Latest / 307 Faithful / New Country, Same God
Transcript
- Devin Davis: I'm Devin Davis and I'm the host of 307 faithful podcast. Welcome back for another episode. it's been a short time. We had a really good guest last week those of you who tuned in her, John Michael Gillenborg ⁓ and he, John Michael plays for the university of Wyoming place, tied in was to the senior bowl, then to the scouting combine. And hopefully in a couple of weeks. He will be drafted. it was a great interview. I really encourage everybody to check it out on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and Apple and go ⁓ follow our Instagram page. We put little clips in there, little hooks to let you know who we have as a guest. ⁓ we'd love if you would follow us and ⁓ part of the 307 Faithful podcast. So I started off this recording, but did not realize it was not recording. ⁓ so we are kind of starting all over here, but we've had a good conversation, that hasn't been recorded. And I'm really excited because I told, I told CC, in that recording non-recording that, I have two firsts today. I have, a junior college have not had a JUCO athlete yet. ⁓ and I also have our first foreign athlete, ⁓ and CeCe is from Costa Rica. welcome to the 307 Faithful Podcast. ⁓ CeCe, you told me, and I'm just going to remind everybody moving to Wyoming, moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming was much more difficult than you ever imagined. ⁓ And we a little bit about the elevation ⁓ and the and then you were telling us, telling me about your, your soccer background and, tell us the story, I guess, start off and then we'll find out a little bit more. want to hear you. It's a good story about how you ended up in Cheyenne. So tell the listeners, about that. So ⁓ jump in CC tell us how you ended up in at LCCC. Cece Jimenez: Yeah, yeah, for sure. So yeah, I was playing soccer back home, started playing soccer a little late. I was like maybe nine years old. But then the Lord, probably January or a little before of 2023, was like, CZ, I don't want you to play soccer anymore. And it was definitely like something that I was not expecting. I've been playing soccer my whole life, but I was like, okay, like I'll do whatever you call. So then I started working at a foundation and then... We will lead mission trips. will have Christian groups, churches, colleges. We'll have a lot of people from the US come down and we will just show them around and show them how the Lord is moving in Costa Rica and how they can help and impact a lot of the things we have back here. one day just, was leading CCU, Colorado Christian University women's soccer team. And were like, we're missing a man. Like, do you want to play with us? And I was like, ⁓ sure. ⁓ Devin Davis: So, we're looking at members who are on a board, and we're looking members who are on a board, board, and and are a board, and and and we're looking members who are board, and board, and at and we're at a Cece Jimenez: I've always dreamed about playing in America and I always wanted to be a student athlete in a school here. So I was like, oh wow, like this is like the dream come true. So I was like, yeah. And then I played with them and then the coach was like, I have a coach that might be interested in you if you have like your highlights and like your tests and everything. And I was like, yeah, I would love to. Two weeks after coach Lugo Arenas is calling me and it took me like a 25 minute call. And I was like, I think this is where the Lord really wants me to go. And I said, yes. We did everything that we needed to do. And August 23rd and 3rd, I was down here in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Didn't know everything. Didn't know anything, sorry. Was completely in awe of how different it is from Costa Rica. And I was just ready and it took me like maybe two weeks when I was like, yeah, this is the place that I was meant to be. Like the support you get from coaches, the community, the school overall, it has been like nothing but amazing down here. Devin Davis: That's a cool story. mean, happens, Colorado Christians is in Costa Rica, just happens that they need an extra player. And then ⁓ end up coming to Cheyenne and just feeling at home. man, that's, isn't cool? The way God works in ways that we don't expect when you're trying to ⁓ obey what telling you to do. Cece Jimenez: Mm-hmm. Devin Davis: ⁓ I think that's just amazing. You, you really felt at home from the time you kind of stepped foot on campus there. Cece Jimenez: Oh yeah, for sure. The Lord has definitely been showing me that for like the two years I've been here. I was a newly Christian before I moved to Cheyenne. I was saved maybe November, 2022. So like I've heard about being obedient to the Lord. And then when this came up, I was like, oh, this is what people are talking about. Like, this is the time where I have to be like, yeah, Lord take the wheel. So I did it and then it has been like. Devin Davis: Yeah. Cece Jimenez: those times where you really feel at peace because you're like, this is not my plan, but yours. So I was like, yeah. And when I got here, I was like, I was like, he knows what he's doing. Like his plan is always better than what we think. So yeah, just how you said, it's like amazing to see it like actually impacting your life like that, you know? Devin Davis: Yeah, that's amazing. All the way from Costa Rica. mean, I'm sure there's been some bumps in the road a little bit. I mean, that's ⁓ long way from home. What's been The hardest part about moving to Wyoming from Costa Rica. Cece Jimenez: Well, for sure you get homesick. Like sometimes I was like, hear talk about homesickness, like missing your family, missing your food, missing your culture. And I've never left the country for like a long time to be able to feel this, but definitely like homesickness was something that was really hard. And I remember I was in a point that I was like, I really miss my mom. I really miss my dad. I miss my siblings. really like. I wanna go back, but that's where I was like, okay, I have to rely on something stronger than just this. So that's when I started going to church because I didn't know what churches there were in Cheyenne. I found a couple of teammates that would always go and that's when I was a little more at peace knowing that, yeah, I miss my family, but I have somebody that is always there so I'm not really alone. And definitely this year, one of the hardest things that I have to go through. Devin Davis: So I'm going to do a little bit of little bit bit of a bit bit a a a little bit little little a a a little Cece Jimenez: ⁓ August of last year I turned my ACL during preseason so I've been going through that whole rehab process. So ⁓ has shown me a lot of things. It has shown me about how definitely the Lord's plans, like we never know what is going to come tomorrow but we know that it's going to be good because he's in charge of it. But definitely has been a really hard recovery mentally, spiritually, physical. It has just been a really big challenge that It's just there in my life, but I'm really excited to see a lot of small victories, small changes, and just see how the Lord really just works even in where you think is the darkest times of your life. Devin Davis: Yeah. And I, and, that's one thing, ⁓ Kevin Cates told me as well, and kind of giving me, ⁓ your history before we did this interview is, and you know, I'd seen on here, you played, golly, you were on the Costa Rican, ⁓ FIFA, ⁓ what, what under 20 world cup team. Is that right? ⁓ my gosh. And so I mean, Cece Jimenez: Yes, Yeah. Devin Davis: That that's amazing. really to, have that level of success, then come to Wyoming and then had you had any injuries before you tore your ACL here and ⁓ at triple C. Cece Jimenez: No sir, this is like the first serious injury I've had in actually like my whole years of playing soccer. Devin Davis: Yeah. And so when did you, cause I was looking also up here, think it looks like you were able to play last year. I think you guys, yeah, it looks like you qualified, for nationals, ⁓ at the NJC double A tournament. ⁓ so when did you tear tear your ACL? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, so I played the season of 2023 to 2024 and that's my first season as a freshman at LCCC. We made it to nationals that year too. So we've been able to make it to nationals two years. So I turned my ACL August, 2024. So that was last fall season. Our team, they made it to nationals again, but I didn't play this whole year. Devin Davis: Okay. So then do you have like, ⁓ do you obviously you're still in Cheyenne? Do you have another year coming ahead? Are you planning on playing this fall in 2026? Cece Jimenez: Yes sir, I've been praying a lot about it because when ⁓ I turned my ACL I was a sophomore so I was like, like this is my last year at LCCC, like I wanted to move on and play soccer at a year university but they said that I could redshirt so I did all the paperwork to redshirt so I will be coming back for August 2026, like next year, next season, sorry. Devin Davis: Was that a hard decision? mean, because a good point, right? I mean, you didn't have to come back. You could have gone on and played. were, you know, obviously prayer, right? But ⁓ what of all went into that decision of where do want me to go, God? What were some of the things that were going through your mind and that you felt like God was telling you? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, for sure. It definitely, it's like a really like roller coaster of emotions because I remember when I got my news about turning my ACL, of course I felt feelings of fear. I was feeling feelings of anxiety and I was like, okay, Lord, like, what do I do? Like you brought me here to play soccer, but now I can't, like, what do want me to do? And then when I got my surgery, I was able to fly my mom here and She is kind of like my role model in prayer. Like I will call her a prayer warrior. Like since the moment she knew I turned my ACL, like she didn't start praying just for the Lord to show me what the outcome of this ⁓ was going to be. And I remember I felt a sense of peace because I was like, if this injury were to happen anytime, anywhere, I'm really blessed that it happened here. LCCC has given me anything I need in ⁓ for me to be able to Devin Davis: Okay. Cece Jimenez: have PT to rehab in the best with the best athletic trainers to have the best support in my coaches. Like they check on me every week. They check how you do and they check how the knee is doing, how the process is going and everything. I, one of my biggest blessings is the host family program. I remember you have to fill out a form and Lord just told me put that you're a Christian, put that you're a newly Christian when you got saved. And I got paired up with this family that is an example of what a Christian family should look like. ⁓ Nick and Carissa Kemp have been nothing but amazing in my life. I remember I was talking to her and she was like, do you feel like LCCC is like a place that the Lord is saying like, yeah, you should stay another year. And I was like, I think so. I was like, I really been put on a place that he's definitely pushing me to stay another year. And when my coach asked me, he was like, what are your plans? And I was like, I'll stay another year. And he was like, Devin Davis: Same hand. Cece Jimenez: That's really good. He was like, I know it's kind of hard to hear, but all the incoming freshmen are saying, we're not, we're not really happy that Cici got injured, but we're happy that we get to play with her. And I feel like the Lord has always pushed me in a way of kind of with my experience being in the national team since I was 14 years old, flying almost all across the country, flying around the world, playing teams are definitely the highest level of soccer you can ever. Played I feel like he definitely has me in a role of being like an example and just like a leader for these girls So I was just like I want to say another year. I really want to help this incoming freshman and I want to help the team so definitely was like Really impressive to feel this sense of peace in the middle of an ACL recovery that Anybody that has gone through it really knows that it's like hard time to be in it's just yeah, it was just that for sure Devin Davis: Yeah, that's, you know, and And, and that's, you answer the question in my mind. I mean, is you had the injury here, your family's in Costa Rica. and, and that's, that's hard, right? Because it, with an injury that serious, and your family being that far away, it's, you know, how those dynamics worked out. And so you decided to have surgery here and your, your mom just was able to come up and, kind of to there for you through those, that, that initial. You know, healing stage, I guess that's, that's a tough, tough recovery, but then, um, that man, what a blessing to hear how LCCC has just come alongside you and, and, and given you what you need to be able to recover. And so that that's awesome debt. So like thinking about where, you know, the injury and that happened in 2024. So we're about a year and a half, a little bit more than a year and a half. Where are you, where are you at as far as, um, practice and you were, you were mentioning that before we started recording about, about practice, where are you at strength wise and, being able ⁓ play, how close do you think you are or are you completely recovered and able to play 100 % Cece Jimenez: Yeah, not yet. Actually, tomorrow, Monday, I have my six month appointment. So that's six months from my surgery that I got September 16 of last year. And tomorrow I do a strength test ⁓ and by then I will be able to be fully clear to jump, to run and to do like most Devin Davis: Okay. Cece Jimenez: Mostly athletic like movements so I can get back into playing and my timeline by the end of June, hopefully I'll be clear enough to just be able to play. So I will get the medical and the doctor I'll be able to have foot contact. I'll be able to come back for fall season. So ⁓ exciting. Like I remember last week I just started on Thursday. I just had the first time where I kicked the soccer ball. I was doing little passes but I remember and it brought a lot of sense of just being grateful of I remember when I couldn't walk. remember when I would go one day I had to go to the restroom and I had a walker and my athletic trainer was like, I think it's time for you to be able to walk by yourself. And I remember I just stood there and I was like, I got my surgery two days ago. I was like, I don't think I can walk right now. And she was like, you got it. And I remember. The walk to the bathroom was maybe five steps and I remember it took me like a good 20 minutes because I was so afraid. And then I remember I just, I was like, I'm holding onto the Holy Spirit right now and I'm just walking to bed right now. And it was just like, it's like, I've been waiting for this moment. I've been waiting to kick a soccer ball. I've been waiting to be able to at least run a little, do a little jump here and there. So it's definitely exciting. And after I get my clear, hopefully this Monday. Devin Davis: Ha ha ha ha ha ha Cece Jimenez: I will be able to be completely free to run, to do some little jumping and start to feel like an athlete again, you know, start to get that sense of just seeing what your body can truly do and how strong your body is because this healing is, it's been definitely long, but it's really cool to see how after an intervation so big that they like have to go through your muscles, over to the tissue and everything, how the body heals is actually pretty amazing to see. Devin Davis: And I'll tell you, and you've probably been warned about this. I've, I've had, my ACL repaired and, know, I mean, obviously in sports we've been, you've been around people who've done that. think the hardest part. I think probably it sounds like physically you're ready. I think always the hardest part is mentally, getting out on the, on the field and being ⁓ that your knee is going to be able to hold up to, to full level of competition. So that's probably going to be the hardest part of recovery for you. think the physical part is, mean, it hurts, but I that's probably the easy part. The hard part is just having confidence to do that. So I bet you've kind of, already encountered that a little bit. Cece Jimenez: yeah, for sure. I'm really grateful my coach, my assistant coach, she is strong in her faith too. And I remember after our training, there was this little like past thing that kind of scared me. And I was like, I stopped on my tracks and I was like, that's ⁓ how I injured. Like I got injured jumping for a ball and landing on only my left leg and in my knee kind of like buckled. And she was like, dude, she was like, I'm going to tell you right now, you will be able to do that again. She was like. Devin Davis: Yeah. tell you right now, you will be able to do that. It's too important. You just need to understand that you do that whole thing. going tell how you get there. I'm to tell you how you get there. Cece Jimenez: if you get your mind right and you actually let go of the fear and just hold on to the things that you've been able to do already. She was like, that's how you're going to get there. And she was like, I know you cannot wait for the day that you step foot on that, to step like foot on that field again. She was like, I know you cannot wait to score a goal again. But she was like, you need to actually fight your mind to this because it's giving up before your body will. So I was like, I remember I was sitting there and I was like, yeah. Devin Davis: Yep. Cece Jimenez: I was like, I'm really scared right now, but you're so right. But she was like, emphasizing that. And my athletic trainer has emphasizing that too. And has been like the hardest thing to go through even now. Just being able to take a step to go down the stairs. Sometimes it's just like a little sense of like hesitation to do it. But I remember she's like, she's like, any answer you need, you're gonna, you're gonna find it. Like she gave me a list of five things to live by every day. ⁓ that is called the warrior mentality and she was like, I'll give you this. And then she was like, come back next week and find Bible verses that line up because she was like, every single one of these has a Bible verse to like support it. And I was like, I was like, wow, that's all I needed to be honest. And then put my shoes back in and I'll jump into that field again. And I was like, ready to go because it really like the support has just been amazing. Devin Davis: And that's what I, you, you answer that a little bit. I think the thing is how have you been able to keep your, your mind in the right place the time you had surgery until now, what, what have you done to keep those kind of ⁓ negative and those doubts and those fears from kind of flooding in? been your kind of ⁓ of discipline? What have you done for that? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, it's definitely been hard. Like it's really hard because a lot of thoughts that are not from the Lord are going to come ⁓ and can definitely invade your mind if you let them. But definitely FCA meeting with ⁓ Kevin Haley Cates at least once a week has definitely been a huge reinforcement because somehow the Lord is always going to find a way to speak to you during one of these sessions. So that has definitely helped me out. Social media has been a big no in my rehab, actually, I'm not gonna lie to you. It's hard to understand that everybody's timeline is different. So I remember I'll see videos of somebody that turned the ACL and they're running and I could barely like sometimes put my shoe on and I was like, oh yeah. No, I was like, I'm going on my own time. Whenever I will be able to do that, I'll do it. And definitely the, just getting into the world has been like one of the biggest. Devin Davis: . Cece Jimenez: things and my first ever Bible my friend Lauren gifted me and it's just a small like maybe like pocket-sized Bible and I carry it like I carried it with me everywhere I have like a little marks and I remember like every time I'll get this feeling so I'll just read like a quick verse and sometimes I'll just make myself kind of memorize it on the spot because that way my mind would just be like ⁓ you have to memorize this like try to memorize it like word by word. So I will just like all of a sudden I'll be like, ⁓ actually I forgot what I was just thinking about now. I'm just trying to learn these Bible verse that I've never seen before actually. So that has definitely been ⁓ of like the things I try to put ⁓ practice, but it's definitely been hard. Some of the hardest moments I remember I'll just call my mom and I'll be like, mom, like, like I don't, I can't right now. I was like, I'm not feeling really well. Like rehab is getting to me for sure. Devin Davis: Yeah. Cece Jimenez: And she'll just sit with me and she'll just be praying on the phone. I remember there's been a couple of times where I've just fallen asleep with her still praying. And that has been definitely like one of the biggest helpers that I've had for sure. Devin Davis: So you mentioned, ⁓ know, ⁓ ⁓ I've kind of taken, it sounds like your mom is a Christian, is ⁓ your whole family where you brought up kind of in a centered home. ⁓ because you mentioned that you really weren't saved until 2022 ish or so. Does you say that earlier? So, ⁓ you how did those dynamics go growing up? Cause it sounds like you're like your mom ⁓ is and, she's there for you. What kind of you so long ⁓ to figure, figure out, I guess. Cece Jimenez: Yes. Yeah, well, I was, my whole family is actually Catholic. So Catholic, Catholicism is the biggest religion branch in Costa Rica. So my parents are ⁓ really strong in their faith. My older brother is really strong ⁓ his faith. And my brother and I, we were all about soccer. We were like soccer, soccer, soccer. Every Sunday we'll go play soccer. Every Saturday we'll go play soccer. Every weekday we will go play soccer. So it was just like, I felt like we were definitely. Devin Davis: Okay. Cece Jimenez: putting soccer as an idol in our lives. I remember my mom was like, you guys want to go to church? And we were like, oh, we have training at 11, like at 10 a.m. with our personal trainer, like we can. And it definitely took me a while, but my mom was always like, I remember everyone sees I was a baby. I would always have a Bible by my bed. And sometimes my mom would be like, have you opened your Bible? And I was like, no, not really. And then I'll come back to my room and my Bible is open in one Bible verse. And she's like, Devin Davis: Okay. Cece Jimenez: Did you see what birds like left you in? And I was like, no, not really. And then she's like, ⁓ you better know by tomorrow. So then like, she kind of will be pushing like us to actually get into the world. like, feel like my house has always been Christ center in ⁓ way. But then once I started playing soccer, I just kind of had to be like traveling across the country a lot and stuff like that. My friend Lauren, she is the reason why I finally met Christ as I know him right now. We met in a professional club team in Costa Rica. She's actually from Ohio. So she just came to Costa Rica. We met at this club and she was for me ⁓ an example because I've never seen somebody so strong in their faith. She will always take a knee before every game. She'll pray. She will not be afraid of speaking about her faith. And I was like, really intrigued by it. My first ever game, we were playing not so good. And I remember during halftime, I was just in my head a lot and she stopped me on my tracks and she was like, Sissy, can I pray for you? And I was like, okay, what is this? I was like, I've never been in this situation before. And I was like, I was like, please, like I actually need just kind of like to let go of this bad thought so I can just get into my game again. And she did. And then She moved club teams, I stayed in the same club team. we always kept ⁓ And then one day she was like, hey, like the foundation that actually brought me to Cheyenne. She was like, we're opening a new Christian church, would you like to come? And I was like, ⁓ I was like, sure. I was like, I'll see what all this is about. I remember I said that. I walk in, never been in like a Christian church. I didn't know what worship was. I didn't know a lot of these things. And I remember. Um, got in. First worship song I heard was Goodness of God. And I was like, oh, like this is who we're talking about. Like this is the Lord I remember my mom will always tell me about. This is the Lord my mom will pray to about every single one of her children. And I remember Lo, she was like, what do you think? And I was like, I want to come back. And I kept coming back and then she kept like, we started doing Bible studies. Devin Davis: I think that and that he had like three guardians. Cece Jimenez: I remember we'll go to this coffee shop. I started with the Gospel of John and that's one of like my favorite ⁓ books in the Bible now because it really gave me just everything I needed to set a firm foundation. And then I just started like digging more into every single book in the Bible. And she was like, do you know what being safe means? And I was like, I have no idea. And she explained it to me and she was like, whenever you're ready, like the Lord will like actually enlighten you to know that the decision like. has to be made. Next service at church, was like feeling this deep sense of just like, this is what Lauren is talking about. And I remember I decided to accept Jesus Christ in my heart and just let him be the key of my life basically. And yeah, it's just been really up from there. It's just been, well, you know, it's like kind of like a bumpy road. Once you're safe, it doesn't mean that everything's gonna be perfect, but. It means that you're gonna have somebody there that is always gonna be with you. yeah, that's kinda like the story. Devin Davis: It's... how you... I mean, ⁓ I'm I mean, it's probably amazing to think about how much your mom prayed for you. I mean, if you could go back and add up, I think that's one thing kids... if they could the hours that parents pray for their kids, that they would know And so, did you, you know, tell your mom? ⁓ your family about this decision or how did you share that with them? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, was kind of hard for me because I remember I was like, hey mom, I'm going to church. And she was like, we just went. Why didn't you go with us? And I was like, no, I'm actually going to this other church. It's non-denominational. It's actually really nice. I really like it. And they were like, ⁓ OK. I'm still a little skeptical about it. They started seeing me reading my Bible and they were kind of giving into it a little. And I remember one day I was like, Hey mom, like you want to go to church with me? She was like, sure, let me get ready. And that was like amazing to see. My mom came to church with me. She was just sitting there and she was like, I see what you're talking about. She was like, this is, this is a really nice like environment for you to grow this nice environment because this is, this is where people come that need Christ. This is where people come that need Jesus in their lives that had had a bad week just like a bad morning. This is where, This is where you go. And that was just really eye-opening. And then I had to leave for So I came here. And I remember I went back and every Sunday I'll go to church during winter break, the first ever winter break I had. And remember my mom and my dad decided they wanted to come through the Christian church with me. And it was an amazing step. it was, I was ⁓ actually shock about how the Lord has changed their hearts to be just more open about. accepting this, just the nomination that is kind of different from theirs. So ⁓ was amazing. And then my middle, my older brother, he's huge in the Catholic church too, but he was like, I want to go. So then we will like, the church was maybe 10 minutes away from my house. So we will be like, ⁓ let's go walk in. Like we'll walk to church and then walk back. And it was just like really amazing. It was just, I was just in shock about how. The definitely opened their hearts and their minds to just accepting the path I was taking with the lore. Devin Davis: And so that was, mean, when was that kind of the time that you, you know, you pray that, uh, that Jesus would be in your heart and that he'd be your Lord and savior? That was in, did you say 2022-ish or so? Cece Jimenez: Yeah. Yeah, that was 2022. Devin Davis: So you've been a Christian only about four years. Cece Jimenez: Yeah. Devin Davis: Yeah, I mean, I, I, it always blows me away. I, I think maybe I'm just slow. but it took me, you know, I'd, I knew about Jesus and I'd heard about Jesus and I believed in Jesus. but it always is amazing ⁓ when, you finally, you, you, kind of finally see that the work Christ and the price that he paid, to save you, right? And to give you a hope and a future. and, and ⁓ just blows me away when I see people like you, CC is that in like four years, just how on fire you are and how much you've grown and, where your faith is that you've trust God through all this, through a move from Costa Rica to Wyoming, and to have ⁓ serious knee injury while you've been in Wyoming. ⁓ yet, I mean, it's, it's amazing to see how your faith has grown and I mean, just that attitude that, that God has a plan and that he always gives me what I need. that's man, praise God for that. I just, that's just awesome. And so, I, know, the other question, obviously, since we're doing this from, kind of a, from an athlete standpoint with FCA, did, did that, did that change the way that you competed when you came to know Jesus and, and made Lord over your life? because it'd been all soccer before. Like you said, you kind of made it your idol. know, you probably didn't know it at that time, but that was your idol, right? And now you said, no, Jesus, I'm going to follow you. So how did soccer change for you from that time that you made him Lord in your life to we're at now? ⁓ How that changed your game, basically? Cece Jimenez: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. It's definitely been a huge change. I remember growing up, I started playing soccer because I loved playing soccer. a really early age, I started moving really fast. I started playing professionally. I started playing with people double my age. I started putting a lot of, ⁓ how you said, started putting soccer as an idol. I started putting a lot of pressure on myself. I started putting a lot of like, this has to be perfect. Like every day that I step on this field, it has to be perfect. And with this, what came was as love was like my self-worth was just based on how well I would do on the field. Like I knew that if I was a good player, everything else was good. If I played a bad game, everything else was bad. And that's when FCA came. And I remember one of the first meetings we have, it was like, you are a child of God before anything else. Like Jesus will love you. every single day, every single minute, every single second because He already died on the cross for you. There was so much love from Him to you that He decided to go through an absolute cruel death just to save you and just to pay for your sins. And I remember my friend Lauren, she was like reading, we were reading the Gospel of John and she wrote a note on my Bible and it was just a question, how can you not? It was a question, how can you not love Jesus? How can you not glorify Him with everything you do after all the sacrifice He has done? When I started to understand this, I started enjoying soccer more. I started playing soccer for something bigger than myself, and it never changed my self-worth. If I made a mistake, I knew Jesus wasn't going to love me less than He already loves me. If I played a good game, all praise to Him. If I play a bad game, all praise to Him. because he's given me the ability to actually step on the soccer field. soccer became almost like a way of worship. It was like, I practice all week, like leaning up to this game. Like, I just want to like give it all to you because this is what I used to dream of. Like I used to dream of playing in America. I used to dream of playing soccer and studying at the same time. Like soccer just became something that is ⁓ not I am, but something that I do. So it was just... really incredible because I can sit here and tell you that was just the Lord working in my life because how self-centered I was in soccer and seeing that change I just know that it's the Lord just you know. Devin Davis: Yeah, that's That's an awesome testimony. and, the, the way it's impacted you. that's what I, you know, being involved with FCA, it's like, no sports, athletics, aren't a bad thing in themselves, right? We tend to in America, probably around the world, we tend to, to idolize sports. really, but sports is an avenue for you to be able to glorify God and, ⁓ and, be to, just praise him, right? It talks about, we're, you know, the way that we compete is, ⁓ is to God. And, ⁓ I think that's in Romans 12, verse one, it just changes your mindset. tell, ⁓ know, athletes that I work with, ⁓ around here all the time that, man, I wish I could go back and do sports again, knowing what I know now. ⁓ And I mean, that's Cece Jimenez: . Devin Davis: Kind of, sounds like the story with you is like, this was CC soccer player before Jesus, this is CC soccer player after Jesus. And, and like, it's, it's got a whole bigger purpose and meaning in your life than it did before. It was a game that you enjoyed to play. Now it's a much greater thing in your life. because you know, Jesus Christ is your Lord and savior. ⁓ That's really awesome. Now I also wanted to connect with that with FCA because I know that Kevin told me about getting FCA started at LCCC and that you've played a big role in that. So tell us about FCA at at Laramie County community college and how that's going and the role that you play and kind of how things working out there on your campus. Cece Jimenez: Yeah, for sure. I remember my freshman year, Kevin came to one of our practices. He was talking to our coach. He stayed the whole practice. was just just like in like in the practice. Like I was that's the first thing that caught me. I was like, who is this guy? Like he's really just like paying attention to what we're doing, asking the coach questions. And then he said we sat down and he was talking to us about FCA. I've never heard it before. But when he was like, it's a fellowship of Christian athletes. Like we get together, we talk about the Lord, but mostly we do it in a sense for athletes. Like we touch a lot of teams about athletics. And I was like, I'm really like interested in this. I talked to him after first thing I told him, was like, I'm a newly Christian. Like I'm a really new Christian. Like I don't know a lot, but I really want to know. So he was like, yeah, of course. And then I remember I was talking to some girls. It's funny, I would see maybe some girls that have maybe a cross tattoo and I was like, hey, are you a Christian? They were like, yeah. I was like, ⁓ I'm trying to put together this group of girls so we can just meet every week and just try to talk about the Lord. And everybody was really involved and I was getting everybody's numbers and I was trying to set everything up. And I remember it took a while. I was trying to set a time up every like... body schedule was really different during fall season. Like it's kind of different for the soccer teams. During winter season, it's kind of different for the indoor teams. So I was like, okay, like, let's just see how this works out. And I remember day I'm leaving the athletic trainer room. I'm almost halfway through the door and I hear somebody yelling my name behind me. And know, Kevin, his voice really like drives through the place. So was like, ⁓ and I turned around and Kevin is like, so Zizi, he was like, when are we starting FCA? ⁓ Devin Davis: . Cece Jimenez: And I was like, I was like, you tell me I have a couple of girls. And he was like, okay, let's try for Thursday. So I was like, okay, that's good. We have a day. So I remember I texted the girls. was like, hey girls, like we're really going to start meeting. So this was during spring of 2025. Yeah. Last year, no, 2024 actually. And all the girls were like, yeah, I'm excited. So we sat down for meeting at noon. And that's basically how it started. And then Kevin, he kind of was leading me in a role. He was like, you already set the girls together. He was like, I'm not putting you in a role of a leader, but kind of you did it to yourself right now. And I was like, yeah. So he was really ⁓ encouraging about prayer. He was like, if you want to open with prayer, you can do it. If you want to like just a bigger role, he was like, just really encouraging. So FCA right now we have. Devin Davis: Yeah, yeah. Cece Jimenez: our group of girls on Thursdays and we finally started a group of co-ed FCA. So basically we have a group of like 10 boys and a group of maybe like eight girls that we meet every Monday night. So that's really encouraging. Like me and Kevin, were talking about, hopefully this as fast we could. just seeing it actually in action is really, it's really satisfactory and it's really encouraging for us and everybody. I remember past Monday, Kevin had some shirts with the LCCC colors and it just said FCA Wyoming. all the boys were really excited. They took it on Tuesday night. There was intramural volleyball. And I remember I went there with a couple of friends ⁓ every single boy that goes to FCA was repping the merch and I was taking pictures and sending them to Kevin. And I was like, Kevin, the Lord is moving down here. Like it's amazing to see. ⁓ he was like, Devin Davis: . You I did. Cece Jimenez: This is amazing, I remember he posted them and everything. Yeah. Devin Davis: I'd laugh because you say that. ⁓ actually saw ⁓ shared that on social media and ⁓ might be your pictures that you took. And I saw all the guys, ⁓ like you said, rep in ⁓ Wyoming FCA shirts. And that's, you know, the cool thing about that is, you know, community colleges tend to be smaller colleges. and, and I think, right, ⁓ any there's, there's, it's kind of a big family. My wife coaches volleyball at central Wyoming college. and so ⁓ know how that is. And so like, can have a huge impact, on the campus. and, it's, it's just really neat to see how God's worked through that through your faithfulness and your obedience ⁓ and just way that you've impacted, ⁓ not only your soccer team and some of the girls, ⁓ but, now whole campus. So that that's really exciting. So the, then the question is, now you have. a season left. you know, what do you, mean, it's hard to think about what might happen. I mean, you still have to come back from your, your injury, but what do you see yourself doing? How do you see CC Jimenez as future beam once you're done at LCCC? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, so as I told you before, my dream is to move on. Like I really have been praying about where the Lord wants me to go because I've been having some mixed emotions about going back home and playing soccer or staying here in America and pursue a bigger degree like a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. So I've been just praying about it and just put it in the Lord's hands. But definitely right now. Just how you said, I'm so excited for this upcoming season. I'm so excited to meet the new girls. Hopefully we get some of them involved with FCA and I'm just excited to see FCA to continue growing. Like now everybody, if they see Kevin around the rack, that is the athletic building, they know who he is. Like it's encouraging to see. So definitely I just see myself still growing in my faith. I see myself. enjoying this last season at LCCC because this college has meant so much to me and hopefully being able to be obedient in the Lord and just going where he wants me to go and just keep my eyesight straight and just keep on trusting him and just praising him every time I can get. Devin Davis: That's cool. you, do you, mean, it's kind of a hard question, right? Do you feel called to go back to Costa Rica? or do you feel like you want to stick around the United States or ⁓ it really matter? Cece Jimenez: Yeah, like, I'm really okay with any of those options, just like you said. I've been really strong on knowing that Lord is kind of wanting me to stay here in America. But there has been some times where some friends from back home, they have just been asking a lot of questions. So just about their faith and everything. it's kind of just that ⁓ this time is kind time of just sit in lot of and just ⁓ prayer so I can see where the Lord takes me. But just like you said, I'm really just okay with any options. ⁓ I just know that at the end of the day it's just gonna be okay. Devin Davis: I mean, man, what an encouragement and an awesome story. And like I said, I just, I can't help but get excited about the gospel and about Jesus just by hearing your testimony and the way that God's worked in your life. And even through an injury and being in another country, I mean, it's, that's awesome. So you see, I just a blessing. I think, man, ⁓ I people listen to this because is the story is really great. And the story is exactly what the purpose of this podcast is, is encourage people who are athletes to show them that like sports ⁓ faith go hand in hand. ⁓ it just is a matter of like ⁓ change in mindset, like you made and just being confident that no matter win or lose or what happens in life, God's hands on you. And I think you feel that, right? You feel that God's spirit is moving in your heart and has you exactly where he wants you and will continue to lead that, you in that direction because you're following him. ⁓ ⁓ why do we doubt that sometimes, right? We're pretty hard headed people. Like we can't figure that out sometimes is that God is faithful, you know, through the ups and downs in lives. Like you said, there's been challenges. It's not all easy. But you, you always have a savior who loves you and who, who wants your best and, you're a living testimony of that. So, man, that's great. Do you have anything else that you want to share with any of our listeners? any, anything else that you can think of before we close? Cece Jimenez: I want to thank you for having me and just ⁓ giving me opportunity to have a platform. Like I told you before we started recording as athletes, we have such a huge platform and we never know who we're going to impact. But just how you said, like any athlete that is struggling right now, athlete that is going through injuries, any athlete might have not found the Lord. He's there. Like there was times where even when I wasn't in church, I thought I was alone, but I was never alone. I suddenly realized that He was always by my side. So I know it can get hard. A Christian life is not a perfect life, but it's a life where you have somebody that is never going to leave your side. It's a life that you know you can just rely on Him. You can rely on His Word. You can rely on His Holy Spirit to guide you. So... Yeah, I just want to like, if anybody is actually struggling right now, just know that there's a God that loves you. And there's a God that has everything planned out for you. There's a God that is never going to fail you. And yeah, that God lives in you and lives in every person that is around you. And yeah, he's just the one and only. And it's amazing to know that and to able to express it to other people. Devin Davis: That's awesome. I always try to end these in a prayer. So I'm going to go ahead and with you ⁓ you would join me with that. All right, God, we're going to play pray here with C.C. Father, we just thank you for this interview, the chance to get to know C.C., to know challenges in her life, to hear her story, Father, that, you know, through her whole life, she had a who was faithful to tell her about you, to be faithful to show her your Word that your Spirit opened her heart to know you and follow you Father. And thank you that you brought her to Wyoming. It's crazy to say, but thank you for her injury. Because Father, you were glorified through the way she has handled that. Father, I just pray for going ahead into the of the spring season, summer, heading into fall season next year that you would be with her with a strong recovery physically for her knee, but also spiritually and mentally that she'd have the confidence to trust in you. to be able to compete at the highest level to glorify you father that she would be a ⁓ beacon other her teammates for the other teams to see as she competes. Thank you for bringing her to Cheyenne. you for ⁓ impact she's had at LCCC and FCA. Thank you for the people around her. Kevin and Lauren people who poured into her and have ⁓ her guided down the path father. She She is your child. We know that we, we believe that. And I, and I tell you what, it's been a great testimony and I pray that it would change the hearts and the minds of those who are listening. This has been an awesome episode and we are blessed by it. So we thank you that your son died on the cross, ⁓ a horrible death, more than anything we can imagine. And, and he did that because ⁓ we the rules. We're all sinners. We all need saved. He gave his life for that so that we can live eternally if we trust. And that's all we have to do is believe. So thank you for that, Father. We give you all the glory in your name. Amen. Cece Jimenez: Amen. Devin Davis: Thank you so much. It's been great to connect with you. And just like I said, I just pray that your recovery goes well. I, ⁓ would you that maybe if you play at CWC next fall, I'll be able to come and watch you play and actually introduce myself in person. So, keep up the good work. Cece Jimenez: Thank you so much. I appreciate it this time. It was a great conversation. And I think so. I think this fall season we might be going down there. So hopefully, hopefully we get to actually meet. Yes, sir. Devin Davis: You bet. Okay. Yeah, that would be great. have a good rest of your night. CC, thanks again for joining us. Cece Jimenez: Thank you so much. Devin Davis: You bet. All right. ⁓ I just wanted to quickly finish up here. Thanks guys for tuning into 307 faithful podcast. We appreciate it. this podcast is growing because of you. And so make sure and share this on your social media, ⁓ your classmates, tell your teammates, go, go follow our Instagram page. we're just for everything. We've got some, more really good, guests. the road, have another college athlete from Riverton, Wyoming. That's a little, a little teaser there. I think you'll all know this ⁓ playing golf at CU. We've got a great interview with ⁓ an athlete from Douglas high school. So a lot of good things down the road. are just grateful that you're a part of this. So continue to support us. ⁓ And, I just want to remind everybody that FCA sports camp is at the end of June. And it's filling up fast. We're hoping to have another 600 plus athletes at the University of Wyoming. And if you have any questions, just go to the FCA Wyoming website. It's got a place to sign up there. It'll give you all the details. There are scholarships that are available. We'd love to have you join us this summer at the FCA sports camp in Laramie the last week of June. It's always an awesome time. to connect with other Christian athletes from around the state and to learn more about your sport. We have some awesome coaches this year lined up as we do every year and we'd love for you to be a part of that. So, visit the website, sign up if you're able to. You can always, you can leave questions ⁓ the faithful YouTube page and I'll be glad to connect with you or on our Instagram page too. So. ⁓ reach out to me if you have any questions, I'd love to encourage you with that. having said that, having prayed for CC, what an awesome interview. ⁓ just like to say, God bless, have a great night. Thanks again for tuning into 307 faithful podcast.