Panthers Return from Mission Trip to Dominican Republic
5/8/2019 10:54:00 AM | Football, General, Swimming & Diving, Women's Gymnastics, Volleyball, Wrestling
Student-Athletes, Staff Members Serve with Coalition for Christian Outreach
PITTSBURGH – Sixteen student-athletes from the University of Pittsburgh have returned from a weeklong mission trip to the Dominican Republic with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO).
The group departed Sunday, April 28, and arrived back in Pittsburgh Saturday, May 4.
(Video by Wesley Ahart, swimming & diving)
Led by Mark Steffey and Kelly Cooke, the Panthers traveled to Jarabacoa, a town in the central part of the Dominican Republic. Working with Doulous Ministries, the student-athletes and staff assisted with family and children's programs and learned about the ongoing ministry.
The student-athletes were also able to use the trip as an opportunity to grow their faith. For Kayla Lund (volleyball), that was one of the highlights of a "life changing" trip.
"Getting to grow in my faith alongside other Pitt student-athletes while also being blessed enough to get to know and help the amazing people and kids of the Dominican Republic was life changing," she said.
Kiley Robatin (gymnastics) did not know what to expect going into the trip, but she came home with new appreciation for what she has and a special place in her heart for the people of the Dominican Republic.
"The love and joy these people spread even when they have almost nothing, is something I can only strive to someday be able to do," she said. "The connections I've made with the people on my mission team, as well as with the people in the Dominican Republic, are relationships that have changed my heart forever. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity."
Steffey and Cooke have been working as campus ministers with the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics since 2008 and 2007, respectively. The pair has taken more than 135 student-athletes on mission trips during their tenure. In December 2018, CCO took a group to St. Thomas where they helped with ongoing recovery efforts from the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Pitt football athletic trainer Dale Thornton and with his wife, Chynna, also accompanied the student-athletes.
Below are more student-athlete reactions to the trip:
Cal Adomitis, Football
"The mission trip to Jarabacoa with this group of Panthers was an indescribably amazing experience. Coach Narduzzi encourages us to be the best men we can be not only physically with football, but also mentally and spiritually. With seniors like Dennis Briggs, Rafael Araujo-Lopes and Kellen McAlone graduating, there are big shoes to fill in our locker room in regard to our team's spiritual and mental leadership. The work in the Dominican Republic that Grant Carrigan, Brian Burgess, athletic trainer Dale Thornton and I did gives us an opportunity to jumpstart the process of filling those shoes. It was also great to bond with a number of other Pitt student-athletes and be reassured that all of our varsity programs are full of great people."
Wesley Ahart, Swimming & Diving
"Experiencing God's love through the people of the Dominican Republic and this beautiful place made serving in Jarabacoa a week that I will never forget."
LJ Bentley, Wrestling
"After going to Haiti two years ago, I was determined to better my relationship with Christ through missionary work. I had the opportunity to listen to heartwarming testimonials, impact the lives of over 200 children in the Duolos Discovery school and commit myself to hours of physical labor for the community of Jarabacoa in the Dominican Republic alongside 16 other student-athletes. It was a trip of a lifetime that I'll remember forever."
Kellen McAlone, Football
"This year's trip surpassed all expectations. After going to Haiti the past two years, going to the Dominican Republic was an amazing new experience that I would definitely call one of the best weeks of my life. We spent time with a great group of people who were so friendly and special; I feel like I can call them my family for life. From spending time building a basketball court to watching the kids present a year-long "Expedition Night" project to their proud parents, this year's trip created so many memories that I'll certainly never forget."
Megan Tripp, Gymnastics
"I think that everyone who went to on the trip would agree that is was an amazing, eye-opening and humbling experience. Being able to work with kids and build relationships with the people in the Dominican Republic was a privilege. The amount of love and encouragement we felt from the community was greater than i could have imagined."
Charli Spivey, Gymnastics
"I find it difficult to sum up this trip in a few words. However, I know that my heart is changed because of the beautiful people I met in the Dominican Republic and the group that shared these experiences with me. Here, I witnessed an overwhelming love and joy each day that we served. It was truly inspiring to see the work that God has been doing in Jarabacoa. It was incredible to be surrounded by people who serve one another so fiercely. I am beyond grateful for this experience and will cherish these memories forever."
The 16 student-athletes who made the journey include:
Cal Adomitis (football)
Wesley Ahart (swimming & diving)
LJ Bentley (wrestling)
Jake Bowery (swimming & diving)
Brian Burgess (football)
Grant Carrigan (football)
Dale Clish (cheer)
Rebekah Jenkins (gymnastics)
Caitlyn Kline (gymnastics)
Robert Lee (wrestling)
Kayla Lund (volleyball)
Kellen McAlone (football)
Avery Perosa (volleyball)
Kiley Robatin (gymnastics)
Charli Spivey (gymnastics)
Megan Tripp (gymnastics)
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The group departed Sunday, April 28, and arrived back in Pittsburgh Saturday, May 4.
(Video by Wesley Ahart, swimming & diving)
Led by Mark Steffey and Kelly Cooke, the Panthers traveled to Jarabacoa, a town in the central part of the Dominican Republic. Working with Doulous Ministries, the student-athletes and staff assisted with family and children's programs and learned about the ongoing ministry.
The student-athletes were also able to use the trip as an opportunity to grow their faith. For Kayla Lund (volleyball), that was one of the highlights of a "life changing" trip.
"Getting to grow in my faith alongside other Pitt student-athletes while also being blessed enough to get to know and help the amazing people and kids of the Dominican Republic was life changing," she said.
Kiley Robatin (gymnastics) did not know what to expect going into the trip, but she came home with new appreciation for what she has and a special place in her heart for the people of the Dominican Republic.
"The love and joy these people spread even when they have almost nothing, is something I can only strive to someday be able to do," she said. "The connections I've made with the people on my mission team, as well as with the people in the Dominican Republic, are relationships that have changed my heart forever. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity."
Steffey and Cooke have been working as campus ministers with the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics since 2008 and 2007, respectively. The pair has taken more than 135 student-athletes on mission trips during their tenure. In December 2018, CCO took a group to St. Thomas where they helped with ongoing recovery efforts from the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Pitt football athletic trainer Dale Thornton and with his wife, Chynna, also accompanied the student-athletes.
Below are more student-athlete reactions to the trip:
Cal Adomitis, Football
"The mission trip to Jarabacoa with this group of Panthers was an indescribably amazing experience. Coach Narduzzi encourages us to be the best men we can be not only physically with football, but also mentally and spiritually. With seniors like Dennis Briggs, Rafael Araujo-Lopes and Kellen McAlone graduating, there are big shoes to fill in our locker room in regard to our team's spiritual and mental leadership. The work in the Dominican Republic that Grant Carrigan, Brian Burgess, athletic trainer Dale Thornton and I did gives us an opportunity to jumpstart the process of filling those shoes. It was also great to bond with a number of other Pitt student-athletes and be reassured that all of our varsity programs are full of great people."
Wesley Ahart, Swimming & Diving
"Experiencing God's love through the people of the Dominican Republic and this beautiful place made serving in Jarabacoa a week that I will never forget."
LJ Bentley, Wrestling
"After going to Haiti two years ago, I was determined to better my relationship with Christ through missionary work. I had the opportunity to listen to heartwarming testimonials, impact the lives of over 200 children in the Duolos Discovery school and commit myself to hours of physical labor for the community of Jarabacoa in the Dominican Republic alongside 16 other student-athletes. It was a trip of a lifetime that I'll remember forever."
Kellen McAlone, Football
"This year's trip surpassed all expectations. After going to Haiti the past two years, going to the Dominican Republic was an amazing new experience that I would definitely call one of the best weeks of my life. We spent time with a great group of people who were so friendly and special; I feel like I can call them my family for life. From spending time building a basketball court to watching the kids present a year-long "Expedition Night" project to their proud parents, this year's trip created so many memories that I'll certainly never forget."
Megan Tripp, Gymnastics
"I think that everyone who went to on the trip would agree that is was an amazing, eye-opening and humbling experience. Being able to work with kids and build relationships with the people in the Dominican Republic was a privilege. The amount of love and encouragement we felt from the community was greater than i could have imagined."
Charli Spivey, Gymnastics
"I find it difficult to sum up this trip in a few words. However, I know that my heart is changed because of the beautiful people I met in the Dominican Republic and the group that shared these experiences with me. Here, I witnessed an overwhelming love and joy each day that we served. It was truly inspiring to see the work that God has been doing in Jarabacoa. It was incredible to be surrounded by people who serve one another so fiercely. I am beyond grateful for this experience and will cherish these memories forever."
The 16 student-athletes who made the journey include:
Cal Adomitis (football)
Wesley Ahart (swimming & diving)
LJ Bentley (wrestling)
Jake Bowery (swimming & diving)
Brian Burgess (football)
Grant Carrigan (football)
Dale Clish (cheer)
Rebekah Jenkins (gymnastics)
Caitlyn Kline (gymnastics)
Robert Lee (wrestling)
Kayla Lund (volleyball)
Kellen McAlone (football)
Avery Perosa (volleyball)
Kiley Robatin (gymnastics)
Charli Spivey (gymnastics)
Megan Tripp (gymnastics)
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
LS
/ Football
DIVE
/ Swimming & Diving
WR
/ Football
/ Wrestling
FREE
/ Swimming & Diving
DB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
/ Wrestling
OH
/ Volleyball
WR
/ Football
L
/ Volleyball
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
V, BB, FX
/ Women's Gymnastics
UB, BB, FX
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