Lancers on a Great Commission

MORENO VALLEY >> For every student-athlete who attends California Baptist University, they are called to action by the school's athletic department mission statement. The goal is to equip every Lancer to serve the world and answer the call of the Great Commission (given in Matthew 28:18-20) to "go and make disciples of all nations." A group of 12 CBU students lived out the Great Commission early this summer. The group teamed up with non-profit organization Here For Kids International (HFK) and Kids Alive International to serve at an orphanage called at El Arca, located in the center of the Dominican Republic in a town named Costanza. There were six different CBU athletic squads represented within the missions team, with men's basketball's Jordan Giusti leading the group. Teammates Danny King and Jordan Heading served along with Giusti from men's basketball; Lauren Hackett and Abbie Gortsema of women's volleyball joined, along with Jackson Burge and Robbie Hadobas (men's volleyball); Kim Rabenstein and Alysa Avila (women's cross country); Jordanne Laky (women's soccer) and Joseph Moorman (men's water polo). CBU student Paighton Priest was part of the team, along with two other student-athletes from Saint Mary's College. It was the third trip to the Dominican Republic for Giusti and the second for King. This group was unique from the others Giusti had served on, however, because they all came in as Christians with a heart for serving. A majority of the CBU student-athletes came in acquaintances, but that changed quickly, as the peer-led team grew closer every day. "We all knew each other or just knew of each other before this," Moorman said. "We got really close, really fast and this was just an unbelievable group to go with. "It made the trip so much better and so much more powerful, given I was with all my peers, and we all went through the same things together." In all, this group of 14 college students spent two weeks in the Dominican Republic, which was the longest-ever HFK trip, Giusti said. They served in any way they could at El Arca orphanage, school and in the community of Costanza. They rotated teaching English and physical education classes in the school or assisting in the construction of a new auditorium and cafeteria on El Arca's campus. At each opportunity, recess or lunch breaks, they would take a timeout to play and interact with the kids. "They were there to love on us, and we were there to love on them," Gortsema said. Not surprisingly, sports were a big part of their ministry. They played anything, from soccer to baseball, volleyball and basketball, with the children in the orphanage or against local teams in the Dominican Republic. "That was very fun," Giusti said. "Sport is such a great way to connect with the kids because you do not have to speak their language to play it with them." Each day started with a morning devotion and at night the group would come back together to debrief. They worshipped together, affirm each other and two people would share their testimonies each night. Sundays were a day of rest for the team, allowing them to explore Costanza and the Dominican Republic. And while good times were had along the way, it was far from a vacation. "This trip is not an easy one," Giusti said. "It takes a lot out of you." Throughout the two weeks, the group took steps out of their comfort zones and took a few visits into the barrios or slums near Costanza. "I was very overwhelmed with the poverty level; it was my first time being in that kind of poverty," Gortsema said. "It was very powerful for me to experience that, instead of just seeing it from the outside." There were many things the Lancers brought back with them from the Dominican Republic, and will likely always carry with them, including stronger bonds with their fellow Lancers and with God. It was a humbling experience for the team, as they saw the people of Costanza's gratitude in life and strong faith in God, no matter the circumstance of challenges they faced. "This trip exposed me to how unappreciative I was at the time," Giusti said. "The kids and everyone there exercise such great appreciation for what they have been given. They are appreciative because they know that God loves them and they worship God with all of their hearts. Their faith is very inspiring to me." Outside of just material possessions, the Lancers were reminded how blessed they were to live in America, attend college and to be able to play their sports at a high level. El Arca students often shared how it was their dream to go on to play and study collegiately in America. "[My spiritual walk] grew because who am I to doubt the Lord when these people trust him and they have so little," Gortsema said. "I think a lot of times I forget my blessings and that reminded me how lucky I am." While the trip may be over, this group of 12 is not letting go of the Dominican Republic, Costanza or the bonds they formed there. Perhaps the most tangible thing they've returned with are stronger friendships. "I went in just seeing the other team members as acquaintances," Gortsema said. "It immediately bonded us, you can come back and try to explain what it was like and what you did, but no one understands unless they went. I have formed very strong friendships with everyone who went." Many members of the team have decided to sponsor a child through HFK International for $36 a month, helping pay for their schooling and food. Some have already written letters to some of the children they bonded with most at El Arca. And don't rule out another trip to Costanza for this group, either. "We are already planning and looking at dates where we could go back next year," Moorman said. "I don't think we were expecting to feel such a strong connection to Costanza — the kids there especially."