Guatemala Team Reports

Whenever our teams congregate for the pre-trip packing party, I worry if we will have enough space in our luggage for all of our supplies. This year was no exception. We have small items, like pencils and sharpeners. We have crayons, tennis balls, notebooks, soccer balls, basketballs, saucers, laptops, dental supplies, backpacks, card-deck size, solar-powered “Seedplayer” Bible story readers, hot pads, jump ropes, assorted toys, whistles and much, much more.

We gathered as a team the other day at my brother Tom’s house in West Seattle and managed to somehow stuff everything in the one-way supply bags we are taking. Everything fit just fine, in nine, until I realized I had left the box of dental supplies donated by our friend Joe Martin at home. Not a problem, I just grabbed another bag and will bring that today when we go.

We even had a special “guest” with our group, our former team member Diane Malone, a retired nurse who traveled all the way from Lacey to bring us a bag of fabric, patterns and other materials that can be used to sew re-washable pads for girls and young women. The stigma of menstruation is a problem in many developing countries. Diane was to join us this year but an injury suffered in her recent travels is keeping her from coming along. Her program in another Guatemala village was so successful last year that she was eager to continue it in absentia – she has been communicating with two of our team members, one also a retired nurse – so that they may continue this important work this year and hopes to return again in 2026.

Yep, we are off to Guatemala, our team of 12, this evening (April 17). We will meet at the airport, our entire team together for the very first time as sisters Nancy and Betsy hail from the greater Spokane area.

I’d now like to introduce our team to you, or at least those who forwarded their bio info and photos to me. In their words:

Nancy Voorhees
Nancy Voorhees is 60 years old and a retired writer who is originally from the Detroit area. After graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, she spent the early years of her career as a newspaper reporter and editor in West Virginia, Montana, and Idaho. She went on to freelance for some national and international magazines. The latter part of her career was spent as a proposal writer, responding to commercial and government Requests for Proposals in the Information Technology space.

Nancy is married to Gary Voorhees and they live in Liberty Lake, Washington, in the Spokane Valley area. She has never had children of her own but has two nieces and a nephew whom she adores, as well as several other special “kids” who have been a part of her life. Nancy was raised Presbyterian and has been a follower of Jesus since finding a personal relationship with Him during her college years. Between her high school graduation and first year of college, Nancy took a gap year and went on a Rotary scholarship to Sweden. While there, her class of 29 students took pharmaceuticals (such as vitamin drops for infants) and other humanitarian items to distribute while on a trip to the drought-torn country of The Gambia. After that experience, she long dreamed of going on missions and last year’s Guatemala trip with the Marine View Presbyterian Church was right in line with that dream. She is very excited to be part of the team again this year and sees this mission work in Guatemala as a calling.

Lola Cohen

Lola Cohen has called Bellevue home for almost nine years after relocating from Honolulu where she spent almost 30 years married to her late husband, Sid, and running an advertising sales and marketing company. Now retired, Lola enjoys volunteering, tennis, pickleball, yoga, hiking and travel including, exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Lola decided to join the Marine View team in Guatamala with her sister, Lynn Cruz, after going on a similar mission five years ago. Lola describes the last mission as “one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life” and is looking forward to working with the Marine View team on this mission.

Lisa Ruppel

Lisa has worked for her husband’s Auburn-based home improvement company for the past 30 years.  She has three daughters. This will be her third trip to Guatemala with the Marine View Team.  After seeing firsthand the difference the stoves make in the lives of Guatemalan families, she feels blessed to be able to support Hands For Peacemaking and join Marine View again on this trip!

Lynn Cruz

My husband and I moved to Washington from Hawaii over 25 years ago. I grew up on Oahu and raised a family there. I am now retired from Costco after a fulfilling career as a community relations manager. 

This will be my second trip to Guatemala- after my first trip last year I was hooked. I keep busy with my family, 2 crazy dogs and many volunteer opportunities.

Michael Kalkwarf

I am 59 years old and a resident of West Seattle. For years I have heard about this trip from my neighbor, Tom Dirks and the great work the previous teams have done. These villages could really use our help and resources. I am thankful that I am able to join the trip this year. 

Mindy DeMaagd

Originally from Dallas, I moved to Washington in 2003 and have called it home ever since. This will be my very first mission trip—something I’ve always wanted to do—and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to finally step into this experience. I’m approaching it with a full heart and open hands, ready to serve, learn, and grow.

I’m a proud mom to an amazing son who serves as a law enforcement officer back in Dallas. In my free time, I enjoy anything outdoors (especially hiking), spending time with friends and exploring Washington, whether it’s a day trip or longer. Professionally, I’m an executive assistant to a C-level executive at T-Mobile, where I’ve been for 19 years.

Curtis Stahlecker 

I grew up in Montana and moved to Washington in the 80’s. I met my wife Pam in 2011 through the Mountaineers. We were married at Marine View Presbyterian Church and have three adult children and two grandchildren.

After 22 years, I retired from the Port of Seattle where my last position was a capital project manager in the maritime operations. Prior to my employment at the Port, I worked for an environmental engineering firm and a heavy civil construction company. I am a licensed professional civil engineer and journeyman carpenter.

I enjoy most outdoor activities, particularly hunting, fishing, mountaineering and skiing. This will be my first trip to Guatemala. I am very much looking forward to seeing the country, meeting the people, and helping to improve their lives.

Steve Severin

A big thank you for allowing me to participate in this missionary trip!  I recently retired from the Seattle Fire Dept after 27 years.  I mainly worked at station 9 in the Fremont neighborhood and was the A shift driver of the engine.  I have three grown sons with the love of my life and wife of 32 years, Shawn.   I have one sister, Kelly.  Her husband Mike is also going on this trip and it is through him that my invite was extended.  I have developed various handyman skills over the years and hope to be an asset to your mission!

Brian Dirks

This will be my 10th trip to Guatemala through Marine View Presbyterian Church, where my wife Dee and I have attended for more than 15 years. I am gratified for the support Marine View mission teams have received through the congregation and others over the years. It is my honor to again serve as team coordinator and I look forward to another mission with a great group!

When not engaged in mission work I enjoy hanging out with our three adult children, their spouses and four grandkids. I also enjoy a number of outdoor pursuits, like skiing, fishing, cycling and hiking.

Tom Dirks

This will be my seventh trip down to the villages above Santa Cruz Barillas. I go because I want to give back and increase the opportunities for villagers by getting the smoke out of their homes, reducing risks of burns, and cutting the use of wood.  I was born and raised in West Seattle, where I live with my wife and two boys. One of my sons, Andy, and my wife, Suzy, had the opportunity to go down with me on previous missions.  My favorite part of the trip is seeing the smiles, and the welcoming hearts of the people of Guatemala. That’s what will keep me coming back for many years to come.

Suzanne Palmer

Hi, my name is Suzanne, and I am so excited and blessed to return to Guatemala with the team from Marine View.  (This is Suzanne’s fourth time). I grew up in North Carolina and transplanted to Washington State in 1997. I am a mom of four and grandma of nine!  I have previously served in the mission field in Mexico with my children to build homes. I have a heart for service and more specifically “labor” missions, where you can build something that helps improve someone else’s life.  May we be Christ’s hands and feet!

Betsy Rothley

Wife, mom of a beautiful girl, Reagan, and retired nurse practitioner from Liberty Lake (near Spokane).

This is her first mission trip with Hands for Peacekeeping, though she went to Honduras last year with her local Spokane church. This year she joins her sister, Nancy Voorhees, and the Marine group to serve in Guatemala.

She prays for the Lord to work through her and bless those that we serve, knowing she will be blessed ten fold from those that she will meet.

We are ready to take off and serve, and our villages are ready for us. The Hands for Peacemaking crew has been busy moving stoves and supplies to our villages, and we will all meet up soon!

Unless I am feeling motivated two write between flights, my next post will be from Guatemala.

Until then,

Brian