Taiara - House 7
Taiara came to us quite a while after her brothers. Taiara came from a poor suburb not too far from our church. In fact some of our members know the family situation. Recently, Taiara’s father was killed by two knife wounds and a bullet wound. Soon thereafter, her mother died of pneumonia. Taiara and her older brothers were left orphaned.
An Assembly of God pastor took in the boys but they were beaten in his home. The city responded and put the boys in the half way house where they were for some time. If there were relatives, they had not manifested themselves. None of them had opted to take in the boys while they were in the half way house.
Taiara went to be with someone else. When asked she said that she was with an aunt. We asked her if she was a real aunt or a false aunt and she replied that she was a false aunt. Once the boys arrived, they began to miss their sister. At one of the monthly visits where they could see their relatives (who did not want them but yet wanted to see them!!), Taiara was along and insisted on remaining with the boys.
The person who was taking care of her must not have had any real ties to her, as she let Taiara go. The social services arranged for her coming and soon after she was in our midst.
Taiara is 10 years old and in the 4th grade. She is a bit of a tomboy but still likes to play with dolls, although you will never catch her in a dress. She plays well with the other kids in her house and helps out with her special needs sister and brother. She is taking a worship and praise class at our technical center. Please pray that the Lord will keep Taiara safe and focused on Him.
Update: Taiara likes to walk on stilts. She is much more skillful and dexterous than the boys when walking down stairs in this manner. She outclasses them all. We think that she will be a good candidate for the circus.
January 2007 Update: Taiara is 12 and in 5th grade. She has not publicly made a decision for Christ yet. She participates in the pre-adolescent group at church as well as Sunday School, and sang in the Christmas cantata. She loves singing! At the cultural center in Campo Bom she takes guitar and voice lessons. She has changed some. Romilda, her house mother, says about 30% out of 100%! She has difficulties getting along with others as she has a strong personality. Recently she prayed with Jerilyn during Wed. night Bible Study, asking for more dedication in her studies and more respect for her house parents. She likes to pray and read her Bible. She needs to be motivated to do everything, from chores to homework.
Main Prayer Request: That Taiara would be open for God’s changing power in her heart. That she would become more responsible, self-motivated and meek.
2008 Update: Taiara is thirteen and in grade six at school. Her goal is to learn English and possibly be an English teacher. At home she washes the supper dishes. In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, riding her bicycle and skateboarding. She is playful, a tease and somewhat rebellious. She attends Sunday School and the adolescents’ group, has accepted Christ and been baptized. She is not growing much in her spiritual life and sometimes stays outside during the church service. Please pray that Taiara will draw closer to God and seek to improve herself and stay away from those things that would hinder her personal and spiritual growth.
2009 Update: Taiara has a new job with a shipping company, entering information into the computer. Please pray that she would do well in school, especially in Math and Portuguese which she finds difficult. She has big mood swings and sometimes does not behave well at school or respect the curfew. Please pray that she would not be so preoccupied with the lives of her biological brothers and their situations that it interferes with her own daily life.
Birthday: July 25, 1994
Photo: Jul 2010