Eric was born into a military family posted near Nuremberg, Germany. Living on an Army base exposed him to aviation at an early age. Andrea was born and raised in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. She too grew up traveling and developed a love for exploring.
As young adults, both Eric and Andrea set out to start new chapters in their individual lives. During which time, they met while attending a church service in North Pole, Alaska. The new couple were married just over a year later in 2005. Both having a heart for international work and building up the body of Christ, they knew God had a calling on their lives. While striving to discover their life’s calling, they focused on raising their 5 children (Promise, Regala, Mercy, Justice & Immanuel).
A desire to go to the nations with aviation led them to move to Spokane, Washington for Eric to attend Moody Bible Institute’s Missionary Aviation Program. During their “Moody years” the family began working with international refugees and ESL students from all over the world. This experience gave the whole family a love for the nations. Yet, using aviation to further the Gospel was still on their minds, they just didn’t know when or how that would take shape.
After about 8 years in Washington the family then spent nearly 3 years near Fort Worth, Texas before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In Iowa, they spent over 6 years working with and serving the local church. The family grew even closer together and into the incredible team they are today.
Having Christ and the nations always forefront on their mind, Eric and their oldest son, Promise, attended a church trip to Guatemala in 2018. During this trip God began to move on Eric’s heart and show him how aviation could be used right there in Guatemala. Eric returned to Iowa ready to move right away. However, it would be yet another 4 years until the family were all ready to start that adventure.
As of March 2023, the family has begun their journey towards Guatemala. The first leg of the trip has landed them in Blue Ridge, Virginia, where Eric is undergoing some additional flight training to obtain his Instrument Rating.
The family is using their non-flying time to gain experience and skills by working and supporting Crisis Response International, a non-profit relief organization that both Eric and Andrea have gone on deployments with.
Although the family has become the living proof that “We can make our plans, but the lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9),” they now have been in Guatemala since March 2024.
Promise is 18 years old and is currently serving at the YWAM-Grimerud base in Ottestad, Norway. He is getting more training in the Word of God and in sharing the Gospel, and plans to attend Bible school at the same base next year.
I’ve had the privilege of sharing the Gospel in America, Mexico, Guatemala, Ukraine and now Norway, and I can’t wait to see where else God allows me to preach His Word!
Hi, my name is Regala. I am 17 years old, and I love to draw and do photography. I am excited to be in Guatemala and to learn Spanish and to see what plans God has for me.
My name is Mercy Lynn. I am 16 years old. I like to read books…a lot! You can read my full bio at my blogsite.
Hello! My name is Justice Cruz Hartmann. I am 14 years old, and I hope to graduate high school by 2026. My favorite sports are soccer and football. I am looking forward to following God and doing whatever he has for me in Guatemala!
Hi! I’m Immanuel but my friends call me Jim. I’m 13 years old, and I like to play football and hang out with friends. Some stuff I’m looking forward to doing are surfing, making new friends, and sharing Christ with other people.