June 2010

June 2010

Dear Friends,

I would like to share with you a little about our vision for Hidden Treasures and some things I feel the Lord has put on my heart. Before I came to Costa Rica, I visited Guatemala many times. It was really the place where I heard the Lord calling me to work with children. I was able to go into many villages and help and live in extreme poverty, sleeping on the ground and bathing in a nearby river. I also visited orphanages and stayed several summers to get an idea what they were like.

Knowing in my heart that one day I wanted to have a children’s home, I thought it might help me to visit and learn from other homes. After being there a short time I realized what a sad place it was. The children were in need of so much attention. The women caregivers were over worked and tired. The rooms where the children stayed were dark and cold. The children clung to me all day long, just wanting to be hugged and held. They longed for a mother and a father. After visiting other orphanages, God spoke to me and said, “I have shown you this, and now I want you to go out and start something different!”

After my experience visiting orphanages—the word “orphanage” took on a different meaning to me. After all, what does orphanage mean—“a place where orphans live.” Now, why would anyone want to remain an orphan? Isn’t it true that when we accept God we become part of a family. We are no longer an orphan that is lost, but we are part of His Kingdom.

I believe the way to change lives is through the family. We have seen this with the children that we have and work with. They come as orphans, but once they step into our home, they are family.

Our vision is to start families. We would like to have five homes on the land. We would be the first family household and would be able in the future to take in more children. Then we would like to find four more couples who would like to do the same. We would have no more than ten children in each home—so each child would be able to receive the love and support they need. Every child comes with special needs and problems and requires extra time and attention.

Costa Rica is not allowing adoptions from other countries right now due to problems in the past with illegal adoptions. There is a great need for more children’s homes here, and the government run orphanages are terribly overcrowded. Many children are left with nowhere to go.

We are making progress on the first home. We had to stop for a while and wait for the government to give us our water permit, which took longer than we wanted. We had to really fight with the government, but we are happy to say we won and will continue building very soon. A builder that goes to our church has stepped in and is helping with the plans and lowering costs. He has been a real angel from the Lord. Permits have been very costly, and right now we don’t have enough money to finish the first home. Enrique is looking into getting a loan, but we pray more money will come in so we won’t be in debt.

Our plan is to have a big vegetable garden where we can grow vegetables and plant fruit trees. A soccer field will be built so Enrique can continue his work with the soccer ministry to the boys. This has been a wonderful way to keep boys off the streets.

Here in Costa Rica we have very strict building restrictions and municipal overseers, unlike some other countries where people are on the mission field. They also have very strict laws about starting children’s homes—even though the government homes here are very poorly run and overcrowded with children. So everything takes time and every paper has to be approved and stamped by some government worker. Getting people to move can be a challenge, but we are so grateful for the progress we are making and trust God every step of the way! We know we are in a fight. The family in the world has been torn apart and torn down. But we know God made the family and the truth is…we all need one.

Please pray for renewed strength and rest. We have been in a battle, and at times we are tired. Our personal support for our household and ministry in the community has been down. God gave Enrique a word at the beginning of the year and it has given us the strength to continue on---“Do not look at your circumstances but keep your eyes on Me and I will make a way.” He will do it! We just trust in Him!

We love you and pray the Lord will bless you! Thank you so much for standing with us.

Much Love,


Enrique and Charlyn Mejia