BATON ROUGE ? Two members of the LSU soccer program ? junior defender Courtney Alexander and freshman midfielder Natalie Ieyoub ? will travel to the Caribbean country of Haiti on Tuesday for a week long mission trip that is sure to bring joy to its native people during the Christmas season.
They are traveling with the group Lespwa Worldwide to the town of Messailler, where they will help run a Vacation Bible School and assist in construction projects for the school, church and orphanage within the complex in which they will stay. They will also help organize soccer games for the local children.
The organization Lespwa Worldwide derives its name from the Creole word meaning “hope.” Alexander said that is what they hope to bring to the Haitian people during the Christmas season.
“Both Natalie and I are excited about the opportunity we’ve been given. We’re not only excited about the chance to experience a different culture than our own, but we’re also excited about the opportunity to spread Christ’s love to the Haitian people,” Alexander said. “Christmas is a season of giving and a season of hope for people all over the world, and there is no better time for us to share God’s love with others.
“Too many people aren’t aware that reason we even celebrate Christmas is to honor the birth of Jesus, and we’re blessed with the opportunity to share that this week in a different part of the world.”