Costa Rica - While many students spent spring break taking time away from campus, the Ohio Christian University men's soccer team used their time to serve others, build relationships, and grow together through a mission trip experience with High Performing Sports (HPS) Costa Rica. 

Throughout the week, the Trailblazers combined their passion for soccer with a desire to serve, using the sport as a way to connect with communities, encourage others, and share their faith both on and off the soccer field. 

One of the highlights of the trip came during the team's time in the El Nazareno community, where the Trailblazers hosted soccer clinics children. The team spent the day leading activities, playing games, and building relationships with those in community. The experience extended beyond the younger players, as the Trailblazers also joined in games with adults from the area. 

Following their time in El Nazareno, the team returned to the HPS facilities for training while continuing to witness to the community around them. The team spent a portion of the trip serving at FUNIPAR, a special needs organization that helps children in the community develop valuable skills through programs that focus on areas such as cooking, sewing, agriculture, and woodworking. The team learned more about FUNIPAR's mission before spending time connecting with individuals through soccer and competing against different soccer teams. 

Following the trip, HPS Costa Rica shared their appreciation for the team's willingness to serve, noting the genuine care the Trailblazers showed toward others and the way they represented Christ. Through service, fellowship, and soccer, the team demonstrated that the impact of a program extends far beyond statistics or the final score of a game.