Meet the 2019 BLC Enrich Mission Team
The team has been finalized and we are now meeting to learn more about
the mission trip to Matagalpa, Nicaragua in October. The team has a variety of talents and we look
forward to see how God will use us this fall.
It is great to be part of a team with wonderful people who
have so much energy and passion to serve others. We have a lot to do as we work out travel
plans, get to know each other, and learn how best to serve this community. Everyone is excited to see the Tingles and
meet the people of Matagalpa. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for
this journey.
Here are the members of
the team:
SallyJo Gieser
Hi, my name is SallyJo Gieser.
God is so good to give me the health and strength to continue to serve
Him and His people – at church, in our community and Nicaragua. I appreciate the encouragement and love from
my husband to follow God’s call to go on this, my eighth and most likely last,
trip. Chuck and I have been involved in
ministry for 57 years: the pastorate, Christian camping, various mission
experiences.
It has been a blessing to see our church become involved in the
Tingle’s mission work in Nicaragua.
Whether goers, senders, or prayers – everyone has a role in this
missionary work. Every BLC mission team
is unique, and as we train together, and as we work together in Nicaragua, we
grow as individuals and develop closeness as brothers and sisters in
Christ. To God be the Glory – great
things He is doing.
Karen Hoogkamp
My name is Karen Hoogkamp. I have five children, 10 grandchildren,
2 great grandchildren and several foster children. I am enjoying my retirement
keeping busy camping, cooking, kayaking, skiing, and babysitting. Recently I have enjoyed watercolor painting.
My professional life
involved working with children of all ages, from being the Assistant Director
of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation, to Director of Tutor Time or my years at
Assistant Director of School's Out, Inc.
My goal always was to reflect each individual child's talents and
reflect back their goodness.
My faith has always guided me in the direction of serving in some
capacity especially with children. I
wanted to be part of the BLC mission ministry because several years ago two of
my sons; Patrick, Sean and my granddaughter, Courtney Carter went on the
trip. I was amazed at how my boys and
granddaughter enjoyed their service in helping build with the Tingles. They
came back changed!
I am hoping to embrace this new walk with faith and spread God's
unconditional love with the children of Nicaragua. Interacting with the people and children of
Nicaragua will be the highlight of my trip.
Tom Newell
My name is Tom Newell. I am
a retired dairy farmer and also retired from the Town of Bethlehem Highway
Department in 2015. My wife, Valerie and I have a small farm in Feura
Bush, where we enjoy having horses, Guinea hens, chickens, dogs, cats and an
assortment of wildlife that never ceases to engage and amuse us. We have
three daughters, the oldest of which, Kim, was married in June of this year;
the second, Stephanie, is now engaged; and the youngest, Erin, is a student at
SUNY Oswego. Erin accompanied me on my first mission trip in 2015. After
that adventure there was no doubt that I would do another trip with my church
family to Nicaragua. It was an extraordinary trip growing God’s kingdom
with the Tingles and other volunteers. I look forward to this upcoming
experience in a new and different location.
Doug Ophardt
My name is Doug Ophardt and I have worked as a budget analyst for
twenty years. I have been on three prior
trips to Nicaragua and have found each trip to be a very interesting and
exciting experience. I enjoy being
immersed in a totally different culture, just “going with the flow” meeting
people with different perspectives and being in an environment where there is
so much to learn and share.
It has been great to be a small part in helping the Tingle’s build
a resource center, as well as visiting the local schools, interacting with the
students, and having them try to teach me some conversational Spanish. Finally, I hope that there is a little time
to stop by the Matagalpa Fire Department to meet a great group of “voluntario
bomberos".
Amy Vogel
Hola. My name is Amy Vogel. I have been married to my husband Todd Vogel
for three years. I have been blessed
with three children of my own and if that wasn’t enough, I also have two step
children. I have been a nurse for 15
years mostly in the NICU, but more recently in the OR. I love both my jobs being a mom and a
RN. I also love to read and do
crafts. This will be my third mission
trip and I’m looking forward to spreading God’s love.
Todd Vogel
The Lord granted me the opportunity to return to Nicaragua, to
serve his people in and around Matagulpa. If you don’t know me, my name is Todd
Vogel, I have been blessed to have served several times since my initial trip
in 2012. Since becoming a member of BLC about 17 years ago there have been many
times I’ve felt the tug at my heart. Serving in many ways has been part of
these tugs. Over the years, you’ll have found me serving in the worship
services, through the Mission Ministry Team, through the Building Committees
for the recent church additions and building changes and through the wonderful
music of Ralph Schultz and Jubilate. Each year of my time with this church I’ve
been blessed with getting to know and worship with more people and a large part
of that has been the trips which I have been a part of. This year’s group is
another one which I am very blessed to be a part of the mix of people who have
gone before and those who are going for the first time. It is a great thing to
experience the preparation to serve the Lord with others that have a common
goal. “Life changing” these trips definitely are!
Diane Bollman-Buyer
My name is Diane E. Bollman-Buyer.
I am married and have two married daughters, a step-daughter, a
step-son, five grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren. I am retired from the New York State Office
for the Aging, former director of a County Office for the Aging, worked as a Dietitian,
and managed Holiday Inns throughout the Southwest. Since my retirement, I volunteer 5 days a
week as a teacher’s aide to first grade students, teach an after-school art
program for K-5 twice a year, and taught a Senior Citizens watercolor
classes. I have written and illustrated
a children’s book, which was published. I
have served as a Deacon in two Lutheran churches, taught Sunday School Bible
Class, Confirmation class, and the Bethel Bible Series. My interests are painting, travel, gardening,
quilting, swimming, sailing, learning & experiencing new cultures. Last year at age 74, I began running (never
ran in my life before) and have taken 1st place in my age group in three
5K races.
Mike Mineau
My name is Mike Mineau. I work
in the construction field and love to work with my hands and my very large
collection of tools. I’m always ready and willing to help others with
their household repairs and projects. Currently I work in Troy for a local architectural
firm. There I use my vast knowledge of facilities and
project/construction management on school construction projects. I
enjoy golfing in the summer and skiing in the cold months. This
is my second trip to Nicaragua and is looking forward to working alongside the
Tingles and the Mission team to further God’s work.
Sam Dubbelde
Hi, I’m Sam Dubbelde. I’m going to be a sophomore at
Maple Hill High School. I love to play volleyball and to downhill ski. I love
to travel as I just got back from Ireland. I want to go into Marine Science
after high school. I’m excited to be going on this trip with my Dad, Jon
Dubbelde. I have always loved helping others so going to Nicaragua will be a
great experience. I’m hoping that this trip will help me to connect more with
God. I’m thrilled to be able to go to Nicaragua and help serve God through
helping others.
Jon Dubbelde
My name is Jon Dubbelde and this is my first mission
trip. I am married to my wife Deidre and have two kids,
Samantha and Cole. I am originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana and have lived in multiple places in Indiana
& Kentucky working for GE Plastics. My
job led me to upstate NY where I work in Selkirk, joined BLC, and live in
Castleton. We enjoy the outdoors, fishing, hockey, and skiing
the Northeast has to offer. We have been attending BLC for over 20 years and
very grateful to be a part of the Bethlehem family and a church with great
programs. Over the past few years God has placed co-workers
and friends in my path to share Jesus love. I
am excited to join this mission team to share Jesus, serve others, and also
strengthen my relationship with God. My daughter Sam will also be going on the trip and
I look forward to her working with the children and watch her grow in her faith.
