Soccer Teams Minister in Costa Rica

The men’s and women’s soccer teams spent Interim 2010 on their annual mission trip in Costa Rica, working with the Christian organization Score International. Partnering with local missionaries from the Score International team, they competed against local Costa Rican teams and ran soccer clinics for children from orphanages and low-income neighborhoods.

The teams each played five games in five days, and after each game, players shared their faith and personal testimonies with members of competing teams. The real blessing, according to many Trinity players, was how receptive the Costa Rican teams were to their message.

“The players from the other teams were very accepting of what we had to say, and I really appreciated how respectful they were when we shared the Gospel,” said Tom Clason ’11 of Somonauk, Illinois.

“We were blessed to see many players from the other teams come to know Christ and find their salvation in him,” said Brady Davidson ’11 of Shawnee, Kansas. His head coach, Jose Dominguez ’02, added, “At least two players from each team we played against each day accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

The clinics for the children gave the Trinity teams a chance to witness and show Christ’s love to children in impoverished areas. Despite the language barrier and the fact that many of the children didn’t have shoes to wear, they were always smiling and happy, Coach Dominguez recalled.

“It was so great to be there for these children and give them the love and attention they need through soccer,” said Anna Gesch ’12 of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, a member of the women’s soccer team.

The trip was also provided an opportunity for the players and coaches to learn more about each other and themselves. They spent time in daily devotions and experienced God while using their gifts and skills on the field to reach out to others.

“The cool truth is that we were able to make a difference, because we were able to support the people who are ministering to those communities 365 days a year,” said Davidson. “We helped by living out through example what they talk about and share with people every day.”