August 14, 2024
Formation: Women's Basketball Recaps Mission to Puerto Rico
AGUADA, PR. --- This past summer part of the Asbury women's basketball team traveled to Puerto Rico to serve with head coach Chad Mayes and the LYNC8 Project.
Hear what student-athletes Morgan Flannery, Juleigh Anne Tucker, and Camryn Poole had to write about their experiences in mission!
Morgan Flannery | Women's Basketball Junior | Psychology Major
It would be impossible to list all the blessings we experienced in a short reflection. God impacted me and my team in so many indescribable ways. Traveling this far from home and stepping into a different culture was entirely out of my comfort zone as I'm sure it was for most of us. God used my fears and doubts as building blocks in my relationship with Him. I was able to grow substantially in trusting and allowing Him full control over my life. I was also able to witness our team surrender and fully obey Him during that week.
Romans 12:2 was our focus for the week. We were challenged to Be Different, Be Excellent, Be Bold, and to Be Focused. God used this to greatly inspire and lead our team in this ministry. Our team fully stepped into these callings and was a light for the community. They were focused on God, leading for Him, and serving with a humble heart. Witnessing the interactions through the basketball camps we were a part of and the hard work poured into painting the school was a testament and a great example to how Jesus calls us to be servant leaders.We prayerfully let Him lead our words and actions so that we could demonstrate His unmatched love by truly being the hands and feet of Jesus. God used our nightly devotions and reflections to allow vulnerability with each other as a team. We were able to pour into each other as God filled our hearts and souls so that we could in turn minister to this amazing community in a unique way.
In Puerto Rico I experienced hospitality and love like nowhere else. The gratitude we were met with was such a blessing in itself. I wasn't expecting to be so warmly welcomed, but it was so encouraging and confirming that what we were doing was a blessing to so many. For instance, we were able to help paint certain rooms in a school and some of the cafeteria workers fixed us lunch that day. I had thought that we were just going to be giving back to the community, but they were giving back to us in more ways I imagined. The excitement and kindness of the kids we worked with during the camps humbly reminded me to thank God for every blessing and opportunities He has granted me.
This experience was nothing short of life changing and amazing. I'm thankful I was able to be a part of this journey to spread the good news, grow in my relationship with God and with my team. Reflecting on this trip I am filled with love, thanks, and joy. 
Juleigh Anne Tucker | Women's Basketball Sophomore | Biology Major
My experience in Puerto Rico was truly a life-shaping one; even though I only had the opportunity to serve for a short time, I will never forget how both my perspective and relationships have been positively impacted. Throughout this trip, I served with my teammates and coaches, which allowed me to cultivate my relationships with them beyond basketball. This aspect alone gave me a greater appreciation for the ability to be surrounded by such servant-hearted Christians! Watching God shape my life as well as my best friends was such an unforgettable experience; therefore, I believe missions and college athletics go hand in hand. Being able to watch my coaches and teammates use their individual God-given talents to serve others was beautiful, and it allowed me to create memories and friendships that will last much longer than any collegiate athletics career.
While in Puerto Rico, we were challenged with the verse Romas 12:2, which states, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." This verse was paired with four statements that challenged my team to "Be Different," "Embrace Excellence," "Be Bold," and finally, "Stay Focused." Throughout this week, I was significantly impacted by this verse and its statements, and they have continued to challenge me in my daily walk with Christ!
Camryn Poole | Women's Basketball Sophomore | Excercise Science Major
This past summer I went on a mission trip to Puerto Rico with the women's basketball team and the Lync8 program. Since returning to Kentucky, I've had time to reflect on my unforgettable experience.
When I reflect on my week in Puerto Rico, I am overwhelmed by all the ways that God worked in my heart and my entire team. We had the opportunity to attend an amazing church, La Vina de
Mayaguez, where every member was so welcoming and made us feel at home. You could feel God's goodness flow throughout the church during the service.
We had the opportunity to organize basketball camps for hundreds of kids from ages 5-17. What comes with working with so many kids is hearing different stories and seeing each kid's various backgrounds. Every kid was unique in their own way, but the similarity between them was the lively and joyful attitude they brought to every camp. The camps led us to create strong connections with the kids, where we could teach them God's love and goodness. God flowed through the kids into us, and it was definitely an eye-opening experience, and it has changed my perspective on life. I've learned from this journey how fortunate we are and the importance of surrounding ourselves with faithful, Jesus-loving individuals with whom we can spread God's glory. My faith has grown significantly since I returned from Puerto Rico, and I'm so grateful to have shared this experience with my basketball sisters and the LYNC8 program.
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