CHRISTIAN COACHES            CORNER      Kristen Kulavic is in her sixth year as a girls basketball and track coach at Madison St. Joseph's Catholic School. She is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral in Jackson. Kristen takes a group of students from St. Joe on mission trips to Nicaragua during spring break reach year. She is part of Amigos for Christ, a non-profit organization based out of Buford, Ga. Kristen is a graduate of University of Georgia and earned her master's degree from Notre Dame, where she learned about St. Joe.             “There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.” Mother Teresa states the struggle so beautifully. As a teacher, coach, and service coordinator, it is often easy to become caught up in the daily routine, to do the work and the projects, and to forget the reason behind it all – “that we do it for God”. It is easy to focus on lesson planning, wins and loses on the court, and daily encounters with people without once realizing that it is because of Christ that I have the opportunity to do any of this and to be part of St. Joseph Catholic School.           I have never been reminded more of this fact that we do everything in the name of Christ than when I am with my students in the small village of Villa Catalina outside of Chinandega, Nicaragua. When Hurricane Mitch struck Central America on October 30, 1998, almost 3000 people were killed around Chinandega, and entire villages disappeared under volcanic mudslides. Since then, Amigos for Christ has strived to settle and sustain these displaced families in safe, healthy communities by creating and sponsoring medical, housing, feeding, educational and clean water programs.         I can honestly say that my faith has been strengthened each time I travel to Nicaragua, undoubtedly due in large part to the true examples of Christian servant leaders I see in the St. Joseph students. They step out of their comfort zones and truly and deeply love the people of Nicaragua. Just as Mother Teresa calls us to do, my students respect, love, and devote themselves to these people, and it is beautiful to witness. They are truly the ones who teach me the most valuable lessons each year. They inspire me with their faith in God, their willingness to serve, and their desire to do all of the work that is asked of them. Even in ninety–eight degree weather, they dig ditches for water pipes, clean chicken coups, load sand on trucks, shovel rocks and dirt, lay foundations in houses, play with the children, and hold the decrepit bodies of those in the handicapped orphanage. Through all of their work, they show Christ’s love and truly answer His call for us to serve the poor. My faith and spirit have grown because the students inspire me with their joy and their passion as they interact with the people in the villages of Villa Catalina and with the Amigos for Christ workers.            I will never forget the feeling I had when I returned home after my first trip with my students in March, 2007. Arriving at my house after a full day of travel, worn out though I was, I could not stop smiling. The next morning at mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral, I spoke with my principal Mr. William Heller, and when he asked, the only word to describe the trip was “amazing.” Each of the students has so much goodness and so much love in his or her heart, and each constantly shares that love with the people we meet each year. They, and I, have built relationships with the children and the adults in Villa Catalina, and these relationships will undoubtedly last a lifetime. The love that the people in Nicaragua have for us as servants is unconditional, and I am certain that I speak for everyone who has been on this trip that a lesson in true love is learned by being there. 1 Timothy 4:12 states “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” The St. Joseph students truly live out this calling during the trip, and I have been greatly affected by their faith and their passion for living. They have reminded me that “where the respect and the love and the devotion come in” is where we find God.                                       CHRISTIAN SPORTS MESSAGE               Former Madison Central High, Meridian Community College and Mississippi State star Jarrod Parks is making noise in the pros now. He has been promoted twice already during his first summer of being a pro. Jarrod hit two home runs in his first game with Ormen, Utah, in the Pioneer League and after hitting .419 in 12 games was promoted to Inland Empire in the California League. He hit .333 in seven games before being promoted to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the Class A Midwest League on July 4.        Jarrod, a third baseman, led the Southeastern Conference with a .507 on-base percentage and was the SEC regular season batting champion with a .363 average. But a year and half ago, Jarrod didn't know if he would even be able to play baseball again. He had back surgery in January of 2010 and faced a long and hard recovery.         "When I woke up from surgery, I thought to myself, there is no possible way I will ever be as good as I ever was," Jarrod said. "I thought I wouldn't be as fast, quick, flexible or even able to swing. The pain and inability to move post surgery was far more extreme than I ever thought it was going to be. But from devotions and much prayer from myself, friends and family I got better and better each day. Now, I feel like my game has never been better. My mom (Vicki Parks) always reminded me of Luke 1:37 (For nothing will be impossible with GOD). I'm glad I have friends and family because without them I would be lost and probably sitting in the stands."           Jarrod became a Christian at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson and now is a member of Wesley Chapel in Jackson where his father, Marty, is the minister of music.            Jarrod was an All-State performer at Madison Central and Meridian CC before signing with Mississippi State. Jarrod isn't the only athlete in his family. His brother, Stanford, and sister, Sarah Beth, each won state championships in baseball and soccer respectively at Madison Central. Stanford is continuing his career at Meridian CC. Victories magazine posts messages on local, regional or national Christian athletes, coaches or sports figures. To read previous messages, click on Christian Sports Message on the left side of this home page.   IN THE NEXT ISSUE    The next issue of Victories in Metro Jackson will be coming out in the next few months and here is a preview of what readers can look for: Features on Florence athletic director Brad Cliburn, pro baseball pitcher Brent Leach of Brandon, former Jackson Academy basketball player Anthony Ray and Madison-Ridgeland Academy basketball player Caleb Miskelly; From the Heart features on former Jackson Prep softball player Meredith Owen, former Ole Miss football player Reggie Hicks, former Mississippi State football player Mark Lynn and former Mississippi College football and baseball player Brannon Walls; Christian Coaches Corner testimonies from Paul Allen Duke of Mississippi College, Shea Moody of Jackson Home School Association, Kristen Kulakic of Madison St. Joseph and James Logan of Clinton; and Victories alumni updates of Dan Hall of Madison and Tyler Moore of Northwest Rankin.   CURRENT COVER     Check out the current cover for the next issue of Victories in Metro Jackson. Show above, clockwise from top left, are Madison-Ridgeland Academy coach Brian Smith, Hillcrest Christian and Ole Miss alumnus and current Colorado Rockies outfielder Seth Smith, East Rankin Academy and Delta State signee basketball player Brooke Rhodes, Brandon High quarterback Caleb Jett and Jackson Prep alumnus and current Samford, Ala., University cheerleader Allison Hubbard.