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Summer Update: Lowary and Gill Serve in the Appalachians
7/13/2018 9:15:00 AM | Softball
Rachel Lowary and Macy Gill recently served at a kids day camp in the Appalachian Mountains
Rachel Lowary and Macy Gill wrapped up their rookie season as Gophers. Most recently both have enjoyed their summer with a trip to the Appalachian Mountains and a chance to serve under privileged kids at a day camp. GopherSports.com had the chance to talk to both about their experience.
GopherSports.com: First off how have your summers been so far?
Rachel Lowary: My summer has been really good! Being able to take time to do things I love has been really nice.
Macy Gill: Great! I have been busy traveling all summer. I went to Ireland early this summer, than went on this mission trip, than went to my family's lake house, and next week I will be going to France! I have been busy but this summer has been very exciting and fun!!
GS: You both recently went on a Mission Trip to the Appalachian Mountains. Can you tell us where in the Appalachians and what you both did?
RL: We volunteered and ran a day camp for kids ages 4-18 in Bear Branch, Kentucky. Macy and I were in charge of teaching each group of kids a devotion for the day. I specifically worked with the 13-18 year olds.
MG: We went to the Appalachians in Kentucky where the majority of people were deprived from basic necessities for a week to hang out with kids ages 4-18. We went to a day camp with 130 kids and taught them about God and life lessons. We got to play games and get to know a lot of really special kids.
GS: What impact did this trip have on you?
RL: Coming back from the Appalachians was hard. I met some amazing kids that I wish I could serve each and every day but I am not able to. They are kids we would normally overlook in our everyday lives that I've realized need the most love out of all of us. The Appalachians will always have a special place in my heart, no doubt.
MG: This trip opened my eyes in more ways than one. It showed me how blessed I am to be given the life I am, with a loving family that loves me endlessly and I don't have to worry about money or food. It opened my eyes to God and the way he works within me. I got to know a lot of amazing kids and even though they live in poverty (most parentless) they were happy and excited to see me every day.
GS: Can you tell us your favorite part of the trip?
RL: My absolute favorite part of the trip was during our devotion with the teenagers. At the end of the lesson we broke off into smaller groups to pray. Macy and I got a group of 5 girls, asked for prayer requests, and prayed over them. Afterwards, the girls were filled with emotion. It was just validation that we are making a difference in their lives and how special prayer is to them.
MG: My favorite part of the trip was pool time. They had a big public pool on sight and every day the kids and the rest of the volunteers would get to swim for two hours. It was so much fun to interact and play with the kids. I even made a few new friends because a lot of kids were teens my age and we got to connect on a different level than the other campers who were younger.
GS: In your first year as a Gopher last season, what did you enjoy most about being a part of this program?
RL: I loved everything about being a Gopher! I love my teammates (a lot) and my coaches! We are blessed with the new academic and nutrition center. The whole thing is awesome.
MG: I love this school and program. I most enjoy being around my teammates, the atmosphere that they bring everyday makes it worth having to get up for 6:00 a.m. workouts. My teammates are what makes it all worthwhile, I am at a great university but my team is what made this year great!
GS: What are you most looking forward to in the 2019 season?
RL: I am excited to get to work with my best friends! After last year, I love how we all know each girl is playing for the girl next to her. I can't wait to see Coach Ritter too. I miss her!
MG: I am looking forward to a new season, we lost some great players last year but I have no doubt that we will reach our goals and be the best we can be this year. GO GOPHERS!
GopherSports.com: First off how have your summers been so far?
Rachel Lowary: My summer has been really good! Being able to take time to do things I love has been really nice.
Macy Gill: Great! I have been busy traveling all summer. I went to Ireland early this summer, than went on this mission trip, than went to my family's lake house, and next week I will be going to France! I have been busy but this summer has been very exciting and fun!!
GS: You both recently went on a Mission Trip to the Appalachian Mountains. Can you tell us where in the Appalachians and what you both did?
RL: We volunteered and ran a day camp for kids ages 4-18 in Bear Branch, Kentucky. Macy and I were in charge of teaching each group of kids a devotion for the day. I specifically worked with the 13-18 year olds.
MG: We went to the Appalachians in Kentucky where the majority of people were deprived from basic necessities for a week to hang out with kids ages 4-18. We went to a day camp with 130 kids and taught them about God and life lessons. We got to play games and get to know a lot of really special kids.
GS: What impact did this trip have on you?
RL: Coming back from the Appalachians was hard. I met some amazing kids that I wish I could serve each and every day but I am not able to. They are kids we would normally overlook in our everyday lives that I've realized need the most love out of all of us. The Appalachians will always have a special place in my heart, no doubt.
MG: This trip opened my eyes in more ways than one. It showed me how blessed I am to be given the life I am, with a loving family that loves me endlessly and I don't have to worry about money or food. It opened my eyes to God and the way he works within me. I got to know a lot of amazing kids and even though they live in poverty (most parentless) they were happy and excited to see me every day.
GS: Can you tell us your favorite part of the trip?
RL: My absolute favorite part of the trip was during our devotion with the teenagers. At the end of the lesson we broke off into smaller groups to pray. Macy and I got a group of 5 girls, asked for prayer requests, and prayed over them. Afterwards, the girls were filled with emotion. It was just validation that we are making a difference in their lives and how special prayer is to them.
MG: My favorite part of the trip was pool time. They had a big public pool on sight and every day the kids and the rest of the volunteers would get to swim for two hours. It was so much fun to interact and play with the kids. I even made a few new friends because a lot of kids were teens my age and we got to connect on a different level than the other campers who were younger.
GS: In your first year as a Gopher last season, what did you enjoy most about being a part of this program?
RL: I loved everything about being a Gopher! I love my teammates (a lot) and my coaches! We are blessed with the new academic and nutrition center. The whole thing is awesome.
MG: I love this school and program. I most enjoy being around my teammates, the atmosphere that they bring everyday makes it worth having to get up for 6:00 a.m. workouts. My teammates are what makes it all worthwhile, I am at a great university but my team is what made this year great!
GS: What are you most looking forward to in the 2019 season?
RL: I am excited to get to work with my best friends! After last year, I love how we all know each girl is playing for the girl next to her. I can't wait to see Coach Ritter too. I miss her!
MG: I am looking forward to a new season, we lost some great players last year but I have no doubt that we will reach our goals and be the best we can be this year. GO GOPHERS!
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