Garrett Mitman, a high school junior from Wisconsin, USA, visited the Turks and Caicos Islands (in the Caribbean) while on vacation with his family. Garrett describes himself as a basketball junkie, loving the game and using every spare moment to improve his game.  While practicing dribbling drills on the resort’s court, he was approached by one of the workers, who suggested, “You should go off site and play with my nephew.” That sounded like an adventure, so he set out, not knowing this would lead to a life-changing experience.

When he walked up to the Bight Community Court, he got a lot of strange looks from the other players. He figured perhaps he was the first tourist to play with them, but when he started to play, he became just one of the guys. They invited him back night after night, and their kindness touched his heart. He witnessed that basketball had the power to bring people together.

When Garrett returned to the U.S., he felt he had left a piece of his heart with his new friends.

Garrett wondered how he could give something back to them. Going to his computer, he began to research. He discovered there was a Nazarene pastor in Turks and Caicos who had a thriving basketball ministry with youth. Five days later he had a Skype call with Pastor Nathalie Sweeting. They discovered they shared a love of basketball and a desire to improve the Bight Court.

For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.