(Carson-Newman sophomore outside hitter Lindsey Bryant (Gainesville, Ga.) is playing volleyball in Brazil on a mission trip with Athletes in Action. Below is Bryant's blog.)
JUNE 18:
Today was an amazing day in Brazil. We went to a city called Atibaia an hour and a half away from us to host the children's volleyball clinic. The clinic went really well, we divided up into four groups to coach the different skills of volleyball. The children ran into each drill so excited to play and get some attention. After the camp we sat them in the circle and shared with them about God's love and how amazing he is. The children seemed to open up to this idea whole heartedly. It was so amazing to be able to see how well they were listening to the lesson. After the camp we then competed. We played on the same court that we had the camp on which was a big concrete outside court with stands surrounding it. The net on the court was a little flimsy, normal height on the outside, low on the middle, and high on the right side. Around 200 people were in the stands including the children we coached and their families and friends. All of us were eager to see who we were going to be playing and then we saw a group of men in yellow jerseys walk up called the team of Terrapreta. Although intimidated at first, we all put trust in God and in His plan. We played the team and had so much fun. I think we also learned so much about each other as teammates because we went 100 %. The first game we won 28 to 26 and just fought to the end. After that we played a second game and lost 18 to 24 but we all still had a blast. After the game we were able to talk to the men about God and Coach Jeff shared with them his testimony. This whole experience has been so amazing and heartwarming. Everyone on our team has been so flexible and sweet to the kids. Please just keep us in your prayers as we go through this trip to make an impact on the people we make relationships. Also pray that we keep a flexible heart for things that are unexpected like we experienced today.
JUNE 20:
Today we had such an amazing day! I do not think I can put into words how much of an impact today had on me and the rest of my team. Today we hosted a clinic for kids in a nearby city. This center that we went to is a place for children whose parents may be in jail, orphans, or some mentally disabled kids. There was a wide range of different children in this group of 32, however they were so excited to learn to play volleyball. Each one of them brought me and my team such joy because of their happy hearts. The clinic went extremely well and I was so impressed with each one of their talents. After that we sat the kids down and Donna, a girl on our team shared about her testimony with the children. You could just tell how her story personally connected with each one of them so well. It was so amazing to see Gods words be spoken through her. After we left the kids we went to our game in the same city in a much nicer gym than all the other gyms we have been to so far. We played a local girls club team that ranged from the ages of 13 to 17. We had such a fun time playing with them. We won all three games but not easily. Each one of them had such raw talent and I was extremely impressed with these high school kids. After the game we sat down with the girls and another one of the girls in our group spoke to the people in the stands that watched the game and told a little about of her story. Again God just gave her the words to say to these people. After that one of the people that is on staff here in Brazil talked to them about accepting God into their lives. I think for many of them, that was the first time hearing the gospel. After that we ate dinner with the team and we connected with those girls by playing games and sharing our testimonies with them. I talked with a girl who asked me straight up " How has God changed your life?" A 15 year old girl asked me that and I was taken back a little bit. After that i told her a short part of my story and was able to connect it to her and then she shared with me her story. Of course throughout this whole talk we were being translated back and forth but we still connected in an amazing way because we are sisters in Christ. Today overall was an amazing day and I loved spending time with these beautiful daughters of Christ. You know I always come on missions trips to impact others but always come back changed by these people. I cannot even put into enough words how amazing today was. It was an experience that I will never forget and I am so thankful for everything that God is teaching me on this trip.
