Members of the Bethel College Women’s Soccer Team stand with alumnus Joe Hutchinson ’12 (back, left), coaches Jamie (at right) and Rachel (center, in yellow) Lindvall and Texas residents during their task force trip to provide hurricane relief.

The Bethel Women’s Soccer Team is living out its commitment to respect all human beings. Head Coach Jamie Lindvall, along with assistant coach and wife, Rachel Lindvall, led the soccer team to Houston, Texas, Sept. 21-24, to provide disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Rachel Lindvall had the idea to see if any of the players were interested in taking a trip to Houston. A 10-day break in their game schedule, along with the team’s willingness to serve, made everything fall into place.

“It was a natural progression of the idea of showing respect and care for other human beings and with such a great need in the Houston area, we figured it was an opportunity we didn’t want to miss out on,” Jamie says. 

The soccer team usually takes a task force trip to Guatemala every other year, serving alongside Engadi Ministries. This past spring, the team helped dig out a foundation for a new school in Guatemala City, so taking this trip was an extra chance to serve.

“We also had the opportunity each afternoon to put on soccer clinics at this same school, working with middle and high school aged kids. We are planning to go back [to Guatemala] in the spring of 2019.”

For the Houston trip, the team partnered with Bethel alumnus Joe Hutchinson ’12, who works full time in the Houston area with The Keystone Project (a global network of churches and leaders committed to the fulfillment of the Great Commission).

“Joe set up the two service opportunities that we were able to help with while we were down there,” Jamie says.

They worked alongside Eyes on Me Incorporated (an organization dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus to underserved and at-risk youth) to prepare clothes and other donations for pick-up. The next day, they helped Sugar Creek Baptist Church clean up drywall, flooring and mold in two houses affected by flooding.

In just the few days the team had, they made an impact on the community. Not only were the people of Houston encouraged by their service, but the players came back to Bethel inspired. One player, Maria Vidal, says her favorite memory was connecting with the people in Houston.

“Even though the hurricane happened, they were so encouraging and thankful for what they have. Though my team and I were the ones who were going to help and encourage, I feel like I came back more encouraged by them,” she says.

The trip re-affirmed what the team already knows and believes – that all human life matters.

“Any one of us could have been born and raised in Houston and have been the ones impacted by Harvey or any other tragedy in life. Showing care and kindness and respect to all people must be something we commit to daily,” Jamie says.