Because of my love for Rugby and the fact I am missing the spring season at LVC, I decided to meet up the team here at USIU. There is no woman's team here, so I have been training with the men. But of course, when they play tackle or do contact drills, I do not. I would like to survive my trip and not be crushed by the team! I still am able to work hard and continue to learn about the game and refine my skills.

Every Saturday, the team has a match starting at 3pm. The past couple weeks we have played at Kenyatta University (Nairobi area), on our home pitch, and in Mombasa (the coast!!). We lost against KU, but won 10-0 and 24-3 against the teams we played from Mombasa, and in Mombasa. This coming weekend, we are traveling again to Mombasa! In Mombasa, we stay at a beautiful hotel along the beach. We usually will travel on a Thursday night/Friday Morning and come home on Sunday. It is about an 8-10 hour trip by bus.

Before practice or a game, the team spends a moment or two in prayer. This is something that doesn't really happen at home. While it may be more of a custom this is something I admire about the team. It is such a good reminder of what we are actually doing on the pitch. Win or lose, glory is given to God. I love spending my time with the team at practice and taking pictures at the games. I not only connected with the team, but have discovered some real brothers. There was another girl from the States or Canada who trained with them and helped coach while she was here in the past.

We practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30-dark or whenever coach calls it a day. I got to see a scrum machine in use for the first time the other week and have been working on my spin pass. I am excited about next fall when I'm home and can bring back new drills and energy to LVC's pitch!

On FB, I have posted many more pics of the team and of the trip in general.