While COVID-19 has dismantled Lipscomb Athletic mission trip plans to serve alongside Sports Outreach Ministry in El Salvador; Baja Missions in Mexico; and Marte Mission in the Dominican Republic, we are still able to support and learn from our host partners during these trying times.
"Since 2012, we have partnered with ministries in Uganda, Malawi, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras, Trinidad, Jamaica, Brazil, Haiti and in the U.S., and we are so grateful to God for how He has allowed for such deep relationships with some of the most incredible people on the planet to form as a result," said Chris Klotz, director of spiritual formation and athletic missions coordinator.
"I am blown away at the level of faith, integrity, passion and commitment to the Gospel our host partners have. They are the reason our student-athletes learn so much during our trips, and the Lord uses them to accomplish amazing things in their countries. Our host partners are the most inspiring people you will ever meet."
A global perspective
While the novel Coronavirus is reaching all corners of the world, we asked a few of our athletic missions host partners to share what God is teaching them during this global pandemic.
"God is teaching me to trust in Him and not on my own strength – to be more dependent on Him than myself. I am also learning to value my family more and loving others as Christ loves them." –Humberto, Sports Outreach in El Salvador
"Patience. That is the first word that comes to my mind – to wait on Him and to be still. If you know me, you know that I am not a patient person, and it is ok not to have the answers to everything. I have had time to ask Him so many questions: why is this happening now? When is it going to end? How can we help others get through this situation? And now I have had the time to hear his answers. God has also taught me that when all this is over to really appreciate the people around me. I know He has a purpose and I am trying to look to the positive side of it, where we will all be coming out of this as better people. We should not go back to the old normal, but we must come out on the other side renewed!" –Pilar, Baja Missions in Mexico
"God has been teaching us patience and how we need to trust in Him in all aspects of our lives. It has also been great time for our family to grow closer to one another." -Kassie, Marte Mission in the Dominican Republic
"God has taught me to always be ready for His coming because nobody knows that day. This you can read in 2 Peter 3:10-14. He has for this matter taught me to live a pure and blameless life and to be at peace with Him. I know it isn't easy but we strive for that. We have to be prepared and then be ready at all time for you never know what comes today just as this pandemic has struck the whole world." -Moses, Sports Outreach in Uganda
To learn more about Lipscomb Athletics Spiritual Formation and Lipscomb Athletic Missions, please contact Chris Klotz at cpklotz@lipscomb.edu.
