2015 Team Members

2015 Thailand Mission Team

                                                       
                                                              JOANN CIZEL

Joann Cizel was born into a strong Christian Family with the privilege of attending Lutherans schools through High School.  She has been married to her husband, Tony for over 30 wonderful years.  They have three daughters. The eldest daughter, Laura,  is married to Mike and lives nearby.  The middle daughter, Amy,  lives in Chicago, and the youngest daughter, Katie, will also be accompanying the Mission Team.

Joann is currently working as an apartment manager for seniors.  She also helps her husband run small group ministries.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with the family, bike riding, swimming, reading, and cooking.

This will be Joann's third trip to Thailand.  She looks forward to renewing relationship with the people she has met, along with making new friends and sharing the joy of Jesus with others.

NICOLE WITTOW 

I am excited to join the Bangkok mission team for my first trip to Thailand.  I participated in my first mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico over 15 years ago, and have been eager to return to the mission field ever since.

I have been married to my husband, Dan, for 14 years.  We have been blessed with 3 beautiful children; Hailey (9), Owen (7), and Kenzie (5).  We talk a lot in our family about shining our light to the people around us, and this trip gives me the opportunity to demonstrate that in a very real way.  Prior to having children, I taught 1st grade for five years, and loved it.  I am now in my second year of homeschooling our children.  I can’t wait to use my teaching gifts to tell the people of Bangkok about Jesus while also helping them to improve their English skills.  

We have been members at BLC for 13 years, and cherish the friendships we have made along the way.  We have been involved in HOME groups ever since we started attending.  I have served as a volunteer in the Life in Jesus Youth and Kids programs.  I currently serve on the VBS committee and had the opportunity to spend time with the missionaries we will be supporting while in Bangkok.  I look forward to continuing to build my relationship with them, and forge new ones while in Bangkok.  I am excited to join them in spreading the love and hope of life in Jesus to the unreached people of Bangkok.

KAREN METZGER

This is my first international mission trip and I feel blessed to be a part of this team. I've been a member of Brookfield Lutheran Church for almost six years. I am on staff there as the Vacation Bible School Director which is the BEST job I could ever have! I also teach kindergartners about the love of Jesus and bible truths each Sunday during the education hour.  I love to plan for that class and see the children grow in their faith!I've been married to my husband, Ryan,  for almost 11 years. We have three amazing kids- Autumn (9), Nolan (6), and Evan ("Squish" 22 months). We're blessed to have them attend our local Lutheran school. I enjoy reading, fishing, seeing movies, completing logic puzzles, spending time with friends, doing crafts, planning parties, and learning new things. I love music of all kinds even though I cannot sing, play an instrument, or read notes! I love the way music brings people together, and singing and dancing can bring joy to all ages. I am passionate about Jesus and others learning about His amazing grace & gift. I thank Him for providing this opportunity to meet more people- both those who already are my brothers and sisters in Christ and those who will be! 

LAURA CELETTI 

This trip to Thailand will be my second mission trip, but I hope to be able to do it more often.  Being closer to retirement now, it will open up more time for me, but I do love my Job as a nurse working in a Neuro ICU. I deal with head and spinal cord injuries.   My last trip to Tijuana Mexico with my son in 2008 was much more physical, building a house…pounding nails, putting on a roof, measuring, sawing, petting stray dogs and cats etc. all in the hot sun.  My knees are older now and I am thankful for the chance to teach English skills instead.  My children are now grown and my oldest son Ryan (29 y/o), is married to Mary since 2013 and they live in Minneapolis MN, just bought a house and got a dog, Daphne, my first grandpuppy.  My daughter Krista is 28 y/o and has been married to Josh since 2011 and they have a house in Kenosha WI, and my first grandbaby…William Garvin. He is 4 months old in July of 2015. My youngest son Michael is 23 y/o and lives with me for now.  He is working on his future so stayed tuned.  I work full time night shift but still have time for my community theatre group, Falls Patio Players where I am in shows…mostly ensemble-singing and dancing in the background as well as being in charge of Publicity, playbill ads and countless other small jobs. I have such fun singing in shows as well as singing on the worship team at church. I am grateful for this awesome opportunity to tell others across the world of how much Jesus loves them.  Thank you.

KATIE CIZEL 

Katie Cizel can’t wait to learn more about the Thai culture, and create new connections by being part of this missionary trip with BLC. She is driven, loving, and energetic. Her main professional goal is to love her job- making her particularly driven to be overqualified for that position when it arises. So yes, she is a workaholic. But no, it’s not forever. A master of time management, she doesn’t deem a week successful without catching up with her friends and family between jobs. Her hobbies include fitness and reading, but her greatest weaknesses are double stuffed Oreos, and Express.  Although she loves to travel, her heart will always beat for Milwaukee. Blessed with two parents who have taught her generously, and two older sisters who have modeled great values and work ethics, Katie is proud to be a Cizel.

GALE GOEMAN

Gale has been married to Dave for thirty years.  They have four adult children who she loves spending time with.  Gale works as an Adoption Caseworker for Special Children, Inc.  Gale also helps with the Life in Jesus Sunday Morning Program for 5th-12th graders at Brookfield Lutheran Church.  She enjoys gardening, music travel and the outdoors.

DAVE GOEMAN 

Sa wat dee khraap, my name is Dave Goeman. I am blessed to be married to my wife, Gale and a family of three boys (Grant, Blake, Drew) and one girl (Anastasia). We live in Brookfield, Wisconsin. I Enjoy being outdoors either hiking, biking fishing or hunting. Music is also a passion of mine and often enjoy singing and playing guitar. Some people call me a “techy” because I get caught up in all the technical things that are out there and also help  out at church with the audio mix for worship services. I like taking on the handyman challenges at home fixing electrical, plumbing or even some woodworking, but don’t always have the extra time. Currently I am working for Honeywell as a Project Manager, installing temperature controls, security and fire systems in commercial buildings. I have been to Thailand 4 years ago and also to the Dominican Republic 2 years ago. It was awesome to host the Thailand team at our home in July and very much looking forward to serving with your team again in October in Bangkok. 

God’s blessings and sincere friendship.

REED FELTON

I grew up on a farm as the youngest  of 6 children and have always been fascinated with how things work, playing sports, manufacturing, and leadership of people.  As a college student and as a result of meeting my wife Linda, became more spiritually engaged in my faith and joined the Lutheran church.

Linda and I  have raised 3 children, Carley, Rachel and James, all of which have graduated college and are living independently.  We enjoy seeing them as often as we can.

Being involved in evangelism for several years as well as church leadership, I have become interested in sharing my faith with others and have received training in evangelism and facilitating small groups. I have always been comfortable talking with people who I have just met and look forward to opportunities to share my faith.

I am looking forward to any opportunity to share the love of Jesus on our Bangkok Mission Project.

BRIAN BETCHNER 

This will be my third mission trip to Thailand, having been there in 2011and 2013 helping with English improvement classes through Lutheran Hour Ministries. These trips were such rewarding experiences, that I want to continue the relationships I formed there.

 I have been married to my wife Amy for 17 years and we have been members of BLC for over 7 years.  We are blessed with three children; Christian 12, and twins Jack and Johanna 10.  I have been a state licensed journeyman electrician for 19 years and prior to that I was a police officer for 5-1/2 years.  These past few years as I gained life experience as a husband and  a father, I have matured spiritually, and have been very passionate for learning the teachings of the Bible and sharing the good news of Jesus.  My wife Amy and I have been involved in the children's  Sunday school program here at BLC and I’m involved in various other ministries. I serve as an Elder on The Spiritual Life Committee, Small home group Bible study, Building/Facilities committee, Electrical maintenance, and special event set up.

  I enjoy remodeling/building projects, landscaping, working on my collector cars, collecting and restoring antique radios, and listening to American pop music from the late 1950's and early 1960's. The Lord has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams and having been so fortunate, I want to thank Him, by giving back of my time, talents, efforts, and resources.  I want to share Christ's love and word with others, showing them how Jesus has made a positive difference in my life, and how He can also impact their life for the better.  On this return mission trip to Thailand, I hope to reconnect with friends there from my last two trips, and to meet and make new friends, telling them of Jesus's love and saving grace!