Sports Performance Team Greeted by Volcano and Tropical Storm in Guatemala

The team of sports medicine and strength and conditioning professionals got off the plane in Guatemala City to be welcomed by the eruption of the Pacaya volcano. Ashes layered the city, cancelled the Sports Medicine Congress and their ministry plans.

The devastation did not end there, however. Tropical storm Agatha brought torrential rains the next three days causing road closings, mudslides, and the closing of the airport and all government buildings. In the wake of this disaster, the team began to ask, “God what is it You want us to do here?”

“Plan B” began to take shape. The number one sports radio station in the country invited a local AIA staff member, Cristobal, along with Dr. Luck, a doctor on the trip, to talk about the team and the AIA purpose in Guatemala.

The team also went to work. They cleaned up volcanic ash and found new opportunities to use their expertise in the community. They conducted a clinic at the World Gym, teaching speed and workout routines to the personal trainers and then talked about their faith.

Another opportunity opened up for them to conduct assemblies for athletes at SiDeporte, a sports academy run by the Sports Confederation. There, the trainers again talked about their personal faith in God and met with some of the students.

Alda, one of the trainers, said, “I couldn’t help but be in awe as to how God lined everything up for us. I don’t think that anyone would look at a volcano eruption as being a blessing, but the truth is that if Pacaya had not erupted, then the events of today would not have happened.”

The following week, Cristobal returned to SiDeporte and showed The Prize DVD, which tells the faith stories of six World Cup soccer players. That day, several student athletes make decisions to begin personal relationships with Christ. Now, Christobal is holding a weekly Bible study at the training center.

Dr. Luck said of his experience on the trip: “It started as a four-day trip of sports medicine lectures and ended with an eight-day personal revival. We arrived amidst a volcanic eruption, followed by a tropical storm. The country shut down—nothing in or out. We volunteered to clean volcanic ash at an apartment. No word was spoken, but people noticed. God did open doors to speak on national sports radio, to a sports school, to athletes, to tell about why we’re here to share our expertise and the love of God. Airports finally opened and I left with a greater appreciation of God, His plan, my family and God’s love.”

By Lacey Mehling, Athletes in Action intern

News | Sports Teams | Global