“I don’t think I can mention my best experience…because I had so many that I wouldn’t want to leave one out!! I really can’t decide!!” – Lydia, Arizona

May 2003 birthed Ignite International, and in August we traveled with our first group to ever wear the Ignite uniform and step into the calling and mission of this organization. The women’s volleyball team from Taylor University (IN) traveled to the gorgeous island of Puerto Rico and had the great honor ofcompeting in three games with the Puerto Rico NationalTeam 2, while the National Team 1 was in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic competing in the Pan American Games.

In addition to competitive volleyball games with a very worthy opponent, the Ignite team enjoyed taking time following each one to share testimonies and the love of Jesus Christ with the Puerto Rican team. For some of our athletes, this was their first time to ever share their faith with another person, and both parties were changed for eternity. The team also had the opportunity to share in worship services and lead some of the youth ministry at Christian Community Church in Guaynabo. The group was invited to Wesleyan Academy where they led chapel services for the entire elementary school. It was a great open door to minister to these young children, a high percentage of which do not come from a background that would include a relationship with God, through music and the sharing of simple, Biblical lessons. Our athletes were very well-received and had a tremendous impact on these young lives. Ignite also had the opportunity to share with some of the high school students in study hall sessions, and this was a meaningful time to many of the students who participated. One of the administrators commented to Ignite President Judy Fox,"your athletes will never know what an impact they have had. They talked about some of the real heart issues, and they have made a difference!" That statement summarizes the mission of Ignite International - to use our platform as athletes to make a positive, relevant and life-changing difference in the nations we visit.

One of the highlights of our trip was the privilege we had of sharing in a live interview at WBMJ, the largest Christian radio station on the island. WBMJ has a dynamic impact on the people of Puerto Rico, and we were so blessed to be able to share our mission with thousands who heard the message.

In addition to outreach opportunities, the Ignite team thoroughly enjoyed the Puerto Rican culture and the island itself. From the beautiful El Yungue rainforest (the only rainforest within the U.S. territory) to the Camuy Caverns, the team was also challenged and impacted with the overwhelming beauty of nature. Both of these places, in particular, precipitated an incredible move of the Holy Spirit within the team and led to incredible, intimate times of worship and sharing in our daily devotions.

As much as our purpose and mission is to reach out to others who are in need, it was evident that God had a specific purpose and work to do within this team as well. Throughout the week together, the foundation for Ignite's future was laid and this organization will always remember, with great admiration and affection, those athletes and coaches who made up the 2003 trip to Puerto Rico. There will be many athletes who come along in the future, and each trip will hold its own unique experiences. However, there will only ever be one first group.

NOTE FROM RACHEL MALINSKY – a participant on our first trip ever, written July 31, 2009 (6 yrs. later)

Ignite International really helped me in my spiritual growth and life journey. I remember my selfish ways as a player, and how Judy and the Ignite experience led me to play for my team and for the Lord first and foremost. I don't think I'd be impacting people today with the Gospel of Christ if it weren't for this experience along with many others that pruned the useless branches from my spiritual tree. But God had to teach me these lessons through drastic measures because of my stubborn will.

John 15:2 "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

I was asked the other night what objects or symbols would represent my faith journey. I decided that 1) a knife and 2) water were the best physical representations of my testimony. As I already explained, the knife cuts off the useless branches that produce no fruit.

The water represents the basic sustainance required for human life. A human can go several weeks without food, but cannot survive dehydration. I was spiritually dehydrated. I was not receiving the living water that Jesus talked about with the woman at the well in John 4:13-14: "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this [physical] water. But the water I give them takes away thirst . . . It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."

The spiritual water that Jesus offered that woman, me, and whosoever will take hold of it, is perpetual and offers eternal life after death but also an inner spring of life here on earth. God's Word to us gives us that living water that will never make us go thirsty, if we stay in it. Repent of your sins against a HOLY GOD, read your Bible, communicate with God, tell your friends (and your enemies) about the Gospel and God's promises to us through JESUS CHRIST alone.

RACHEL MALINSKY
Taylor University Volleyball
Puerto Rico, 2003