FALL 2024 27 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 In a country where the primary religion is Catholicism, the DBU Women’s Soccer team made a point to engage in meaningful conversations with the Costa Rica Soccer team about their faith, culture, and upbringing. When some local soccer team members attended worship one evening, they observed the DBU athletes’ genuine love for each other and for Christ. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). The message to the Costa Rican athletes was unmistakable— there was something different about athletes who had left the comforts of home to love and serve others in a foreign country. Bonds of friendship quickly closed the cultural gaps between them as the girls shared their love for Christ. WHEN THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM All DBU students have a unique opportunity to travel and serve around the world during their time on University Hill through short-term educational trips, service-focused mission trips, and long-term global studies opportunities. Student-athletes have a unique opportunity. Patriot Athletics launched the Global Sports Mission Initiative in 2007 to ensure that each sports team travels and serves with their teammates while at DBU. These trips are formative experiences and opportunities to grow closer to the Lord and to each other, as well as strengthen bonds between coaches and athletes in a new setting. “The Lord’s faithfulness followed us in all aspects,” said Sophia Schrock, member of the Women’s Soccer team. “I’m still in awe of the many ways the Lord moved, and He alone deserves all the glory!” In their free time, both DBU teams enjoyed playing matches against local teams in San José. They also went ziplining and white-water rafting and even found time to relax at the beautiful beaches in Playa Flamingo. Volleyball player Daylee Doggett pointed to how God helped them share the Good News. “The Lord showed me how simple it can be to share the Gospel with others, with or without a language barrier,” she explained. Daylee will never forget talking with two fifth-grade girls at school who came to her because they wanted to know how to pray and read the Bible. Like Daylee, all of the young women on this trip will carry with them this experience far into the future. Knowing firsthand what it’s like to immerse oneself in another culture and become a part of a global community is all part of developing a deeper understanding of how servant-leaders engage the world.
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