JOSHUA
RECOBS OF HENDRIX COLLEGE has
been selected the SCAC Character & Community Male
Student-Athlete-of-the-Week for the week ending April 11,
2010.
A junior defender on the men's lacrosse
team, Recobs is an Economics and
Business Major at Hendrix and was a Dean's List honoree this past
Fall.
In addition to his good work in the classroom,
Recobs has made a huge impact outside the
classroom - and in particular - in the small city of Pisco,
Peru.
In fact, the junior probably did not realize how much of an affect
the earthquake that hit the small city on August 15, 2007 would
have on his life. A two week mission trip to the collapsed city
showed him the true testament of the human spirit.
The city of Pisco was destroyed by the deadliest earthquake (8.0
moment magnitude) to hit Peru in 35 years. More than 12 aftershocks
and a tsunami followed the massive earthquake, resulting in over
500 deaths, 1,800 injuries and 17,000 were left homeless. Most of
the destruction occurred in just two minutes.
Recobs joined a Grace Presbyterian Church
(Montclair, N.J.) mission team that consisted of 30 people ranging
from 17 to 65 years old. The team worked side-by-side with local
craftsmen and church members to help rebuild one of the 14 local
churches and to minister the children of Pisco from July 18 to
August 2, 2008. Grace Presbyterian Church raised over $22,000 for
building materials, while Recobs helped raise an additional $4,200
in cash and goods to support the team’s effort.
"This trip changed my whole perspective on life,"
Recobs said. "When you spend time with hopeful and
joyful people in the midst of a disaster, people who have every
reason to whine and cry, but do not, people who could be totally
depressed, but are not. All this brings you face-to-face with your
blessings and a new appreciation for those blessings."
The Montclair, N.J. native worked alongside Pisco residents to
clear away rubble, level the ground and pour a 40-by-60 foot
concrete slab that would serve as the foundation of a new church
and beacon of hope for the people of Pisco. It took the team a full
two weeks to accomplish its task and after completion, the new
foundation stood out in a city of rubble. The team’s motto
throughout the project was, "Do Work, Son!" Each team member
inscribed their name in the concrete slab, along with their
motto."
Pisco is a testament to the human spirit," Recobs
stated. "The people there have not given up hope and have not lost
their joy. To me the most exciting and uplifting part of the trip
was the generosity of the people who literally had nothing."
The mission team left most of what they brought on the trip with
the natives. Recobs left a valuable tool for the
contractors whom he worked with, a pair of work boots. He also
introduced a fun activity for the natives, the sport of lacrosse.
Recobs brought 20 lacrosse sticks and 20 balls
along for the trip and conducted two mini-camps for natives. What
they did not expect was there would be ‘kids’ from ages
nine to 90 playing catch and learning the sport.
"They [Pisco natives] loved it!" said Recobs. "Who
knows, maybe some day a Peruvian player in the World Lacrosse Games
will remember where he got his first stick."
While the mission team may not have healed the grief or completely
restored the city of Pisco, rather, what they did was show the
natives that the world has not forgotten them. The mission team
helped reinforce their hope.
"I want people to know that there is still a lot of work to be
done," said Recobs. "I strongly encourage everyone
to go and have the same great experience that I had. Helping the
people of Peru will not only open your eyes but have a major impact
on your life. I will never forget the experience I had in Peru.
Anyone can help."