Baylor

         

TEAM MEMBERS
Student-Athletes:
Kammie Berns - Equestrian
Abbi Demel - Equestrian
Raven Grant - Track
Shannon Hogue - Equestrian
Celia Holmes - Cross Country
Shelby Livingstone - Volleyball (Rice University)
Eva Morrison - Track
Carly Salter - Equestrian
Kayla Windemuller - Track
Lindsay Zatta - Track

Leaders: 
John Maurer - Director of Sports Ministry
Katherine Johnson - Sports Chaplain
Cori Pinkett - Assistant AD for Character Formation

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #6
 

Shannon Hogue, Equestrian
This morning we were blessed with the opportunity to build water filters and distribute them to families in the community that we have been serving. The families graciously accepted us into their homes, treating us as hospitably as possible. After receiving her water filter, one woman gave her son money and sent him to buy a liter of soda to share with us as a means of expressing her gratitude. This gesture was impactful for me because these people do not have money to spare, but they are still willing to give to strangers. They were thankful for the gift and the time we spent working with their children throughout the week. One elderly woman expressed her gratitude for us simply having said “yes” to God’s call to come to Guatemala and do His work. The living conditions of these families are difficult for me to accept, but the pure joy that they exude shows the love of Christ in their hearts. 

Saying goodbye to the FCA Guatemala team was one of the toughest things I have done in a while. They made our trip so meaningful and this experience would not have been the same without their guidance and support. Their dedication to serving their country and our God inspires me to be a better person and seek more valuable opportunities. Julio, Jen, Carlos, Osmar, Jairo, Stef, and Jaris if you are reading this I love you all and I am eternally grateful.  

Eva Morrison, Track
Today was the most meaningful day for me. We were able to build eight water filters to give to families in the community where we served this week. For me, being able to tangibly give someone something that can change his or her life for the better is the most significant way we can imitate Christ. When people’s basic needs are not met, it can be very difficult to effectively spread the Gospel. There were several moments today that I will remember forever. In the first house we visited, there was a family whose son had died several years ago and whose mother had adopted his children into her already large family of ten. They all lived together in a tiny house with two other families. Their home consisted of a bedroom with a small courtyard where they kept chickens and did all the household chores. To have a family be so hospitable in such poor conditions was very humbling. She was incredibly grateful for our presence, and as we prayed for her and her family, she began to cry. All week, we’ve seen the happy smiles of the kids and the enthusiasm and joy they express at playing sports and simply being with us. But today we were able to go deeper behind the scenes and see just how hard reality is for these people. Being in the presence of such pain and witnessing to these people in the midst of their suffering was a privilege. 

The last individual we visited was an elderly woman suffering from a variety of maladies. She couldn’t afford the simple procedure she needed, so she had returned home to rely on God. For me, seeing her there in so much pain was incredibly frustrating. Every human is made in the image of God, so to witness someone’s seemingly pointless suffering was deeply moving. Her illnesses were so easy to cure, and yet at the same time impossible. We were able to pray with her, and when we left, I think I truly realized the devastating situation of these people and why we were here. 

I am so thankful, not only for the joyful days we spent with the children, but also for the opportunity to be the physical Jesus to these communities, to witness their sorrow, and meet them in their suffering.
 

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #5

Kayla Windemuller, Track

Today was a great day. It was a little less sports and I felt like I had the chance to engage with the community and kids more today, which I was very thankful for after coming off of a 3 month injury. The camp this morning left a huge impact on me. It was day three and everyone was tired but those kiddos brought the energy. They were excited and ready to do whatever we had planned for them. So many of them remembered my name, ones I had a great connection with and even kids that I didn’t get the chance to know very well. It was so hard to say goodbye to them knowing  this was our last day playing sports with them. The time in the afternoon was amazing as well. Having little girls run up to me and wanting to hold my hand made me feel so appreciated and filled my heart right up with joy. It’s inspiring to see them play games and do everything to the very best and wanting to make themselves and the whole team proud. Although I loved the days where we spent all day running around and competing and playing sports, today was an amazing day to connect and have more time to talk with them. Hearing the FCA workers testimonies throughout the week also is so inspiring and has me feeling the desire to keep on contributing after this trip. I pray with all my heart that God will continue to work through these children and the amazing leaders to keep bringing God into the country of Guatemala. I am so grateful, not just for what I have, but what I have gained through these kids and this experience. You can share your faith with anyone at any age, and God can use the smallest and littlest person or experience to change a lot.

Shelby Livingstone, Volleyball (Rice University)

After being able to experience four days here in Guatemala full of playing with kids and sharing the Gospel, what I keep repeating to myself is, “WOW, God is at work here and it’s amazing.”  Today we finished our last sports camp and were able to share the entire Gospel to the children we have been working with all week. There is no greater story to tell than the one of God’s amazing love for us and sending His son Jesus to die on a cross so we can be saved. Knowing that we were given the opportunity to share this good news with the kids today is a feeling that can never be topped. The fact that we speak different languages and come from very different backgrounds has no effect on the truth and everlasting effect of the Gospel. To top everything, the response many of these kids have to the Gospel is amazing. You can see it in their eyes and their hearts that they yearn for something to put their trust in and someone who will love them unconditionally. To be able to share Jesus with them to fill this God sized hole is truly a blessing. 

Four days ago I showed up at 2:15 am outside the indoor football facility to go on a mission trip with 12 people I did not know. I am so thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to come on this trip to be able to pour into the families and children here in Guatemala. I am equally as thankful for the amazing group of 9 other young women who I have been able to meet and grow close with over this trip. God always knows what He is doing and putting together our team for this trip was no different. My prayer for our team the rest of our time in Guatemala is that we will have the strength and energy to continue pouring God’s love into everyone we interact with and that God’s will be done here with FCA Guatemala and their ministry.

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #4

Carly Salter, Equestrian

Today was one of the best days of my life. 

You probably think I’m exaggerating, but it’s the truth. This semester at Baylor was the most trying semester yet. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, academically, socially and athletically, every day was a battle to try to over come one of the many obstacles I was facing at the time. I was stressed and sad. I was sore and tired. I was confused and irritated. I felt like a hamster stuck on a wheel running as fast as I could, but still locked in the same place as where I began. Finally, the semester came to and end and most the hardships stopped. I was exhausted from working as hard as I could for the last four months. To be honest, I wanted to go home and see my family instead of going to Guatemala, but that changed. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I felt myself breathe for the first time since I left home for the semester and just relaxed. 

Here in Guatemala, I’m surrounded by love. I’m loved by my teammates, my group leaders, the local parents and children, but most importantly I am loved by God. Never in my life have I felt His presence so clearly. I can see Him in almost everyone I encounter here. I can see him in the smiles of the children playing in the dirt with crooked smiles and ripped clothes. I can see Him in the mountains and volcanoes which are never ending and seem to touch the sky. I see Him in my teammates as they share the stories of their life. I see Him in the FCA leaders here in Guatemala when they tell me their hopes for the children and people to have a better life. God has always been with me, but today He was walking right along side me opening doors and leading me every step of the way. 

Through everything, God is with me no matter where I am or what I am doing.

Lindsay Zatta, Track 

Today we had our second day camp with the kids.  When we got to the village it was so heart warming to see the kids coming up to us, remembering our names and excited to see us. The kids are so blissful during the sports camp.  I hope that all their worries are covered by the love God is providing through us. 

In the afternoon we went to a different village.  We hiked up an enormous mountain with other kids to play soccer.  It was very humbling to see the trek they make to play soccer.  We played soccer with them, they totally killed us and I was on the ground a couple times! I had the privilege to share my story about how Christ has impacted my life.  I hope God was able to speak through me and have an impact on the kids. My prayer is that these children one day come to know Christ and are able to have a relationship with Him. I know God is working through these communities and it is very prevalent that He has already had an impact on these people.
 

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #3

Kammie Berns, Equestrian

Today we got to play soccer with children in the sports camps and the one word that described this experience for me was uplifting. While running around the field after a soccer ball and trying to use what little Spanish I could, I couldn't help but reflect the smile these kids were giving me. In return I found myself portraying that same smile and found a sense of joy that was extremely uplifting. God gave the kids and I a sense of peace today because just for those few hours we weren't thinking about the troubles in our lives, we were just having fun. I found myself laughing and smiling a lot more than I have in the past month and I believe these kids may have felt that way too. I believe God gave us this moment to find peace and joy and uplift us from any doubt in order to show that we are in the palm of his hand.

Raven Grant, Track

My experience here in Guatemala has been life changing. I can’t express how joyful and thankful I am now. These people are truly an example of Gods glory. They exhibit joy and happiness and have huge smiles on their face and they literally have nothing. These people are facing extreme poverty and are struggling to eat daily. The children are facing so much and they go through many struggles that we don’t even understand. I realize that there are people out here that are actually struggling and my life is close to perfect. I want to give back, serve, and love on these sweet people. They don’t have plumbing or heating and don’t have near as much the luxuries we have. We have the luxuries of being able to take warm showers and brush our teeth. We take for granted so much, we are incredibly blessed. I am humbled and will never be the same. I saw the joy and goodness of God in the faces of these hurting people. Everyone here smiles though they are experiencing so much pain, it’s very encouraging.   I’m seeing Gods grace everywhere I go here. God is so cool and I am so grateful to be his child.

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #2

Celia Holmes, Cross Country

After an early morning (beginning at 2:15), we have finally arrived in Guatemala!! We got to make community visits in a local village, San Lorenzo, and met some of the children who will be coming to our camp. One family graciously welcomed us into their home and we sat and listened to the mother tell us about her children and their lives. There were about 6-8 children all under the age of 12. Soccer plays a major role in the life of the older boys and they are also able to go to school. The living space was a small, dirt-floored, one bedroom house. There were two dressers filled with what I would assume were their clothes and the beds were worn down. She told us all 8 of them would sleep in the two beds (both smaller than queens). It was hard to see such a stark difference between the living conditions in the village to those living in Guatemala City (and even more, those in the US). I can’t wait to have the opportunity to spend time with the children and we are all expectant God will use this opportunity according to His perfect plan.

Abbi Demel, Equestrian

This mission trip was not only my first time to serve in another country, but also my first time out of the country. I wasn’t full of expectations, but was full of readiness to serve. When we stepped out of the airport there were families and kids jumping with excitement but barricaded back which was a slight change from the police yelling at cars not to stop at airports in the US. The FCA Guatemala team welcomed us with open arms full of excitement. 

As we started driving through the streets of Guatemala I was just in awe...there were people in the streets, stray dogs, and the women carrying baskets of food or wood on their heads. We were heading out of Guatemala City and into the community of San Lorenzo where we will be working most of the week. Guatemala FCA leaders took us to meet some of the families in the community. They invited us into their homes as if we were family, not strangers. The house was made of sheet metal with dirt floors consisting of one room with two beds for the family of five. This was my first time seeing true poverty and I was speechless. It was such an eye opening experience to see and hear about their day to day experiences and struggles. The community of San Lorenzo consists mostly of kids which is why it was so important to the mothers of these kids to meet us and feel safe allowing their kids to be with us. Concluding our home visit, we prayed with their family. 

My heart was heavy after leaving the family’s home. It brought immediate awareness to how much we take for granted and how truly lucky we are to live the lives we live. When our team returned to the hotel that night to debrief we talked about how Mathew 25 reflects what we experienced that night. When you support, love, pray, and comfort strangers you are helping Jesus. John mentioned how we saw Jesus through those families who have welcomed us in to help them with such love and kindness. 

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Baylor Sports Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip Blog #1 - Introduction

December 11, 2018

By Katherine Johnson

The school semester is winding down, the fall regular seasons have ended, but a handful of Baylor athletes are not slowing down.

Baylor Sports Ministry is taking a team of 10 student-athletes, along with 3 leaders, to Antigua, Guatemala to serve alongside the Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff in Guatemala.

The team departs on December 12th and returns December 18th. Making up the ministry team are a mix of athletes from track, cross country, equestrian, and volleyball. For a few, this mission trip will be a first time experience both out of the country and on a trip to go serve.

Leading the trip will be Katherine Johnson, John Maurer, and Cori Pinkett. While on the trip, the group will put on a multi-sports camp for kids ages 7-14 over multiple days, while most importantly sharing the love of Jesus.

Serving alongside the existing FCA missionaries will hopefully open up doors for more ministry to happen after the Baylor group returns for those that live there.

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