Monday, February 6, 2012

Costa Rica Mission Trip UPDATE

We just discovered that HPUMC had their dates mixed up and there was a misunderstanding when the Costa Rica trip would take place. We are unable to go on this mission because the new dates do not work with our schedules. We are hoping to find a domestic mission trip that we can take with our family this summer, and will keep you posted if we do! For those of you who have supported us financially, I will be sending you your checks back in the mail this week. We can not tell you how much we appreciate knowing that we have family and friends who support us(you are a true blessing). We do know that we feel called to do work, and know we will be going somewhere in the near future...when the timing is right. We will keep you in the loop.

Thanks again!
Amy & Matt

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Our Story

Matt & I have dreamed of the day we could take our first mission trip. We felt called to help build a home for the orphans of Costa Rica this summer. We have reached a point in our lives where we have grown spiritually and we understand that this life we live in is so temporary, and there is so much we need to do while we are here...and we feel that helping build the Zirkel's mission through HPUMC in Costa Rica is exactly where we need to be. We have a soft place in our heart for children, and if you know us, you will understand why we want to help these sweet children of San Jose. Highland Park United Methodist Church is offering an opportunity for us to participate in this mission. The mission will take place in Costa Rica on June 16-23, 2012.  The team will be building the next structure that will house more orphans. The first building is now complete housing 24 orphans with dorm parents. Not only will we be working hard building, but we will also be able to witness Gods work through the orphans who now have a place they call home, and we will be able to get to know them! 
A few friends, have asked how they can help. Your support is needed in two ways. First, we are asking for your support in prayer for the entire HPUMC team.  The itinerary will be posted on this blog so you can keep up with our work.  We will keep you informed of the team’s progress and will share our experience with you upon our return.

The cost of the trip together is $1,400.00, and we are seeking your support to raise a portion of these funds.  If you would be willing to support us with the financial portion of the trip, please complete the form and write a check payable to Highland Park United Methodist Church.  Please return it to me directly.  For your tax deduction purposes, do not note my name on the check.  We will be tracking our goal with a widget on this blog to see where we are. We felt really awkward at first asking family & friends to help us raise money to get to Costa Rica to help with this mission...but when we look at ourselves as tools for a bigger purpose, we hope that you understand this is not for us. This is for the children, and we are simply the tools.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us. We would love to hear from you! 214-435-9763

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement.  We are anxious to share our mission 
experiences with you upon our return. 

Amy & Matt







Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 


Please print this information form to attach with your check:

Giver’s Name ______________________________________________________________________ 

Address __________________________________________________________________________ 

City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________________ 

Phone _________________________________ Email _____________________________________ 

Mission Trip Participant’s Name: 
Amy and Matt Twomey



MISSION TRIP : Costa Rica TRIP DATES: June 16-23, 2012

Giver’s Name ______________________________________________________________________ 

Address __________________________________________________________________________ 

City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________________ 

Phone _________________________________ Email _____________________________________ 


Mission Trip Participant’s Name: Amy and Matt Twomey

Trip Destination: Costa Rica


Amount of Gift _____________________________________________________________________ 
      
We have also attached a PAYPAL donation button on this blog for an easy way to donate and we will update our progress on the blog.

Thank you! 

Please mail to: Amy and Matt Twomey  Attn. Mission Trip     PO BOX 38311      Dallas, Texas 75238



On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, after three years of much prayer, presence with and work from mission teams and financial support from so many, the first children arrived! Here is part of the newsletter from the Zirkels telling about that day:

“Dear Partners-In-Ministry, They are here! The first children to live at the Methodist Children’s Home in Costa Rica have settled into their new home. Our first children are a family of four: two sisters and two brothers. Their ages are 12, 9, 4 and 3.  They are lovely children, beautiful, smart, and kind; we could not have asked for a more precious group of children to begin this ministry.  And, yes, we have already been contacted by the Child Welfare agency about receiving additional children. We have 7 more beds in the first house and we want nothing more but to see it filled with children. Pray for wisdom and for God’s guidance in every aspect of the Children’s Home as we move forward in the days and months ahead."

The Zirkel's Story



This is The Zirkel's story: Costa Rica

In Summer 2006, HPUMC initiated a partnership with Ray & Lidia Zirkel, Methodist missionaries serving in Costa Rica. Along with work in other ministries, Ray is ordained in the Methodist Church of Costa Rica and serves at the Methodist seminary in San Jose. Ray also chairs the board for the Methodist School in San Jose.

HPUMC's initial conversations focused on mission trips to construct churches and youth centers. Before long, though, Ray & Lidia were sharing with the church much grander visions, visions that would represent HPUMC's largest international commitment to date.

Ray & Lidia had been researching and receiving approval for the establishment of the first Methodist orphanage in Costa Rica. They witnessed first-hand the over-crowding of state facilities and realized the potential of an alternative model for orphan care. Instead of expansive, institutional structures with still too few beds, Ray & Lidia want to nurture the children in a Christian family environment.
HPUMC has commited to help Ray & Lidia raise the money for the orphanage as well as engaging in long-term support of their ministry. Through generous contributions from HPUMC members, the church was able to fund the purchase of the hill-side property that will be the site of the Costa Rican Methodist Orphanage. In August & September 2007, HPUMC took its first mission trips to San Jose to work alongside friends there. We will continue sending trips throughout the construction of the orphanage.