The Southern Wesleyan University Volleyball team departed the United States for Costa Rica on Tuesday, August 5. After eight days, each person that traveled found it to be an experience that he or she will never forget.
Partnering with Score International, out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Warriors traded in their normal routine of double sessions for rice and beans. The team landed in the capital city of San Jose, eager to see what the upcoming week had in store. The plans for the trip included seven different ministry projects, four evenings of volleyball against local teams from Costa Rica, lots of sightseeing and shopping, and a very unique excursion. Highlights from the trip include:
Ministry Projects: The Warriors hosted two volleyball clinics, passed out tracts to people on the busy streets of San Jose, visited an orphanage, participated in a Vacation Bible School, distributed food to homes, and helped clean a building on Score International's new property. At the end of each of the two clinics, some of the Warriors shared a brief testimony with the young people and then one of the representatives shared about Jesus Christ for a few minutes. At the first clinic, which had over 40 in attendance, approximately half of the young people indicated that they wanted Jesus to forgive them of their sins. Prior to the Vacation Bible School, the team went to several poverty-stricken houses, inviting the children to come to VBS. It was definitely an eye opening experience for each member of the group.
Volleyball: After arriving in Costa Rica on Tuesday, the Warriors played volleyball for four consecutive evenings, beginning on Wednesday. For only having two practices prior to leaving on the trip, the Warriors played very well. The record for the week was 4-0-1 with the Warriors winning 12 out of the 16 sets they played. They won matches by scores of 3-1, 3-0, 2-0, and 2-1. The tie came on Thursday night when the score was tied 2-2 and a fifth set could not be played as another group needed to use the gym. Playing in the gyms of Costa Rica was much different from what the team is used to in the United States. Three of the four gyms had cement floors and one gym only had three walls so you could clearly hear the loud horns of trains passing by the gym.
Zip line: The team hiked up a mountain and then rode a series of five zip lines back down the mountain. Everyone who went absolutely loved it. Those who went described the experience using words like "amazing and breathtaking." Michelle Hayes, a senior from Pickens, S.C., used the native Spanish language to describe her zip line experience, saying it was "muy, muy bien", which translated in English means "very, very good."
In addition to all of the above activities, the team was able to spend time shopping in several souvenir stores and a local mall. The group also traveled to a beautiful scenic overlook, prior to visiting the orphanage.
"I am so proud of my team for how they handled what was an incredibly busy and intense week of ministry and volleyball," said head coach Derek Schmitt. "The days were extremely long and tiring, but every day, they met each challenge enthusiastically. Not only were we able to minister to the people of Costa Rica, but the people of Costa Rica definitely ministered to all of us."
The Warriors have returned to their normal pre-season routine and will host Anderson University for a scrimmage next Friday, August 22, at 7 p.m. The following Wednesday at 7 p.m., SWU will open the 2008 campaign on the road at Montreat College. Then, following their home opening match against Reinhardt College on Thursday, September 11, the Warriors will share about their experience in Costa Rica with all of those in attendance. You can follow the events of the Warriors 2008 season at www.swuathletics.com.