welcome to the team Archives

October 27, 2023 by Lindsey Moreno Leave a Comment

Welcome to the 61 Isaiah School Team!

This year 61 Isaiah is expanding our work in Abundant Life Christian School. We have created a team of teachers who are dedicated to their students and to sharing the Gospel. This August we welcomed Jackie and Lauren to the 61 Isaiah school team.

Hi, My name is Jackie and I grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota with my twin sister, Robbie, and younger brother Charlie. Family is extremely important to me and we spend a lot of time out in nature, riding horses, or on the river when we are all together.

I’ve always had a heart for service, helping others, Spanish, and sharing my faith. So, after graduating from The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN with a Math major, the Lord led me to Gracias to combine all those passions! I started teaching math and science at Abundant Life Christian School, and have been there for the past 6 years. It was during my first year teaching that I found out about 61 Isaiah through Shannon and Kristi’s Involvement with the school. Last year I found out that 61 Isaiah was growing their mission outreach in the school and was asked to join the school initiative.

This year, I will be serving at ALCS as a part of the 61 Isaiah school team. I still teach math and science, but have the resources to be more missions focused. I will be helping to organize high school girls’ Bible studies, women’s conferences, as well as school events to provide a time of fellowship and for deeper relationships to form amongst coworkers at ALCS.

I love to nurture and see things grow- whether it is my students’ math skills at ALCS, friendships in the community, or flowers in my backyard, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to grow and serve alongside 61 Isaiah this year in a new way!

Hi all!

My name is Lauren Eggleton and I am a language teacher at ALCS. I also work with the lowest English speakers that we have in the high school. I joined the 61 Isaiah school team because I am passionate about the students and their relationship with God. I would like to be a part of God bringing His love to the students, staff, faculty, and families of this school.

I grew up in the mission field. My parents worked in Russia until I graduated from high school. All during university, I knew that I would leave the USA again and live in a foreign country. I discovered a love for the Spanish language, and a few interviews and resumes later, I decided to move to Honduras to work as a teacher at Abundant Life Christian School.

This is my third year in Honduras and my third year teaching. I’ve really enjoyed living here, learning the culture, and practicing my Spanish. I am excited to see what this year brings and to grow the Lord’s presence in the school as well as the city!

October 13, 2023 by Lindsey Moreno Leave a Comment

Welcome to The Team!

In the craziness of summer teams, Jaaziel was brave enough to join our team as part of the office support staff. If you come on a mission trip you’ll probably meet Jaaziel exchanging money or buying some of the cool 61 merchandise. Join us in welcoming her to the team!

Hello, dear readers. My name is Jaaziel Chavarria, and I want to take a moment to share a bit about myself with you. I was born and raised in the enchanting town of Gracias, Lempira. Recently, I returned to my hometown after graduating with a degree in International Relations in the bustling city of San Pedro.

My interests are a captivating blend of family, friends, my dogs, and literature so you’ll often find me lost in the pages of a gripping novel. But my story goes beyond these personal interests. I’ve had the privilege of knowing the Hopkins family since I was just 14 years old. I met the Hopkins through Abundant Life Christian School where I had both Shannon and Kristi as teachers. Working alongside them and the dedicated team at our ministry feels like second nature to me. Through this ministry, I’ve found a way to give back to my community, sharing the transformative message of faith and the acceptance of Jesus as our savior.

I started working for 61 Isaiah in June. I had been going to Bible study at the Hopkins, and one night Kristi asked me what I was planning on doing now that I had graduated. I was on the verge of an existential crisis because I didn’t know where I was going to work. Kristi mentioned that the ministry had a position open if I was interested. One thing led to another, and I joined the team.

Within the ministry, I have the role of managing finances, and I also oversee the sale of merchandise for the mission teams who come to serve. It’s a responsibility I hold dear, as it allows me to support the ministry’s growth and its mission to make a positive impact on our community.

I have unwavering faith in the direction that God is guiding us as a ministry. I believe that we are on the brink of something truly remarkable, and I’m excited to play a part in realizing that vision.

August 9, 2021 by Spencer Wolverton 1 Comment

Jason and Nelsy Join the Team!

Nelsy

Hello everyone! My name is Nelsy Paz and I will be the new Field Logistics Coordinator with 61 Isaiah. I am from a small town 2 hours away from Gracias called La Unión, Lempira. I was raised in a Christian home, so I grew up hearing about God and His love for me, but it was not until I was nine years old that I accepted Him in my heart as my personal Lord and Savior. God has been extremely faithful to me and my family. I was part of the first graduating class of Abundant Life Christian School in La Unión. During my senior year I started applying to different universities in the USA. In March of 2014 I received a call from the principal of John Brown University, which is one of the universities that offers the Walton Scholarship. This is a full-ride scholarship for students from Central America and Mexico. My college experience was awesome. I met amazing people from different parts of the world. I graduated with a double major in International Business and Business Administration. During this time in college I met my best friend and husband, Jason Funk! In 2018 we both came to Honduras and started working with the Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Gracias. In September 2019, we got married! I taught first grade at ALCS for 3 years. I loved my job, but every year I felt that God had something else in store for me. This year when Shannon asked me if I was interested in becoming the new Field Logistics Coordinator at 61 Isaiah, I felt excited and at peace. I felt in my heart that this is where God wanted me to be and He had been preparing me for this moment! I know that God is doing great things through 61 Isaiah, and I am very excited to be a part of it! My husband and I believe that this is our calling and we are excited to be part of the 61 Isaiah family.

Jason

I was also raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was very young. When I started college at John Brown University, I had never really thought about working in overseas missions. I was majoring in accounting, and figured that I would graduate and start to work in some business there in Arkansas or where I grew up in Kansas. But then I met Nelsy! As graduation (and Nelsy’s return to Honduras) kept getting closer, I could feel more and more that she was the woman God had planned for me to be with. So when she moved back to Honduras, so did I. Obviously, there were so many things about this change that sounded scary! I did not really speak Spanish very well, I did not know anything about being an elementary teacher, and I did not know how I would handle my student loans. But as He always does, God provided for every need at the right time in the right way. He reveals each step at the right time, and along with it He gives the strength, wisdom, and resources that will be needed. I know that God led me to Nelsy. He led us both to teach at ALCS. And now He is leading us to a deeper involvement with 61 Isaiah. This year I am going to continue teaching while also doing part-time accounting for 61 Isaiah Ministries. We are very excited to be a part of 61 Isaiah Ministries and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us.

Nelsy

Jason

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