June 10th, 2025, 10:11am MDT
On Monday, April 28th, Brigham Young University women’s soccer team arrived in New Zealand. Rather than competing, I worked in two weeks in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, and worked with New Zealanders.
BYU Forward Addie Gardner said the trip was “an opportunity to represent BYU and strengthen our bonds abroad, while also deepening service, cultural consciousness and actions of love like Christ.”
The athletes began their trip by visiting the Mangale Refugee Resettlement Centre in Auckland. There, he practiced dribbling, passing and other ball-handling skills with young refugees.
Team captain Ellie Walbrucci said visiting the refugee centre is one of the humble parts of the trip.
“We came to think we were there to serve, but honestly, we felt like people filled,” she said.
When it was time for the BYU team to leave, the youngsters sang the traditional New Zealand song “Tutira Mai nga Iwi.” In return, the athlete sang in tears, “God will be with you until we meet again.”
Gardner said the experience created a sense of unity and joy. “It was a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness and connection can have lasting impact.”
Walbruch pointed out that all the interactions during the trip felt authentic.
“It didn’t matter that we were strangers or that we came from completely different backgrounds,” she said. “There was this mutual respect, kindness and spirit that instantly united us.”
During the trip, the team had the opportunity to speak prayer for local youth and young adults. Gardner said sharing the gospel is one of my favorite parts of the trip.
“It reminded me of my mission and rekindled a deep sense of purpose,” she said. “I felt the spirit very strongly and left with a new understanding of how universal God’s love is.”
During prayer, players shared personal stories about trusting in God and the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of their lives.
BYU midfielder Halle Dixon shared what he learned about God during his football career from suffering from major injuries.
“The most powerful lesson I’ve learned through everything I’ve experienced is that when you put God first, everything falls into place,” Dixon said. “I have seen firsthand that God answer our prayers, even if they may not be as fast as we wish.
Elder Jeremy R. Jaggie, the church’s 70 presidents and second counselor, held the team’s final prayer in Wellington, attended by around 250 members and church friends, with a message about focusing on Jesus Christ.
“If you are the joy that perpetuates peace and happiness and exceeds temporary happiness, Jesus Christ is truly the source,” he said.
The team also had the opportunity to meet Consul General Melissa Sweeney at her home. Sweeney spoke about the importance of building intercultural relationships and what it’s like to be a leadership woman.
For Walbruch, everything about travel has returned to “Naru.”
“It’s about staying different from what you came,” she said. “And for all of us, that’s exactly what happened.”
