“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6
The Guatemala Mission Team is so incredibly thankful for the generosity of the St. Luke family! With your prayers for the Smoked Turkey fundraiser, purchasing turkeys, the time Sean Egmon and Steve Hoover invested to smoke the turkeys, two families personally donating all of the turkeys, and one family’s generous matching gift, nearly $4000 was raised for the trip! Now that flights are booked our team is leaning in to getting to know each other and prepare for the spiritual and relational components of our trip. This includes planning a fun faith lesson to share with children in the villages to which we will travel, gathering in-kind donations to re-stock the ministry supplies (more on this soon!), getting to know one another and praying together. Below you can read a little more about our team. In closing, we say again, “Thank you!!!” You’ll be hearing more from us over the next few weeks!
Blake Wright is a senior in the family life program at Concordia University. He loves to play guitar, to play hockey, and hang out with friends in his spare time. His favorite hockey teams are the Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals. Blake hopes to be a congregational worship leader after he graduates in May!
Steph Fall joins the St. Luke family from Wisconsin for this trip. Steph is 32, and currently leads a concussion management program at a hospital and clinic in NW Wisconsin. She is very intentional and relational in her involvement in church activities, her daily mission field, and in her relationship with Jesus. “A mission trip has been on my heart for years. I’ve explored various opportunities in recent years, but intuitively knew this is the one I’m supposed to be a part of.”
Emily Knickelbein is a high school sophomore who completes her schooling at a home-school co-op (HSC). She loves sports (especially Basketball, Volleyball, and Running) and plays for a home-school team called Christ the King. Emily also enjoys playing the piano, loves her family and loves kids! “I am a little nervous for this trip but at the same time I am so excited to see how God will work through me. I can’t wait to care for all the children in Guatemala and I am ready to see how God can use me!!”
Jon Knickelbein is a junior in high school, currently enrolled at Concordia University and Washtenaw Community College. In his free time I enjoy playing basketball, hanging out with friends, and playing piano. “One of the many things that I am excited for about this trip is a chance to be able to share the love of Christ to people that are not as fortunate as myself.”
Angela Egmon is a Freshman at Eastern Michigan University studying biology to pursue Physician Assistant schooling upon completion of her undergrad degree. Though very involved in the St. Luke youth group 6th-12th grade, Angela never got the opportunity to go on a mission trip, but have always been looking for opportunities. “I am excited to get to see how God can work in our group to help us serve the people of Guatemala.”
Angie Moyer is Business Manager at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor. She’s mother to 3 wonderful kids: 19-year-old twin step sons and a 3-year-old daughter. Married for 6 years, she thanks God daily for her husband Chad. “Although it will be hard to get away, I’m excited to see how God can use an ordinary English speaking girl like me to show the love of Jesus to those in Guatemala.”
Austin Thomason, 31, is a photographer for the University of Michigan, and currently serves on the St. Luke board of elders. His past mission work has taken him to Australia, Egypt, Uganda, and Mexico. “I’m excited to try something new on this trip. I can’t wait to get to know this team better as we serve together. My goal is to bring the story of our Guatemala mission partnership back to Ann Arbor.”
Emily Racey is a Junior at Concordia University studying Family Life Education. “I am incredibly excited for this trip and to see the ways in which God uses each of us and how we will grow. I am eager to learn so much from my brothers and sisters in Guatemala, and experience it all with this awesome group!”
Jennifer Hein is wife to Pastor Matt Hein, and mom to 4 amazing kids. When not homeschooling the kids, running the household or working part-time for PLI, Jennifer loves being outdoors, reading a good book, asking deep questions for meaningful conversation, and learning to play the violin. “Leading this trip is exciting for me because it’s a way I haven’t served in more than 10 years. It’s great watching how God is providing for this trip. I’m looking forward to seeing how Jesus is working already in the lives of the people of Guatemala, and how He wants to use this experience to shape the hearts of our team.
