Get to Know the Micah Project Staff

Michael Miller, Founding Director. Michael began working with street kids in 1993 on a six-month internship through Wheaton College's International Studies Program (HNGR). After graduating from Wheaton in 1994 with a degree in Elementary Education and a certificate in International Studies, Michael moved to Houston to teach third-through-fifth graders in a new school founded by the Houston School District and Rice University. In 1996, Michael began teaching at SER-Niños, one of the first twenty charter schools in the State of Texas, which educated primarily immigrant children from Latin America.

During this time, God continued to create a vision in Michael's heart to work with street kids. In 1998, he moved back to Honduras to continue this work. While aiding in the reconstruction effort after Hurricane Mitch ravished Honduras in October 1998, Michael began to develop a vision for the Micah Project, which opened doors in January 2000.

Roger Figueroa, Group home coordinator. Roger has worked with street kids since 1996, when he began to work in a drug rehabilitation center for street kids in Tegucigalpa. Having grown up in a similar environment as the boys, Roger understands them and can mentor them as they leave their pasts behind them.

Roger currently teaches 5th and 6th grade in our educational program with the children who work and live in the city dump, and spends his afternoons at Micah.

Aida Martinez, cook. Aida came to the Micah Project in May 2001, after working for twelve years in another program for street children in Tegucigalpa. Aida takes care of the weekday meals for the Micah Project. The boys' nickname for Aida indicates that she is much more than a cook: they call her "Mama Aida!"

Jeony came to the Micah Project in March 2002. He has begun a ministry among the families and children of Villa Linda Miller. He has a true calling to those families. Jeony worked for churches for many years before coming to the Micah Project. He is now the ordained pastor of the church in Villa Linda Miller, as well as the director of Micah's ministry to the dump children, along with his wife Jesabel.

Rebecca Haver joined us at the Micah Project in March of 2004, and is the Assistant Director of the ministry. Becca graduated from Malone College in Ohio in 2000 with an education degree, and then from Wheaton College in December 2001 with a MA in Intercultural Studies. She joined the staff of the ministry after spending time training and working in group homes for street boys in both Mozambique and Brazil in the previous two years.

As Assistant Director, Becca is involved in many areas of life at Micah. From teaching English in the home-schooling program, to organizing visiting groups and individuals, to taking the guys to their appointments and activities, to spending time helping them care for their families, and many other random jobs, she feels she is able to be involved in many facets of the guys' lives. Her main passion is spending time getting to know the Micah guys and being a part of their daily discipleship and their future goals!

Marlon Castellanos joined us at the Micah Project in February of 2006, and is the Director of the Leadership house. He is married to Noemy and they have a daughter Elizabeth who was born September 2006. Before working with the Micah Project, Marlon was studying to become a teacher of adult education. Marlon is extremely involved in his local church and contributes in many areas of his church.

As coordinator of the Leadership House, Marlon is very involved with our older guys who live in that house. Marlon works very hard at teaching these young men strong values for one day when they have a family of their own. Not only is Marlon involved in the lives of the older guys, but he helps out a lot with our younger guys as well by taking them to their activities and appointments.

Jessica Busse joined us at the Micah Project in January of 2006. Jessica graduated from St. Louis University in Missouri in 2000 with a Communications degree. Before coming to work with The Micah Project she worked as a youth leader for Greentree Community Church for two years.

Jessica helps out in many different areas with the ministry. Teaching English in our home school program, administrative duties, taking the guys to their appointments and activities, and helping the guys care for their families are among the many responsibilities of Jessica. Discipleship and relational ministry are Jessica's passions and she loves to be a part of the lives of the guys.