shuttle from the airport to our hotel. We were exhausted but not too tired to realize how beautiful the place was. It had beautiful gardens and a really nice pool! Judy checked us all in and we headed off to bed.
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| Our hotel pool! We put it to good use in our down time! |
The next morning was Sunday and we were going to a well-known bi-lingual church in Managua. The worship was awesome and we also were able to work with the youth during the later part of the service. We did a skit of David defeating the giant Goliath, sang songs, and played games with them. During all this, I was not feeling so great. I ended up throwing up most of the service. It was awful to be sick in a strange place but I have the best team. One of my teammates stayed with me and got me some medicine to help. The rest of the day I laid low and napped when we returned to the hotel. Day one was less than exciting in that sense.I was excited to go to bed that night with the intent of waking up feeling better for the week ahead!
Praise the Lord, I woke up feeling so much better Monday morning. We were able to sleep in and take it easy that morning which helped a lot. Monday was a full day of basketball. We held a clinic at Universidad Centroamericano where we had a good number of high school and college level athletes come. Their level of high school and college play is a lot different than that in America so we were able to spend two hours showing them drills to improve their skills. I have to say, my Coach did such a great job at the clinics we held. She put all the drills together and had us players demonstrate. She is always intentional in what she teaches and that remained true in Nicaragua. I hope the players saw that. I know I admire my Coach and her intensity to make us better as a team. After the clinic, we played the university women's team. I was awesome to have people come and watch a women's game. We also were able to have a teammate share her testimony at half time to all in attendance. We were always looking to plant seeds in the hearts of those there.
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| We pray with every opposing team after each game. We do it during regular season as well. |
Tuesday was a an awesome day; they were all awesome but especially Tuesday. We went to a home for teens who had been rescued from life on the streets, human trafficking, and abusive situations. We spent time seeing how the home is run and then spent time playing with the kids. I played basketball with my teammates and a lot of the boys there. They were so excited to play with us. It meant a lot when we were playing 3vs3 and my teammates remembered my name and we played as a team. I also shared my testimony with this group. Going into it, I wasn't sure how I wanted to approach it. These kids have been through a lot; what could I say to them? I talked with Judy and she said speak from the heart and speak the truth. I did, I told them about some of my deepest struggles and pain and how there is good in this world. There is hope in life and we can have hope in Jesus. I was honored to have spoke to those brave souls of the world. We also visited a home for teenage mothers. From both of these experiences I kept thinking how blessed I am to be in a situation where I can go be who I want to be. These kids didn't have a say in their circumstances. It hurt me to think about that but it overjoyed me that they are in the right place with people who love them and are willing to help them become more than their circumstances.We also played another game that night. The neat thing about these games is that many of the some girls played from the night before, and they did that the whole week. We were then able to get to know more and more of the players throughout the week by talking after the games and hearing about their lives.
Wednesday was one of my favorite days looking back on this trip. We went to Villa Esperanza, a shelter for teen girls who have been rescued from living in a city dump. During our visit there, we shared with the girls a lot about self-esteem and how exercise can promote good self-esteem. As a team, we showed the girls some different stretches and exercises they can to do to become stronger. Then, my Coach called me to the front. She explained to them how I was studying medicine and how I have learned to love working out and lifting weights. She then asked me to explain to them a little more about this. I was elated at this moment because I was going to be able to share about some things I am very passionate about. I began by explaining how exercise and strength training gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing. I also shared how it is good to strengthen your muscles and your bones. I then transitioned into how strong it can make you feel inside and as a woman. It builds a sense of confidence in one’s own abilities. I was so honored to have shared with those girls. I love the science of the body and empowering young girls to become strong women so I am very appreciative of my Coach for allowing me to share.
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| Artwork at Villa Esperanza! |
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| Some of the team at Villa Esperanza! |
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| The gym we played our game in that night. By far the coolest gym I have ever played a basketball game in. Inside and outside! |
The next highlight I would like to share would be from our visit to Donna Holland Christian School on Thursday. The school was started by our translator in the town of Diriamba and was for grades K-12. This school was unbelievable. It wasn't a huge school with fancy facilities but they made use of every inch they had available. Tuition is in effect to go there but most students are from limited means and are there because of sponsorship. I am a huge advocate of education. A major reason for that is because of how much I have enjoyed my education experience and how many wonderful opportunities it has placed before me. I believe God has given each of us a powerful gift with our minds and I believe it is God’s desire to utilize our gifts. For these personal reasons, going to the school was exciting for me. I love to see people learning and being there encouraged me. These students are being given a chance to use their gift. We were also given the opportunity to share with the classes. We broke up into units and gave a presentation to each class. We talked about a couple of different topics; finding identity in Christ, sexual abuse, sexual abstinence and someone shared their testimony. Another awesome part about this visit was that our new assistant coach was able to share. He talked about what is means to be a real man for the young boys. He discussed how important it is to be a man that treats people and women with respect, to stand up for what’s right, and to care for the needs and heart of your wife someday. He also emphasized to the girls to not accept anything less than a man who cared for you in this way. I thought this topic was so important for these kids to hear; it will be a big part of their future. We were honored to be there discussing such important topics and loving these students. I know they were open to our words and loved having us there. The hugs assured us of that.
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| This sweet girl ran over and sat on my lap. So thankful my teammate captured this in a picture. |
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| Loved these three little girls! |
The final highlight I want to share was also from Thursday. After our time at the school, we went with our translator and her sister to assist with a feeding program for children. We went into the heart of two villages where there was tons of children lined up with bowls. We were then placed at the front of the lines to help scoop rice and beans into their little bowls. This experience was humbling. We don’t quite realize how good we have it until your staring into the face of someone who is hungry, especially a child. A lot of children were in line with a younger sibling holding both of their bowls to ensure that they both received food. At one time a young girl came up to me, grabbed me, and hugged me. She then continued to hang on my back and pat my blonde hair as I continued to serve food. I gave that girl the biggest hug. I realized that all I have is a gift from God and I need to use it. As I saw all those kids lined up for food, I began to think, what if I could give all these kids in line a medical exam and ensure that they had the vaccinations they need for a healthy life. They have people suffering from diseases that we have eradicated in America. What if I can do that for them someday? As we were leaving I had three girls hanging onto me not wanting to let go. This moment was special because I realized how much I have to give.
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| They wanted a photo of them together! |
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| So humbled |
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| She loved my blonde hair! |
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| Blessed to be serving them. |
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| I love this photo. Our team in action. I was so blessed to share this experience with them. |
All in all, this trip showed me how much I have to contribute. I loved being in a different country experiencing different people and culture but I also know I have a lot to give in the classrooms at Houghton. I am very passionate about my future in medicine and the opportunities it will lay before me to help others. That is why I work so hard at my school work; I have to give all that I have for the sake of the lives I may treat someday. I also was blessed in seeing how basketball and athletics created a bridge to people. It was unbelievable how many people were able to hear about God by coming to watch a basketball game. It was unbelievable that I was able to share how exercise builds confidence in young girls. It was unbelievable that were able to pray with every team we played after our games. This trip presented so many opportunities and challenges on so many different levels. I have learned a lot, but I also have a lot left to learn. I do not have it all figured out and I still have many personal challenges to overcome but I have the motivation and memories to help me through. I cannot say thank you enough to everyone who sacrificed so that I may be able to gain these experiences. I pray that you were able to gain something through this post as well. I pray that you can grow through my journey. I pray we can grow together to use what God has given us to better others and lead them to Christ. I am Second. These are what our bracelets said that we wore as a team and handed out down in Nicaragua. It really resonated with me. I am second to God and the plans He has for me and this world and the needs of others. Jesus lived His life to this extent. I am always willing to share more about this trip so please feel free to ask me more! It was a wonderful week with my team and the country of Nicaragua.
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| These tender moments are what I will cherish in the depths of my heart. |
Goal: I would like you all take a few moments today and think about what you have to contribute to the people around you. Once you have figured it out, go do it!!
Ready, Set, Go!
Maisie
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| Living and Loving this life! |
I know this post was very long but it was important to me to share. I am also going to include some pictures that I really love at the end to look through.
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| I found a player who is also studying medicine!!! |
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| Embracing the culture with their statue! |
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| A player from Nicaragua we became very close with this week. |
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| Bus shenanigans |
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| With one my closest friends and teammate-- we are always laughing in ever picture together! |
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| Pool fun! |
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| My Coach doing her coach thing! |
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| What can I say? My teammates and I have so much fun together. |
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| Dysfunctional and perfect |
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| Holding hands with village girls |
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| No words. |
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| Just chilling at the top of a volcano |
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| First woman's basketball team to visit Nicaragua |
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| Photo bomb |
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| Our Sunday best! |
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| Team dinner! |
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| All out, All the time, All for God |
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| Team is forever |
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| Some of the elderly we spent time with! |
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| Enjoying the Nicaraguan sunshine! |
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| The fruit was unbelievable! |
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| I love this game |
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| Failing at our jumpstagram photo... Yes that's me falling down the side of the volcano |
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| Straight up flexin' |
Thank you all for allowing me to share!
