NAMPA, Idaho – Soccer has taken Jade Zimmer from fields in Denver, Colorado, to Iquitos, Peru, to Nampa, Idaho, and plenty of places in between.

The Northwest Nazarene senior has been to Peru three times on mission trips with her church and each time, soccer played a huge role in the visit. 

"Soccer is the international language," she said. "I never imagined where the sport would lead me."

Zimmer, a global business and marketing major, went to South America the first time with her church in Denver. The other two trips, the most recent in January 2018, has been with her family and close friends.

The group offers training to pastors in remote villages along the Amazon River. Zimmer has generally been tasked with helping take care of the children while their parents are in class.

"The second and third time we went they welcomed us as their family," she said. "Now I have those connections, which is why I go down. It feels like family."



While in Peru, the group also helps host a soccer tournament for men's and women's teams from 10 villages. During Zimmer's first trip she was invited to play. Zimmer says when she hit the field the villagers didn't know what to expect out of her.

"The guys are very distant – the men have more power – so none of them would talk to me," she said. "But I'd start juggling and play with them and actually keep up and it gave me a little more respect. To be a female and have that respect was quite unique. Soccer has opened doors in a sense."

She plays for one of the women's teams each time she goes and has even taken old NNU jerseys and balls to give to the team.

"Jade is probably the most sincerely caring person I've ever met," fellow senior Rikki Myers said. "She connects with everyone, but it isn't just to connect – she genuinely wants to get to know you and care for you and she follows through on that."



Zimmer is the only person in her family of five to play soccer, getting her start as a four-year-old. She fell in love with the game at a young age and eventually advanced to club soccer, the Olympic Development Program and a college scholarship.

"She loves community," NNU coach Mary Trigg said. "She is NNU through and through. I see her down there helping everyone move in (during freshmen move-in day). That isn't required, but she is there doing it."

Zimmer was planning on graduating in December after her senior season was done this fall, but with the COVID-19 pandemic postponing all sports until at least Dec. 1 her plans were put on hold. She's still planning to graduate early and then pursue a Master's so she can play in the spring.

Before her senior season finally happens, though, she hopes to have one more trip to Peru under her belt.

After school, she has dreams of becoming a firefighter. She wants the opportunity to help people, stay in shape and have a unique schedule.

"Part of the reason I chose to be a firefighter is the work schedule allows me to go back to Peru," she said. "I will definitely be going back to see those people."

And probably taking a soccer ball with her.