While most people were scrambling in December to get ready for the holidays, Alexis “Lex” Hull, a 2015 catcher from Louisville, Ky. and member of the Louisville Lady Sluggers, had more important things on her mind.

Instead of worrying about gifts to wrap in a box, the South Carolina signee –who was ranked No. 62 in the latest 2015 Hot 100 as a lefty power hitter with great defensive skills—was giving the gift of service as she travelled with Crossing Church out of Louisville for a one-week Baptist mission to Haiti.

Almost four years ago, the small Caribbean country just southeast of Cuba, was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed an estimated 160,000 people and affected more than three million people overall. The Haitian government estimates that 250,000 residences collapsed or were severely damaged displacing tens of thousands.

The senior got the opportunity to work with the children in one of the mountain regions of Haiti and, upon arriving, rode in the back of a flatbed truck for about an hour on a bumpy, curvy road to get to a small school.

There, her church group ran a vacation bible school for about 100 students to spread the word of the gospel with the kids through arts and crafts, games and singing songs.   The small ensemble also did some interior painting at the school.

The Haitian people left a life-changing impression on the young athlete who returned to the U.S. uplifting from her week of service.

“When most people think of Haiti, the first thing that comes to mind is poverty but they are the richest people spiritually I’ve ever met.”

It helped put her life and the standard of living we enjoy in perspective.

“After visiting the school and then an orphanage, I was overcome with guilt for everything I take for granted on a daily basis,” Lex continues. “There were still kids at the orphanage who had been there since the massive earthquake in 2010 which is so sad. They would hold on so tight when you would pick them up or hug them.”

The recovery to a normal way of life is still under development and it may be years until everything is under control.

“Clean water and electricity are luxury items there,” Lex explained this week, “and the transportation system is chaotic.”

The teenager is remaining in contact with the people she grew to love by signing up as a sponsor to a child there.

“I am so glad that my daughter was able to grow as a person,” says the softball player’s mother, Angie, “as she is always so busy with school and softball that it’s not always easy to find the time to stop and give back to others.”

“It’s important for these young athletes to realize that the game of softball is just that—a game—and they are blessed to have another day to play it.”

On Lex’s part, this was the first mission trip she took but it likely won’t be the last.

Better than any gift she could have given or received, this made her holidays more special and will be something she’ll treasure for a lifetime. She says it strengthened her resolve to serve others, deepened her faith and brought her closer to God.

“The people there taught me more than I ever imagined through their actions, faith and work ethic,” she concludes. “I am so proud to be a Christian Athlete and I will play for His glory now.”

*** Here is video of the trip by Crossing Church: