Written by: Megan McMurry
 
I have loved working with Lipscomb volleyball since day one, but there is something about learning more about a person and their heart that makes me love and care about them even more. Getting to serve and be with LUV in Baja was a unique and special experience to say the least. God has been moving in this team and these girls for a while, and seeing them serve together, ask hard questions, and love each other was so sweet. 
 
In every pre-trip meeting, someone brought up wanting to have intentionality and vulnerability within the group… and let me tell you, it happened! The Lord opened and prepared hearts for this trip - to serve, to love, and to share stories and life with one another. At any point during the trip, you could look around and see people having deep and meaningful conversations, and oftentimes they were one on one. At the end of each day, we talked about how we saw God, and how we saw Him shining through people. We also had a time set aside for just the ladies where we shared our hearts and our stories. It was a safe place and one of encouragement. 
 
This team already knew how to work together and work hard coming into this trip, and they were able to use that as they interacted with people and did manual work throughout the week. Whether it was trying to figure out how to communicate with broken Spanish or Google translate, moving buckets of heavy rocks, or spreading out sand for a volleyball court, they did it together and with smiling faces even when it was really hard. One of my favorite moments was when we got to Camp Baja and the sidewalk was being finished, Libby Steinhart didn't skip a beat when she picked up a shovel to help the construction worker make cement. That girl was helping someone with a project every chance she got. 
 
We went on about 8 home visits throughout the week, each home and visit were unique. We were welcomed into homes where we got to meet and talk with members from a couple local churches. At each home, we got to hear about these peoples' lives, ask them questions, prayer requests, and then had the opportunity to pray over them. The hospitality was like nothing I've ever experienced. We got to see the love of Jesus in the flesh through the care and attention shown for others in every home we visited. 
 
At the schools and churches, we got to see peoples' gifts shine. Some, like Logan Gish, are extremely gifted with kids. I got to work in kids church with her, and seeing how she made bracelets and crafts with a table of little girls was so sweet. They flocked to her, and she communicated with them through her love, contagious smile, and even some Spanish. Other girls didn't hesitate to start playing soccer with kids, while others read books to groups of kids. The team made every moment worthwhile when it came to interacting with each person we met in San Quintin. We got to go to la playa one day with friends from one of the churches. We played volleyball, swam and walked down the beach together. Seeing and having conversations helped me to notice that God is working everywhere, everything, and in every single interaction. Despite the language barrier, we were able to get to know our new friends and have a good time doing things we all enjoy!
 
I am beyond thankful for this experience and getting to serve with the 20 other people on this trip. Not only did we get to know each other outside of our roles and sport here at Lipscomb, we also got to see THREE of our friends surrender their lives to Jesus and get baptized in the Pacific Ocean!!! Knowing that we don't have to have it all together or have all the answers is so encouraging, because this life and our walks with the Lord are not something we have to do alone. What we learned and experienced about Jesus in Baja doesn't stop now that we are back home in Nashville, we still get to share and experience life together back here.
 
My hope and prayer is that hard questions are still asked, and that intentional conversations continue to happen now that we are back. LUV is a special group to be a part of, and I am so thankful to get to be a witness to what is happening among this group!
 
Thank you for all of the prayers as this group went to Mexico, we love you!!