Thursday, September 18, 2014

Introducing the 2014 Ride4Life Crew!

Riders



Amy Aeronauts

Amy Aernouts has been married to her husband Joe for 28 years. Their life story includes being high school sweethearts and teenage pregnancy which gives them a passion for the ministry of Lakeshore Pregnancy Center. They love family time with their three adult children (Joey, Ethan & Alyvia) and daughter-in-law (Tawne), and are excited for the day they’ll get to hold their first grand baby in February! 

Other than biking, The Aernouts’ love playing on West Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore and also spend as much time as they can in Winter Park, Colorado. This is Amy’s second year as a rider in LPC’s Ride4Life, she is thankful God gave her a whole new way worship him … on a bike!


Bonnie Gruppen

This will be my 3rd Ride4Life! I am excited for this challenging experience again! I am looking forward to enjoying God’s beauty as we the 700 mile ride around Lake Michigan.  I have been invested in this ministry for the past 13 years and it has been such a blessing.  As a Client Advocate I have been able to work closely with women and men in crisis pregnancy and also teaching Life Skills and Parenting Classes.  I have a true passion for all we do at LPC. Thank you so much for your support and prayers!


Sherry Hoppen


My name is Sherry Hoppen and I have been with LPC for 8 years as either a volunteer or staff member. My current position is as their Event Coordinator.  

This will be my 5th Ride4Life and as hard as it is I keep coming back for more!  I ride because I have a true passion for Lakeshore Pregnancy Center and I also love to ride bike. I consider my involvement in this truly a God thing. I really believe in what they do here at LPC and want to do whatever I can to raise funds so they can continue the mission of saving lives.

When I am not biking I love to spend time with my husband and our children. We have two married children and we adore our son and daughter-in-law! We also recently became “empty nesters” as our youngest went off to College. We love just about anything outdoors and spending time at our cottage. I also love to read, travel, decorate, and spend time with some great friends. I consider myself part of a team that God has pulled together to fight for the unborn.  Please consider becoming part of our team with your financial support and prayers. 


Bobby & Jennifer Kerber


Bobby is a local mail carrier for the Hopkins Post Office and Captain of Hopkins Area Fire Department. Jennifer is a self-employed residential real estate appraiser. Together they are blessed with two kids (Clayton 7 and Lexi 4). 


What brings us to Lakeshore Pregnancy Center: Following Gods Voice!!! 

Over two years ago this soon to be adventure started. Just weeks after we found out that we miscarried and lost our Baby #3; we were invited to a LPC event in Allegan. At the time we had no idea it would lead us to this 700 mile challenge that we are committed too. Over that past few months several pieces of the puzzle have been fitting together on the path and it is very clear to us that we are to complete this adventure together this year. We may not have Baby #3 here today, but with a heart for service and an athletic ability to ride we can allow others the opportunity to experience Gods outrageous love through LPC!!


Valarie Kuipers

Val is one of the Nurse Sonographers at LPC. Val has been married to her husband Ian for three years.  She spends time in both the Holland and Allegan centers. She will also be a nurse on the Mobile Medical Unit. “I am very excited to see how God uses this unit to impact peoples’ lives in the communities around us.”   Val also works part time at Zeeland Community Hospital on the Med/Surg unit.   This is Val’s second Ride4Life.  “Ever since being introduced to biking last year-- I have loved it! Looking forward the challenge again.” 


Jonna Lubbers

This is Jonna’s 3rd Ride4Life. She says, “I am a Child of the King, wife, mom, and friend! There is so much to be excited about.  All that is happening at LPC is so beautiful! It is an honor to be riding and being a part of something so much bigger than ourselves!”








Garry Markvluwer



I have lived in Holland all my life, graduating from Holland Christian High School and Hope College. My wife, Sheila, and I have two children, a daughter Leah, a son-in-law Antoine, and a son Tyler. I learned about Lakeshore Pregnancy Center in 1999 when my wife started working in various aspects of the ministry. For the first few years, I was a casual bystander with limited involvement. This soon changed as I began to volunteer at some of the events and experienced the positive impact the staff and ministry were having on the community. Today, I Ride4Life to help Lakeshore Pregnancy Center raise funds to continue operating its five centers located in West Michigan and I welcome your financial support.

Please join me in holding up the staff and volunteers in prayer as they serve as the hands and feet of Christ. Every day, they are fighting for the life and souls of the unborn, and they are ministering to the needs of the men and women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy.


Patty McNeil


My name is Patty McNeill. My friend, Amy, rode with Lakeshore Pregnancy Center last year, and I lived vicariously through her as she posted her updates.  Everytime I read her posts I thought, "I would really love to do that next year."


Last fall, Amy brought me to a dinner to learn more about Lakeshore Pregnancy Center. I love what they believe in! They are a beacon of hope to help women, and men, that find themselves in life situations that they don’t know how to handle.
People have asked me, "Why are you doing this bike ride?" I want to help support Lakeshore Pregnancy Center.  My husband asked me recently, “How do you feel you are making a difference”? By doing this ride I feel I am making a difference. I believe in what they are doing and I want to help keep them going so that they can make a difference in hundreds of lives.
I am married and have 4 children. I enjoy cooking/baking, reading, spending time with friends, and riding bike. 


Ivory Niewenhuis



My name is Ivory Niewenhuis, just for a short time yet though! Soon, I my name will be Ivory Ries! On May 30, 2015 I will be getting married to my high school sweetheart, Vince Ries. But before that day comes, I will be graduating from Dordt College with a degree in Communications with emphasis in Public Relations, also, I have minors in Psychology and Human Resources. Currently, I am in my senior year at Dordt and I stay busy with homework, practicing and performing organ, and working at KDCR, the Dordt College radio station. 

This past summer I lived with my sister, Val, and brother-in-law, Ian, in Zeeland, Michigan. Some of you may know that Val works for the pregnancy centers as a nurse sonographer. As she got more involved with the ride, she encouraged me to think about joining the Ride 4 Life. At first, I was very hesitant because I would be missing school for a week and training while I would be doing homework, work, and practice. However, everything started to fall into place! I was able to get a bike, the professors of my classes were very encouraging, and of course, God pulled at my heart to help the centers through this fundraiser. The rest is history and I am getting prepared to come back to Michigan in less than two weeks, ready for the ride of my life!


Kelly VanTimmerman


My wife, Gwen, and I are longtime residents of Allendale and own VanTimmermen Greenhouses.  We are the proud parents of three grown children, a daughter in law, and one precious grandson.


As a believer in Christ I value a ministry like LPC to give caring non-judgmental support to those at a critical crossroad in life.  Our church home is Watermark in Grand Haven.  This is my first Ride4Life Venture.  I’ve not ridden a trip of this magnitude before and I am so excited to be a part of this awesome team.


Don Wickstra



Don has a family dentistry practice in Hamilton with his son Ben. Don and his wife Lynn have been married almost 40 years, with 2 married sons and 6 grandchildren. In his spare time Don enjoys cycling, woodworking, and bridge. He travels yearly to serve in Honduras. Don served as Treasurer for many years and also serves on our Building and Grounds Committee.  

He is an active member of LPC’s  Ride4Life committee and is riding this year for the 4th time!. Don has been thrilled to see the expanding impact of the Center in Holland and beyond!


SAG Drivers


Terry Agal

I am currently retired professionally after a twenty-five-year career in engineering management (BSChE; MBA).  I have also been blessed with the opportunity to serve on the staff of Holland Youth for Christ (7 years) and Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference (8 years).

I have driven a school bus (sub/part-time) for over twenty years which has qualified me to serve as a Sag Driver for Ride 4 Life 2014.  I will be driving LPC’s 38 ft. motor home that serves as our mobile clinic.


My spiritual gift is serving others and I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the LPC bike riders as they participate in Ride 4 Life.


Carolyn Doyle

Carolyn is currently in her 3rd year serving as Executive Director of LPC.  She has been a part of LPC for 9 years.  This is Carolyn’s 5th Ride4Life.  On her first ride she rode half of the route and “sagged” the other half.  Since then she has felt her “true calling” is to SAG & support the Ride team.  This year Carolyn will lead the SAG and Ride team with devotions, encouragement, and routing.  She sees this opportunity as a blessing and an honor.



Nancy Noteboom


Because of the great service provided to women and men in pregnancy crisis situations, my husband and I have been supporters of Lakeshore Pregnancy Center for years. But through a friend we also began to follow the annual Ride4Life.


My name is Nancy Noteboom. This past spring the LORD laid it on my heart to become more involved with the Ride. At the time I wasn’t sure where or how. When the Holy Spirit nudges, it is sometimes/often scary, because it involves a change and leap of faith. As it turns out it isn’t all that scary but it is still a leap of faith. I will be using talents he has groomed me with: map-reader, support team, cheerleader. I will be a SAG member. 

A SAG member is a part of the team who drives before and behind the bike riders to guide and protect them on the route. We will prepare, serve and clean up snacks and meals, fill water bottles, set up chairs for a quick rest at breaks, wash clothes, give a hug or encouraging word.

I have aging parents. I have a sister who was recently in an auto accident and is now a paraplegic. I am a mom. I have friends who sometimes need a helping hand. I sometimes need the help of others – we all do. Now it will be my turn to use my skills to help the riders’ part of this 700-mile journey easier. I will be there to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Just as the LPC clients struggle in their situation and LPC is there to help and support them, I will be there to support the riders.

Please pray for everyone on the SAG team for health and strength, and the right words of encouragement to give. I’d also like to thank my husband for his support of me taking the time away from home to do this. 


Diane Meyerholtz

Hi, my name is Diane Meyerholtz. I became involved with LPC as a Bilingual Receptionist for a summer years ago. I then stayed on as a volunteer receptionist several times a month. My journey in this ministry began over 30 years ago when I found myself pregnant, unmarried, and the daughter of pastor/missionary’s in Mexico. As scared as I was chose Life.  Now 30 years later I have three beautiful children, two wonderful daughter-in-laws, one outstanding son-in-law, and six beautiful grandchildren. I divorced many years ago and through God’s love and grace am married to a Godly, loving man. 

My journey has led me not only to a passion of saving lives through LPC but to working with children as my career.  I am a translator for a local school translating and supporting Latin families with children of all manners of developmental delay. God has opened many doors for me to share his love and support of these families.  My husband Mark and I enjoy camping , traveling, biking, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with all of our children and grandchildren.  I am truly blessed and wish to be a blessing in my commitment to be a servant to the riders on this Ride4Life.


MaryAnn VanKampen

I really enjoyed my years as an elementary secretary with Zeeland Public Schools. But, retirement now allows me to spend more time with family and friends, volunteer and travel. Although I won’t be riding 700 miles in 7 days, being a SAG driver for Ride4Life is so exciting.  It’s an opportunity to help Lakeshore Pregnancy Center raise money to help those dealing with unplanned pregnancies.