A small town girl takes on Germany as she strives to make a difference with only Jesus and a basketball.
Darby Andrus, 20, has had a passion for two things all her life: competing in the sport of basketball is one, and her love for Christianity the other.
Andrus explains how her faith for God is a major part of her life.
“I grew up Catholic. I went to a Catholic high school, and now I’m attending a Christian university.” Andrus states.
After graduation, Andrus had the opportunity to play on the women’s basketball team for King’s University College in Edmonton, but never had the chance to share her other passion of God. When Andrus caught wind of News Release Basketball, a Christian camp based out of the United States, she immediately started to contemplate attending the mission trip.
Andrus sent her application in during January, received acceptance in March, and now, after all the stress, fundraising, and waiting, is looking forward to taking action.
Starting on July 27, Andrus will be in Portland, United States, for a three day training camp. The team’s first destination in its month long adventure is Wundstorf, Germany, where they will host their first camp for interested youth. From there, her team will travel to three other locations, including the nation’s capital, Munich. The mission of News Release Basketball is to spread their message of Christ through the sport of basketball, and Andrus hopes that achieving the group’s goals will help complete her own personal mission: to enrich herself for further growth of her own gratitude and perspective.
“I hope that this experience will shape me to become more selfless,” says Andrus, “I want to make a change. I’m not expecting it to be drastic, but I’m hoping for something big enough to make a difference in their lives.”
After four weeks of camps and mission work, Andrus’ group mission will wrap up in Basel, Germany on August 17.
