COSTA MESA -- Over the summer, five Vanguard softball players felt a tug to join the Vanguard University mission trip to Northern Ireland that spent 11 days working to share the word of God through a local church in Londonderry, also known more simply as Derry. Ashley Fields, ChaCha Miranda, Adriana Portillo, Lilyana Roth, and Kamryn Walker joined nine other VU students and some accompanying faculty across the pond to the city in the northern part of Northern Ireland during the summer, and all had amazing experiences.  Here are the reflections from the VU softball players who made the trip.
 
 
What called you to this particular mission trip?
Portillo - I was really drawn to this trip because it included both the soccer ministry and kids week at the church, which are two things I was excited to be a part of. Some of the girls on the softball team had gone on this trip a few years before, and they absolutely loved it, so hearing their experiences encouraged me to sign up too.
 
Fields - I wanted a chance to serve with kids through sports, and Northern Ireland gave me that opportunity.

 
Roth - I was interested in this particular mission trip because there was a lot of work to be done involving kids, and they also had a soccer ministry that I was interested in. Also, I've had a couple of teammates that I've been on the trip, and I had heard amazing things about it! 
 
Walker - What called me to this particular mission trip was the Lord confirming a specific word to me that let me know He wanted me to take a step of faith and just GO in His name. During GEO week, I felt encouraged and emboldened to just give the Lord my yes on this trip, and He really showed up before, during, and after the trip in His great faithfulness.
 
 
 
Did you have any fears or worries before you left?
Portillo - Since I had gone on a mission trip the summer before, I didn't have many fears because I had a better idea of what to expect. The biggest struggle was the lie from the enemy that I wasn't equipped enough to do this. But I was reminded that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Realizing that those doubts were lies gave me confidence to trust Him.

Fields - I have been on a previous mission trip, so I wasn't that worried. I felt pretty prepared.

Roth - I didn't have too many fears or worries before the trip. The only thing I was thinking about a lot was how long the travel would be and how my body would react to being in a different country.

Walker - Before I left, I definitely had some doubts or worries about the idea of being in uncomfortable situations, but it was so awesome to see how, when you call on the Lord in those times and obey His callings, He will provide you with the confidence and peace you need to do His good work.
 
 
 
How was bonding with the rest of the team?
Portillo - Bonding with the team was so much fun! All of the girls on the trip were incredible, and we had the most amazing leaders. We loved getting ice cream, trying local coffee shops, shopping together, and just spending time with one another. Those little moments helped us build such meaningful friendships throughout the week.

Fields - I think we all bonded very quickly, and at the end of the two weeks it felt like a family and like I have known everyone for years. 

Roth - The team that I went with was so amazing, and I'm so glad that I got to work with them. Our whole team was a group of girls, so it was so nice to bond with them and get to know them! Especially because I would see them around school a lot, but obviously going to a different country and serving with them allowed me to get to know them on a deeper level and see them serve the Lord, which was so awesome. 

Walker - Bonding with my team was the best! We were able to serve together, grow deeper in faith, and make so many awesome memories, and I'm forever grateful! 
 
 
What did you do in Ireland, and what programs did you work with?
Portillo - We partnered with Coaching for Christ, a soccer ministry where we coached kids, built relationships with them, and shared the love of Jesus through soccer. We also served with Cornerstone Church during their Kids' Week, where we helped lead games, activities, crafts, and Bible lessons. It was such a fun week, and everything we did pointed the kids back to Christ. We also had the opportunity to participate in street evangelism through a ministry called Healing on the Streets, where we went into the city, offered to pray for people, and shared the love of Jesus with anyone who was willing to talk with us. It was a really meaningful experience to step out in faith and trust God to work through those conversations.
 
Miranda - We worked with a football camp called Coaching for Christ Program that allowed us to create a football environment that was centered around Jesus. Teaching them about the Bible from creation to Jesus saving us on the cross while also having the joy of playing football. Then we worked a Kids Camp with the local church of Cornerstone Community Church. We also got the chance to be involved with a street healing at the church does. 


 
 
What are some highlights from your experiences working these events? How did the Lord move during your time there?
Portillo - One of my favorite parts was seeing the joy the kids had for the Lord. Many of them already knew so much about the Bible and Jesus, and it was so encouraging to see their excitement and faith. It was also really impactful to realize that even though we were in a different country with a different culture, we were all worshiping and serving the same God. It was a beautiful reminder of how big His Kingdom is.

Fields - Seeing the pure joy and happiness from all the kids and seeing them really engage with the material and wanting to learn more about Jesus. 

Miranda - The Lord met me where I was, and to have a word be spoken by the head pastor of Cornerstone City Church hit me was something that I could never move past because I know that the Lord was so evidently speaking through pastor John. He revealed something in me that nobody would've known except for me; the story of Gideon and who Gideon was is who I saw myself as. The Lord did not see me as Gideon and spoke that very firmly through Pastor John.  He called me out of being a chameleon in different places that I went to, and instead, to walk places with the authority of Christ with me instead of being shy and not using the voice that the Lord gave me. I truly saw the Lord as El Roi, the God who sees me because He wanted to do something in me too.  The Lord not only worked through me, but did a very deep work within me that I don't think could've been brought to light unless I was in Northern Ireland. Being around the kids all day gave me a different perspective on how the Lord sees us and the different personalities that we have. We were able to see different parts of Derry, the history of the city, how deeply religion ran, and even with a divide between Catholics and Protestants, how it continues to be built every day. 
 
Roth - There were so many awesome experiences. For example, being able to worship God with our Irish brothers and sisters from across the country was such an amazing experience. It really opened my eyes to different types of people and cultures, and made me realize that we all serve and love the same God. It was also so fun and rewarding being able to work with the young kids throughout the week. The Lord definitely restored a servant heart in me and allowed me to see him with more joy and a more childlike faith! 

Walker - Something from my work there that stuck with me was seeing the childlike joy of the Lord in the kids we served and just being so refreshed and inspired by their first love, fire, and faith. Also, we had church (Sunday morning) and worship encounter nights (Sunday nights), and it was so cool to see the Lord move within my team and speak words and life into myself and them. I felt so amazed at the realization that we were Americans from Southern California, and we partnered with a team from Minnesota, and the church in Northern Ireland, and although there might be slight differences between us, we all look up, and we serve the same God who loves each and every one of us in this big, awesome world He created! 
 
 
 
What is a spiritual takeaway that you came home with?
Portillo - One of the biggest things I came home with is the reminder that God truly sees us. He sees us when we feel unnoticed, and He covers us with so much love, grace, and mercy. I was also reminded of the simple truth of the Gospel: that Jesus loves us so much that He came to die for us, and nothing can separate us from His love.  Sometimes the simplest truths are the ones we need to hear the most.  It was incredible to see the Lord working in the lives of the people in Derry, but He was also doing a lot in my own heart. Throughout the trip, the Lord spoke to me in such personal ways and reminded me of promises He had given me in years past. That time with Him was so refreshing and strengthened my faith. I'm grateful that while we went to serve others, God was also faithful to meet me exactly where I was.

Fields - A big spiritual takeaway that I came home with is that God will always make a way no matter what, and He has a plan for everyone's life.

Roth - Personally, a big spiritual takeaway that I came home with was putting others before myself and being able to serve people in any way that I can. Obviously, we have the most perfect example in Jesus of what it looks like to be a servant. So I feel like the Lord really opened my eyes to that and gave me new perspectives on how to advance the kingdom and demonstrate the love of Jesus!  

Walker - A big spiritual takeaway that I came home with was a newfound freedom in surrender, a renewed Spirit of childlike faith and joy, and just an appreciation for the Lord's creation and a loving perspective for His people. 
 
 
 
What was a fun thing that you got to do there outside of your service itinerary?
Portillo - One of my favorite things to do was sightseeing. I love being outdoors, so getting to see places like the Mussenden Temple, Grianan of Aileach, Giant's Causeway, and the beautiful beaches of Northern Ireland was incredible. God's creation is amazing, and it was so cool to experience it in a different part of the world.

Roth - I would definitely say one of my favorite fun things that we got to do was play paddle. It's a fun game that they like to play out there. That's kind of a mixture of tennis and paddleball! We played two nights in a row, and it was really fun and also a good workout! 

Walker - My favorite fun thing I got to do there was play paddleball!!! It was like pickleball but WAY better! You play on the same court, but there's glass walls all around so you play the ball off them, and it's so much fun and a good workout. I loved learning how to play, and I'm for sure going to try to start a league here.
 
 
 
Would you recommend going on a mission trip with VU?  
Portillo - I would totally recommend going on a mission trip with VU. It's such an incredible opportunity to serve the Lord in another country alongside amazing people. It was so encouraging to see how God works through our willingness to simply say "yes" and be available to Him.

Fields - Yes, I would recommend going on a VU mission trip 

Roth - I would 100% recommend going on a mission trip with Vanguard. It was such an amazing time and I learned so much, and also got to step outside my comfort zone!  

Walker - I would go on another mission trip in the future! I love being able to serve God's people, and it's also just so eye-opening and an opportunity to know the Lord's heart even deeper! 
 
 
Would you go on another mission trip in the future?
Portillo - Definitely! I would love to go on another mission trip, and I actually plan on going again next summer.

Fields - Yes I would.  I loved my time serving.

Roth - After going on this trip, I would definitely go on another trip in the future. I feel like the Lord teaches us so much through a simple yes and step of obedience. It's also just so amazing to meet new people and experience different parts of the world and see how God is moving! 
 
Walker - I would 10,000% recommend going on a mission trip with VU! It was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it's so cool to see how the Lord shows up every step of the way (providing funds, replacing doubt with confidence, working in you and through you). You also will have so much fun serving with your team, and it'll be so rewarding to see what one bold YES to the Lord can lead to for yourself and others. If you're considering it at all or feel the Lord tugging on your heart to go and serve, take that leap!