Eyewitnesses

by Lidia Zirkel, Cove mission partner serving in Coronado, Costa Rica

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  2 Peter 1:16

The trees were old and full of moss.  The grass towered above our heads.  In the clearing we could see the city below and the volcano above, but how Lord? Where do we begin turning this old diseased avocado farm into a home for children? 

We cut the grass. Cut down old diseased trees.  Cleared an entry and began construction.  Short term mission teams came from throughout the United States.  There were also groups of families, young and old, small groups and large groups, who came to help, and slowly the plan began to take shape.  In March 2011, we opened the first Home and began to receive children.  Sitting on the hillside watching the children play on the playground with the city of San Jose in the distance, we bowed at the faithfulness of our Lord. 

The Home is a place of healing and restoration. The children who live at the Home have all experienced abuse, physical and sexual, in their lives.  They have been abandoned by their parents and are alone and broken.   Each child who comes to live with us hears the story of Jesus Christ:  his birth, death, and resurrection.   Through Christ they are no longer alone.

Four years later, the second Home is open.  This Christmas we will have 21 children living at the Methodist Children’s Home in Costa Rica.  The farm is now green with life.  New trees and plants fill the property.  Yet, the greatest gift this Christmas is the sight of the children who are happy, healthy, and full of life and hope.   

We are privileged to witness the majesty of our Lord every day in the sweet faces of the children who live with us.  We witness His majesty in the healing of the physical and emotional wounds of the children.  We witness His majesty in the generosity of the many churches and individuals who support the Children’s Home through their presence, prayers and gifts.  We witness His majesty in the body of Christ being His hands and heart to the children in Costa Rica.

Thank you church family.  We pray that His majesty will fill your hearts and homes this Christmas season.

Ray, Lidia, Sarah and Emma Zirkel

The Zirkels are long-time mission partners of Cove Church.  They are the founders of the United Methodist Children's Home in Coronado, Costa Rica.