December 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Christmas is a time for giving and bringing joy to those around us!

Sometimes, however, I am overwhelmed some days by the needs of all the people living around us. No matter how difficult the problem is that we are facing, there is always someone facing something bigger and more challenging.

A dear lady came to my house the other day. She has faced all kinds of challenges this year: losing her home and having to move with her husband and three children into a one room "shack" that was in terrible condition. We have reached out to her and she is very special to us.

As she was visiting me, she told me about another lady whose husband was in a terrible accident and cannot move from the waist down. They have three small children and one on the way. "I really want to help them, Charlyn," she said. Tears were in her eyes. "They have nothing and her baby is to arrive a few days before Christmas. My children and I each had two dollars and we put our money together and brought them lunch and spent the day helping her take care of her husband and children." Then she said something amazing: "After seeing this poor lady and all she is going through, I realize I have so much to be grateful for: a roof over my head and a husband that can walk and provide for us." I was so touched that despite all her problems, she wanted to reach out to this lady that is in such terrible need. As she left my house she said, "I know God is going to answer my prayers and He will help me."

I believe that is so true. I remember Derek Prince giving us two warnings from the Bible, the first of which is, "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard." (Proverbs 21:13). Derek asked the question, "Is that the reason some of our prayers are not answered, because we haven't heard the cry of the poor?" Another passage says, "He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses" (Proverbs 28:27).

These are some pretty strong verses, but I believe no matter what our circumstances are, we cannot ignore the poor and needy around us. And no matter how they got in the condition they are in, we need to reach out and be a friend to the lonely and unloved! My goodness, we cannot afford to sit back and focus on all our troubles and problems and do nothing! That is when our hearts become hard and we become hard and we become critical and just down-right grumpy!!

Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own circumstances that we become blinded by the people who are suffering around us. When my own children become focused on their problems and challenges, I know it is time for us to get out and serve, and very soon their attitudes begin to change.

Our hearts' desire is to bring joy to families and children around us this year! We will be visiting families in need and planning several parties for the children we have been reaching out to in the community and in other areas. Many children never experience anything different at Christmas and it is just another day that they suffer or go without. We ask you to help us in a special way this month to be able to get a small gift for the little ones and give bags of groceries to families who are in need. We have about 25 children and five families we will be helping. We will also have five extra children visiting us at Christmas. We have a lot to do and a lot to plan, so please be praying for us!

We will also be going and visiting the lady whose husband is paralyzed from the waist down. Her baby is due to arrive right before Christmas. She has very little clothing and needs the basic things for her baby. I have a bag full of baby clothes that I will be bringing over.

We want to thank you so much for standing with us!! There is no way we could reach out to these families without your love and support. We are so thankful that now, finally, we have doors for our home! We are so happy and excited! Many of our rooms and bathrooms did not have doors, and I can't tell you what a difference it has made to have them now. Our home is coming together and looking more cozy and ready to receive more little ones! Thank you so much for all who have helped to make this possible.

We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love and blessings to you all!

love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

TO BE A PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
If you or your church would like to participate in a mission trip to work with the Costa Rica Hidden Treasures Children's Home construction project, please contact Ronald Gray: 251.533.4150 (cell) or ronaldkgray@aol.com.

November 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Our daughter Daniela, first came into our home when she was just nine years old. Now, as a young adult, she is a teacher and a wonderful example to all the children in her care. Recently took her first grade class to an orphanage here in San Jose. They wanted to go serve and reach out to the children there. She came home very excited, telling me about the petting zoo they had there, and getting to play with the kids.

The second time she went back, she brought another group of first graders. On that trip was a little boy who had been adopted by a family in the school about a year ago. As they walked through the orphanage getting a tour of the bedrooms and cafeteria, she noticed the little boy begin to cling to her tightly, not letting her go. "What's wrong?" she asked him. He seemed to cling tighter. Pulling him aside she knelt down and looked into his teary eyes and he said, "Miss Mejia, I am afraid. I don’t want them to take me away again! I want to be with my family." Realizing his fear, she hugged him tightly and said "No one is going to take you away. Your family loves you." He seemed to relax a little but stayed closely by her side until they left the orphanage.

When Daniela came home, she told me about the little boy, wiping away her tears as she spoke. "Mom, she said, I understand how it feels. He had no idea that I, too, I had lived in an orphanage. You can decorate, have animals, and fix it up all you want, but it will never take the place of the love of a family!" Daniela told me that they have women there that work. Some have the day shift and some have the night shift. There are no fathers there, and a very tight schedule, with the same routine each day.

Later that afternoon, Daniela told her class that children are gift from God. The little boy, now happy to be back at school, raised his hand and said, "My mommy says I am the greatest gift she ever got!" Daniela was truly touched by this little boy and may have the opportunity to share her testimony with his family! Her heart breaks for children who are just like she was, and have no real family. We are very proud of Daniela and the hope she is giving others! She is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us!

Many people will say to me, "Oh, you are the family building the orphanage." Here is what I think: I don't really like the word "orphanage" because to me that word describes a place where orphans live. Although children may have a place to eat and sleep, they are still considered orphans (which makes people feel sad and sorry for them). I do love the words "home" and "family", which mean hope and love. Every child needs a family! A family isn't just important; it is everything! It doesn't matter how many children are in our home; we will always be one big happy family!

Please pray for us! We have a lot "on our plate" right now. We have been reaching out to several very needy families in our community, delivering groceries and helping to fix up and paint their homes. There are so many people in desperate need of love and support, and food on the table.

We cannot sit back while people suffer, especially the children! We are also looking ahead to Christmas. Our house will be full this year, and we have to start now if we want to be ready! So many people are lonely and need a family, especially during the holidays. There is a lady in the community near us with a serious heart condition, but she is taking care of many kids ... she has 18 grandchildren! I had only talked with her twice before she climbed the mountain where we live looking for me for help. I was shocked to learn of all she is going through. What can we do for them? Enrique and I are seeking God to know, and we are reaching out.

We really appreciate you remembering us during this time, in your prayers and in your financial support. Please continue to lift up this ministry. We are still finishing our house and preparing for more children. God calls us to feed the hungry, to take in a stranger, to clothe the naked. In these days, there are so many people in need, but together, we can make a difference!

Thank you so much for all your love and support! We cannot do this work without you!

love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

November 2012 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

So much of my life revolves around family. Since the Lord put it on our hearts many years ago to build and strengthen families, our desire is to seek the Lord and to know what family really is. Through the years there are a few things I have found to be very important, and I want to share them in this letter.

I love this quote: "Blood makes you related, but love makes you a family!" This is so very true and especially in our home. Maybe the same blood doesn't run through our veins, but the same love runs through our hearts. Corinthians 13:13 says "These are the three things that will endure, faith, hope and love; but the greatest of these is love!" Without love, family cannot survive. We have to be able to put others needs before our own; that is just part of having a strong happy family.

Having a family keeps you humble and it is where we learn to get along with others. In a big family, you learn really fast how to take criticism and lots of teasing; humility is needed in order to admit someone else just may be right!

Many of you may remember Geovany, or Nini as we called him, who lived with us. When he turned 16, he became confused and felt torn between his biological family and our family, of which he had become very much a part. He wanted "freedom" and "acceptance" and decided to go back and live with his mother, who was a drug addict. Before long, Nini had dropped out of school to get a job. We tried to stop him but there was nothing we could do. We had a family meeting and prayed for him, we all cried and sent him on his way.

After several years, Nini has suffered greatly and made many mistakes. Recently he called Enrique and asked to meet with him. He felt alone and tired, "I now understand all the things you said to me," he said. "If only I had listened." Enrique has been meeting with him to pray and spend time together. Nini will always be a part of our family and is loved dearly. When we are young, we think love is about acceptance and the freedom to do what we want; but it is really correction and discipline that will take us where we need to go! A family helps us to change. We have to be able to listen and realize a change may be in order.

It is very important that each person in a family has their own special place; God made us all different! Mother Teresa said, "What I do, you cannot do, but what you do, I cannot do." Each person needs to do what they do best; this makes each one feel special and needed. It is our job to be able to work with them and let them do things that maybe we cannot; again humility is required.

One of my greatest desires is that all the children in our home will grow up and have strong happy families that are close, and love each other. As I tell them very often, this takes time and sacrifice; we have to be able to put our own feelings aside and reach out to each person God has put in our lives, even though they may be different each one has their own special place!

There are so many lonely people in the world; everybody has relatives, but now fewer and fewer people have family. We are very excited to have more children in our family; we feel this will happen soon, and we are getting prepared. We are getting our house ready and hope to finish up things here. We still need doors and to finish several bathrooms, curtains, and extra beds too. When we moved in, many things were not finished. Little by little, we are working on things as we can. Please pray for the resources to be able to finish, and to continue on the second home. Enrique has been very busy working with our architect and the men planning and building the foundation. We have a group coming in December with Ron Gray to help with the building. It will be a busy time, but we are looking forward to what God has in store.

We are also getting ready for Christmas. This year, we will have six more children with us during the holidays. We will be reaching out to other families in the area where Enrique has done much work with the boys on the streets there. This requires a lot of planning ahead. If you know anyone who is interested in donating, we can make sure each child gets a gift. Please help us in getting the word out! We appreciate so much your love and support, and we sincerely ask you to continue. We could not do all that is before us without you. The Bible says that God places the lonely in families, and gives them joy! There are just so many lonely people who need a family. It is our job to find them and bring them in! There is no greater blessing than the love of a family!

Much love and blessings,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

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October 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I am so grateful for the people who stood by me, walked with me, and loved me, in spite of all my failures. Without them I would not be here today! My Dad says, "We can walk above the storm; even if we fail, God remains faithful!" God is faithful even when we are not. So if God remains faithful to us even when we fail, shouldn't we remain faithful to others when they fail? This is something that has really been on my heart. We are all sinners, and it is because of God's love, mercy, and faithfulness to me that I can go out and do the same!!

It is so easy to judge people who have made the wrong decisions over and over again. We may wonder, "Why can't they just get their act together?" But when we really start to listen and get to know where they come from, we may begin to understand a little bit better why life has been so hard. I recently spent time with a lady to whom we have ministered through the years. She has three children and has an incredible testimony; it is amazing she is still alive. I took her and her youngest boy out for lunch and I began to ask detailed questions about her life. Although I had heard many stories before I wanted to really understand what she had been through.

From the day she was born she was rejected by her mother, and then her grandmother gave her to a friend when she was just three. Later, she was passed around to aunts and uncles. Her father stopped seeing her when she was five. She was put in an orphanage with her brothers and sisters and then given to a couple who eventually left her when things got hard. Who guided her? Who loved her? All she ever thought was, "I am not good enough."

Today, many people judge her because of her bad choices; let's just say she has "looked for love in all the wrong places." Over the years we have watched her grow. It has taken time but she is changing and maturing. She loves the Lord and He has helped her every step of the way!

Yesterday, we went with her and bought new shoes for her and her children. Their old shoes were falling apart. I wish you could have seen their happy, joyful faces as they tried on the shoes! The mother ran up and down the aisle of the store laughing with delight. Her little boy was beside himself. I think we got some looks from others in the store, but it was so much fun I had to to join in the hugging and dancing with joy! I am not really sure who left the store more blessed, them or me! I could not have been happier to see their joyful faces! Please pray for her. Recently, her younger sister, who was only 34, was found dead in the psychiatric hospital. It has been a very hard time for her. These three children need a father. They love my husband, Enrique, and he spends time with them each month. We need wisdom to know how to guide and love each one. Thank you for your love and prayers for them!

The Bible says, "Keep loving one another earnestly (with serious intention, purpose or effort) since LOVE covers a multitude of sin." I believe love must be an action. It is what we DO that will effect others; the way we respond to them in spite of any failures or shortcomings. What would have happened if this lady in the story would have received real love from the day she was born? What if she had had a family? Her life certainly would have been different. Her brothers and sister would have been different; but without love, they have suffered and caused others to suffer. We can make a difference!

Eduardo, our very first child that came to us almost fourteen years ago, has now moved into his first apartment. This has been a big change for us and all the kids. Eduardo just turned twenty-one and is studying criminology and has a very good job at Hewlett-Packard. We are very happy for him and proud of the decisions he is making. He loves the Lord and we are excited to see what the future will hold!

We have so much before us right now, and we sincerely ask for your prayers. We are still working on the house we live in. We have gotten rid of the mold problem upstairs and have painted and put in baseboards in one room upstairs. We still need doors for most of the rooms in the house; right now, we have a few temporary doors, but they have no handles and locks. We also need gutters outside to help with the water drainage; without that, the mold and mildew will come back in time. The cost will be around $2800 to buy and install the gutters.

We also are forming the "Hidden Treasure" foundation here in Costa Rica. There is a lot of paper work and many meetings with our lawyer, but this must be done in order to have house parents and receive children in the next home we are building. This is also a major cost, so please be praying about this. It is very important for our future mission here.

Thank you so much for all your love and support during these last few months. It was a very difficult time for us while Enrique took care of his father. His dad was very sick over the past few years, and Enrique has been one to help with his care. Thank you for all the love you showed after his father passed away. It meant so much to us.

We are grateful for your friendship and support, and the love of God shown through you to our family and to the children that we are reaching!

love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

September 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

The key to happiness is not being loved but having someone to love! I am always so blessed to be around people who really love others. After a hard week of taking care of many sick children, very little sleep, having my dryer break down, and watching the clothes pile higher and higher ... it was really nice to go out with another missionary couple visiting here in Costa Rica from the United States. They were very encouraging to us and I felt the Lord had set up the meeting. This couple has been reaching out in ministry to transvestites and young prostitutes who work on the streets of San Jose.

We were very moved by the sad stories they told us of the people they were getting to know. One thing these people in great need all had in common was that they had been abused and rejected by their own families; something we see all too often as well with those to whom we minister.

The Bible says, "Anyone that does not love does not know God, because God is love!" I believe God can change anyone, but we have to love them and walk with them right where they are, which takes time and isn't easy. Enrique has been so happy about meeting with the young guys in our community. A good group of kids have been showing up on Saturdays from our community to play soccer and hear a Bible story. Our children have been helping out. I think what they want most is to feel love and to be a part of something. They come from broken families and so much abuse. Enrique has a real love for children from bad neighborhoods and broken families since he himself grew up in a very difficult neighborhood. His heart breaks for them and he gets excited to think of what the Lord will do to bless them!

Enrique has coached teams before. The kids are now grown and some of them would like to help out with the new kids. They still look to Enrique as their mentor and "pastor" and he is very much part of their lives. Enrique has been taking classes to get new ideas and learn the best way to train these young boys. We got the first $60 for the soccer team from a lady who came with the group to help finish our house. The first step is getting to know each child and building up trust with the families. We know this will open up many doors to help kids with school; many of them struggle because of lack of support in the home. I love seeing Enrique so excited to work with these young ones and hearing the precious stories he tells me about each one!

A couple of months ago, we were in downtown San Jose, and we stopped to hear a very small man play a song on his guitar. He is very poor and faces some physical disabilities, but he is very well-known on the streets where and can usually be found playing. At the end of his song, to my surprise, he grabbed me and gave me the biggest hug ... and then I got a very wet slobbery kiss on the cheek! The kids were also very surprised, but Mabel explained it very well to her little six year old sister, "People make fun of him and laugh at him, but mommy showed him that she really cared. He just needed a hug and kiss today!"

Not everyone may feel called to reach out to transvestites or prostitutes or a poor man on the street. These days, it is even hard to find people who can love their own neighbor (which can be a challenge, too). But if we really seek the Lord and ask Him for His love, He will open our hearts to the most unloved and unlovely people!

In these times, God is calling us to love. In order to change the world, we are going to have to get more serious about loving and put our fears aside. After all, "love" is from God! When did Jesus ever forbid us to show mercy to the down and out and sinners? In fact, that is what He wants us to do!

We will be meeting again with the missionary couple, John and Cindy, and they want to help us with the kids we serve. They want to help on Saturdays as well. So, we are very grateful for the encouragement and help as we move forward in all the Lord has.

We have continued working with our lawyer to form a "Hidden Treasures" Foundation here in Costa Rica. We also are meeting with the government to continue the process for receiving more children in our home. We are working on finishing the room where they would stay. We have had to fix the roof and we will be sealing and painting the walls. We are also hoping to have funds to get doors on each bedroom and bathroom. All of this takes money and we can't get things ready if the money is not there.

Please pray we can finish things soon, and if the Lord puts it on your heart, prayerfully consider a special financial gift this month. We appreciate your love and support! You mean so much to us, and we pray the Lord will bless you and your families!

love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

August 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We hope you are doing well and are enjoying your summer! Many people never trust God enough to discover what He can do and the joy that this can bring. When we get our eyes off the Lord and on the circumstances around us, we often act unwisely and impatiently. It is much easier when we feel like we have control over things and can make things go the way we think is best. Well, living in Costa Rica and being a missionary has taught me there is very little that I have control over, and although I can plan and do my best, we have to trust God's plan, even when we think it is moving too slowly. He knows what He is doing!

We have had a very busy July, and just hosted a team here from Grace Temple Church in Hattiesburg, MS. Ronald Gray and Pastor Dwayne Higgason brought 18 young people to help us finish the main house here where we live. Many of you know we have had a terrible mold and humidity problem in the house. The group built a cement sidewalk around the house to help with the drainage and humidity getting into the walls. They also finished two bathrooms: our bathroom and a bathroom upstairs that will be used for the new children that come into our home.

It was amazing to see how hard everyone worked mixing and making the cement by hand and hauling rocks in the rainy cool weather. It was a lot of work! Our older kids worked with them and were so blessed to meet and make new friends. Kerry Cook, who has come on many trips, cut and tiled the bathrooms and did an excellent job! We also did a Vacation Bible School in the community where we live. The team taught Bible stories, did face painting, and also other fun things with the kids. More than 50 kids came each day! The kids were so happy even to be able to color with real crayons. Enrique was so excited to connect with the little ones that came, and the last day, he loaded up our bus and brought them to the church and played soccer. They were even excited to get to ride in the car!

The little boys and girls were overjoyed to think they could be on a soccer team. This has been Enrique's desire to form a soccer team in the community to reach young kids. He saw how much these kids need a godly man in their life, and several of the little boys became Enrique's "shadow". This is something we are going to continue with the kids. Enrique has been in contact with the families there. We are very excited for the doors God has opened because of the Vacation Bible School! It is wonderful what God does when teams come. He builds and forms new relationships. .

My Dad came to visit also, and he spoke at the conference held at Iglesia de Pacto Nueva Esperanza with Pastor Hugo Zelaya. It was a very blessed time and we are so grateful for the time we had with Dad. He was such an encouragement to us! We had some big games of "UNO" with the kids - special times they will never forget! My Dad is Grandpa to many kids….not just the ones who live in our home, but all the kids who have lived with us consider him their Grandpa. When they can't come to be with him, they write or call me to see how he is. He has invested in many children's lives and he is very loved!

We have had several meetings with the government to begin the process of taking in more children in our home. The meetings have gone very well. Finishing our house is very important. There are so many hurting in our region of the country who desperately need a loving place to live. Since we have been able to make more progress on the house, it is starting to feel like a home. We just got curtains and the kids are so happy! Our friends Richard and Helen Smith helped us to get them. They have been such a great blessing to us and the kids! Each step may seem small but it is bringing us to where we need to be so our family can grow.

I would like to let you know some of the things that are needed to help us move forward. We need doors for bedrooms and bathrooms in the house. Each door costs approximately $400. Because of the humidity, we have to use a good wood that will hold up in the dampness and rainy weather. We have six temporary doors that we have borrowed for some of the bedrooms and bathrooms, but the girls don't have a door (only a curtain) for the bathroom. We need 14 doors all together so you can see this is a big expense.

We also need dehumidifiers. We have had one machine in the girl's room because it helps with our daughter's asthma and it has been a wonderful blessing. Without dehumidifiers, everything in the closets have to be washed regularly, and rooms get a musty odor. Dehumidifiers here are expensive here, costing approximately $300 each. We really need one in each room. We continue to have problems with a leaky roof as well, and we are working to get this fixed.

It is hard for me explain just how much your love and support has meant to us, but when you face challenges, it is a wonderful thing to know that you have friends and family that are there for you. There is no way we could go at this alone. We need each other. I have felt tired, and with each day there is a new challenge. I am asking for your prayers for renewed strength to continue on. With so many kids to serve, there is not much chance for rest; it is a non-stop job 24/7, weekends included. We would like to raise a salary for extra help in the home, especially with more kids on the way. I have a lady that helps when groups come, but we will need her help more often.

These last few years have been hard, but God has done incredible things! God is known for giving victory to the people who trust in Him in what seems like impossible situations! Our hope and trust is in the Lord. Thank you for standing with us!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

July 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

For as long as I have known my husband, Enrique, he has always loved a good fight. It is just part of his nature. It is part of what I love about him! He is willing to fight for me and fight for our family. He loves to box, kickbox, wrestle and well you get the picture. He has a trainer and he and our son, Abraham, go every week and train. Enrique has always stood up for what he is passionate about and although he is a very "nice guy" with a big heart, he know how to fight!

I believe that God is always preparing us for the future and speaking to us. He knows us and He know our nature. On Father's Day Enrique read the family the Bible verse for that day. It was Luke 6:27. It says, "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Enrique always tells us, "It does no good for us to read the Bible and memorize verses, if we ourselves don't put them into practice." His prayer every day is, "Help me to practice this today" and many times he challenges each of us to put into practice what we have read.

After a nice lunch celebration out with the family, we arrived home. The sun was going down and it was raining. The electricity had gone out at our home. Dani our daughter saw one of our dogs lying in the grass. He didn't move. She screamed out and Enrique and the boys went running outside and "Romeo" didn't move. His eyes looked up at them and he gasped for breath. Enrique and Abraham put him in the car and went flying down the road. I finally got a line out to call the doctor and he said he would wait for them to arrive at the office. It looked like he had been poisoned and my stomach began to turn as I realized "Honey" our little sweet dog, Romeo's mother, was missing. I ran out the front door screaming her name. She was nowhere to be found. Nelson and Eduardo got out the flashlights and walked the property. Dani and Ruth and I went looking and calling out her name. The little girls looked out the window with tears rolling down their faces. Finally Ruth came running toward me and said, "I found Honey, Mamma. She's already gone." She grabbed me with tears running down her face. We all went inside lit candles and sat and cried. Such a sad night and not having electricity seemed to make it worse.

Abraham called to see if we had found Honey and I had to tell him the bad news. His best friend that he slept with every night was gone. Romeo died at the doctor's office. As Enrique drove home, the thought of the family being so sad made him mad! He knew our neighbor had done this and the more he thought about it, the madder he got and he thought of going to give the neighbor a piece of his mind and MORE! Then the Lord reminded him of the verse he had read in the morning. Wow! It is so much easier to read a verse like that than put it into practice. Putting Bible verses into practice is obedience and requires a sacrifice. It is dying to ourselves and all that is in our nature and taking on God's nature.

We sat in the dark and began to pray for our neighbor. Enrique knew he had to confront him but it would be with a different attitude, not wanting to hurt him as he had hurt us but confronting him the way God would want. Do good to those who hate you? Bless those who curse you? Really? Yes, that is what we are called to do!

God is molding and making us into what He wants us to be every day. As Jim Newsom says, "It is like being in the gym. It takes hard work on our part. But if we are obedient then we will truly be blessed."

July is going to be a big month for us! We have a big group coming from Grace Temple to continue to help us finish our home and they will be reaching out to the community around us. They will be doing three days of Vacation Bible School for the children in an area near us. We also will be having a conference at our church and my dad will be speaking to the leaders and the church congregation here. He will be with us for a week spending time with the kids and our family. We really look forward to his visit! We appreciate so much your prayers during this time!

We recently had a group come with Ron Gray. They blessed us so much by helping to finish the master bathroom and hanging pictures and curtains at our house. It really makes a house feel more like a home. We cannot express how much we appreciate everything! One of the ladies took me out and bought us new towels! Our towels were looking terrible and with so many people in our house we never had enough. It has made such a difference! We are so grateful!

Thank you so much for all your love and support! You are such a big part of the work here. You are in our hearts and prayers.

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

June 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Charles Spurgeon said, "Our troubles have always brought us blessing, and they always will." In my life when fear starts to take over, I have always prayed, "Lord please take all my fears and troubles away!" It is hard to think of our problems as being a blessing! And although we would like for all our fears to disappear and "poof" be gone, I have learned that it usually doesn't work that way!

Enrique, my husband, says, "God uses the condition we are in to manifest His power." Paul begged the Lord three times to take the thorn in his flesh away but the Lord said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weaknesses!"

Enrique and I have felt the Lord has called us to bless the people in our community. At the beginning of the year, I began planning a tea for some of my neighbors and church friends in the community. I really felt in my heart the Lord wanted me to bless these ladies who had been such a blessing in my life. They helped when groups came from the states and they reached out to our family. I really wanted it to be beautiful and pay attention to all the details. Being on a tight budget, I began saving up a little money each month to try and have everything we needed. I was very excited to have the opportunity to get to know these ladies and really felt in my heart that was what the Lord wanted. I set a date and all the ladies were excited to come. Our girls were excited too; this would be the very first tea they had ever attended.

Then something happened - we had emergencies in the family. Kids got sick and Enrique's father needed medical attention. I realized I would have to use the money that I saved up for the tea to help cover the cost. Things were tighter than ever! I began to wonder, is this really what the Lord had wanted? But I heard in my heart "I am going to take care of everything." My husband agreed we should go ahead with the tea, so we continued with the plan. The morning of the party, we rushed getting things clean and making fancy sandwiches and cupcakes. The kids were really excited to decorate and were such a big help. I began to get a headache wondering if I should have gone ahead with the party, and again the Lord said that He had it all under control.

The tea was a big hit we laughed and enjoyed our time together. I felt the Lord had really brought us all together. Each lady felt special and that was what was in my heart. At the end of the tea, an older lady gave me a hug and said, "Charlyn, I want you to know God has everything under control, and because you have blessed us, He will bless you." I almost burst into tears! If only she knew what all I had felt in the days leading up to the party. We were all so blessed and I thought even if we can only eat eggs until the end of the month, it was worth it!

The next day, to our surprise, we got a call from a lady building a home next to us. We had loaned her some money months ago because she had been robbed and in desperate need of help. We did not know if she would ever be able to pay us back, but we felt we should help. She called to say she was coming over with the money we had loaned her, and how grateful she was for our help. It was just a little more than we had spent on the tea! Wow, we were all surprised!

Just because we have a problem and troubles arise, that doesn't mean we are not doing God's will; it just means He is going to get the glory, and not us! God uses trials to strengthen our faith and develop character. My prayers have changed over the years. I now pray "Lord help me to move out and be obedient in spite of my fears and inadequate strength, knowing that it is there that you will meet me."

Thirteen years ago if I had really thought things out, I guess taking in fourteen children would have made me terrified! God has been there every step of the way, through ups and downs and the good and bad. So thank You, Lord, for my troubles. They really have been a blessing!

"Let us not worry about the clouds but sing, because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers!"

We thank you so much for all your love and support!! We have a big month coming up. We will have several groups coming from the United States to help finish and repair the house we are in and also help on the second home. They also will be doing some community work and reaching out to the people around us. We appreciate your prayers and support so much! Please continue to remember us in your giving and in your intercession this month.

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

P.S. Please continue to pray for us and consider a special financial gift to support Hidden Treasures during May. We are facing regular shortfalls in our monthly budget, even though we are working to keep our expenses as low as possible. Your prayer and giving makes so much ministry possible to the children. Thanks again!

May 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

God desires that everyone should repent and receive forgiveness and restoration.Second Peter 3:9 says God does not want ANYONE to perish, so He is giving more time so everyone can repent. If God wants that, shouldn't we? But what about people who have treated us badly and hurt us; is it possible to want God to shower them with His love and forgive them for all their sins, and to bless them? I believe with God's help we can love even the people who have hurt us the most.

Almost every day we have a small Bible study with the kids and we have been studying about Jonah. God called Jonah to go and preach to people that he despised. Many times God calls us to do things we would rather not do. Usually, it isn't just so I can help someone else but actually it is I that need the help. God works on me when I am challenged to reach out and love someone else!

I love animals and I believe they are very good for children who have been hurt and abused. Recently, I noticed one of our children seemed very indifferent to the animals we had taken in, never touching them or speaking to them. He seemed almost angry when they came around. Everyone noticed, and one of our girls was very upset. She confronted him and said, "What is wrong with you? Why don't you love the dogs?" She looked up at him in tears, "What did they ever do to you?" The dogs tried to be friendly to him, but feeling his lack of interest and hardened heart, they soon gave up and would run when he came in the door.

After a while, I also began to wonder what was going on and decided it was time to talk. One night when all the little ones were in bed, I gently asked, "What's wrong? Is something bothering you? I have noticed you are so cold toward the animals. Why?" He seemed almost surprised at my question, but then he said, "Mom, I can't love another dog. I gave my heart to one dog and we had to give him away, so I have decided it is better for me not to get too close because I will just get hurt again." Wow, I had not realized he felt like that! The kids had always wanted animals but because we always have lived in small condominiums with practically no yard, we just couldn't keep them. I consoled him the best I could, but then I said, "Now you have a decision to make. Are you going to choose to love again or are you going to miss out on all that God has for you?"

How many people in the world get hurt and choose to protect themselves never really trusting or letting anyone in? John Maxwell said, "Anyone kept at a distance won't hurt you, but they can't help you either!" If we don't trust anyone, that means we end up alone and doing the work of ten people by ourselves because we have to "protect" ourselves at all times. Love hurts; it isn't easy, but it is a decision we make. Even though we may put on a smile, people can tell when they are not really wanted or trusted, and just like our dogs, they soon will begin to run somewhere else.

Taking in children in our home requires trusting. So many people don't want to adopt because they are scared. "What if the child turns out to be terrible?" People have said this to us. Well my goodness! That is when you get on your knees and cry out to the Lord! Our own biological children cause us to do the same thing, too, and can behave pretty terribly at times. The thing is, where does my trust lie? My trust is in the Lord! I have no doubt we will have difficult children, and at times we may not feel like loving, but that is when a decision is required. And my decision is to love at all times, even if it means it may hurt! I tell the children, "God puts people around us for a reason, whether we like them or not. He calls us to open our hearts and let them in." Especially in a family, we have no choice but to love!

Jonah became upset for the mercy God showed on the people of Nineveh, the people Jonah hated. God rebuked Jonah for his attitude towards them. We need people close to us to help us see when we need to change our hearts and obey the Lord.

Just the other day, our son got all the dogs ready and took them on a long walk. He talked to each one as he fed them and put on their leash. I knew he was opening his heart again! They accepted him right away, wagging their tails and licking his face!

This is a very busy time for us and we appreciate your prayers! We have started our work at the elementary school up the road from us. Please pray for these children. Many face so much abuse and neglect. My prayer is to reach out to the mothers too; they are not always easy women to be around, but I want them to feel love and an open heart from me!

Thank you so much for your support!! We could not do this work without you!!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

April 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Just a few weeks ago, we had a meeting with the principal of a small school just up the road from us. For quite some time now, every time we passed by the school, I felt the need to pray and that the Lord was tugging at my heart. I wasn't sure why but I knew I had to go. Out of the blue a dear lady from our church called and said, "Charlyn I have set up a meeting at the school down the road from you and I feel like you and Enrique should go!" I was very excited because I knew the Lord had set this up! We went with one of the pastors of our church and wanted to see how we could serve or help in anyway…even if it meant cleaning bathrooms or picking up trash. The school is run by the government. All government run schools here are Catholic. They are usually very strict about what kind of teaching takes place and it must be in agreement with the Catholic church.

When we arrived at the principal's office, to our surprise she was a Christian and facing challenges we could hardly believe. She began to tell us story after story of her young students in kindergarten through sixth grade and the very difficult things they were facing at home…abuse, drugs, alcohol, etc. She herself received threats on a regular basis from mothers. "The mothers are very 'tough' here and are looking for a fight. They push and shove at the door to see who can get in first to pick up their children," she told us, many times with tears in her eyes. I felt she had been all alone and although we could see she was very capable for the job and not in any way a push over…her task is a difficult one. It almost seemed a little overwhelming. But again I felt in my heart to pray! Oh my!! I thought, as she continued talking, "This is our community…this is where we live! How desperately these families need the Lord!" She said one of the most important things I could do is to reach out to some of the mothers. "They are young," she said "And have never had a good example of what a mother should be. Maybe you could open up a class and teach them English…it would be a good way to get to know them." Although I knew it would be a challenge, my heart leaped with joy to think of being able to meet and encourage even just one of these young ladies! It is an open door for Enrique as well to meet and reach out to fathers in the community. We also are planning several activities at the school to begin meeting the children.

Recently I have been thinking what is the most important thing we can do for our children? And the answer is…Pray! Pray! Pray! I remember when I was young and I would go and spend the night with grandparents. Many times I would hear them praying before they climbed into bed. I could see in their room, as the door was slightly cracked, they were kneeling down by the bed. I could hear them pray for each of their children and grandchildren and every name was brought before the Lord. I know this is something they did for years and years, and because of their faithfulness it is why we are here today! My grandmother told me many times "none of our kids were perfect…but when they pulled their 'shenanigans,' (as she would say) we would get on our knees and pray!" This is something I have never forgotten and when we face difficult challenges with our own kids, the best thing we can do is bring it before the Lord. So many people now are so quick to run to the psychologist or look to others before ever taking the time to pray. We must be committed to pray for our children and sometimes it may take longer than we would like, but God does answer. Recently a very wise lady who came to visit us said, "Charlyn when God gives you a task, He gives you the wisdom to do it." When we bring every situation and every care to Him in prayer, He is faithful to bring us through.

I want to ask for your prayers for the school where we will be serving. Please pray for the principal there that she will be encouraged and for our community and the families that live around us…many are suffering. Help us oh Lord to be a light to many and show your love! This is our prayer! Thank you so much for your love and support! You have been such a blessing to us and so many!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

March 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

In a recent family devotional, I shared a Bible verse with the kids that the Lord gave me many years ago. It was a difficult time in our lives. The government had taken five of the foster kids out of our home and put them into a government run orphanage. I knew they were suffering and my heart was breaking! As I cried out before the Lord he gave me these verses from Isaiah 54:

"Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband," says the Lord. "Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities." (Isaiah 54:1-3, New Living Translation)

I will never forget that day because I knew the Lord had spoken! Soon we were expecting our first born child and our five children returned home. We were literally bursting at the seams in our small condominium!

Andy Andrews says, "Our decisions to act or not to act, to help or not to help--well, those choices create a ripple effect that can last for centuries!" I believe everything we do, big or small will effect generations to come. This is something I remind my kids of often.

Our son Nelson walks home every evening from the bus stop to our home. He works long days, leaving the house before sun up and returning late in the evening. Normally when he returns home, the first thing he does is greet each one of us with a kiss on the cheek, but yesterday he came in the door and said, "Mom I don't think you want to get too close." He stood back wet and smelled of smoke and alcohol. "Nelson" I said, "What happened to you?" He told me one of our neighbors down the road had too much to drink and could hardly walk, so he leaned on Nelson and they walked arm and arm in the drizzling rain until they made it back to the man's house.

His wife was very grateful to Nelson for bringing her husband home and offered him to come in and drink some coffee. Nelson sat and talked with the man's family listening to many stories. "You have a good family Nelson," the man said, "They always smile and wave to us anytime we see them. Not too many people around here pay us any attention." His wife told Nelson how much it had meant to them the interest we had taken in their family. Nelson said, "Mom you just never know the effect you have on someone by just a smile or a wave." I believe it can open the door to be able to reach out to someone and change generations to come.

Our desire is to serve and reach out to the community. There are so many lonely and needy people around us. The principal at the school down the road from us is open and interested in us reaching out to kids. I am volunteering to help out with the English program at the school. It is very exciting to see the doors that will open and the new people we will meet.

We recently had a group here from Iowa that came to paint our house; it was a very big need! We can already see and feel the difference it has made with all the problems we were having with mold and humidity. The group blessed us so much! We realize that God did not send them just to paint the house, but we formed friendships that are going to last a lifetime. Their encouragement and love meant so much to us!

We did not completely finish the painting so we have continued painting with all the family. Sherwin-Williams blessed us so much by giving us a very low cost on the paint and they have sent people to check on the progress we are making, and to help in any way they can. We want to thank you all so much for your prayers for good weather. We have had many beautiful sunny days and that has helped us so much to be able to paint!

We are very excited about all the Lord is doing! He is opening new doors and this is the beginning of new things--meeting new people and receiving more children into our home. "Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence, light new light, in the hearts of the people!"

We do appreciate your continued prayers and support. There is much to do and we will need support financially, especially in the month ahead. Please help us to get the word out! Thank you and God bless you!!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

February 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Last year was a time of transition and big changes, moving out to the country to a new community, getting settled into a new home, and starting work on the second children’s home on the property. It was a year filled with challenges and surprises around every corner. We know the Lord has been preparing us and getting us ready for all He has in store!

One of our concerns has been getting this first house finished and ready to be able to take in more children. There is much work that still needs to be done. February the 5-15, a mission group will be coming to paint our house. We are very excited because Sherwin-Williams has decided to donate all the paint and wants to send painters to help while the mission group is here. Enrique will be meeting with the head of the company in just a few days. He is very interested in helping us and wants to learn more about Hidden Treasures.

Since we have had so many problems with mold and humidity, they will be using a special paint that will help to keep the humidity from getting in the house in the future. This is such a blessing and an answer to prayer!! We would like to ask for your prayers for good weather while the group is here. Because we live in the mountains the weather can be very unpredictable and it is very important that we have some sunshine during that time so the paint can dry. We sure do appreciate your prayers!

Community Outreach

Also, I am very excited about reaching out to the community around us. Just up our dirt road is a small government school. They teach kindergarden through sixth grade. They are in much need of help; "too many" children and not enough teachers. I am meeting with the principal to see how we can help. We will have several big groups coming this year that want to help in the community as well, and if our school meeting goes well, we would like to plan activities with the children there. This is something that our children are excited about, and I hope we can go each week and be an encouragement to the teachers and children there. Many of the children come from very difficult family situations and they need lots of love and support.

This year, I will be homeschooling three of our children; two in seventh grade and one in fifth grade. We are hoping this will give us more time to reach out to others and be more flexible when groups come. Our kids are very happy and looking forward to the change. The school year starts here the middle of February. We will be connected to a Christian school in the USA, and if we like the program, we may use this as more children come in our home. We continue to work with our lawyer and meet with people in the government here to be approved for more children. This adds urgency to getting the home construction completed!

Reaching out is something we have been talking about in our daily devotions with the kids. Enrique has challenged each one of them to make a difference in someone’s life. Jesus said, "The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields" (see Matthew 9). The Bible says that Jesus had great compassion for the crowds that came because he knew all their problems. Jesus had compassion and so should we! Sometimes, we know of terrible problems people are facing and do nothing. God calls us to go out and help and show compassion so they can know of his love for them!

Serving

Enrique has felt it is very important to reach out to the police here in our community. They have very little, but they work very long hours. Enrique and one of our neighbors brought coffee and sugar and food to the small office near us. They were so surprised! They said no one has ever done that. They stayed and talked, and Enrique has made friends with the captain there. Enrique plans to visit several times a month and see how we can be a support to them.

We never know when we stop by someone’s house or office just to share coffee or a kind word how that can change their life. Our prayer this year is to make a difference here in our community and with the people around us! We appreciate you standing with us in prayer and in your financial giving. February will be a very important and challenging month, with many decisions to be made and opportunities for new open doors. Please continue to remember us as you pray, and also prayerfully consider a special financial gift this month to support the mission.

You have made a difference in so many lives here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

January 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

After speaking at a women’s meeting a lady came up to me and said “I could never do what you do. I’m just not good with people and especially kids.” Though not everybody may be able to work with kids, and starting a children home is not something most people would want to do, I am more convinced than ever that it is our obligation to reach out to orphans, widows, and people in need! The Bible has more than 300 verses about the poor and God’s deep concern for them. God passionately cares for those that are in need. He loves them and it is very evident that He wants us to do the same. Spirtiual growth does not come from what is easy, it comes out of challenging and difficult times. So whether or not we think we are able to do something, that is not the question. Are we willing to be obedient and step out of our comfort zone and love the unlovable and reach out to those in need? If the Bible says we must do something, then shouldn’t we? In James 1:27 it says that we MUST care for the orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

There are many days I have gotten out of bed in the morning and felt tired and sometimes burdened from all the challenges we have faced, and the last thing I want to do is help someone else. But I have found that reaching out to others not only helps them but it helps me too! Reaching out to someone else makes my problems seem so small. “Let us not grow weary in doing good; for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up!” (See Galatians 6:7-9.)

Enrique was very encouraged recently when he got a call from a lady that used to attend our home group meeting that we have in a difficult neighborhood outside of San Jose. Her family had come many times and listened to Enrique. We had reached out to them and with all the problems they faced, it almost seemed overwhelming. We were very sad when they quit coming and we lost contact with them. It had been several years since we talked, so Enrique was very surprised to talk with them again. “My family has recieved the Lord,” the woman said in a loud cheery voice through the phone to Enrique. “We want to tell you that because of your love and teaching, we are now all walking with the Lord and our lives have changed.” Her boys, who used to play on Enrique’s soccer team, cried out in the background. “Enrique we want to see you!” Enrique left early the next morning to meet up with the family and was so happy to see what the Lord had done. Sometimes we don’t know what happens when we plant a seed, and it may take some time to grow, but I do know that one day — maybe not on this earth — we will see all the fruit of our labors.

We want to ask for your continued prayers and support for Hidden Treasures and the work here. Currently we fall short each month in meeting our living expenses here at the “Carolyn House”, the home where we live with several of the children with whom we work. You all have done so much and have been so faithful through the years. If you know someone who might be interested in helping us, please talk with them and help us get the word out. We need to reach new people as our work here continues to grow. Our hearts’ desire is to take in more children and complete construction on the second home on our property. All of the construction for the second home is being provided by teams coming from outside of Costa Rica. The construction will happen as the funding and teams are available. We want to be on good financial footing before we take on more financial responsibilities. We will continue to step out in faith and be obedient to what the Lord wants. We do also feel it is very wise to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us. We have a big task ahead and we cannot do it alone, but together, we can continue to grow. We appreciate you so much for helping us to get the word out to others.

We are not just preparing for the here-and-now, but we are also looking at the long-term. We know what we are doing will effect generations to come, so we must start with a strong foundation. We are very busy planning and preparing for all this New Year will bring! We are very excited to see what is ahead and the new little ones that God will bring into our family. We love and appreciate you and pray this will be a very blessed New Year for you and your family. I would like to leave you with another very powerful passage in the Bible showing God’s concern and our responsibility to help the poor:

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:9-10 NKJV).

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia