By: Hope Hensley 
Jul 17, 2026

SANTA BARBARA, Cali.  – Westmont Women's Soccer returned home from its mission trip to Kenya with more than memories of soccer clinics, service projects and unforgettable adventures. Through its partnership with Sports Outreach International, the Warriors spent two weeks serving children and families, building relationships and growing in their faith—experiences that players and coaches say will have a lasting impact long after returning to Santa Barbara.

For head coach Lauren Matthias, the most rewarding part of the trip wasn't found in the schedule or the places the team visited, but in watching her players intentionally love those around them.

"What made me the most proud was the way they loved others," Matthias said. "I got to see these sweet little glimpses and moments of them loving others really well. Sometimes it looked like sitting with someone, playing, or extending a hand to hold."

Throughout the trip, the Warriors partnered with Sports Outreach International in Nairobi and Kibera, serving through soccer clinics, meal programs, home visits, school visits and service projects. While each day presented new opportunities and challenges, Matthias said one thing remained constant.

"On a longer service trip like this, there are a lot of highs and lows that happen throughout each day, but one thing they did really well, regardless, was love on those around them."

For Mia Stuart, one of the trip's most memorable moments came during a visit to the Miracle and Victory Children's Center in Kibera.

"I've never been welcomed so intensely as we were by the people we met on this trip," Stuart said.

Hundreds of students and staff greeted the Warriors with songs and dances before the team joined them in serving lunch, teaching dances like the Cha Cha Slide and Church Clap, and celebrating together.

"There was so much laughter and joy," Stuart said.

Vanessa Alcala shared a similar sentiment, recalling worship with the children on the team's final day in Kibera as one of the most meaningful moments of the trip.

"Watching the kids worship, dance and praise the Lord so passionately was very special to witness," Alcala said. "The Holy Spirit was definitely in the room with us."

Although soccer provided the opportunity to connect with communities across Kenya, both players said it was the relationships they formed that made the greatest impact.

"I truly felt God all around us and knew He was working through each and every one on the team for His good and His love," Alcala said. "Getting to know all the kids, seeing their faces light up, and watching them get so excited to hug us or play with us was probably the truest form of God's love and blessings I've experienced."

Despite differences in culture and language, Alcala said their shared faith broke down barriers.

"Although culture and language barriers do exist, there is seriously nothing that could separate us because we shared the same love for Christ."

While the trip was filled with moments of joy, it also challenged the team in profound ways.

Visiting homes in the Kibera slums gave players the opportunity to hear families' stories firsthand and witness the realities many people face every day.

"Hearing people's stories firsthand and witnessing it with my own eyes definitely was something I felt heavy in my heart," Alcala said. "It was very hard to listen to these families explain their struggles and experiences in living in the slums and not be able to help them right then and there."

The experience gave players a renewed appreciation for opportunities they often take for granted.

"It changed my perspective on a future career because I have the privilege to not only go to school but also choose a career path," Stuart said. "Why not choose something where I can help others?"

Alcala found herself asking similar questions after returning home.

"It made me really sad to think about how all of these kids are being raised in the most unfortunate circumstances without any choice, meanwhile I got to grow up in a nice house with food on my plate every day and receive a free education," Alcala said. "After the trip, I came to a sense of peace knowing God has a greater plan and purpose than I could ever imagine. If He blessed me to have these opportunities, I will use them to glorify Him, spread His love and be His vessel to the world."

Throughout the trip, daily worship, devotionals and conversations with Sports Outreach staff became meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth.

For Stuart, one of the most cherished traditions became the team's afternoon tea time.

"Tea Time became a new part of our routines," Stuart said. "Every day when we came back to the hotel our team and a few of the Sports Outreach staff would drink chai, eat a whole lot of cookies, and talk about everything from faith to politics."

She also appreciated the vulnerability that developed within the team.

"It was cool to see teammates and coaches open up during worship and devo, and when visiting homes and schools," Stuart said.

One lesson Stuart said she will continue to carry with her is recognizing a greater dependence on God.

Seeing families faithfully pray for school tuition, rent and basic necessities challenged her perspective on material wealth and gratitude.

"It really helped me think about how material wealth can keep us feeling empty because it leaves us prone to thinking we've got it all together and failing to recognize our dependence on God," Stuart said.

Alcala also found inspiration in the testimony of one of the school leaders the team met during the trip.

"Her commitment to the dream she held and her faith throughout the whole journey really moved me," Alcala said. "Her story is a testimony to how a faithful, strong and courageous woman carries herself and her family."

While much of the trip centered on serving others, it also strengthened the bonds within the team.

Each evening, the Warriors gathered to reflect on the day by sharing their highs, lows and moments of gratitude, creating space to process both the joy and emotional weight of their experiences together.

"As life-changing as the time there was, it could also get pretty heavy to navigate experiences in the slums and wrestle with all the questions that came up," Stuart said. "I think a lot of us appreciated having a space to share those feelings together."

For Alcala, some of the most meaningful moments happened when no cameras were rolling.

"I think what wasn't captured on the videos or pictures was the little moments during downtime with the team," Alcala said. "This trip brought us so close together in the big moments during the day, but also the small ones when we would get to debrief together, play games or just unwind from the day. They're truly all my best friends and I got to see each and every one of them shine so brightly on this trip."

Matthias also saw tremendous growth in her team's willingness to lead and serve throughout the trip.

"Their courage throughout the trip was also an area I saw growth in," Matthias said. "Anytime we needed someone to lead a devotional, prayer, soccer clinic, food prep or speak to a classroom, one of the women always stepped up. It made my job in that aspect very easy since they were always so willing to lead in a multitude of ways."

Although the Warriors have returned home, the impact of their time in Kenya continues to shape the way they view faith, service and community. What began as a mission trip centered around soccer became a journey of building relationships, growing in Christ and learning that some of the greatest acts of service are found in simple moments of love, compassion and presence.