Staff
GENERAL DIRECTOR
Julie Chamberlain
I first came to Costa Rica in 1989 as a missionary with the Latin America Mission. Since 1993, I have had the honor of directing the Spanish Language Institute and seeing approximately 3,000 graduates of our school go on to serve the Lord in 21 different Spanish-speaking countries.
I grew up in Michigan, where my parents and the youngest of my three sisters still live. I am single and enjoy celebrating birthdays and holidays with the Costa Rican family that housed me when I was a student at the Institute.
I teach adult Sunday school at my local church and coordinate its ministry in the women’s prison. I like to walk, swim, play the guitar and lead small group Bible studies.
General Director's Assistant
Ana Lorena Raven
My full name is Ana Lorena Raven, but here at the Institute, people call me Ana. I work in administration as a bilingual secretary. In addition to covering the reception desk, I assist our General Director, Julie Chamberlain.
I am a single missionary and have a younger sister, Karla Elizabeth, and a younger brother, Henry Francois. I love missions! With YWAM, I went to DTS (Discipleship Training School) and had several short term mission experiences. I have also worked with unreached people groups in the Middle East, through other mission organizations.
My email address at the Institute is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Academic Director of Sojourn Academy
Dorcas Enríquez Mora
- Estudios: Maestría en Administración Educativa, I y II Ciclo. Licenciatura en Derecho (Abogada y Notaria Publica). Licenciatura en Estudios Latinoamericanos.
- Intereses: me gusta la naturaleza
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Assistant to the Academic Director
Xinia Jácamo
My name is Xinia Jácamo and I have worked at The Spanish Language Institute for 13 years as the Assistant to the Academic Director.
The experience of working at the Institute has been incredibly edifying to me to get to know people from different cultures, to see them leaving their countries to serve God; this has touched my life deeply.
I admire the missionaries and their work. Honestly, it's really admirable to see their strength and drive to answer the calling they have received.
Blessings to you.
My email address at the Institute is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SECURITY
Marvin Chinchilla
My name is Marvin Chinchilla Ugalde. I was born September 5, 1954. I am 56 years old and started working at the Institute in 2009 where I work as the night security officer.
I am married and have two children, Hannia and Keneth. I have two sisters and three brothers, Janet, Fanny, William, Erik and Rodrigo.
I attend the Assemblies of God church. As for hobbies, I paint houses and I also like to paint pictures.
Miscellaneous
Ana Lorena Guillén
I am the second of eight brothers and sisters. I am married, without children, and live about two miles from the Institute, where I am in charge of cleaning the administration building and the chapel.
Ever since I arrived here 15 years ago, it has been a great blessing for me to work at the Institute. I love it because I have gotten to know many people from different countries. I like to serve and help students with the language. I feel that the Spirit of God is here and that there is something in the environment that gives me peace.
I like to cook and to read. I also like plants, Christian music and animals, especially little dogs.
Counseling and Pastoral Care
Joel and Krista McCutcheon
For over a decade, we have been trekking around the globe as missionary videographers capturing the images and testimonies of God's grace in the lives of other Christian workers and mission organizations. Along the way, we saw and heard the struggles that many missionaries face while away from their home countries and our hearts broke for these families. Realizing that a promotional or documentary video may help in some ways, we still wanted to help carry more of their burdens (Gal. 6:2) on a heart level. Going back to school to study Biblical Counseling, we have now hung up our video cameras and backpacks to develop a counseling department here at The Spanish Language Institute. Joining the team of people here who are committed to equipping missionaries and other Christian workers, we definitely feel that we are doing more than just a job; we are learning to live out the Gospel of the glory of God each step of the way.
Students Services Coordinator
Grettel Pérez Hart
My Name is Grettel Pérez Hart. I am Costa Rican, married and have three children. I have worked here for 12 years.
I studied English at Universidad de Costa Rica and also graduated in computer programming and accounting.
I love helping students through all their adventure to live and learn in a foreign country.
My house is only 4 blocks far from the school, which is great and convenient to be always available to assist the students when needed.
My email address at the Institute is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Assistant to the Director of Sojourn Academy
Mimi
I have a paper napkin collection. I trade napkins with people around the world. Actually I have 817 napkins. Also I like to read and love to spend time with my mom, my sisters, nice and nephews.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SECURITY
Pedro Zapata
My full name is Pedro Joaquín Zapata Velásquez. I started working at the Institute January 16, 1995. I work in the Adminstration Department, in security.
I am married and have two daughters, Karla, who is 10 years old, and Ashley, who is two years and five months. I have two brothers and two sisters, and I am in the middle. Our names in order of birth are Ruth, Carlos, Pedro, David and Deunice.
One of my hobbies is to make things out of leather, so I enjoy making security wallets for the Institute students.
MAINTENANCE
Janeth Ballesteros
My name is Janeth Ballesteros Acuña, also known as Yane. I am 40 years old, married and have a son five years old that the Lord gave me after 10 years of marriage. I am Nicaraguan and immigrated to Costa Rica 17 years ago.
I started working at the Institute in 2006 and have been at this nice school for five years.
I work part time in the afternoons, cleaning classrooms. In the mornings, I clean houses for Institute students. I feel very good about helping families that come to study Spanish so that they can go out later and do evangelism. It is a great blessing to work at the Institute.
Email:
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Maintenance
Luis Fernando Abarca
My name is Luis Fernando Abarca. I am a Christian and have three children, Diana, Andrea and Andrés. My wife’s name is Maritza.
I like evangelism and have worked with groups of street people.
I have worked for the Institute for 15 years. My work here consists of everything that has to do with maintenance. I feel called to serve the students in this precious ministry.
These last 9 months at the Institute have truly been nothing but a joyous experience. I came to the Institute with absolutely no Spanish background and will be graduating in December with the ability to not only speak, but to write and read in this beautiful language, as well. The faculty and teachers as a whole have such vision and passion to see the students succeed and take personal interest in seeing this come to pass. The atmosphere is a blessing to come to each day...and I thank God for the opportunity to study at a school that strives for excellence and to be surrounded by such positive influence pointing me towards Christ in my learning.