TAME | VB | Chile - Recap 3

Graduate student Lillie Hill provided today’s recap from Tiger Volleyball’s TAME trip in Chile.

We also were fortunate to have the unique experience in the auditorium when we met the Chilean Ambassador to Australia, Todd Mercer.  He spoke to the students about opportunities to study abroad in Australia.  At lunch, we at a traditional Chilean meal called charquican and it was delicious. After lunch, we went outside on their playground and played with all of the children and we learned some Chilean dances from some of the high schoolers and we taught them some country line dances.  We had so much fun getting to mingle and interact with everyone.

We all went back into the gymnasium and got to have quiet, group time with a few of the students. Here we got to learn about them, learn about Chile, and form friendships. It was a great opportunity to talk about what they are learning in their Bible classes and to talk about the Lord. We all met in the auditorium with many of the teachers at the school. Maddison and Dr. Blackburn spoke to them about all of the ETBU master’s degrees and soon-to-be doctorate programs that ETBU offers. They explained that it would be a great opportunity for the teachers and staff to gain a degree from a Christian higher education university available to them right here in Chile.

The school day ended, and we headed over to Universidad de la Frontera for our first game in Chile.  We were so excited to play in front of all of the friends we have made here and to play our favorite sport in a different country.  Before the game started, there were Chilean dancers that performed the national dance called ‘Cueca.’  It was absolutely beautiful to witness their culture and we felt so loved that they wanted to share that with us and wanted us to have such a good time.

Our game started and we had an absolute blast. The crowd was one of the largest crowds many of us have ever played in front of and the atmosphere was incredible, and every single person was involved and cheering throughout the game. I can truly say I have never experienced something like that before. We won our game three sets to zero and then we were able to talk to the girls on the other team and all of the fans came down to the floor to meet us.

We signed autographs for so many fans who were there, took pictures with them, and just got to love on them and interact with the Chilean people. A lot of our friends from the churches we have gone to were there also, so it was great and touching to see their support for us!

We made it back to our hotel and ate pizza, which was a nice treat to have after the game and after having Chilean food all week.  Then we were able to have a team gathering, where we talked about our day and just how impactful it was. Avery Morris, Shelby, Coach Kuster, and I all shared our testimonies with the team, and it was a super special moment!

We are so excited for everything else the Lord has in store for us here in Chile.  Not only are we making a difference in the lives of people here, but they are absolutely making a difference in us.  This is such a special group of girls and we have been given a special opportunity! To God be the glory!”