LA MIRADA--- A group of Biola women's soccer players embarked on a 12-day missionary trip to Iwata and Osaka, Japan where they will share their love of God through the sport of soccer.  

The Southern California Seahorses' Director of Advancement and Japan Ministries, Paul Gizzi, is taking 24 women's soccer players and their first-year head coach Brett Croft on a life-changing missionary trip where they will have the opportunity to share their testimonies with members of the Iwata and Osaka communities through their passion of soccer.

When Croft was asked about the trip and the unique opportunity they have he stated, "It couldn't be a better year for this. It's nice to have two and a half weeks together where the focus is less on athletics and more on spreading the word of Jesus Christ. I think that the trip will help us bond before we dive into athletic competition."

Croft continued, "There's no bigger calling than having the opportunity to share the love of Christ and how that's changed our lives with other people."

The trip was initially scheduled to take place in 2020, but had to be pushed back due to the pandemic. Seniors Ella Hiveley and Chloe Diaz were excited to share their thoughts as they head out to Japan. Hiveley is the only current women's soccer player who has gone on a missionary trip with Gizzi. 

When Hiveley was asked about her prior experience and what she was looking forward to on the current trip she responded, "I was 16 when I went on my first mission trip with Gizzi. Looking back, I wasn't as attuned to the actual ministry work that was happening because we play a lot of soccer, but now what I'm looking forward to most is the ministry that will be happening after the soccer. I'm looking forward to connecting with teams and churches and sharing the gospel."

Diaz reflected Hiveley's excitement of going to Japan, "For me, the unknown of what is about to happen is exciting and I'm looking forward to getting there. Thinking about connecting with the people we will meet through soccer is exciting and I'm looking forward to playing with them and praying with them after."

Hiveley and Diaz also expressed their passion for missionary work and talked about what this experience means to them. 

"It's honoring to be able to share our love for God with our teammates in Japan," reflected Hiveley. "I feel honored that the Lord has given us the gift to play soccer together. People have prayed for our team and it is an honor to be able to use our gift to share the gospel. This is about more than soccer, it's about using athletics to unify people." 

Diaz stated, "I have such a heart for missions and it is going to be so special to do that with our team. Everything is God's timing. This trip was originally supposed to be in 2020 when I was a freshman and it's crazy that I'm now looking at it as a senior getting this opportunity."

Hiveley wanted to close with a request to the Biola community, "Please pray for our team as we go out and do this. Pray that we people we encounter have open hearts and are receptive and that our team will continue to connect and be able to use this time for the glory of God."