SportsPower International Missions | Dominican Republic

My husband, Jimmy, and I had the opportunity to be a part of the SportsPower International team and go to the Dominican Republic with them in August. SPI takes former NBA players to countries all over the world to play their local teams and to teach the children basketball skills. During the halftime of these games, they get to share the gospel even in countries that don't allow the mention of God. During this particular trip, we got to witness the ministry up close and capture the special moments. What really stood out to me the most was the emphasis on the impact these NBA players have on the young children. They look up to the players because it gives them a hope that they can also do big things and their life matters. When they realize this, it saves them from things like drugs and poverty. It's a great opportunity to not only take the NBA players there to show examples of what hard work means, but to also present the love of Jesus to them so that they can know their worth is far deeper than success.

We had two games, visited two orphanages and held three clinics throughout the trip. For those who don't know, clinics are where the players interact with the children and teach them basketball skills. I love everything about basketball and used to play as a point guard so those games were amazing to watch! The crowds were full of energy and they loved the slam dunks the most. But my favorite part of it all was watching the children at the orphanages and clinics. At the orphanages, the children were in tune and taking in every single detail from Champions Forever spinning the balls in every imaginable way to hearing about Jesus. They were eager and ready for it all! And the children at the clinics were itching to join in and meet the players. They even had a blast when they were told to do pushups! Can you say that for yourself? I know I can't.

It's trips and ministries like these that really put life into perspective. Our heart behind these photos and Jimmy's video is to share that perspective with you. It does far more for us to show you than to just tell you about the amazing things that SPI is doing and we hope that you'd consider supporting them in this ministry.

Be sure to check out Jimmy's video of the trip as well! To learn more about SPI and their ministry, you can go to sportspower.org

Thank you to Bill & Valerie for having us on this trip and to Brandon & Imon for connecting us with this ministry!