BELIZE —Hello again everyone from the beautiful country of Belize as the mission team has embarked on their final full day in Belize City. 
 
The last few days, our traveling has been crazy so stories have been scarce, but Jesus Christ has not been. He's been moving in our lives and the lives on the locals all week. You'll find that out in my final post. We've been fortunate to have many student-athletes join us on this mission trip and the way they've opened up their hearts has been phenomenal. That's where our final post goes tonight – into the lives of the student-athletes on the trip. 
 
Three of our students have come from Lady Tiger basketball, one from football and track & field, and another from Lady Tiger soccer. Madison Sheppard, Savannah Gregory, Madison Kaiser, Jordan Stallings and Brayden Russell have all been fortunate to make the trip but have all come out of their comfort zones and had real God-moments on this trip. Let's dive deeper into those. 
 
The third devotion of the week was a tear jerker as Sheppard shared how she was attempting to talk and share the love of Christ to a blind gentleman at the nursing home. She attempted to speak to the man, but he would never look at Madison. She was bummed and didn't understand until a God moment happened. Madison's future plans after her career is over on the basketball court is to attend optometry school and become and eye doctor. Well, this man she met at the nursing home was blind. WOW! God confirmed to Madison that was the calling he has set for her.
 
Another story came from Brayden Russell and it actually came on Monday night. Russell, a track and football star for the Tigers, wasn't supposed to be on this trip either. He was a late addition like Sheppard, but the Lord has moved in his life all week as well. The biggest though was before the trip.
 
Russell shared on Monday night that he was saving money to go on a trip with the nursing program to Haiti. He needed to raise $1,600 to do that but was discouraged when he was only able to raise $400. Coach Matt Atwood talked to Brayden and told him of this opportunity later in the spring but having to raise more money for a trip like this just wasn't in the cards. But guess what the cost was for Brayden to come on this trip? Exactly $400 and that is when he knew God had worked that into his life and he was supposed to be on the trip. 
 
Jordan Stallings had another story that didn't involve a blind man or money, but it involved taking advantage of a second chance. On Friday, Stallings, who is a phenomenal centerback for the Lady Tiger soccer team, was at the soccer field with her entourage and saw so many children playing without cleats. She knew she had to give up her Adidas boots but didn't think the time was right during the first day on the trip. 
 
The next day, our clinics were cancelled and Jordan didn't know whether or not she would get the opportunity again. As she stated during our devotion on Monday night, she was really beating herself up about it. But on Monday, the mission team traveled to the city of Cayo on the western side of Belize and the opportunity arouse once more. This time though, the young boy had a pair of Adidas but were too small. Jordan sat down with the boy and noticed he had the same exact pair and size this boy needed at the time. She knew God gave her this second chance and He never ceases to amaze us. 
 
Savannah Gregory, a two-time MSC Champion of Character and MSC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018-19, is what many would say is a true beacon of light for Christ. She is the student leader for FCA on campus, but she is so busy with basketball, track and field, and FCA that she thought she was failing her teammates and friends – one of those being Madison Kaiser. 
 
On Sunday night in Cayo, Gregory shared that even though we don't see or know it, God is working in our lives as long as we stay faithful. 
 
"I felt like I wasn't investing enough in my friends and teammates to grow spiritually," said Gregory. "God showed me on this trip that I truly had done that when Madison Kaiser shared her testimony at church. She spoke with ease and love and it touched me. God let me see the growth in her to show me that I need to just continue trusting in Him and how He's working through me with my friends."

Gregory also stated that when she started to prepare her testimony at church about the heartache and hurt that came along with the passing of her sister, she forgot the verse numbers. This verse has been the one she leaned on during that tough time but while prepping her notes, she couldn't remember the verse numbers. After Googling and finding the verse, she opened her Bible directly to that very page where that verse, Pslams 34:18, was. Gregory shared that in that moment she felt God using her testimony and verse for a reason. Pretty cool, right? But it gets better. 
 
The church that Gregory shared her testimony at was also going through a tough time. We found out the church had been robbed and were dealing with death around them. In Psalms 34:18, the Bible says the Lord is near to the broken-hearted. Savannah's story of being completely heartbroken connected to them and allowed her to be able to connect with them. "It was an awesome and emotional moment for me," said Gregory.
 
Madison Kaiser, a has-been or LTB Legend as she has said this week, has made a difference in another way…. Actually, three ways. Kaiser has really got close with so many on the trip but the biggest impact she's made is with Ryan Rhaburn, one of the Sports Reach representatives in Belize. Rhaburn was saved on Monday and baptized today, Tuesday, out at Shark Ray Alley in the Caribbean Sea during our day of relaxing. 

The second way was on Sunday at church. Kaiser was one who shared her testimony in front of total strangers and touched so many. We already read what her former teammate and best friend thought of that very moment.
 
The third way was with the children during basketball clinics. Coach Mark Vernon shared with me how impressed he was at how Kaiser stepped right in no matter what and led drills or started playing with the kids. The second instance was when CJ Moritz, the Esports coach, was paired with Kaiser, Sheppard and Sports Reach rep Andrew Hammond. The four left our group on Monday in Cayo and traveled up the street to another park where over 50 kids were playing basketball. Moritz, who might I add eliminated Kaiser, Sheppard and Gregory in knock-out this week, praised how Kaiser and Sheppard jumped right in, took control, and the kids were so engaged in the drills they were running.
 
Coach Perry Thomas, who is one of the few full-time coaches and staff members who has been on all three mission trips with the department, mentions it every year but was really impressed with this younger group again. Coach Thomas shared the devotion on Sunday night in Cayo by the swimming pool and challenged us all to not lose this "high" we are on for sharing the Gospel because when we get back on campus, our attitude like we've had this week needs to bleed into our teams. But Coach Thomas challenged the student-athletes with stepping out of their comfort zone a little more and sharing Christ with teammates. 
 
David Tyson, husband of former women's wrestling assistant coach Nicole Tyson, has gained valuable friendships through this trip and was also impressed with the younger athletes. He mentioned on Sunday night how impressed he was with their public speaking and willingness to jump right in and share the Word or pray. David also challenged the group to not let this high point die down to a flat line when we get back to Campbellsville. 
 
Lastly, coach Adam Preston was also excited about this younger group. Coach Preston mentioned on Monday night that this group of student-athletes are the future leaders of CU and our world. He challenged them to be real and honest with their actions and to never lose the love for sharing the Word of Christ. 
 
So that is our challenge this week and for those readers back in the US. We've shared stories this week of how God has blessed us and the Belizeans with so many live changing moments, but those stories are also in our own communities. Yes, going on international mission trips are definitely making an impact but that same impact could also be made at home. When the opportunity arises, do not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. 

Thanks for reading this week and for staying up to date with our entire trip. Our flight leaves Belize around 2:30 local time (4:30 ET) and we'll be wheels up for Dallas-Fort Worth. From there, we'll head back to Nashville and hopefully be in Campbellsville early on Thursday morning.