October 16, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

CAYMAN ISLANDS -- Usually, a summertime trip to the Cayman Islands means vacation time, no responsibilities, and a time to just relax in the Caribbean. But for 11 members of the Maranatha Women’s Volleyball program, it meant hard work, ministry, and building relationships through volleyball.

Of course, the summertime sun and the local culture were an undeniable bonus, but the primary purpose of the trip was outreach. Coach Regina DeLozier took an overseas mission trip every four years while she coached at Maranatha, and after multiple trips overseas (including Germany and the South Pacific), it was time to take their volleyball lessons and leadership to the Caribbean.

In partnership with Global Encounters, the team spent almost a week on the island, partnering with the ministries at Calvary Baptist Church and working with the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation. The team ran clinics for teenage attendees, connecting with kids from Calvary, CIVF, and local communities. But volleyball wasn't the main goal. The team would take "Timeout Talks" midway through the clinics, where every team member shared their salvation testimony. At the end of the clinic, each camper was given a booklet with the written testimony along with a New Testament Bible.

"Students should go on trips because it forces you to focus on others," said Interim Head Coach Mattie Bumpus, who was one of the team members. "You are constantly looking for ways to help the group leader, the coordinator, and even your own teammates. You pray that God will give opportunities to start conversations with campers to hopefully share the gospel if not plant a seed."

"As we went into schools, had time-out talks in the middle of our volleyball session, and built relationships with parents and members of Calvary Baptist Church and Academy, I realized that we all need encouragement in our walk with Christ no matter the stage of life we are in. Some of us had similar testimonies [to the locals] that started conversations, some ladies in the church just wanted a hug, and others realized that the gospel can be shared through sports. The team came to the island, wanting to be a blessing to the Jeremiah’s ministry, but in return, they were just as much a blessing and encouragement to us."

To hear more about the trip, visit the posts below:

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Cayman Islands Mission Trip Team Members: Regina DeLozier (Lead), Liberty Bailey, Hannah Banks, Mattie Bumpus, Makaya Cooper, Arielle Henkel, Kiarra Henkel, Emily Johnson, Megan Miller, Marri Reid