This week, USG’s Impact Trip in Israel began with a group of eleven of its members from across the sport industry. Over the course of the group's first week in the Holy Land, they have worked alongside a group of young children through sports camps. Thanks to Uncommon Sports Group’s generous donors, the group provided a local children’s day camp with sports equipment from soccer balls, to pinnies, to footballs and more! The group has provided coaching, mentorship, and friendship through the camps with the children. In this blog, we will continue with our interviews from the previous Israel blog post and share more responses from our attendees and staff!
Shanya Richburg- Outreach Specialist at the Trust (Powered by the NFLPA)
Question #3: What are some of the things that you are most excited about for this trip specifically?
Answer #3: Seeing the Jordan River! You can be so overwhelmed and excited about where you are that you can be overtaken by those emotions without resting in the experience and enjoying it. I hope that I can enjoy it and not be distracted!
Question #4: What are some of the fears and anxieties that you are experiencing?
Answer #4: There’s a lot going on in the world that can cause concern about safety, especially for a black woman going to Israel. I trust that the research that the USG team has done is good and that we will be safe, but during my mission trip to Kenya, people looked like me. In Israel, that will not be the same. That is one of the things that I have thought about and how I would deal with that. I’ve been praying through that as I’ve prepared.
Question #5: What are some of the ways that you hope to impact the children that you will work with during the sports camps?
Answer #5: I have a special place in my heart for children. I want them to feel comfortable and safe under our care, which will take vulnerability from us as attendees. I want them to experience genuine love from us as we interact with them.
Garrett Sons- the University of Oklahoma
Question #3: What are some of the things that you are most excited about for this trip specifically?
Answer #3: First off, the cultural aspect for me is really cool. I had family living in the Middle East when I was growing up, so I think being able to see some of that culture in person would be really cool. It will be cool to see the Holy Land in person. It will put everything in perspective from the standpoint of seeing these historical landmarks personally. You hear about places like Jerusalem, but it doesn’t quite feel real until you go.
Question #4: What are some of the fears and anxieties that you are experiencing?
Answer #4: I think this will definitely be a place that is religiously diverse. I don’t know what that will be like. That can be nerve-wracking because you have to be cautious in what you are doing not to offend anyone.
Question #5: What are some of the ways that you hope to impact the children that you will work with during the sports camps?
Answer #5: I’m going to go into this trip very relationship oriented. My last mission trip was more about experiencing the culture, but this time I plan on going on with a focus on building those relationships with the children and learning how to go about that properly.
Amanda Roth- Engagement Associate at Uncommon Sports Group
Question #3: What are some of the things that you are most excited about for this trip specifically?
Answer #3: I think it is always exciting to meet new people. Usually, that is the best part of anytime you travel. You usually meet someone that you connect with well, which I love. I also love traveling with a team because you bond in different ways because you spend so much time together. Building relationships within our own team is exciting because that’s what I value a lot.
Question #4: What are some of the fears and anxieties that you are experiencing?
Answer #4: Anytime you’re traveling, there is always the unknown because you haven’t been to that place before. There can be anxieties about things you don’t know, but it can open up a space to trust what you are doing. I think anytime that you go on a trip, you have expectations that are natural in your mind, but you get to the place and realize that things are much different, which can be a challenge. Sometimes things can come up where you will need to adjust based on your expectations and reality.
Question #5: What are some of the ways that you hope to impact the children that you will work with during the sports camps?
Answer #5: I would like to walk alongside the children in things that they enjoy doing, which in this case will be sports. So, being a part of that will be really cool!
Mikey Carpenter- Senior Engagement Associate at Uncommon Sports Group
Question #3: What are some of the things that you are most excited about for this trip specifically?
Answer #3: Having been on so many international trips, it’s always having the opportunity to connect and do life with a different group of people, some that I know very well and some that I don’t know super well. A lot of these USG members have only done a couple of events with us, and we as a staff have not had extended time with them, so this is an opportunity to do that. I’m looking forward to encouraging this group amidst the ups and downs that these trips can often bring. Really growing in community is a blessing of USG, and my hope is that after this trip our group is really unified. I’m excited about the Holy Land sightseeing as well!
Question #4: What are some of the fears and anxieties that you are experiencing?
Answer #4: Nothing too significant, having been on this trip before. I feel that I have a good idea and gauge of what to expect. I would say it’s a little different with the tensions in Israel right now, but nothing I’m really fearful about. I would say for the crew, I’m anxious about losing bags because last trip, we had some individuals lose their bags. We’ll have to roll with the punches and go with the flow, but it will all work out. I think this will be a transformative experience that they will always come back to for the rest of their lives. Some people will be nervous about the food, but I love hummus and pita. I could eat that all day, so I’m excited about that. It’s funny, I’m not really anxious or fearful, and it’s really a special place to be.
Question #5: What are some of the ways that you hope to impact the children that you will work with during the sports camps?
Answer #5: With the camps, we have an opportunity to show love to the kids in how we treat them and come alongside them in the opportunities that we will have!
Follow along on our blog and social media to see what our group is up to in the Holy Land!
If you’re unfamiliar with Uncommon Sports Group, get connected through the form on our home page or check out the Uncommon Podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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