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.