Initially, we were supposed to go to the women’s prison today, but as with the rest of life, things rarely ever go as planned. So instead, we all hiked the Andes Mountains, where Cassi and I were baptized! When we got to the natural pools, I waded into the cool water. As I did, thoughts rushed through my head and feelings through my heart.

When Coach Kelsey Fenix first mentioned the opportunity for people to be baptized in Colombia, I knew immediately this was something I wanted and needed to do. The timing, the location, but especially the people solidified my decision. I believe a massive part of the Christian walk is about being in community with others. Kelsey, Coach Jennifer Ludemann (Luda), and my teammates make up a community of believers that have and will continue to pour into my life.

I also thought about the faithfulness of God in my life. As I stood in the water with sand in my toes, I shared about my journey with Christ. I am incredibly blessed to be raised in a solid Christian home, but it has its challenges. As Luda shared in her testimony one night, I have been the prodigal son who leaves his father and looks for fulfillment in other places. Like our team leader, Mitch, shared in his testimony last night, I knew what it was like to isolate myself from community when I needed it the most.

But through it all, God has been faithful to me. He has been there waiting for me to run back to him every time I ran away. Meanwhile, he was also orchestrating and guiding my path so even when I did things my way; they always ended up getting me into just the place God had for me - e.g., playing soccer at Trevecca with an amazing coaching staff and teammates. The growth and opportunities can only be by the hand of God. I mean, who gets to be baptized in a river in the Andes Mountains and then sing Amazing Grace with their family in Christ? I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried.