December 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I believe when we give, we teach others to give. Dr. Ben Carson said, "Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give!" He is a doctor that has dedicated his life to saving children's lives and that has brought him and many others so much happiness. It is very important to remember that WHATEVER we do, there is always someone watching, and your giving could just inspire someone else to give also. How great is that?

Many of you know we have been going out late every Monday night to bring a sandwich and a cup of coffee to the homeless people in our area. It can get really cold up in the town where we live, so a cup of hot coffee is a very welcoming sight. We have a family-run bakery just down the road from us that makes wonderful french bread. The owner was very curious to know why we were buying so many loaves of bread every Monday night. When we told him we were feeding the homeless, he wanted to help. "For you, everything is half-off" he said with a big smile. A very sweet lady who works there has a package of ham waiting for us every Monday when we arrive. She wanted to get in on the giving too.

When we started feeding the homeless, Enrique had no idea how we would continue to cover the cost each Monday night. More people were coming and more sandwiches and coffee had to be made. One Monday, he even thought we would have to cancel because money was very tight, but then he felt the Lord say, "I told you to go, I will provide." To Enrique's surprise, when he arrived at the bakery that night, the sweet lady at the counter said, "Someone heard what you were doing and left you 3,000 colones ($6)." Where we live is a very rural area and most people here are just trying to make ends meet financially. For most around here, $6 is a lot of money. Enrique thought, if I would have canceled tonight, these people wouldn't have been able to give to the homeless and wouldn't have felt such happiness. Enrique has been so blessed to see the way God has provided and the joy that giving has brought the people in the community.

Each week that we go to the bakery we are always surprised to find a small gift or donation from someone who wants to help out. We don't know who is leaving a gift, but we do know that it is bringing them and many others great happiness!

If we want our children to have happiness in their lives, we must teach them the importance of giving, and the best way for them to learn is for them to see us giving. One of the great examples in my life has been my Dad. I never knew him to not help someone in need. He would go out of his way, driving long distances or taking late night calls to listen to a friend in need, or even working long hours to make sure someone’s need was taken care of. He still has one of the biggest hearts that I know and I am amazed at how he keeps on giving!

Dad and many others taught me that it is definitely better to give than to receive, and what joy it brings! But the very best example we could ever have is Jesus! He gave it all for you and me. How could we not share this with others, no matter what their circumstances: on the streets, abandoned, widowed, lonely...we must keep giving! There are just too many needs, but the good news is, if we give, others will also, and more people will come to know the love of Christ. Jesus is definitely ALL about giving!

I have been blown away by God's love and faithfulness and the way He puts everything together. Our oldest daughter Daniela, who came to us when she was nine years old, was reunited with her biological mother just a few days ago. It had been fifteen years since they had seen each other. Daniela had to heal, and her mother had to grow and mature. Enrique and I have walked with their mother through some very hard times and we love her dearly. It was such a sweet time for us all. Daniela has three other siblings, besides the four that we adopted, that still live with their mother. They are very much a part of our lives and they will be spending Christmas with us, and maybe longer. We would ask you to please be in prayer for them. They have many needs.

Our sweet little Dylan, who is now three months old, is doing so much better! He has been in and out of the hospital because he was born so small, but we are so happy with the progress that he is making. He is such a sweet, happy baby and we all love him so much!

Our other "Hidden Treasures" family (Luis and Erika) have been taking care of two other babies. One is partially deaf and blind. Please continue to be in prayer for them. We are providing for their needs and trying to raise support for them. We are so happy that they are part of our big family. We are seeing love change each one of these precious children every day!

We will be giving to fifty children at Christmas time in our community and providing food for needy families in our area. So we sure do appreciate your love and support during this time. Please be praying for the health of our children. We have had several things come up with the babies, and our daughter Mabel continues to struggle with pain.

Christmas is such a wonderful joyous time, especially when there are children. Because of your help, we will be able to bring joy and hope to many children and families this year! Thank you so much for walking with us and being a part of the Hidden Treasures family! Merry Christmas from all our family to yours!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

P.S. Please continue to remember us, especially in your year-end financial giving. All gifts are tax-deductible and are deeply appreciated.

November 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

When Jesus died on the Cross, I wonder how many people around Him thought that it was a good thing? Can you imagine how His family and friends felt? How many people saw or even understood a little bit of what God was doing? Jesus dying is the greatest act of love there is in the Bible. In First Thessalonians 5:21 it says, "But examine everything carefully; hold on to what is good. The Spanish translation says, "Look for the good." Sometimes, "the good" can be hard to see. That is why I believe God says, "Look for it, hold on to it." There are good things, even great things happening all around us every day, but it is so much easier to see the "bad", to focus on the negative, and become blind to the all the good!

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our foster daughter Cristal. She lived with us for almost three years and was just like a daughter to us. Of course, when we got the news that she would be going to live with her grandparents and she would no longer be a part of our daily lives, it was terribly hard! So many questions...how could they give her back to family that had treated her so terribly? She loved us. We were her family...would she be alright? We spent several months getting her ready to leave preparing her heart and ours, not knowing when we would get the call that she would be leaving.

Enrique began to make her a video with pictures from the first day she arrived, and he was amazed! She had changed so much; she came afraid and scared, so unsure...at times mad and throwing fits to get her way. But look at what God has done! Enrique was blown away while putting the video together. The thing that came to his mind was the greatness of God's grace! Sometimes there are things we cannot see until we really look at what God has done.

I am sure if any of us could put together a movie from the day we were born until today, we would be amazed at just how much God has done. We must never forget! Enrique says, "In the grace of God there is a purpose." When God chooses us, He has a plan; He has something better! If you lose sight of what God has given you, then you will never be able to give back to others what you have received. In Matthew 10:8 it says, "Freely you have received; freely give!" Another version says, "You received without paying; give without paying." Grace is a gift! He has given us grace when we surely didn't deserve it, so we must give grace!

Many people have said to me, why would you put your children through all this hurt? Yes, our children have cried and been hurt, but they wouldn't change the hurt for the opportunity to have loved Cristal; to have given back all they have been given. I want my children to know that love can hurt. Many times, we want to save ourselves from hurt, but what are we missing out on? We cannot hunker down and hide out because we may get hurt.

Some people don't want to adopt or take in a foster child because they may get hurt, but what they don't know is what ALL God can DO and His grace really is sufficient for all of us! If you read 1 Corinthians 13 and really love like it says to love, you will get hurt. Jesus loved us and He got hurt. He suffered, but what was the outcome? He gave us the greatest gift we will ever receive and paid the price for you and me!

God has taken care of all the children that have come into our home. He is faithful! We will continue to give and have more children in our home. We want you to know we are growing and have had three more children that have become part of the "Hidden Treasures" family. One little girl, that our other "Hidden Treasures" family has been taking care of, is partially deaf and blind and has a heart condition. Please be praying for her. We love her and she is such a sweetheart but she has so many needs.

Dylan, our little two month old, has been in and out of the hospital because he was born so small. He has needed lots of care. Please be in prayer for him. He is such a sweet baby and has brought our family so much joy. So many children need a home! We continue to raise support for our other "Hidden Treasures" family, Luis and Erika. They are working hard with us and continue to help care for abandoned and orphaned children. We are all part of one big family! Please keep them in your prayers!

Enrique always told little Cristal that she carried the light of Jesus in her heart. Before she left, through crying and tears, she said, "Remember Mommy, I am carrying the light! Everything is going to be alright." Crystal left with a Bible we signed and was so excited that she could read it with her family. "Make sure it is in Spanish Mommy," she said. "It is harder to read in English." She is only four years old, but my prayer is that one day she will read it and hold it close to heart always! We may never see what comes to pass on earth, but oh what a glorious day when we get to heaven and get to see just what grace and love did!

We have to start making plans and getting ready for Christmas soon. There are around 50 children that we will be reaching out to, and we hope to be able to give them a small gift and Christmas party. Many of these children would not otherwise receive anything, and don't know the real meaning of Christmas. Thank you so much for all your love and support, and I know many of you have prayed for us during this time! We appreciate you so much! We have a lot before us. There are many more children that need our love and support; if you know anyone who would like to help please let us know. Blessings to you all!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

September 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Enrique, otherwise known as "Poppy" in our house, says, "A decision has to come with an action." Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). It is easy to say "I am a follower of Christ", but in order to follow someone, we actually have to be moving! We can say we are His disciples, but saying it doesn't make it happen; it's in the denying ourselves and taking up our cross that we become true disciples. In Isaiah 58:10 it says, "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."

We have been serving the homeless for two months now, every Monday night, and we are seeing God do amazing things, not just with the people living on the streets, but with the people who have become very much part of the Hidden Treasures team. It isn't just about going out and giving a sandwich and a hot cup of coffee, although that means so much to these people, but we are able to sit with them, listen, and bring joy and hope to people who are so lonely and desperate for love. We have had many young people join up with us every Monday night and this has been life-changing for them as well, and for all of us!

Growing up, I remember very well my dad saying to us the verse in Luke 12:48, "To whom much has been given, much is required." I believe if you have been given love you should be giving love; if you have been forgiven, then you should be forgiving; if you have received mercy, then you should be merciful! How could we not? The moment we become part of God's family, we have been given all of this and more. How can we not give back? What we have been given is an awesome gift meant to be given to others. We cannot be in the "normal"; God has called us higher! God wants to do the supernatural. He wants to use all of us in a great way, but that means we can't get comfortable and play it safe. He wants more!

We are believing God and stepping out! Even though finances have been tight, we believe God is calling for more. Hidden Treasures is growing. We have had Luis and his family team up with us to serve this mission. We couldn't do it without them. We also have had Luis' oldest son, Jonathan, become part of our team. Not only is he working on Monday with the homeless, but he and Enrique are reaching out to young guys (around 14-15 years old) in a nearby neighborhood who are in very bad situations. They meet with them every Wednesday night to play soccer and talk together. We are building and forming new relationships. Most of these young guys are fatherless and have grown up without much of a family. God is using them!

Someone who knows a lot about giving back is Luis, who is now working full-time with Hidden Treasures. Not only has he helped us with many projects, but he and his wife, Erika, have encouraged and loved our family. They have loved each one of our children and rejoiced with us when a new child comes; they have cried with us when a child has had to leave. Luis was adopted when he was just a baby and knows the importance of family! His love and compassion for the unloved and lost is great, and he is an example to be followed.

Luis and Erika are taking care of a foster baby that we received this week. She is just ten months old. She has spent most of her life in a orphanage and was not given the care she needed. Please be in prayer for her. We get calls every week to receive more abandoned babies. We have received several babies in our home but we cannot do this alone!! The need is great!! Please be in prayer as we continue to work together. Luis and Enrique are working hard in our garden, and it is getting very big! Corn, zucchini, tomatoes, and green beans are just some of the things that are growing right now. This is a wonderful way to support what we are doing and our community, and not to mention to put food on our table!

We need to raise a salary for Luis and his family each month. We need to raise $1,500 more each month above and beyond our current needs. Please be in prayer about this. As we grow and reach out to others we will need more help. Please visit and "Like" the Hidden Treasures Costa Rica Facebook page if you would like to have more information on Luis!

Also, we are caregivers for three other children that stay with us on a regular basis but still live with their biological mother. Jose, age 14; and his sister Esther, age 12; and Juan, who is 7 years old. They have gone through some very hard things, even in this past month. We need to give them more help and we may have them come to live with us on a permanent basis, but in order to do that, we have to have the resources and financial support. Please be in prayer; as you can see we have a lot before us. We know God has all the money. He can open a door and make a way for all these needs. If you know of anyone that would like to support Hidden Treasures, please let us know. We would be so grateful!

Also, please be in prayer for Enrique. He carries a lot on his shoulders, overseeing all these projects and remaining very involved with each child and each person to whom we are reaching out. He is the most giving person I know, always going out of his way to talk and listen and share with these precious people that God has put in our lives. God has given him wisdom and discernment, but he needs your prayers. I am so grateful for his life and his heart to serve others. We appreciate so much you standing with us!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

August 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

It has been fourteen years since we officially adopted the first five children that the Lord brought into our home. Wow! They all have the same biological mother. Over the years, we have stayed in touch with their mother, Isabel, and, although we have walked through some very difficult times with her, she holds a huge place in our hearts. God has done amazing things in her life. We have watched her grow, change, and mature.

I love the time I get to share with her; we have become great friends. When we met, she was suffering and her life was a mess; she continued meeting men and had three more children. We prayed for wisdom. We have loved these three children as well, and knew God had a plan for each one.

Recently, while we were out drinking coffee together, she told me someone had taken her Bible, the only one she had ever had. She missed reading it at night; the Bible comforted her and gave her peace. "Well," I said, "then let's go get you a Bible!" "What?" she said. "Really?" "Yes", I said, "you must have a Bible. There is a mall nearby so we can go to the book store." She was nervous about going to the mall and wasn't sure. "Come on let's go!" I said.

When we entered the mall, she was amazed at the lights and the beautifully polished floor. She had her youngest son, Juan, with her; he, too, was taken aback at the beauty. We had to get on an escalator to get to the book store, something they had never done before, and she and Juan screamed with excitement and held on to me tightly as we climbed to the second floor. People stared at us as we laughed all the way up. I am sure we made quite the show. When we arrived to the store they were amazed at all the books. This was no Barnes & Noble store; it was very small in comparison. But for someone who has never seen so many books in one place, it was very exciting!

Finally, I spotted it, a pink leather Bible on the very top shelf. I reached up high and pulled it down. It had big print, just what she needed. Her eyes lit up in unbelief. "That is too nice, I could never imagine having something so beautiful as that," she said. "Let's get it!" I said. (I had saved enough money for just a special occasion as this.) "I want you to have it," I said.

Isabel burst into tears! "Really are you sure? This is the most beautiful gift I have ever gotten in my life," she said loudly. People again turned around to look as she wrapped her arms around the Bible with delight. She gave me the biggest hug and we got in line to pay. People continued to look as she continued to talk loudly. We picked out a children's Bible for Juan and he was delighted also. He told the cashier not to put it in the bag because he wanted to start reading it right away!

The young cashier had been watching us, and I wondered what he must be thinking as Isabel continued talking loudly about her new Bible and hugging me as I paid. As we were just about to leave, the cashier turned to me and said, "I want to tell you that it has blessed me so much to see y'all today. I have never seen someone so happy to get a Bible. Thank you for making my day!" He had big tears in his eyes and told us he was a Christian. The people in the line behind us all smiled, and Isabel and Juan waved goodbye as we left the store. What joy! I am not sure who was the happiest, but my heart was so full as I took them to the bus stop. I couldn't wait to get home and share our adventures with the children.

Some people have collections of Bibles and others are just waiting for the chance to have one! They are waiting for someone to love them, spend time with them, listen to them, and laugh with them! And who is Jesus concerned about? The poor, the meek, and the oppressed are some of those most dear to His heart. As soon as we decide to go and do, even if things get difficult, HE gives us joy and strength in the hard times to keep going.

In many ways, these have not been easy times for us at the Hidden Treasures Children's Home, and we would ask for your prayers! Financially, things have been very tight. There are many issues, including medical needs for the children. We continue to seek medical help for Mabel, and our other children have had special needs that have come up also.

We also need to raise a salary for the people working with us. We need to raise $1500 dollars per month OVER AND ABOVE our regular costs to cover their needs. We cannot do all that is before us alone. The opportunity to help more children is there. Almost every week, we receive more calls to take in orphaned babies, but this is something we cannot do by ourselves.

We continue to go out every Monday night to feed the poor and homeless. Many of them are now waiting for us, and not just for the sandwich and coffee, but the chance to talk and have someone to share with. One man cried when our son woke him up because he said he thought we had already gone and left him behind...such sweet stories and so much gratitude! Please be praying for them. God is at work!

We are helping the three siblings of our five adopted children more and more. The oldest, Jose, is fourteen. He needs a father and has been going through a very hard time. Enrique is the only father he has had. He will probably be coming to live with us. Please be in prayer for him.

We thank you so much for standing with us! If you know anyone who would like to help, could you please get the word out? Visit us online at hiddentreasuresoutreach.com and on Facebook at Hidden Treasures Costa Rica. We need your help. God is opening up doors and Hidden Treasures is growing. We are trusting the Lord, and together we can move forward in all that He has prepared. We appreciate your love and support greatly!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

June 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

If I close my eyes I can still hear my sweet mother's voice singing to me when I was a child. From the day we were brought home from the hospital my mother sang to us, holding us and rocking us and taking care of our every little need.

It is said that the first three months of a baby's life are some of the most important for brain development. If a baby is not held, rocked, and loved, their brain does not develop in the same way. The effects can be long-lasting. A recent study showed that children in institutions and orphanages where they are not held or do not bond with the caregiver early on have lower quality brain activity. It is hard for us to imagine a child not being held and left all day long in a crib, but it happens every day around the world; even though their immediate needs may be taken care of, children can suffer and even die from the effects of not being held and loved.

Over the last year, we have received many calls about babies who have been abandoned or their mothers are just unable to care for them. As many of you know, we had a newborn for three months; we were deeply attached to him, but he was given back to his very young mother. We continue to help him and provide formula, diapers, and basic things that he and his mother need. We have since taken in two more very little ones; even though we will have them for just a short time, we know the love and care we are giving them will be life-changing.

Recently, we received a four-month-old that had come from a very sad family situation. The first night, he couldn't get settled down to go to sleep. Everything was all so new. I took him into the nursery and held him tight and he laid his little head on my chest. I started to sing; he jumped as if he were surprised and lifted up his little head trying to see where the singing was coming from. All I could see in the dark was his big brown eyes staring up at me. He immediately got quiet and seemed to hang on to every word that I sang. It occurred to me in that moment that perhaps no one had ever sung to him. It was obviously something new and wonderful. He studied my face as I sang until he could no longer hold up his head, and fell fast asleep. Every night that we had him, I held him close, singing and giving him all the love that I could give, knowing we had to make up for all the lost time that love was not given.

Every child that comes to our house is showered with love; there is never a lack for arms that are waiting for their turn to hold a sweet new little one! One of my youngest daughters absolutely adores babies, and she said to one of them, "While you are here, you will be treated like a king!" We have told her that these babies need lots of extra love and it is our job to love them while they are here. This gives her great joy to know that her kisses and smiles are changing lives!

What a joy and honor it is for us to be able to pray over each baby that comes in our home. There are many sleepless nights. Sometimes I watch them sound asleep and wonder, where will they go? What will they become? I know each prayer is heard. And most importantly they have been given to the Lord and there they will stay safe in His arms no matter what the future may hold!

There has been a lot going on here at our home. Taking care of many different ages can be challenging; babies, preschoolers, preteens, and teenagers, all with different needs. We have been stretched and God is teaching us so much during this time. But most of all to trust in HIM!

As I write this, a volcano not far from us began to erupt. We have had a lot of ash falling at our home. The cars are covered every day in a thick layer of ash. We try to keep the house closed up so that it will not come inside. The children have to wear masks to school because of the ash, and they are not allowed to play outside. At the same time, I have received emergency calls from social workers asking me to take babies in our home. What to do? It is hard to say no when you hear how much help is needed. We would ask for your prayers. We will be needing more help in our home. We need to raise salaries for other caregivers. If we continue to help more children, more help will be needed.

We are still working on our organic vegetable garden and we are so excited that the green house has been built and finished. It turned out beautifully! The ground around the green house has been plowed up and ready to plant corn. We are so excited to see what this could mean for the community around us, for our home, and the homes we want to build in the future. Our very good friend Luis has been in charge of these projects and has done a wonderful job! We need him to be able to stay on and continue keeping the garden; there is much to be done to keep everything up on our land. Enrique and our boys have been working hard every day getting things ready to plant. Fruits and vegetables can also be sold as a way to raise money for the children we are helping. It is also a great way to help the community around us.

Please be praying for the next steps we will be taking. If we are going to grow, we are going to need more help. We have put together a wonderful team of people who want to help. There are just too many children who need love and care, and there isn't anywhere for them to go. My time is limited now with so many. . .Enrique and I can only do so much. We will need some paid help to continue growing and doing all that is before us! Please prayerfully consider supporting Hidden Treasures with a special gift this month.

We feel like this is a time for growth and God is calling us for more. We appreciate your love and prayers. Thank you for standing with us!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

May 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I would like for you to see a little bit into our hearts and world. So many people say, "Wow it must be crazy having so many children under one roof!" Well, some days it is! But we wouldn't want it any other way; we are just one big happy family!

Any time we receive a foster child, they are allowed to see their biological mothers for a time while the government office decides if they will go back to live with their biological family or be put up for adoption. This can be a very emotional day for the children, depending on their age. It is a very emotional day for us too, dropping them off, not really knowing what will happen or how they will feel. I do a lot of praying on those days and I am reminded once again that these precious lives belong to the Lord. My trust has to be in Him. I would like to share with you something I wrote on one of those days, when we took our tiny bundle of joy to visit with his biological mother.

I brought our sweet little baby boy to see his biological mother today. We are not allowed to have contact with her, but when we pulled up to the office, there was a very young girl waiting outside. She looked not much older than our sweet Mabel but I heard she had just turned seventeen. I knew it must be her. My heart broke for her. I wondered how she must feel. Just a child herself. I had been told her story of growing up in a very abusive home and then being put in government run orphanages, running away and feeling unloved and lost. Look at her! She was so beautiful...did she need a hug...someone to talk to? Here we were with this precious little baby that she had carried for nine months. There he was, resting so peaceful and safe in his little car seat. How would her life have been different if someone would have loved her, raised her, guided her...and most importantly given her a family! So many unanswered questions, but one thing that I know for sure is this precious little boy was no accident...God knows...He sees...and EVERY life is for a purpose and a reason. My heart is filled with all kinds of emotions, but so much love for him and his young mother. I wanted to tell her what an amazing gift was given to us and even if it is just for a short while. I wanted to tell her that her life matters and most of all God loves and cares for her and that I will keep her little treasure safe and love him with all my heart.

I wrote this with many tears, but my love for this precious young mother grew and grew and I began to pray for her each night. I knew God had allowed me to see her for a reason, and I knew He had put her in my heart. Last week, the government office decided to give our sweet little one back to his biological mother. After almost three months of taking care of him, our hearts were broken. My husband received him only 5 days old right out of the hospital. I was in the U.S. at the time, and Enrique was up every two hours feeding and holding him. I have an awesome husband! They bonded from the start. His little eyes lit up whenever he heard Enrique's voice. And Enrique adored him, there was no doubt. We gathered the family together to tell them our sweet little one would be going, and many tears were shed. He had brought us so much joy; our lives were forever changed!

Our little girls cried themselves to sleep, but they know God has a purpose and plan. I stayed up late that night and made his mother a memory book from when he first came. Although I wasn't going to get to see her, I finally had my chance to say all the things I wanted to say and thank her for the beautiful gift she had given us for the last three months. My heart was calmed as I wrote down all his favorite things and his daily routine. It turned out to be a beautiful memory book filled with pictures of all our family. Each one had touched his life in some way. Each one gave him a piece of their heart. I am so happy we were able to dedicate him at church. And although some people thought that meant he was going to stay with us, we know his life belongs to the Lord

There are so many children who need a family and never get the chance, just like our little fosters boy's mother and so many others. Our desire is to keep taking in more children, but we need help. Right now I have all the children I can take care of and give them all the love and attention that they need. We will continue to take in and care for babies and little ones, but we would love to build a second home on our property where another couple could do the same. We believe we have met that couple. Over the last year, we have been working with and building a relationship with a wonderful couple in our church, and they have become like family to us, serving and walking together.

We have prayed for a long time that God would send the right family that could become part of "Hidden Treasures" and we know God has sent them. Luis and Erica have loved us and walked with us through many ups and downs. Luis recently designed and built the green house on our property with the team from California. He is helping us start an organic garden. He is very talented in many areas. He is a former fireman and paramedic and is an excellent builder and farmer. And to top it all off, he and his wife are excellent with children. Luis is now "Uncle Luis" to our children and his two children fit right in with all the rest! Please be in prayer that we could raise some kind of salary for him and his wife each month. They have served us and blessed us and stood with us! We want them on our team, and we sure do need the help! One day in the future, we hope to build the second house and now we are more excited than ever to think we could all work together, helping and loving more children just waiting for a home!

With each child, there is more expense, and we would ask that you remember us. This week we are helping a foster family and will be taking care of one of their foster babies. The calls keep coming...the need is great...but we sure can't do this alone! Thank you for all your love and support. Please continue in your prayers and in regular financial giving. You mean the world to us and our family!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

April 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

A few nights ago, a friend of ours asked the question, "I wonder what things could be like if we put everything aside, and forget about ourselves and make it all about Jesus?" We live in a very selfish culture where we want things to revolve around us. Many times, our desires and our feelings come first. The world tells us we need to do anything we can to make ourselves happy, but Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." It is easy to forget we have to die to ourselves EVERY single day!

We belong to the Lord. It really isn’t about me. Jesus came to the earth to represent the Father in everything He did. Who do we represent? Something we tell our children often is that their testimonies matter. They should be representing Christ in all they do. If you work for a company, you are representing the company. When you are in a family, you are representing your family. What we do will effect others, whether we like it or not. Our testimony is the most important thing we have! As Christians we should be representing Christ.

These last few weeks we have had two groups of teenagers and their leaders here serving in our home and in the community. Having 40-50 kids in your home every day can be tiring and a lot of work, but we have been totally and completely blessed by them! This is their second time to be here with us and we feel like family! One of their pastors, David Garcia, was born and raised in Costa Rica and moved to California where he is now one of the youth pastors at North Coast Church in San Diego. Many years ago we invested in his life, when he was a very young guy, and now he has come back to invest in us! We are amazed by God's faithfulness!

These kids have been up early every day working hard, and we haven't heard one complaint. They love and serve with all their hearts! They are very intentional in all they do. Each night, we have gone to worship and to hear teachings from the pastors at North Coast. The kids are reminded every day that what they are doing is not about them, but they should be giving and serving with everything they have, showing the love of God.

I think most people need to be reminded that it is not about me but it is all about HIM! I want my children to be challenged by people who love and serve like Jesus. When we decided to take in foster children and recently a newborn baby I wondered, would I be able to give them up? With foster children, you never know if they will be returned to their biological family or given up for adoption. But I was reminded that my feelings are not what is important. Sure, if they are taken away or given back, it is going to be hard. But Enrique and I talked and decided it really isn't about us! God has spoken to us the last year about giving it all to Him; our feelings, our emotions, our tiredness...just trusting in Him! I cannot tell you how much God has helped us. Enrique reminds me regularly that what we are doing is not about us! When we are reminded of that, it helps us to stay focused on HIM!

The teams built us a green house where we will be growing an organic vegetable garden. Not only will this help to feed our family, but we are really excited that this will be a wonderful way to reach out to the children and families in the community where we are working. The kids worked so hard and loved and blessed each one of our children! Not only was a green house built, but each time we are together, we are building and forming relationships. We can see God doing amazing things through our time together.

Sometimes, we can get paralyzed by worrying about our feelings or situations or problems that come up, but we are called to move forward and lay everything down; dying to ourselves and trusting in HIM no matter what may be happening around us.

The last year has not been easy. Our daughter Mabel has been in terrible pain with jaw problems and it has seemed that each one of our children has faced challenges and difficulties. There are so many things in life we cannot control, but we can give Jesus all power and authority to do whatever He wants in His perfect time. A pastor told us recently, the only thing you have to do is move forward, don't stop. God will take care of everything else! As we have moved forward we have seen a great blessing...laying it all down for HIM!

As we sang the song "It's All About You" a few nights ago with the teams in worship, the Holy Spirit came. He touched many young people including our own! We were all so blessed and broken before the Lord. Our desire is to represent Jesus in all that we do. But in order to do that, we must continually die to ourselves and remember it really is ALL about HIM!

We appreciate your love and support so much! We have many needs, and I would ask for your prayers that things would be covered, especially in finances. Several children need medical attention and extra help with schooling. Also having a newborn has been an extra expense (formula and diapers can be very expensive). Thank you so much for standing with us!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

March 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, a new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here" (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). I believe God has new things for us, but in order for the new things to come, we have to be willing to let the old things pass away. In order to serve God, we must be willing to deny ourselves and make way for the new; if we do, what joy it will bring!

Recently, our daughter, Mabel had to get her teeth and jaw x-rayed. She has been in terrible pain and we have been trying to get to the root of the problem. It has been a long process going to many doctors and trying to find what is causing her to be in so much pain. My husband was amazed when we got the x-ray back and the doctor put it up on the big screen so he could take a good look. In the picture you could see all her permanent teeth that had already come in, BUT you could also see the permanent teeth that were hiding in her gums just waiting to come out. There they were, hidden away, just waiting for the old baby teeth to fall out so they would have a place to come in.

Enrique really felt like the Holy Spirit spoke to him as he looked at the picture: "The old must go so the new can come in! I have things hidden away that you cannot see just waiting to come out." Enrique was amazed looking at the x-ray at God's perfect design. Things that are unseen to us are seen by God. We, on the other hand, are limited by our own eyes and what we are able to see. It is easy to just get focused on what we see in the natural but God wants us to focus on what we can't see and trust in Him! He already has things planned and lined up perfectly according to His will; things we know nothing about are already in the works!

A few weeks ago, we received a newborn precious little boy named Cristopher. I have to confess, when we got the call from our social worker asking us if we would be willing to take a baby into our home, I was not too sure. I had been up many sleepless nights with our daughter who was in so much pain, and Enrique had been running with her from one doctor to another. At the same time, another one of our children was being tested for ADD and dyslexia. We were rushing to get to all the tutoring and appointments and not to mention keeping up with all the other children too; it just seemed like too much to me. But then Enrique said, "I really believe the Lord is saying that this baby belongs with us."

While I was on a previously scheduled trip, Enrique and the kids received Cristopher with open arms and they sent me so many pictures and messages of the cutest little bundle of joy we had ever seen. He had been in the hospital for almost a week because he was so tiny and needed to get stronger before he could leave. His mother and father are only teenagers themselves and the situation in their home was not at all good.

Enrique was prepared for very little sleep and was told that Cristopher would need to be fed every two hours to help him put on weight. Everyone in the family has pitched in and everyone's hearts have been filled with so much love for this sweet little one. Mabel said, "Papi, Christopher has brought me so much joy. When I hold him and rock him I forget about my pain, he brings me such peace." Wow! After months of so much pain and discouragement who would have known what God had in store for Mabel too!

After many long nights together, Christopher and Enrique have a special bond. I am amazed at how Cristopher looks to find Enrique anytime he hears his voice and the way he looks up at him when he is in his arms. He receives so much love and kisses from all his eleven brothers and sisters, and I have completely fallen in love with this little guy; he has stolen my heart!

When we worry about ourselves, our comforts, and our desires, it is easy to miss out on what God really wants to do! We miss the big picture and we may miss out on the greatest blessing of all. John 3:30 says "He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less." Our focus must be on Him!

Please be in prayer for Cristal, our almost four year old foster daughter. Her biological Aunt and Stepfather have been in the courts fighting to get her and her sister back. It has been heart breaking for us, because we know she came from a terribly hard family situation, where she was not taken care of. There is a chance that Cristal and her sister could go back with their Aunt. Please pray with us that the Lord's will be done. We know He has protected her and sent her to us and we continue to trust Him in this process.

Recently the lady who has Cristal's case read me this verse, "I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God has done amazing things in Cristal's life. She is not the same little girl that came to us almost two years ago. Our hope and trust is in the Lord and we have put her life in His hands. We appreciate you praying and standing with us on her behalf. We love her with all our hearts and she has become a part of us. She asks me often if we are her family! My heart breaks, not knowing what the future holds, but I trust and know that HE knows and things that are unseen to us are seen by God! Our victory is in Christ. . .NOT in us. . .it is all about HIM!

We are happy to say we have found a wonderful doctor who is helping Mabel. It has been a slow process and we appreciate your prayers, and we are so grateful for the help we have been given.

There are things we will never understand and secret things that only belong to the Lord, but our trust must be in Him, in all things, even when we cannot see. I am so grateful for this new life and gift we have been given. The name Cristopher means, "Follower of Christ - He who holds Christ in his heart." How beautiful is that? That is our desire, that Christ will live in his heart always! Again, it is hard to express just how much your love and support has meant to us. Please remember us in your giving this month. We love and appreciate each one of you and you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

February 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Many of you know we have a house full of teenagers!! We still have some littles but having a house full of young people is fun and challenging at the same time. Many of our children came when they were older and have had all kinds of things to deal with. Their past has not been easy at all and sometimes they have come with some heavy baggage, such as abuse, prostitution, and neglect. These can be very difficult things to overcome; some say impossible, but that is not what the Lord says!

Isn't it wonderful what God can do? I am amazed at His love and how He changes us! Many people have no desire to adopt or "take in" an older child because older children come with guilt and burdens we cannot imagine because of things they have seen, experienced, or done. The great thing is, God loves us so much that He does not leave us in the condition He found us. He changes us from the inside out.

Enrique says, "Our condition will always comes out." No matter how hard we try to hide it. The condition of the heart can easily be seen by our attitudes towards others, our willingness to serve, or how we behave. The Bible says in Galatians 2:20 says "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ Who lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God Who loved me and gave His life for me."

And I am here to say, people DO change! They CAN change! We don't have to keep doing the same things over and over and living as our old selves...same personality, same sin, same guilt, that has all been crucified with Christ! Sometimes, people tell me, "Well he is just that way," or "That is just part of their personality." But it may be something that needs to be buried with Christ; we may just need to let Christ shine and not ourselves. It isn't just about forgiveness, it's about freedom! God can forgive us but He can also set us free from all sin so we can live in victory!

I am so excited about what God is doing in our home and in our community. We are seeing children and young people set free and young people's hearts changed for the Lord. God has challenged Enrique and I to be willing and ready...to trust Him more and die to ourselves.

Recently our three older girls went and served at a camp for very needy children in Costa Rica. They went with a church from Richmond Virginia. I can't tell you how much they were blessed!! They got to room with the children and care for them, listen to them, and even play with them! Ruth, Yorleny, and Daniela helped on the worship team and the videos of the children worshiping and singing are incredible! Most of these children didn't know anything about Jesus. They come from very hard situations. Our girls were so excited to be able to share their testimonies with them. They told them, "Look what God did for me! He loves you too." These children are so lonely and need so much love!

Yesterday, Ruth and Yorleny and the team were able to go back and visit with some of the children in their homes and bring food to them and their families. I am so grateful that they had this opportunity to go and serve with such wonderful people from the USA. They built relationships they will have for life.

Please be in prayer for us. A new school year is starting and every year we have helped many children in our community get uniforms and school supplies so they can go to school. The needs are great and we need your help!

Our foster daughter is ready for school too. She will be going to preschool and we need to get her supplies and get her all signed up in school. We have children who need special help, such as tutoring; all of this requires money but our trust is in the Lord for His supply. If the Lord puts it on your heart to assist financially with any of this support, we would be so thankful to Him and to you.

Also, please be in prayer for our daughter Mabel. She has battled sickness and pain for many months now, and had to have many medical tests run. She has fought colds and ear infections. This has been very frustrating and a great expense, since we have had to get private doctors that insurance does not cover. We would appreciate you lifting her up!

As you can see, there is a lot going on here and we appreciate your love and prayers so much! These will be some very busy months ahead. Please pray for strength and wisdom during this time. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Much love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia

January 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We want to thank you so much for helping us bring so much joy to so many needy children this year for Christmas! And thanks to many of you, over a hundred children received a gift and many got new shoes and basic things that they needed

We also had a beautiful Christmas dinner for the mothers of the children who have been coming to the feeding center. These are very needy families and most of these mothers face very difficult challenges and situations. They were very blessed and encouraged! And it blessed us to see the big smiles on their faces when they left the party. I shared with them about "hope" and how Jesus is our hope and strength. I was thinking in the weeks ahead of the dinner and asking the Lord to help me encourage them somehow: How can we bring hope? How can we lift them up?

When the ladies arrived, they seemed they were still carrying the weight of all the problems of that day. They looked tired and not too sure of what to expect. BUT by the end of the evening, their faces had changed; they were laughing and enjoying themselves. They even laughed at my silly stories about how I have handled some tough and difficult situations raising so many children of my own. I wanted them to know as mothers, we all face tough things, but we can love and support each other through it all!

What a blessing it is to see a mother, who you have never seen smile, give you the biggest smile and hug at the end of the evening. Even though she was missing many of her teeth, her smile was the most beautiful that I have seen in a long time! Thank you for giving and helping us to bring encouragement and joy to these precious women.

Many months back we decided as a family that this year we wanted to focus more on others and reach out more in the community. My husband, Enrique, says that many times when God brings purpose in our lives, adversity may come too. Just because things may be difficult doesn't mean we are not to move forward; in fact, it probably means we need to press on. These last few months have been hard, and I have had sick children and many nights of very little sleep. Problems can come up and they always will, but when we are obedient to God . . .WOW!! What peace and joy He brings to us!

In our family sharing time, we have been talking about trusting God. We have to keep walking when we are going through adversity, believing the promises of God in all circumstances. God is the one Who brings us hope! I believe if we ask Him, He can fill our hearts and lives with hope and love through it all! Jeremiah 17:7-8, says: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Enrique says when the change of season comes, you must be ready and keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. I am so grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness in each one of our children's lives. No, they are not perfect by any means, and we continue to walk with them through difficult things, but God has given each one of them a heart to serve. They loved and served the children this year! In one of the parties, our daughter Yorleny, asked all the children at the party, "Who knows Jesus?" Our little 3 year old foster daughter, Cristal, ran to the front raising her hand in the air screaming loudly, "I do! I do!" It touched my heart greatly!

And then to see our Yorleny. Her testimony is great! All that God has done!! God is faithful through it all!! He loves us and His heart is for the needy, the lonely, the unloved, the poor. Thank you for standing with us and thank you for your love and support!! We pray this will be a very blessed New Year for you and your families!!

In February, the children will start a new school year here in Costa Rica. Many children do not have the money for uniforms, books, and supplies. Although public school is "free" there are still a lot of expenses. Cristal will be turning four and we need to get her signed up for school. We also have many others that we will be helping.

If you would like to help these children, it would be much appreciated. Right now, we don't have the money we need for Cristal and others. We've been able to help many of the children who come to the feeding center. We would appreciate your prayers as we move forward.

Much 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.

No goods or services were received in exchange for this contribution. Hidden Treasures is a tax-exempt 501(C) (3) organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.