When BYU-Hawaii tennis player Shenley Searing steps on to the tennis court, she wants her opponent to feel the love—reflected in the match's final score.
"I love the competition and it gives me satisfaction. I just have a drive and I feel at home on the tennis court," she said.
But a different kind of love motivated her to trade in her racket for gardening tools over the summer. Searing's solid serves down the line were put on hold in order to serve in a different way.
Since childhood, Searing said she had a strong desire to help others less fortunate. She'd saved money throughout her life for just such an occasion and fund-raised a bit, too. She got in touch with the i-to-i agency to find out where in the world she could go. Because of her choice of agency, Searing's 17-year-old sister, Raegan, was also eligible for the trip. The destination was finally disclosed: Palmares, Costa Rica.
Moving to an entirely new place much different from home brought its share of excitement. "I went to Costa Rica thinking about the social aspect of how much
fun we were going to have meeting people," Raegan Searing said.
The Searings accomplished a variety of tasks during seven weeks. For five mornings each week, they watched over children infant-aged to four-year-olds, and in the afternoons they did the same for five-year-olds through 12-year-olds. "We played games and sports with them, did crafts, and stimulated their minds," Shenley Searing said.
The two had fun while there, they said, but the main reason was to work. The duo worked hard. "We had guys stop and watch us work. They'd say, 'What are you girls doing out here?'" Searing said. The girls refurbished desks, tables, a playground, and started an English class.
"It was something I always wanted to do," Searing said.
Along with these things, the Searings showed their skills in gardening. They broke out the tools and supplies to beautify a rugged, rough area in the center of the community. The center is now complete with trees, flowers, and other greenery. "It was really cool because the people got involved and they actually want to go there now," Searing said.
A main focus for Searing was caring for the children. She saw most of them didn't have toys to play with, so she contacted her parents for help, she said. This problem was solved when her parents came to visit. "They came and brought three suitcases full of toys. The lady who started the community center, I showed her and she exclaimed, 'Navidad!' We gave each of them a gift. It was really cool."
Shenley and Raegan also learned that many of the kids had never been to a movie theater, and the theater was only a 20-minute bus ride away. At their own expense, the girls arranged to take 23 children to see a movie. "They were so excited when we told them, and they got all dressed up to go," Shenley Searing stated.
After spending seven weeks in Costa Rica and brushing up on their Spanish, it was hard for the Searings to say goodbye. "I grew attached to specific kids that we had worked with over the time. I keep their pictures in my school binder. I adapted to the situation of being in a place with people that didn't speak my language at all and I loved it," Raegan Searing explained.
"I feel like I'm more giving now," Shenley Searing said. "I really came to love the kids and I realize what I want to do with my future—help international students," she said.
Searing is now back on the tennis court in Laie seeking to smash more serves down the line. In the meantime, she'll likely reflect often on how she and her sister served in Costa Rica— and how she felt love for the people.
And that's the bottom line.
Shenley (left) and Raegan began work on a seemingly barren area...
...and turned it into a landscaped masterpiece.
The Shenleys will likely always remember the kids they served. All photos courtesy of Shenley Searing.