Hogar Metodista... Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica

Entrance to the Hogar Metodista, 2012. dd

I've recently returned from another wonderful mission trip to my home away from home, Costa Rica.  I call it my "home away from home" because this was my 13th or 14th trip to the country.  I need to double check my passports for the exact number, instead of relying on my brain, memory, and counting on fingers.  I have been there on mission trips since 1998 (skipping a few years here and there), a business trip to check out LASP [Latin American Studies Program], a family vacation, and a honeymoon.

For the first time, I was able to work on-site at the Hogar Metodista, the Methodist Children's Home of Costa Rica.  [Check out their FaceBook page: Methodist Children's Home.] In years past, I had been able to visit the site and hear the dreams.  One year (2007) our team helped clean the building that was on site.  But this year,  I was able to be on the property and work to continue the vision.  Many on our team from First Centenary had been on the 2010 team that helped work on the first house for the kids.  It was special for them to see it completed and then be able to work on house #2, knowing it would be completed and filled with children as #1 has been.

There is a video on YOUTUBE that explains the vision of the Methodist Children's Home in the earlier days by missionary Ray Zirkel.  This video is from 2007.

Here is a video with some footage of children on the street and the first home not quite finished.  It shows the Methodist School (Colegio Metodista) where the children go for a bilingual education.  This video was posted in January 2011.

Another video posted in January 2011 with some history and information about the Children's home can been seen here. 

Presently, there are ten children in the 1st home and work is being done on the 2nd home.  The plans include 5 homes total and a multi-purpose building that will allow ministry to the community of Coronado. 

Check out some of the pictures, videos, and website links I've included.  The Hands of God Foundation in Alabama is instrumental in raising monies for this ministry.  You can sponsor the children through them and/or donate for other purposes.  Check them out at their website: Hands of God Foundation.

Ray and Lidia Zirkel first came to Costa Rica in 1995 by invitation of Bishop Luis Palomo.  They have been extremely active in the Methodist church in Costa Rica and have been a tremendous blessing!  Ray and Lidia have their own website too. You can learn more about them and their ministry here.

[I have known them since 1998 and have been blessed to see their ministry blossom and their lives help transform others' lives. Even through the very difficult time of Ray's health this past winter and spring, there have been blessings and praises. What a blessing and praise to have them back in Costa Rica, serving again so soon!]

Please consider praying for this ministry, the missionaries, the children, and all those involved that work hard to keep it going (staff, house tías (aunts), etc.).  There are needs for house parents and relief support staff, scholarships for the children for the school, teams to keep coming to help with the construction, ETC.

Contact Lidia Zirkel (ljzirkel@gmail.com) or the Hands of God Foundation (at their website above) for more information.

Inside the original building, 2007. Our team helped clean as part of our work. dd

A view of the mountains from the property, 2007. dd



The original building on the property, 2008. dd



First house completed, taken by Amanda Cambron, 2012.