LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Numerous members of the Biola women's soccer team departed early Thursday morning for a 12-day missions and outreach trip to Japan. The trip is conducted by Missionary Athletes International, a group which has been sponsoring such trips for the last 11 years.

Former Biola soccer coach Paul Gizzi is among the coordinators on this trip, representing the La Mirada Seahorses, the local arm of the MAI.

"Our purpose is to provide those members of the Biola Women's Soccer team that make the trip with an opportunity to dynamically minister in an environment that uses soccer with the purpose of sharing the Good News of Christ  and encouraging Japanese believers."

On the trip, the group will visit Osaka and Iwata over the course of the trip which will include a number of "Friendly" matches as well as numerous Soccer-related ministries.

They will be using the game of soccer as a way to open up doors with the people of Japan and speaking with them about the Love of Jesus Christ.

Anya Tronson, a staff member at MAI and an assistant coach at Biola said, "This trip is about impacting the lives of the Japanese people, encouraging the missionaries who are serving in Japan, and encouraging the churches that are in Japan to stay strong in the Lord."

Tronson is making her second trip to Japan, her last coming as a player prior to the 2004 season.

"The people of Japan love soccer and they love to have fellowship with people, especially Americans," said Tronson. "They feel they can learn a great deal from Americans both from Soccer and intellectually. So we will be sharing our talents of the game of soccer along with our love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The group will be traveling in the southern portion of Japan. The first stop is Osaka. While in Osaka, they will play two games and conduct a pair of clinics for a junior high school and another small group. The traveling party will also be hosting "Soccer Nights" where they will lead worship, games, skits and one of the players will share their testimony.

The second stop on the trip will be in Iwata where they will play three more games and run another pair of clinics. The group will also have the opportunity to play inside the Jubilo stadium, a professional stadium like playing at the Home Depot Center main field. They will also host more "Soccer Nights" before returning to the states.

For Tronson, one of the highlights of the trip will be visiting a girl named Emi, who became a Christian during her last trip to Japan.

"Emi came to know the Lord four years ago while I was in Japan," said Tronson. "Emi and her family are hosting a meal for us when we get into Iwata. Emi is an amazing player, but the most beautiful thing is that she knows the Lord because of members of the Biola Women's Soccer team."

Overall, Tronson is very excited about the trip and how it could potentially impact the women on the Biola team making their first trips.

"When I went four years ago, it was my first time ever going on a mission trip," said Tronson. "I was thrilled that we were using sport (soccer) to minister to people. I believe sports bridges many gaps that allow people of all nations to fellowship and talk about their experiences. Sharing your testimony is so powerful and it opens up doors for the Lord to move on people's hearts.

"I think this will be a great place to learn how to serve each other and put aside ones agenda and live for each other. There will be hot nights, long nights, hot days, and long days, the body will be tired, the spirit weak, and the only way to continue is to lean on the Lord and trust in His will. These girls will learn to use their teammates to glorify God when all else fails. This trip will change their lives as long as they are open to being changed."

For more information on MAI and updates from the trip, visit the MAI website at http://www.maisoccer.com.