Sally Jo Gieser
Can it be? - this fall I start my seventh year as head of the Mission committee and this year's short term foreign mission team is almost ready to leave on trip number seven. What an experience and what a blessing this has been - sharing the challenge of ministry in a different culture with BLC members! On three of these trips, I have been able to share the experience with my husband of 54 years, Chuck. Ministry - whether in the pastorate or in Christian Camping - has been our life. God is so good to allow me the health and strength to continue to serve Him and His people - at church and now in Nicaragua.
Eric Jerabek
My name is Eric Jerabek and I am a retired planning engineer from AT&T and have been for 27 years. I am happily married to Dolores and together we have three children, Eric, Karyn, and Daryl, who are all teachers now. These days I enjoy traveling, volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, and volunteering as an instructor at the Five Rivers Environmental Center in Delmar. I chose to join this mission trip because I want to use my God given talents to help those who are less fortunate.
Amy Vogel
My name is Amy Vogel and I have a wonderful husband, Todd, who I just married back in early June. I have three children of my own, Steven, Kyle, and Gabby, and two stepdaughters, Arika and Annika. I am a full-time Nicu nurse at Albany Medical Center. The reason why I wanted to join this mission team is because I love helping people. Listening to Todd and my brother talk about the joy they've had in the past doing this work has inspired me to be a part of that joy this year.
Todd Vogel
I am blessed to have been a member of BLC for 14 years now and have served on various committees throughout that time. I am also part of the worship music both in the contemporary and traditional services. Some of my most memorable and faith growing experiences have been on mission trips at BLC and in the relationships formed during and after those trips. This trip will be another special experience in faith as I will be able to share it with my wife, Amy. Thank you for all who provide their support through prayers and supplies.
Chuck Gieser
I was born in China where my parents were missionaries. Having foreign missionaries, missionary kids, and internationals in our home was the norm. When I was 14, my brother, two friends and I worked six weeks building a small house in Costa Rica. It has been a joy to share in the Lord's work with incredibly capable missionaries in many countries - two of these being Wayne and Megan Tingle. The school they began continues with 500 students and a Nicaraguan teaching staff. Now the Tingles have begun a new ministry in Matagalpa. I am one of five that Skypes with the Tingles monthly, helping them think through much of what they are doing. It will be good to experience what we have been talking about!
Richard Licht
My name is Richard Licht (but folks call me Rich!) and I am happily married to Mary Ann with three children, Lizzie, Ben, and Nate. I am employed by the Center for Internet Security, and have been for three and a half years following my retirement from Federal Service. I love to hike, cook, spend time with my family and attend their events. I have been wanting to join a BLC mission trip for a few years, as I want to spread the news of Jesus' love for us through acts of kindness and support for others. This mission to support the Tingles is a perfect opportunity and it sounds like great fun!
Bill Collins
My name is Bill Collins and I am a Christian husband to Barbara, father to James and Leigh, and father-in-law to Stephenie and Joe. I am happily retired from a 37-year career as a lawyer and administrator in New York State government. Retirement – to me – means travel, tennis, choir, hiking, drumming in Praise Band, volunteer firefighting, scuba-diving, volunteering at a homeless shelter, and attacking the moles in my front lawn with a vengeance. I have been on a mission trip to Nicaragua before with my daughter and am very excited about this opportunity to share the love of Christ in Nicaragua again.
Kristy Rama
I graduated from Suny Albany with a degree in English and now work at a small wealth management firm as a client relationship manager. I come from a big family and have four younger sisters- Kelly, Katlyn, Kimberly, and Karen- who are my biggest supporters along with my incredible parents, Mike and Gail. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, singing, writing, reading, hiking and almost anything else that involves being outdoors. Come October, I will also be an official volunteer at the Mohawk Humane Animal Shelter. This will be my first mission trip and I couldn't be more excited for it! Going on a mission trip has always been a dream of mine and I'm so grateful for this chance to work with the Tingles and do what I can for the people of Matagalpa.
Doug Ophardt
My name is Doug Ophardt and I have been a Capital Budget Analyst for 16 years. I was on a previous trip to Nicaragua in 2014 and found the experience very exciting. First, because I was helping the Tingles' school, surrounded by the most cheerful children who were excited each day to come to school, overcoming the challenges faced in their daily environment.
Second, I was lucky to be out in the local community painting walls at the "Inglesia de Dios Pentecostal El Shaddai;" me with my limited Spanish and only an English to Spanish dictionary, trying to discuss baseball. It was great being immersed in a totally new culture and stimulating to meet people with so much to share, and who allowed me to be part of their lives for a few days. It was great fun to just "go with the flow."
I look forward again to working with the children, helping them in their school work, getting to know them, having them teach me Spanish, and learning more about the Nicaraguan people and their culture.
Donna Spellman
My name is Donna Spellman and I was born and raised in upsate New York. I've been married to my husband, Gary, for 26 years and we've been blessed with three children, Brian, Sean, and Kaleigh. In addition to being a wife and mother, I am a Registered Nurse of 30+ years. Most of these years have been spent caring for premature and critically ill infants but I love working with people of all ages. Honestly, nursing has given me far more than I have given of myself. When I have free time, I almost always spend it outdoors. I love to hike, kayak, ski, and garden. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this mission trip and I look forward to serving.
