Visitor Program Staff

Ignacio “Nacho” Letona

Director of the Visitor Program

Bio

Nacho was born in San Lucas Tolimán. In 2016, he made the decision to leave his home and set out for the country’s capital with the goal of expanding his professional experience.

After spending several years working for different financial companies and studying administration at university, Nacho decided to return to his hometown with the intention of supporting the community.

That’s when Nacho got to know the San Lucas Mission and worked at the Mission Hospital in the emergency department, assisting doctors and nurses with medications and medical supplies. The experience of helping children, the elderly, and people facing hardships changed his perspective on life.

Nacho recently started a new role as the Director of the Mission Visitor Program, welcoming those who want to learn, connect, and experience something new.

In Nacho’s free time, he enjoys hiking in nature, reading, listening to music, playing sports, and traveling to new places.

Mynor Tax

Assistant Director of the Visitor Program

Bio

Mynor Tax Campa is Assistant Director of the Visitor Program at the San Lucas Mission. His father is from Totonicapán (K’iche’ culture) and his mother from San Lucas (Kaqchikel culture). He speaks Spanish and Kaqchikel as his mother languages and has an understanding of K’iche’.

Mynor studied accounting and began his professional career with plans to pursue opportunities outside his hometown. However, after interviewing Father Greg Schaffer for a class assignment, his perspective on life and service began to shift. Shortly after graduating, he briefly relocated to Quetzaltenango but returned home due to family circumstances. What began as a short, three-month commitment assisting Father Greg while his brother completed his studies evolved into an 18-year vocation of service at the Mission.

Over nearly two decades, Mynor became one of Father Greg’s most trusted collaborators, providing essential administrative, technical, and operational support. He assisted with financial reports, correspondence, scheduling, photography, storytelling, and technology. Despite not initially speaking English, Mynor embraced the challenge of learning the language at Father Greg’s encouragement.

Throughout his time at the Mission, Mynor has held several roles, including Accounting Assistant, Office Assistant, and Assistant Director of the Visitor Program, a position he assumed in 2017.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mynor is a devoted father to two sons and values time with his family. He shares life with his wife, who is talented in cooking and traditional weaving. He is also passionate about agriculture and recently completed certification as a tourism guide, reflecting his love for sharing the history and culture of his community with visitors.

Emerson Noriega

Assistant Director of the Visitor Program

Bio

Emerson was born and raised in Guatemala City, where he spent his entire life and held various jobs. All of his jobs had one thing in common: customer service. Over time, this focus on service naturally extended to all aspects of his life.

Family circumstances led Emerson to move to San Lucas Tolimán, where his parents are originally from. At a young age, both of them moved to the capital in pursuit of personal growth. However, despite the distance, they never forgot their roots or the influence of Padre Goyo, as Father Greg is affectionately known.

Once Emerson settled in San Lucas, he was able to learn even more—through locals, family, and friends—about what the Mission meant to each person. This deepened his interest and appreciation for the work that both Father Greg and the Mission continued to do, even after his passing.

Having the opportunity to help not only the community but also the visitors who have supported the projects for so many years—and who continue to hold it dear—motivates Emerson to be here, to contribute, and to help improve his town.

Eisa Patino

Visitor Program Manager

Bio

Eisa Patino learned about the San Lucas Mission while working at Cabrini University as an AmeriCorps member. In February/March of 2022, she visited San Lucas through Cabrini’s spring immersion trip. Her visit to San Lucas was beautiful, and she fell in love with the community. At the end of her visit, she was asked by a student if she’d ever return to San Lucas in the future. At that time, Eisa knew she wanted to return to the Mission.

Eisa grew up with her family in a suburb outside of Philadelphia. She graduated from Allegheny College in 2021 with a dual degree in Community & Justice Studies and Spanish. Eisa has had previous experience working as an AmeriCorps volunteer serving the Latino community. She has also spent time in Ecuador working with the elderly living in extreme poverty. Eisa’s upbringing as a first-generation Mexican-American had always impacted her life and led her to pursue her career working with community and service learning-based programs.

In her free time, Eisa enjoys hiking, listening to music, and dabbling in photography.

Javier Girón

Medical Group Coordinator

Bio

Javier was born in Solola in 1999. He grew up and is currently living in San Lucas Toliman, very close to the beautiful Lake Atitlan. He was raised in a home founded on faith in God, which has had a great influence on his life and the lives of those around him.

Javier is about to graduate from university with a degree in agricultural engineering. He has assumed the role of Medical Coordinator for the Visitor Program, facilitating medical workdays in the communities near San Lucas Toliman.

Javier believes that we all are in this life to serve God with joy and love and to help other people. This motivates him to work and help others to do better and see hope, knowing that there are always ways to make somebody else’s life a little bit better and reasons to hope.

Fernando Chutá

Visitor Group Coordinator

Bio

In 2022, Fernando graduated as a Certified Public Accountant in San Lucas Tolimán. That same year, he began studying English as a second language and successfully completed his courses in December 2024.

Since May 2022, Fernando has been involved with groups from various social aid organizations. He loves working with visiting groups as a way to help his community and share his culture.

Fernando started at the San Lucas Mission as a volunteer and translator for medical groups. During his time at the Mission, he came to appreciate the incredible work that Father Greg did to support the community of San Lucas Tolimán through its various programs.

Fernando’s plans for this year include continuing his studies to become a Secondary Education Teacher in English, and later pursuing a degree in International Relations.

Angie Bocel

Visitor Group Coordinator

Bio

Angie Alissa Bocel Coroxón was born in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá, Guatemala in 2007. She completed her pre-primary and primary education in Guatemala. In 2019, her parents decided to take her to the United States, where she continued her academic journey, completing middle school and graduating from high school.

During her time in high school, Angie faced the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture, which strengthened her discipline, perseverance, and commitment to learning. She was part of the JROTC program for four years, an experience that deeply shaped her personal development, leadership skills, and teamwork, while also allowing her to gain proficiency in the English language.

After graduating, she decided to return to Guatemala with the goal of beginning her university education. She is currently preparing to start her studies at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, where she will pursue a Teaching Degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in English, with the purpose of continuing to develop and strengthen her linguistic and educational skills.

Currently, Angie works for the San Lucas Mission, serving as one of the coordinators for the Visitor Program. This role has had a significant impact on her life, allowing her to grow both personally and professionally, while broadening her perspective through community engagement and service to people from different backgrounds. She greatly enjoys meeting new people, communicating, and serving others, with the aspiration of continuing to grow and reaching far in her professional journey.