Leonardo - House 4
Leonardo came to us with 3 older brothers and 1 older sister. This is a very sad case of an alcoholic dad becoming extremely violent. The mom was a dedicated hard worker trying to make the best for her family. She worked separating garbage and tried to get as much government assistance as she could for her kids.
The kids really loved her and respected her. She finally told the dad that he needed to leave because he was so violent. He came home in a rage and killed her by putting an ax through her head. He justified this by saying that she was seeing another man. He then told a neighbor what he did and said he was going to go after the children too. The neighbor called the relatives who then picked up the kids from school. Leonardo came home and tried to wake his mom her up, but she wouldn’t talk to him. It was traumatic for all of them. One aunt made the funeral arrangements. Leonardo told us that then they put his mom in a black box and she wouldn’t talk to him when she was there either.
Now the dad is on the run. The family has been kept together and is living with Marli and Cezar in a rented house off campus. The boys have really taken to Cezar because they never had a good dad. The kids are still having a somewhat difficult time with Marli because they don’t want her to replace their mother.
Leonardo is 9 years old and in the 1st grade. He is also taking a praise and worship class atour technical center. He is a friendly little boy and always says “hi” to everybody. He loves to get hugs and is adapting well to his family. He really likes church. Please pray that the Lord will proved Leonardo with protection, safety and spiritual growth.
Update: Leonardo is very spontaneous. He is doing well in school. He loves leaving notes for his house mother to find and read. He wants to be bapotized soon.
January 2007 Update: Leonardo is 10 and in 5th grade. Leonardo has made his decision for Christ and wants to be baptized in 2007. He matured much in his walk with the Lord. He is attentive, sensitive, extremely friendly and very intelligent! He is Mr. “Public Relations”. He does his chores and is very tidy, especially with his things. He helps in everything. At COL he took the crafts course. At church he takes part in Sunday School, boys’ brigade and the Wednesday Night Missions Group.
Main Prayer Request: That he would learn to listen and not be so quick to answer back (very defensive).
2008 Update: Leonardo is eleven years old and in grade six at school. He is a good worker and helps wherever needed. He enjoys riding his bicycle, playing soccer and watching television. He is very intelligent and diligent in his work. He is progressing well in his spiritual life, reading his Bible and doing all the homework from Boys’ Club. He also attends Sunday School. He has accepted Christ as his Saviour and has been baptized. Please pray that God will lead Leonardo to a good wife one day who will love and understand him.
2009 Update: Leonardo is well behaved at school and is achieving good grades, though he can be stubborn at times. He dreams of going to college in the United States or Canada and prays that his English will improve.
Birthday: June 28, 1996
Photo: Jul 2010
Sister: Dienifer
Brothers: Davi, Leandro, Dionatan