About Jubilee

Our Team

Staff in Honduras

Pastor David

Co-Executive Director & Founder

Mrs. Emily
Co-Executive Director & Founder

Principal yeni
School Principal

Mrs. belinda
Administrative Office Coordinator

MRS. Gaby
Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Nohely

Academic coordinator

Ms. Emily B.

Sponsorship coordinator

Pastor Saul
Building maintenance manager

Mrs. Norma

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Kathia

Pre-K Teacher

Mrs. Claudia
1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Nancy
2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. YORLENY
3rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Gabriela
4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Keyla
5th Grade Teacher

Ms. Lysbet
6TH GRADE Teacher

Mrs. WENDY E.High/Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Mr. ISAAC
High/Middle School Math Teacher

Ms. PAOLA

High/Middle School Science Teacher

Ms. Guadalupe

High/Middle School Social Science Teacher

MR.HARVIN

BIBLE TEACHER

Ms. KAROL
Library Teacher

MR. EMIL
MUSIC teacher

MRs. Janeth
english teacher

Mr. Gerson
COMPUTER Teacher

Mrs. Karen
PE TEACHER

Mrs. ANDREA
SKILLS teacher

Mr. Alexander
High/Middle School GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

MS. THARE
COMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Mrs. Maria
Office Support/Assistant

Ms. Bessy
Office Support/Assistant

Mrs. Cindy
High/Middle School GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

Ms. ESTHER

Teacher Aide

Mrs. AIDA
TEACHER AIDE

Mrs. EDUVIJES TEACHER AIDE

Mr. ANGEL

Teacher Aide

Mrs. Heydi
Cafeteria Support

Ms. GABRIELA
Cafeteria Support

Mrs. EVELYN
Cafeteria Support

Mrs. JOHANA
CUSTODIAN

Ms. Karen
Custodian

Ms. GLADYS
Custodian

Ms. Gloria

Custodian

Mr. Benigno
Guard

Mr. Marvin
Guard

u.s. staff

Laura sullivan
Community Engagement Coordinator

Valerie Guerra,

Finance Director

We are thankful to both of our US and Honduran Boards for their work and service to Jubilee and the community that we serve:

U.S. Board

Judy Plaggemars – chair

My name is Judy Plaggemars and I have been serving on the Jubilee Board since February, 2020. My husband, Paul, and I and our family have heard about the Romero’s ministry in Honduras through their missionary visits to our church, Graafschap CRC in Holland, MI for the past five years or so.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit Jubilee on two different occasions. My first visit was with a mission team in July, 2019. During that trip, we had the privilege of working directly with the students each day doing fun craft activities. We also spent recess time with the kids and we were able to go with them on an all-school field trip to an area museum. The joy of the staff and students abounded and the hugs we received from so many was heartwarming and a daily treat. My second visit to Jubilee was in January 2020. The purpose of this trip was for Teacher Training before the school year began in February. This trip really allowed me to see Pastor David’s and Emily’s calling to and passion for their work in La Era given to them by God.

I was able to get to know the staff better and see their love for the children and families of Jubilee. They also teach and share Jesus’ love with the students as well as model how to live as Christ followers. It is truly a privilege to serve on this board as we serve to make an eternal difference in the lives of the students and families that God brings to Jubilee.

I had the joy of being a full-time Mom to our four kids while volunteering in our church and in other ministries. I also owned and managed a retail furniture store for 9 years as our kids were becoming young adults. Paul and I now serve together in a part-time Community Engagement position at church. Three of our children are married and we have two delightful grandkids.

Kathy DeJong – vice Chair

In January of 2014, I was blessed to participate in Jubilee’s teacher training at the beginning of their school year. That trip was just the beginning of a 7-year relationship with this beautiful ministry in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. After a couple of initial trips, my husband Jeff and I continued to make summer visits with mission teams and also personal trips to work with teachers and support the Romero family.

I have taught at The Potter’s House for 22 years. Jeff and I have enjoyed teaching in the Dominican Republic and Grand Rapids. However, we have a special love for Jubilee school and church in La Era. We have been welcomed, encouraged and blessed by the body of believers and teaching staff of Jubilee. This ministry is significant to us because we are teachers and have served as missionaries in Latin America. We understand some of the challenges that this ministry faces as well as the blessings that come from sharing the Good News with children and their families through a Christian Education. Immediately we felt comfortable and at home with the Jubilee Community.

The Jubilee community is active in prayer and expecting that God will work in powerful ways. We have heard the testimony of members who have experienced miracles. Many lives transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. Answers to prayers are expected and celebrated. We are humbled by the faith of this community who have very little of what this world has to offer, yet celebrate their richness in Jesus and in His Kingdom.

It has been a pleasure to serve on the Jubilee Board for almost 5 years. I count it a joy that we are blessed to partner with part of the body of Christ in the community of La Era, Tegucigalpa. As a board member, I am humbled by the challenges to be faithful to God as we seek to lead and make wise decisions on behalf of Jubilee.

Katie Peterson – tresurer

I was introduced to Emily and David Romero many years ago, but only recently actively began to get to know their ministry. My 35-year career in insurance finance and operations came to an end in 2023 and I was looking for ways to support ministries as a volunteer. I began serving on the Jubilee Finance Committee in early 2024. I joined the July 2024 mission team to get to know the Jubilee ministry first-hand. That trip to Jubilee far exceeded any expectations I had for the trip. The Honduran people are so warm and welcoming, and I could see God working powerfully in the Jubilee school and church. It was a blessing to get to know the Romero’s and the Jubilee staff. It’s hard to put into words the amazing things happening there, but I was convinced that the Spirit was working both in the ministry and in my heart. After that trip, I was honored to be asked to serve on the Board of Directors and began serving as a director in August 2024. I feel privileged to be able to use the experience from my career to benefit Jubilee.

I have been married to my husband, Jim, since 1997. I spent most of my adult life living and working in Grand Rapids, MI, and we currently split our time between Petoskey, MI and Oro Valley, AZ. Our parents and siblings live primarily in West Michigan, so we return to the Grand Rapids area frequently. And I look forward to visiting Honduras again very soon!

SARAH VEENSTRA – SECRETARY

I grew up in West Michigan and now live in the Grand Rapids area with my husband and our children.

I met Emily (Steenwyk) Romero at Calvin College, and while there, I studied Spanish language and literature. Also, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for a semester at La Pedagogica – the Honduran teacher’s college. My host family in the city was the same family where Emily would stay a few years later. Emily and I continued to be connected through friends and family who continued to study and work in Honduras, and in subsequent years, crossed paths with both Emily and David.

We reconnected through The Potter’s House, a school whose mission my husband and I have always believed in. In 2020, the Lord opened doors for me to become a teacher at the Potter’s House. I enjoy bringing passion and joy into the classroom as I help students learn Spanish. Through my connections with Honduras and ongoing visits, my time studying there, and my love for the Honduran people, has continued to grow through the years. I was blessed to participate in a mission trip to Jubilee with some of my family members a few years ago. We all fell in love with Jubilee. Recently, I traveled with some colleagues to do teacher training for the staff at Jubilee, and it was such a blessing to further connect with them and to partner with the work that the Lord is doing in La Era.

Since my heart has always resounded with ministries focused on prayer and life abundant through Jesus, it was naturally aligned that Jubilee would become a significant part of my life. It was a great honor to be asked to join the Board, which I did in June of 2024. I feel blessed to be able to serve Jubilee in this capacity and stay connected with the work in La Era through Jubilee Centers International!

Amy Haroff – Member

I was first asked to join the US Board of Directors in 2016 after I moved back to Michigan from my 1.5 years of living and serving with JCI in Honduras. It was an honor to be asked, and I felt my in-country experiences and personal knowledge of the ministry provided helpful ways in which I could contribute and advocate for the ministry’s growth and vision.

I quickly learned that Board Meetings are not nearly as enjoyable as having my feet on the ground and being in the midst of the day-to-day operations of the ministry, but I still knew that I had something to offer in the area of leadership. I first met the 2015 Board of Directors while I was living in Honduras, and they were such a unique and delightful group of people. A few years later, I was able to travel with the Board to Honduras, and that same year also co-led a mission team. To be honest, I’ve been back to Honduras every year since 2017 except for one year, and each trip is meaningful and special in its own way. There’s such joy in the community and bonding that occurs with each mission team, and each visit I get to see old familiar faces and learn to love new ones.Building and growing relationships is at the very heart of why I keep going!

I work full time as an occupational therapist at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. My specialty is in working with people who have had spinal cord injuries. It’s challenging, but rewarding work! I am blessed to be able to make a difference in the lives of so many people!

I have a wonderful family! My mom is with Jesus, but I still have my dad, and his new wife. I have two older sisters, an adult niece and nephew, a little niece, 2 little nephews, and a great niece! Oh, and a wonderful dog nephew, Roscoe!