Aug. 10, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - During their summer vacations, student-athletes take on a variety of activities, such as work, summer school, trips with friends and family and preparing for their upcoming seasons. Junior volleyball player Kasey Van Grouw (Exeter, Calif.) however, spent her summer vacation a little different than most.
Having been interested in mission trips for quite some time, Van Grouw took advantage of a huge opportunity at her church in Fresno and through an organization called Student International out of Visalia.
Van Grouw and eight other students from her church spent July 5-18 in San Jose, Costa Rica where they lived and worked with local missionaries.
"It was really neat to be able to go somewhere and help people," Van Grouw said. "I've always been well supported in whatever I do and it was amazing to be on the giving end. I went there wanting to give back but ending up learning so much from the people there in return as well."
Each member of the team was assigned a different task while in the country. While some taught English, worked at a daycare and did social work, Van Grouw helped build a wall of a local church.
The church, which has been around for 20 years, was looking to expand. Van Grouw and her teammate built the wall with cinderblocks and cement.
Not only was it the first mission trip for Van Grouw, it was her first time outside of the country. While there, the team also had time to learn about Costa Rican culture and do a little traveling around the country and out to the beaches.
Van Grouw also taught some locals to play volleyball in the streets and they in return played soccer with the team, the national pastime of Costa Rica. A local woman also taught the team how to cook some Costa Rican food.
"Spending time with the people in the community and building relationships with the people there was a great experience," Van Grouw added. "Everyone there was so welcoming and very generous with the little that they had."
The team stayed in hostiles in San Jose, which is the capital. Van Grouw said it was a culture shock as the city was very busy with little paved roads.
We Are Your Team -Don't forget to purchase your Volleyball Friends and Family Flex Pack to receive 48 general admission tickets for only $89 (4 per home game). To purchase your tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office or give them a call at 559-278-DOGS.
