So about me. I graduated from this awesome
institution called Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI in 2007. God
blessed me with patience, endurance and an unquenchable thirst for
learning. I persisted through four years of gurgling educating to earn
a degree in Mechanical Engineering. God not only gave me the strength
to make it through school he also provided me a great opportunity to
work for an engineering and automation company called, get this,
Blesco. This is where I am currently working and have learned a ton
about managing projects, the business world, and people. But God has
put a restless desire in my heart to experience something more,
something different. Something that rips me out of the familiar, safe,
and comfortable environment that has become so normal. I am ready to be
stretched, shaken, and electrocuted into the full abundant life that
Christ offers. And that is why I am joining the World Race.

What I like. Most of my hobbies and interest involve things like
dirt trails, open water, steep rock faces, fresh air, and plenty of
room to clear my mind of life’s worries and enjoy God’s beautiful handy
work. In other words I enjoy backpacking, wake boarding, rock climbing,
snow boarding, etc. I am also passionate about building deep and
lasting relationships in community. I have been living in intentional
community with 11 of my friends in two houses in a rough part of Grand
Rapids over the past year. We do a lot of hanging out, laughing,
dancing, eating, praying, and worshiping together. God has definitely
blessed us, even through some very hard times.

A little background. I come from a long line of Dutch dairy farmers.
My parents being the first to immigrate to the U.S. So needless to say
I spent my childhood years milking cows, walking in manure, and gaining
the priceless gift of a good work ethic. My parents are Christians and
raised me as best as they could, allowing me to make my own mistakes
and giving me the freedom to figure out what I am supposed to do with
my life. I have a younger brother who has always been bigger than me
since I can remember and is always thought be the older one. He wants
to take over the family farm. I have a big sis who can’t seem to get
enough of school, she is going to be a doctor. And my little sis who
has no idea what she is passionate about but is growing each day. I
have known of God all my life, but didn’t start to follow him seriously
until 8th Grade when my family moved. God put me in an environment with
some good soil that allowed me to make some deep roots in my faith and
grow in spiritual maturity. I haven’t looked back since and now I find
myself on the crux of another move – culturally, spiritually and
geographically.

~Neil