Northwest Arkansas had the incredible opportunity to sponsor a team to travel to Germany and France to play teams there and to conduct basketball camps with kids. The trip was led by FCA staffer Brandon Cole and included athletes from JBU, ex-Razorback Nate Rakestraw and Rogers High basketball assistant Brian Ross. Also, Amanda Sanders (Bentonville High and Cottey College) went with a team to Romania and the Czech Republic. Both of the local sponsoring groups said that our guys conducted the best camps they had ever had.

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Cody Paige, JBU senior 2009 went on the trip to Germany and France but didn't come back! Say what? When Cody (right) scored 21 points in the first game in Berlin, A professional team asked him to play for them this season. Cody agreed and when the team left France to come back to the US, Cody went back to Berlin to play basketball and be a light for Christ.

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"The trip has touched my life in many ways, but mostly through the lifelong bonds and relationships I made in both countries. As we spread the love of Christ using basketball, despite the language and cultural barriers, it was very evident to see the power of God work in the lives in Europe and even our own lives. Because of my ignited passion and love for the European kids, I plan to revisit them to show that the love and faithfulness of Christ lasts forever."                                              Thomas Galliguez, Sophomore Basketball JBU        

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"Breaking the language barrier and seeing the love of Christ flow from our team to the broken nations we visited was truly indescribable.  I thank God for His grace and the opportunity to serve Him across the ocean.  I found that adults and kids were no different in other countries.  They may speak a different tongue but they still yearn for a relationship of love and a deeper understanding of this God we claim to be followers of.  I simply served with  His hands and His feet.  May all the glory be to Him."    Amanda Sanders, Sophomore Basketball at Cottey