Player Teaches Coach Jess a Lesson

The day had arrived. Every year, there is a big 3on3 beach volleyball tournament in my small town in the Dominican Republic. Even some Dominican National players came in for this event.  I went into the tournament pretty confident as I had joined two other players who had been previously successful in this tournament in years past.  After making in through pool play and losing in the semi-finals, we were faced to fight for third place against a team that was composed of two of my previous players and my co-site leader Chelsie.  We had beat this team twice in the tournament already so we thought this would be an easy win.  Coach vs. player.  Unfortunately, our team just couldn’t build enough momentum.  With the support of the entire crowd, team “Jarabacoa City” rallied together and ended up beating us!

Now, I a pretty competitive person. After our tough loss, I stayed down by the river for a while to cool down.  I honestly did not want to face any of my players!  So finally, when I pulled myself together, I walked back to the crowd to congratulate the girls.  I feel like any normal teenager (or at least myself when I was a teenager) would take advantage of this opportunity to gloat a bit in their coaches face.  I braced myself for the taunting as I walked up to them.  To my surprise the girls just hugged me and said, “Coach, you know we won because of all that you’ve taught us.”  As I tearfully write this, I feel so humbled to have the opportunity to work with these girls. When I think I am teaching them things, God uses them to teach me.  So that was the day that I will always remember that my players became my coach.

Enjoy the pics from the game!

Our team (pink) vs. Team Jarabacoa City

Prayer Requests

·      Continued support for college girls

·      Help new set of girls who are graduating from high school make plans for college.  This group of girls have dreamed even beyond the DR and want to even study in other countries. 

·      Potentially planning a trip to the States with the new group of varsity girls.

·      Pray for me as I continue to do ministry and get married in August!