Marlon - House 1
Marlon Oliveira Pereira is very street wise even at this young age. He started school when he came to Chain of Love. Marlon has a speech impediment and it is quite comical to hear him talk. The first day he was here, he learned how to say “please”, which to him was por shassor, which normally is por favor.
Marlon was placed with us because both of his parents are drug addicts and his grandmother was using him to traffic the drugs. He would be woken up in the middle of the night to peddle drugs and already knew that he needed to have the money in his hands before he would give someone the “goods”.
Marlon’s mother lived on the street and he lived with his grandmother who had back problems and couldn’t get out of bed. At times a neighbor would help out to make them food, but that was rare. His older cousin lived with them at times, and would sexually abuse Marlon.
With all this, at times Marlon would go to school for pre-kindergarten but many times he would be so exhausted he could hardly keep his eyes open. The school was constantly calling his relatives to come and pick him up at the end of the day because they would forget about him.
Marlon is now 7 years old and in the 1st grade. He is a very affectionate little boy, and loves to be hugged. He is usually playing outside with an old bike tire, rolling it down the hill, then back up again. He is a very sneaky kid and is often dirty.
Please pray that the Lord will be a refuge and strength for Marlon as he is still carrying a lot of emotional baggage.
Update: Marlon likes to have his head shaved like the big time soccer players. He is difficult to contend with in Sunday School. Much of his past still comes through in his reaction to those in authority.
January 2007 Update: Marlon is 9 and in 1st grade. Marlon is very open to the things of the Lord and asks many questions. He has requested baptism, but we are not sure yet of his personal commitment. He loves the drums, guitar and soccer. At church he belongs to Boys’ Brigade and Jr. church. He is way less aggressive and more calm and obedient. He is quick to do his chores. He is getting into less mischief!
Main Prayer Request: That he would have a happier disposition and be less egoistic. That he would open his heart to Jesus.
2008 Update: Marlon is ten years old and in grade two at school. He is very helpful at home, often completing tasks without being asked to. He helps to sweep the floor, wash the breakfast dishes and keep the house clean. In his spare time he likes to play with cars and trucks and pretend he is traveling. He talks of being a truck driver one day. He loves to play soccer, and play the drums, too. Marlon is rather serious and quiet and does not smile much. He is active in Sunday School and the boys’ club at church. He reads his Bible, but not regularly, and loves to sing praises to God. He has accepted Christ as his Saviour and also been baptized. Please pray that Marlon’s school work would improve.
2009 Update: Marlon respects his house parents and completes his chores well. He has difficulty at school, lacking in respect for his teachers and getting involved in fights with other children. He would like us to join him in prayer for his biological family, especially his grandmother.
Birthday: July 7, 1997
Photo: Jul 2010