ST. PAUL, Minn. --- The University of Northwestern volleyball team recently returned from a week and a half in Spain, spreading the gospel truth and love of Jesus Christ. Traveling with Sports Ambassadors, an organization based in the US, the Eagles partnered with Upgrade Sports, in Barcelona, to serve and play volleyball in the area.
 
Their primary focus was to utilize the opportunities and relationships they built through playing beach volleyball to in turn share about Jesus. There were many conversations that went on between athletes and people they met on the beach. Many of the people had never heard the gospel or been in a church. The staff with Upgrade Sports are passionate about bringing Jesus to the people, and were eager to include and educate the team as they spent time there.
 
The Eagles played in four different types of tournaments. An indoor tournament, a women's tournament (being paired with another girl), a mixed tournament (being paired with a guy), and an individual tournament (playing each match with a new partner). Although the climate was much different, the team enjoyed time playing the sport they love, while focusing on their ultimate goal of glorifying God through all they do and Competing with Purpose.
 
Daily schedules looked similar each day and went as follows:
10:00 a.m. wake-up and team Bible Study
1:00 p.m. lunch somewhere en route to the beach
3:00 p.m. set up nets on the beach & play until it was dark
11:00 p.m. dinner
 
With time to reflect on the back end, multiple girls shared how the trip impacted their heart for missions and the experience of being immersed in a new culture.
 
"I can bring God's love and joy to people just by the way I act and talk." – Sydney Schwitters (Clara City, Minn./MACCRAY)
 
"Lucy and I had the opportunity to play and share with two guys who had never heard the gospel before. It was very humbling to realize that there are people in the world who have never heard about Jesus." – Hope Kapelke (Ft. Atkinson, Wisc./Ft. Atkinson)
 
"This was my first time sharing my testimony and my first time directly sharing Jesus with an unbeliever. It gives me confidence to do it going forward." –Anna Gasch (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock)
 
"We were so blessed by the missionary staff and volunteers who served us on our trip. We saw God work both in us and through us while we were in Barcelona. It was eye opening to see how the local church there is sharing Christ in a post-modern culture. The heart to bring Jesus to the people and meet them where they are closely aligns with the mission of our own program. It was a great blessing to be able to use our gifts as a volleyball team to make an eternal impact." – Head Coach Beth Wilmeth
 
The team returned with some time to rest up before the 2019 season begins. The Eagles will kick off 2019 action inside the Ericksen Center on Friday, August 30, as they host the two-day Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational. For more information, fans should visit www.unweagles.com and follow @unwvb on Twitter and Instagram.