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Williamsburg, KY – While the start of school is still a month away, several members of the Cumberlands women's basketball team dedicated a week of their summer traveling to Aguada, Puerto Rico to volunteer with LYNC8. 

"I am so proud of our players as we saw tremendous growth throughout this trip," said Head Coach Rick Reeves.  "This trip enhanced the bond between these student-athletes and it was incredible watching them give back to community while spreading the word."

The 13 Patriot players along with the coaching staff hosted a basketball camp in the mornings, for boys and girls ages 8-15.  At the camp players worked on a variety of skills with the campers throughout the week.

Sophomore guard Kaylie Monday said, "My favorite part of the trip was being able to serve God and teach basketball to the kids alongside my teammates. We went to serve and impact the kids; however, I feel like they had just as much on an impact as we did them."

"The biggest lesson I learned from this trip was that even when you don't know how something is going to be accomplished, God will provide a way if your actions are aligned with His will," said junior guard Shelby Moore.  "On this trip, we were put in a situation where the majority of the individuals we interacted with did not speak any English. This can be somewhat frightening when you show up in a gym and there are 50 plus children there waiting for you to speak and give them instructions. Just as I was starting to get nervous, God really showed up for us in this area. He provided us with two great translators and enough kids who were able and willing to translate for the entire group when we needed them to."

In addition to the basketball camp, the Patriot players spent their afternoon helping to restore homes in the region.  They would help organize and clean homes that were deal reeling from the damage of hurricane Maria, which hit the region in 2017.  Even the arena in which the basketball camp was being held had damage from that hurricane.

Cumberlands players continued to bond throughout the trip and grow in their faith. 

"Each night of the trip we would all do a Bible study together. I took away from this trip that being rooted together in the Word of God will make you as a team stronger than you could ever imagine. And I'm so grateful that I got to go through that week with those girls," said sophomore guard Casey Coleman.
 
The LYNC8 project was founded by Chad and Chandi Mayes as a nonprofit organization that works in the United States States and Latin America serving the needs of others and sharing the Gospel.  Mayes is also the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Asbury University.

"We would like to thank Dr. Cockrum and Chris Kraftick for supporting this opportunity for our team as we continue to promote servant leadership as well," Reeves added.

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