Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help develop them in their walks with Christ.
In June of 2024, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of nine of its members and two staff for an eleven-day short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here.
Natalie Osborne was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Natalie is a USG member and a recent graduate from Grand Canyon University. Natalie aspires to work in sports psychology and is currently working to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University. Below is a testimony from Natalie reflecting on her experience in Kenya:
"I went on this mission trip to Kenya without many expectations, as it was my first mission trip ever. I was expectant for how the Lord would work through our team, partners, and the people we served. However, I never could have imagined the impact this trip would have on my spiritual life.
When I witnessed people without many of their basic needs being met still worshiping the same God I serve, it changed my perspective. I can no longer sit in comfort daily without feeling called to be bold and share my faith with those around me. I pray that the kids we served were blessed by the time we spent loving on them and that the coaches took away something valuable from the clinic we hosted.
However, I am also so grateful for the Bible studies and conversations with our team that challenged me to take action in my faith upon coming back to our country and communities. My biggest takeaway from this trip was that we have a responsibility as followers of Christ to serve the less fortunate and pray for the lost.
One memory I will have for the rest of my life was during our outreach in the community around Huduma Church. I was incredibly nervous, as many others on our team expressed, and didn't know how I was going to verbalize the Gospel for people who speak a different language and experience a completely different culture. In every conversation, the Holy Spirit took over and provided me with the words so that it was not by my strength but by His that these people got to hear about our God. I remember the last woman my group got to talk to before we left to meet up with the large group again. Our pastor asked her some difficult questions about salvation and life after death, and I saw a look of fear on her face. She genuinely knew nothing about Jesus, and after we got to share of the hope we have in Him, her entire expression changed to reflect hope and a hunger for more of the Gospel. I learned that even a small conversation can change someone's life, and if we are obedient to what the Lord is asking us to do, He will carry out those moments for His glory.
We don't have to go to another country to speak to strangers, pray for the lost, and serve others well. While I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity (and would recommend it to anyone) I am also grateful to have a community in USG that is encouraging me beyond our trip to be a light in the spaces I am now."
Seeing the impact that the Lord brought about from this trip, both on Natalie's life and on the individuals we served in Kenya, has been such an encouragement! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Lord in Kenya with this group of future Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry.
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