erika bennett

I want to start off by expressing how excited I am to have the opportunity to go on this thrilling trip filled with new people, food, culture, and experiences. I am always looking for an exciting adventure; and, what better way to experience a different culture than through service!


To start out with a little about myself, I am currently a student at Virginia Polytechnic University going into my junior year, studying biochemistry. I love being a part of the Hokie nation. As part of the Hokie spirit, sports such as football and basketball play a huge role in my life. There is never a home game I will not attend. The intriguing fast paced thrill of the sport is probably why I am a big fan of skiing and snowboarding. Having family living outside of Boulder Colorado, you can guarantee that I find any excuse to hit the Rocky Mountains during ski season. 

Besides sports, music is another passion of mine. I have been a part of the Virginia Tech woman’s choir enjoy and many high school choirs, district choirs, and state choirs. I also enjoy going to musicals on Broadway such as The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. Music, for me, is very cathartic. There is nothing like playing the piano, the ukulele, singing or listening to the radio after a stressful day on campus. 

Whether it is my love for the beauty of nature like the mountains of Colorado, the exhilarating rush of sports like Hokie football, the healing sounds of music, or the excitement of gaining knowledge and experience, I cannot wait to contribute something as a team member and volunteer. 

kimberly specht

Chris & Kim

Hi, I am Kimberly Specht.  I have just finished my first year of nursing school at College of Marin in Kentfield, CA.  I live in Petaluma, CA with my better half, Chris and son, Devin.  I have two lovely step-daughters, Tiana and Brittney.  I love to swim, run (when my knee permits) read, learn, travel and gamble...seriously, I love to play poker, blackjack, roulette, and bet the ponies!  :)  My favorite pastime though is spending time with my family!  
 

Devin & Kim

     I am unbelievably excited to go on this mission to    Vietnam.  I am thrilled to be able to help the Vietnamese people, and visit their beautiful country.  I am excited to meet all of my COPI    teammates, and am certain I will come home having made great new friends and feeling enriched and fulfilled from our experience.

 

Cheers,

Kimberly 

gail poll

My name is Gail Poll. I live in Las Vegas with my husband, Bob. I am a retired money manager, and I keep myself busy with travel, reading, hiking and working with the non-profit community in Vegas. I met Binh about eight years ago through a mutual friend, Tami. We had dinner at Tami’s house, and Binh prepared Vietnamese spring rolls that were delicious! Tami accompanied Binh on several medical missions, and produced the video that Binh uses to demonstrate COPI’s goals and accomplishments.  Bob and I have traveled together to Thailand, Cambodia, China, India, and Singapore but this will be my first time in Vietnam.  I am thrilled that I will be sharing this experience with my sister, Diane, and my nieces, Annie and Iris.

Bà Gay and Cô bình

Gay: I am a retired senior - my husband and I spend eight months in Henderson, NV (by Las Vegas) and four months in Jackson Hole, WY.  We really do have the best of both worlds.

I am very active - love tennis, hiking, Frisbee golf and I work out daily with weights and treadmill.  I have three adult daughters and two grandchildren that are 20 and 22 years.  This trip to Vietnam will be my 9th mission.  Over the years I have come to love both the people of Vietnam and the beautiful country.  And of course Children of Peace is so very close to my heart.  What our "leader", binh rybacki does for the people of Vietnam is so amazing.  She is so deliberate and so hands-on with how the organization is operated - that is truly the most efficient "non-profit" that I have ever been involved with, and believe me - I have been involved with 40 years of volunteering in Jackson Hole and have even been employed by non-profits, and Children of Peace is the best!  And that is why I just keep going back each year and had decided to join COPI board of directors in 2012.

Binh and I have grown very close over the years - the photo I have submitted is of binh and I at her son's wedding in August 2009.

I look forward to meeting all of you very soon - Look for me at the International Terminal in LAX

Bà gay (means Mrs. Gay in Vietnamese)

binh – I am binh rybacki, Founder and ED for Children of Peace International.  This year marks 20th years we are serving Vietnamese children and people in need.  My husband, Jack and I live in Loveland, Colorado.  Our oldest son, Preston and his wife, Shannon are working and living in Saigon, and our youngest son, Spencer is working and living in Chicago. 

Children of Peace International is an all USA volunteered organization serving over 7,300 children presently.  We have a wonderful "army" of volunteers from both USA and Vietnam.  We are grateful for every hand that joined us to lift the children and people in our care out of poverty and oppression.  

Joining this mission from Vietnam are our medical and dental doctors and helpers.  We also have the blessing of having a few children who we raise from toddler or children who are our scholarship recipients of many years.  They are all in college and they are ready to join us to "pay it forward".

We can't wait to serve side by side with you. 

Peace be our journey (cool running)

binh (bing) aka cô bình of the children in Việt Nam 

maya harris

Hi. My name is Maya and I'm 14 years old. My mom is Terry Gesulga the nurse. I was adopted from the Good Shepard Orphanage in Vietnam when I was 6 months old. I am a cheerleader at Redwood High School in Marin County and I also like to paint and draw. This is not my first trip with COPI, this will be my third and I can really say that it is an amazing experience and it is very life changing. What I love about the mission trips, is that you get to experience Vietnam in a special way in which you wouldn't be able to as just a normal tourist. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and being back in Vietnam :) 

lauren little

Hello Everyone!   My name is Lauren Little and I am a 23 year old medical student at the University at Buffalo.  I just finished my 1^st year of school and will be starting 2^nd year right after Vietnam.   I am a native of Boulder, Colorado and would like to one day return to practice Family Medicine in the area.  I am an avid skier and cyclist and dog lover (I have a 12 year old Chocolate lab named Candy).  I chose to participate in Copi because I love international medicine, learning about different cultures, and helping other people and would really like to continue this one day after medical school and residency in the Peace Corps.  I can’t wait to meet you all and embark on this amazing journey!

annie jackson

My name is Annie Jackson. I just graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture. In the fall I will begin a Masters program in London at Christie's auction house that focuses on modern and contemporary art. 

I am very excited for this upcoming trip! I have heard wonderful things about the COPI mission and Vietnam as well and I am thrilled to be a part of the team. 

In 2012 I was lucky to take part in a 6 week study program in northern India. The experience really opened my eyes to a whole new culture and made me excited to see all different places in the world. And I can't wait to share this next experience with my mother, sister, and aunt! 

iris jackson

I'm  22 years old and just graduated from Chapman University with a BA in Political Science.  As soon as we get back from Vietnam I am starting Law School at Pepperdine School of Law.  My current plan is to focus on entertainment law with a goal of doing contract negotiation for actors.  I have been to Europe before but this will be my first time in Asia. I am excited to do this trip because it is unlike any other I have done before.  Traveling with my twin sister Annie, my mother Diane, and my Aunt Gail will make this a fun and rewarding experience.  :) 

terry & dennis willis

Dennis and Terry Willis at King Hungs Temple - Phu Tho, Vietnam

Greetings Team.  We are Dennis and Terry Willis.  We have been married for 17 years and our home is in Price, Utah on the Colorado Plateau.   Dennis is retired from a 35 year career  as an outdoor recreation planner with the US Bureau of Land Management.   Terry is a trained social worker who now works as a professional oil paint artist.  She also works as a journalist for a local TV and newspaper.   This will be Terry's third and Dennis' second COPI Mission.  We find the experience most worthwhile;  the camaraderie of the team, the beautiful country and people of Vietnam all make for a life changing experience.  We look forward to working with you all.

diane jackson

My name is Diane Jackson.  I will be taking this trip with my sister Gail Poll and 2 of my 3 daughters - Annie and Iris Jackson.  I am married and live in Lititz, PA which is in Lancaster County, PA. I've lived here all my life except for 7 years when I lived in Los Alamitos, CA.  Los Alamitos is right outside of Long Beach. My husband and I are self-employed and own and operate our company called Top Practices.  We help professionals to better market their practices.  I enjoying hiking, traveling, reading, and going to Bruce Springsteen concerts.  In 2010, I participated in the Team in Training hike team to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This was a very challenging and rewarding experience.  I've wanted to take a volunteer trip for a long time and I am glad that I finally have the opportunity.  This will be my first trip to anywhere in Asia, and I'm really looking forward to experiencing the culture and to meeting everyone and being part of the team.  See you soon!

terry gelsuga

My name is Terry Gesulga (guess-soul-gah) - I am half Filipino, native American-Tlingit from Alaska, Spanish and Chinese. I am often mistaken for Vietnamese :) .  I have been an RN since 1978 in Medsurg , ICU/SICU, Pediatrics, Director of RN Program, RN educator-mostly clinical & theory.  I am a cardiopulmonary clinical specialist (1984) and a pediatric nurse practitioner(2001). 

I am presently the Interim Dean of Health Sciences at College of Marin (near San Francisco).  I am the Director of Nursing, oversee Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting and EMT programs.  I look forward to working with you and providing conscientious nursing care.  I love teaching and children so please ask me anything related to health and care. 

My favorite experiences on COPI Missions: being with my team member family, providing nursing care for children and adults (restoring hearing for some), seeing beautiful Vietnam and people.  

My wonderful fourteen year old daughter, Maya, was adopted from Good Shepherd Orphanage in Saigon in 1999 with Co Binh's help and blessings.  Maya and I are on our third COPI trip- at Maya's request. 

amanda demarco

Hello all,

  My name is Amanda DeMarco and I just finished my first year of nursing school at College of Marin in Kentfield, California. I live with my husband and two dogs, Louie & Brooklyn, in Petaluma California, and am SO excited to take this journey with all of you!!

  I've never had the opportunity to experience anything like this before, but I look forward to making new friends, helping those in need, trying new foods, seeing the country, and coming home with a new appreciation for life.

I look forward to meeting all of you!! Safe travels and I'll see you soon =)

janel goldhardt

Hi Team,

 

I had the opportunity to participate with COPI's Spring Mission Team in 2007 as a student nurse.  I loved every minute of it.  I'm feeling very fortunate to be able to return for a second adventure.  I was able to get to know Raina, Cleone, Jeanne and Magel during the 2007 mission.  What wonderful women!

 

 I work as an RN at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Salt Lake City.  I jumped into nursing a little bit later in my life, and it's been a dream come true for me.   Nursing is everything I hoped it would be and so much more.

 

I have three wonderful children, two sons and one daughter...and three of the cutest grand babies (all boys) that you'll ever see. 

 

I look forward to meeting everyone and making many new COPI friends. 

 

Kindest Regards

Mark, Dianne and Sam Kersting

We are excited to meet all of you!!

Mark and Dianne have known Binh for 16 years.  She facilitated the adoption of our son Sam in 1998.  He was 6 months old, and he was in Viet Tri which is our first stop on the trip. We are very excited to return there and experience this with Sam.  Sam is now 15 years old.

Dianne owns an interior sign company, and Mark does large LED digital message center signs.  We live in Denver, Colorado.  Mark is a fabulous cook and musician.  Mostly Dianne runs her business, the house, and Sam’s taxi service.

Sam is a sophomore at Valor Christian High School in Colorado.  He likes to play soccer and is a part of the Valor soccer team.  He is pursuing the career of an aerospace engineer when he is older.  At the moment though, he is installing signs for his mom, (and he is good)!!

The Kerstings!

breaking the ice

Welcome to COPI Summer Mission 2013 Blog.  

It is only less than one month before our departure date.  We know that you are making plans for your loved ones at home, collecting needed items for our patients, reading everything about Vietnam, getting anxious to see old friends and meeting new ones... 

After 17 years of hosting mission teams, I am still getting excited for the day to meet and "re-meet" all of you in Hanoi.  By now, you probably understand that we will be busy caring for over 1,500 patients at seven clinics from North to South Vietnam.  Our team is made of 1/2 non-Vietnamese and 1/2 Vietnamese team members.  Most of us do not speak Vietnamese well and some of our friends speak English well.  You will find that language is not going to be a barrier; instead understanding and compassion will allow us learning from one another tradition and culture.  Regardless of our different backgrounds, in the end each of us will be richer for gaining new friends.

In order to "break the ice", please send us your introduction and one of your favorite photographs of you to post here.  Your blog will help your team mates to recognize you in Taipei, Seattle, LAX or San Francisco.  Let us begin our journey as friends and not strangers.

Peace to our journey,
binh as in binh and Gay