Paulo - House 9
Paulo’s case as well as his siblings (Sidinei and Vanessa) is well known in our town. He along with the others were abandoned by their mother (a prostitute) who left them in the inexperienced hands of a drunk. She did not want the children, as she already had abandoned another three at a previous date.
A social worker found them left on their own, up to their necks in their own bowel movements, and hungry. At the time that they were found, Paulo was not there because he was out looking for food. Being the oldest of the three, five years old at the time, he had a notion of what needed to be done.
Paulo and the others were in the half way house while we were renovating quarters for our fourth set of house parents. They waited for two whole months but finally the day arrived. Paulo was so excited that he called both the house father and Ken “father”. Of course we detected immediately a street child pattern of behavior when he took all the toys on the first night and hid them for himself. He especially liked to play with toy cars. He did not exactly make good friends with the other children on that first day.
Since then, with stern but consistent love, he has really come around. Paulo’s birthday is October 21, 1992. He is full of life and can be funny. He was really hip about having a birthday party when he came here and asked if there was going to be cabbage to eat. This was our first request for cabbage at a birthday party.
Paulo is a strong willed little guy. He likes to be the boss. He is 12 years old and is in the 6th grade. He is now starting to become interested in girls and aware of his own looks. Please pray for Paulo’s spiritual maturity and growth.
Update: Paulo gets hurt easily. He broke his finger in the last soccer match. He loves to wear baseball caps – all the time.
January 2007 Update: Paulo is 14 and in the 8th grade. He has made a decision for Christ and is baptized. At the homes Paulo has taken the computer, crafts and soccer courses. At church he participates in Sunday School, and the adolescent program. He has been more open lately to dialogue with his house parents and especially has become friends with his housefather Joel. He has become more obedient as well.
Main Prayer Request: That Paulo will let the Lord continue to change him and that he would develop perseverance as he has a tendency to quit easily.
2008 Update: Paulo is fifteen years old and in grade eight, and is now beginning to make good progress in his studies. He has matured a lot lately and is calm and obedient. His chore at home is to wash the supper dishes. When he has free time he enjoys playing soccer and spending time on the computer. Paulo is active in the Sunday School and the adolescent group at church. He also helps out at the group for younger boys. He is a young lad with a soft heart who has accepted the Lord and already been baptized. He has begun to listen more attentively and to dedicate himself more to Bible reading. His future goal is to become a salesman and he is taking a course to prepare himself for this.
Please join us in praise to God for the growth and maturation that is evident in all areas of Paulo’s life.
2009 Update: Paulo is adapting well to his new Chain of Love parents and really enjoys being part of his handball team at school. He is now attending a new school with much higher standards and is finding schoolwork to be a challenge. He asks you to pray that he will pass his school year and find a job that he enjoys.
Birthday: October 21, 1992
Photo: Jul 2010
Sister: Vanessa
Brother: Sidinei, Paulinho