Lipscomb University is a faith-based, liberal arts college located in Nashville, Tennessee and its softball team is a DI program that competes in the ASUN Conference.
Off the field, the Bisons team did something wonderful over the past couple of weeks that will be memories that those involved will never forget.
The players on the team worked with Baja Missions in Mexico from Saturday, July 29th to Saturday, August 5th to make a difference in the lives of many.
The first mission trip served by the school’s players took place in 2015 and it’s been an impactful experience for those involved since then as they have been able to serve others while strengthening their Christian-based faith and testimonies.
With the permission of the softball program, we’re running the player journals for each of the seven days the team was there, as we get a wonderful inside look at how these young athletes touched the lives of others and, themselves, were blessed by the loving service they provided.
— Brentt Eads/Extra Inning Softball
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Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 1 – A Joyful Beginning (July 30, 2023)
Written by senior outfielder Presley Leebrick
Hello everyone! Reporting to you safe and sound from our hotel in Baja, Mexico. Today was a whirlwind from waking up at 4:45 a.m. and catching a four-hour flight to San Diego, to driving across the border and experiencing all the excitement that comes with being in a different country for the first for me!
It was a long day filled with very long van rides piled up together, but the way the Lord’s work and provision was so evident is making me so giddy with excitement for what the rest of the trip has in store!
Upon our arrival in Colonet, we received the sweetest greeting at the church and were fed the most delicious meal of homemade fish tacos. Though there is a language barrier, there was nothing hiding the joy that is so evident in our gracious hosts here in Colonet.
Our guide Pilar has been incredible with us all day, from taking us on the biggest shopping trip of our lives at Costco to putting up with our songs and games for 3 hours straight in the packed van.
Some of the circumstances today could be considered as not ideal, but the way the girls on this trip have embraced everything thrown at them and taken it all on with a smile has been so sweet to witness.
The Lord is moving in big ways down here in Baja and the fact that we all can feel it after just one day that mostly contained travel is a major testament to His goodness and grace. Praise Him for all His provision, but mostly for getting us here safely with a smile on our faces!!
We are so excited for the upcoming week and appreciate all the prayers that have been sent our way- we feel each and every one of them. This trip alone is a major answered prayer for every single one of us here. Keep praying, the Lord is just getting started down here!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 2 – A Community of Love (July 31, 2023)
Written by junior outfielder Joie Giarrizzo
Today was a day of worshiping the Lord. We started by attending church with a small and intimate community that welcomed us with open arms. Experiencing a church service in a language I don’t fully understand was definitely different, but it reminded me that simply acknowledging the presence of God is all that matters.
After the service, we served and ate lunch, played with the kids, and watched a local baseball game that was going on. Playing games with the children is so life-giving because their creativity and comfortability is incredibly evident.
In late afternoon, we attended a different local church to listen to a service, watch a movie, and eat dinner that started and ended with intense soccer games. Competition was high and many belly laughs were had as we ran up and down the field.
Reflecting on the day, it was beautiful to experience a community welcome us with such open arms, and to see the goodness and provision of the Lord. The love of Jesus clearly flowed through every person we encountered. It was a great day that ended with empty tanks and full hearts.
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 3- Painting With Love (Aug. 1, 2023)
Written by senior outfielder/infielder Maci CunconanÂ
Hola! The team definitely finished on empty today. We started the morning with a short devotional before heading over to the church in Diaz Ordaz. We filled our bellies with the most delicious breakfast burritos and piled into the van to a local church member’s home.
When we got to the home we were greeted by the sweetest family of four. We spent hours painting, singing, talking and of course, playing soccer! I’m so thankful that the Lord allowed us to quite literally be His hands and feet today through painting — what a unique way to give him our praise.
Everyone worked so hard and diligently. A moment that I will never forget was seeing the pastor of the local church right there with us laying concrete. He shared that the offering from Sunday’s service was enough to purchase the concrete for the family!
After painting we returned to the church. We enjoyed another meal together while we waited for the kiddos to arrive. Once they did, we organized a big game of kickball. The kids met us with so much joy despite having no idea how to play. That made it an even sweeter depiction of what life should look like — not worrying as much about what we are doing, but rather who we are doing it with.
After kickball, we made crafts with the children. They got to paint, color, make bracelets and run around even more. The kids seemed to LOVE this time! How special that we got to witness their unique gifts  of creativity!
For dinner, we headed back to the local church in Colonet. We were served another amazing meal. It was just our group, so it ended up being a restful time where we lingered around the table a little longer and learned more about one another. Our night ended with soccer, ice cream and time in community where we reflected on the day.
God’s power is surely at work within each one of us and to Him be all the glory! We thank Him for all He has already done and ask that you would continue to pray for Him to move in mighty ways here in Baja!!!
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 4- God Is Everywhere (Aug. 2, 2023)
Written by sophomore catcher/infielder Avery CoxÂ
From the children we play with, to the houses we paint, evidence of His provision and grace are evident everywhere we look. It’s impossible to be here and NOT see what we take for granted in our everyday lives back home.
We started the day with eating breakfast at the church in Diaz Ordaz and then went to paint at another house. We painted it blue with white stars on the front of the house because obviously the kids specially requested it.
Afterwards we came back to the hotel for lunch/ a quick siesta and then took off again for Diaz Ordaz for the second day of vacation Bible school. We ended up playing soccer again today but inside because it was too hot outside and then did some more crafts with the kids.
After VBS, Pilar surprised us with a visit to a gas station which she says has the best burritos in Mexico, so we HAD to try them and safe to say she was right. She had another surprise for us, and we went to the beach for a little bit before dinner.
Afterwards we went to Colonet for dinner. Unfortunately, there wasn’t many kids tonight, so we played TIPS with each other and the one little girl that was there. We ended the night with getting coffee at the local pizza spot.
We all agreed today was one of our favorite days. It was a day full of non-stop giggling and smiling. The people here are so loving and welcome us with open arms anytime we come to paint or play with their kids. They’re always willing to share what little they have with us even though they have no idea who we are.
I’m grateful for the simplicity of this week and the space we’ve been given to let go of our plans to allow God to lead us where He needs us. We usually don’t know what we’re doing until we arrive at the place.  I pray we don’t ever forget His goodness and faithfulness during our hectic lives back home.
Thank you for following along our trip this week and praying for us! It doesn’t go unnoticed, and we can feel the spirit of the Lord with us.
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 5 – God of Purpose (Aug. 3, 2023)
Written by senior infielder Elise Shewmaker
Today was a day I truly never want to forget. It was filled with smiles, laughter, and community. Our day started off with breakfast and a devotion before heading to Colonet where we were going to paint at the church, but we decided to walk to a local coffee shop before we started.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a man named Eduardo. He brought us incredible snacks and made us amazing coffee. He made us feel right at home. We spent time singing, laughing, and getting to know each other even more.
Afterwards, we walked back to the church where we began painting and then had a small break to eat lunch before we began playing with more kids. We played lots of soccer and made crafts. The joy on everyone’s faces was amazing. Our friends in Mexico appreciate the little details in everything they do.
Then for dinner, we were made another incredible home cooked meal at the church. For a while we sat and just enjoyed a quiet evening but then it quickly turned into playing more games with lots of laughs.
Our day ended with an amazing night of fellowship at the hotel. God truly knew what he was doing when he brought each and every one of us here together.
Thank you for following along and please continue to pray for us!
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 6 – Lives Changed Forever (Aug. 4, 2023)
Written by freshman pitcher/infielder Macey OgleÂ
To experience the joy of the Lord like we all have today is something you can’t even put into words.
We started our morning off sitting in the presence of God outside the hotel taking in all of His creation. Soon after we began home visits to the lovely ladies that have been the hands of Jesus this week cooking us lovely dinners.
At the first house, we were able to purchase art that her and her husband hand make. It was all so beautiful! Something I will never forget is when she told us our purchases now allows her to pay her sons rent at the university!
For lunch we were invited back to Diaz Ordaz for a wonderful lobster and potato lunch whereafter we returned to Colonet for day 2 of VBS! When the kids arrived, the joy and excitement on their faces was inspiring. They came running out of the van ready to play soccer, climb trees, and whatever else we had planned. The crafts were always a hit!
A constant in our days here in Mexico has been coffee, frappes specifically! This afternoon the pastor’s wife took us to one of her friend’s coffee shops for a pre-beach pick me up. The girl running the shop had so much passion for her work that it didn’t even seem like work. Serving others through her gift of creativity was so apparent as to what the Lord has called her to do.
Last stop of the day was la playa!! The road getting there might’ve been a little bumpy (to say the least) but after arrival that went completely out of the window. It was like a little glimpse of heaven on earth! We celebrated 5 baptisms: Avery, Tori, Presley R., Joie, and our new sister Angela. The only way to describe this evening is God! Diving in freezing cold water, experiencing beach baptisms, eating way too many burritos, and singing and jumping in worship are just a few things that made tonight so good. It truly was the joy of the Lord at work.
The day ended back at the hotel where we laughed, cried, talked, prayed and reflected.
Today felt like 5 days in one in the absolute best way possible. It might’ve topped Tuesday and became our favorite day out of the week! It has been so special to experience the love of God through the community here in Baja this week and watch them welcome us in with open arms. The Lord has definitely outdone Himself!
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day 7 – Never Forget (Aug. 5, 2023)
Written by freshman outfielder/infielder Kaylyn BelfieldÂ
Let me just start by saying WOW!!! This week has been electric and so amazing!!
This morning we all got up at 5:30am to watch the sunrise and as I was sitting there around 5:46am waiting I could just feel the power of Jesus through all of us. I felt like we were more united because of it.
Something about being in nature and being around God’s creation really just connects me to Him more than anything. After, we all came back to our rooms to sleep for a good 2-3 hours, it was great!
We got our breakfast at the hotel and went to Colonet to say our goodbyes and drop off our final clothes to donate. It was a bittersweet moment for all of us. We prayed over the pastor and his wife that they can continue to impact the lives in their communities. We exchanged social media handles so we could stay in touch.
Then we headed our way to Ensenada! The ride was really fun, filled with card games, naps, and of course, music! We were able to look back onto our time with photos that we shared of great memories that will be with us for a lifetime!
Once we got to our hotel in Ensenada we were unable to check into our rooms so we went to this AMAZING Italian restaurant called Restaurante La Forchetta! It was so good!! It was so good that it was putting us into a sleep coma so we fixed that with some coffee!
Then we decided to fill the afternoon with shopping and walking around the local shops for some chanclas (sandals)! It was such a fun time and we were able to buy gifts for our family, friends, and of course ourselves for when we get home! We then finally got to check into our hotel rooms and walk around a bit more exploring the pier!
There was so much music and excitement going on! There was even a singing competition going on! We closed the amazing night at an authentic Mexican restaurant with salsas of different spicy levels and wonderful music!
For sure this week is one to remember and I hope I can never forget the wonderful memories I’ve made with such a great group of girls and leaders! Thank you all who have been keeping up with us and praying for us! We love you all!!
*****
Baja Softball Mission Trip Day Recap (Aug. 8, 2023)
Written by Presley Leebrick
Hello everyone! We have all made it home safely to Nashville and have had some time to reflect on our experience in Baja this past week.
When I think back on the week, my mind keeps returning to this feeling of amazement at how powerful God’s love for us is and the beauty that comes from His love for us. I mean this entire trip was made possible by God’s love for us! Through His love comes courage, provision, and FREEDOM.
This week we all experienced a freedom that doesn’t exist without the Lord. Every girl on the trip had a different story about how they got there and how they felt called to join. Some knew all along that they wanted to come, some took longer to make the decision, but through it all what stands out is how perfect God’s timing is.
Our eyes were opened and our hearts were changed through the work being done in Baja and the fact that we all got an opportunity to use our individual gifts to be a part of God’s handiwork there.
Speaking of our individual gifts, before I talk about how I saw the Lord moving through the girls’ gifts, I want to talk about how well the people we were serving there used their gifts from the Lord to serve us. I think going into the trip one thing I was a bit worried about was how we were going to be able to pour everything we have into these people if we are not getting poured into ourselves.
Looking back now I feel so crazy for thinking that because, boy, was I wrong. I feel like my cup is overflowing because of the way the people in Baja loved us so well. They used their gift of hospitality to do so. I think I have always lived in the misconception that you have to possess nice things or have a lot to offer when being hospitable, but our friends in Baja proved me very wrong.
They didn’t have much, but they showed us love and kindness through the way they served us and took care of us. They prepared meals for us, encouraged us, asked how they could be praying for us, and simply thanked us for being there and giving up other things we could have been doing to be there with them.
The way they held themselves with positivity and did everything out of love was so encouraging and inspiring for each of us because it screamed of their faith in the Lord and how much they love Him and His people. The hospitality they showed has changed my view on it and showed me that you don’t have to have much to love others the way God has called us to.
There is something so beautiful about the fact that we serve a God that gives us each different talents, passions, and abilities to use to bring His Kingdom glory. It was such a blessing to get to see girls I love the most use their gifts to show their love for Christ.
Through the way Tori Womack and Avery Cox can make absolutely anybody belly laugh on demand, even if they aren’t speaking the same language and the way Macey Ogle seems to connect with babies and small children and bring them comfort and a sweet smile on their faces just scream of God’s handiwork in their lives.
The fact that nine college girls were all brought together with unique talents and gifts and are all using them to bring people to the Lord is so beautiful and can only be explained by the Lord’s intentionality in creating each of us. God was moving in the way Joie Giarrizzo and Elise Shewmaker are so bold in their faith and each have a passion for leading conversations about the Lord when others are feeling a bit timid about speaking up.
God was evident in the way that Kaylyn Belfield has the most happy-go-lucky personality and takes on anything thrown at her with a smile on her face- even sitting in the very back seat of the van for an entire week.
He was shining through the way He created Maci Cunconan to have the sweetest perseverance when she was sick and not feeling her best but still tagged along and contributed with her great attitude.
God gave Presley Rader a competitive spirit that brings people together to play games that ultimately allow her to show her love for Christ once she joins everyone together in a game of TIPS or futbol.
He gave Spencer Barnabee, Jenna Renz, and Noah Renz the gift and ability to speak truth and life into each of us and lead us so gracefully all week.
He gave our guides Pilar and Panfilo the ability to speak both English and Spanish and work as a translator for us to be able to communicate and pray over people.
Something I don’t want to overlook is the amazing gift it was that Presley Rader, Avery Cox, Tori Womack, and Joie Giarrizzo all decided to be bold in their faith and say “yes” to a life with the Lord. That was the biggest decision they will ever make, so the way the Lord worked in each of them that week through their gifts to lead them to make that decision is such an amazing testament to His provision for each of us.
What is so special about these gifts is they are so often overlooked, but they were given to each of these girls with God’s careful hand and intentionality so that they will be used to bring His Kingdom glory and honor. I believe that happened this week in Baja.
As a believer, something that is so beautiful that comes with our walk with the Lord is the fact that we have this unique honor that we are chosen as both a recipient and instrument in God’s redemptive plan for our lives.
This week was an amazing example of how we were there specifically to be God’s instruments in His work down there, but what is so cool is that our work is not done now that we are all back home. Since we have been bought with the blood of Jesus, our lives no longer belong to us.
Our life is ministry, so every single thing we do, even the most mundane parts of our life, are done with a ministry mentality. It means that no matter the location that we are in, we can always think about how to be a part of what God is doing there. That was easy to do when we were in Baja because we were so present in every moment and were placed in a mission field to do His Kingdom work, but I think God’s real plan for us moving forward is to keep that ministry mindset in our daily lives.
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
I think that perfectly speaks to how we are called to live whether we are on a mission trip or living our daily lives- when you are living with a ministry mindset, Christ is living through you. It is such an honor that we serve a God that offers us the opportunity to be a part of His mission no matter where we are.
We get to be His hands and feet on earth to both receive His redeeming love and be an instrument for Him to bring others with us on our walks with Him! Praise Him for that blessing!
So with all of that, I want to thank each and every person that prayed for us and for our trip. The Lord was so gracious in the way that He answered those prayers! Now that we have experienced the power of prayer and the way the Lord provides for His people, I think it would be so amazing if those prayers didn’t stop.
What if we all kept praying for our new family in Baja?
I have always known the power of prayer, but this week I felt that power on a new level in everything we did. I want the people we were serving to feel that too and continue being blessed by our prayers over them. We are no longer there in person to serve and love them, but what is so amazing about our God is the fact that He continues answering prayers- so the work is not finished! May we all continue to send our love and prayers to our family in Baja, Mexico.
What a blessing it is to leave an exhausting trip with an overflowing heart… and new sisters in Christ!!
All of Heaven is rejoicing, and so are we.
*****
PHOTO GALLERY
More pics courtesy of players Kaylyn Belfield and Presley Leebrick
