Last month I promised to introduce you to the new girls in the Miriam Home—both the residents and staff. Since life around here changes all the time, since I made that promise we have had changes, so here is the latest!
I mentioned three new girls, two of 
whom have already left. Yasmin is a 15 year old girl who came to us because her family had literally fallen apart. Yasmin was adopted when she was four days old, but sadly it was always made clear to her that she belonged on condition. Up until she was 14 Yasmin fulfilled the expectations of her parents, but during the last year she began forming relationships that her parents didn’t approve of (with good reason). Though their concern was valid, their response was more difficult. The family is quite wealthy, but has never had any involvement with the church or things of God. Without God’s grace to turn to Yasmin’s parents simple decided to return her, after 15 years, as if she was a pair of shoes. After just a few weeks here in the Miriam Home we began to suspect that the relationships Yasmin had formed were really attempts to find people who would accept her. Just recently she went to live with aunt and seems to be fitting in well.
Josi is ten years old and is a whirlwind! She came to us from a
nother city, while the local juvenile authorities sought a long term family and real help for her. Josi had been basically living on the streets, but not because of drug abuse or neglect. Itappears that Josi has some form of mental illness that has not been diagnosed or treated. She goes from a calm, tranquil child to a whirling dervish in a flash. In general she is affectionate and gentle but suddenly, for no apparent reason, she becomes verbally abusive (though not physically). Josi was only in the Miriam Home one week, it was sad to see her go when we had so little time with her, Because she is, again, outside of Campo Mourao we don’t have a way of keeping up on her progress, but we can pray that God’s best plans for this young lady will come to pass!
Our third new girl is Ana Maria. She is a lively 13 year old who looks strong and independent but is filled with fears and doubts. The r
easons for her being in the Miriam Home are quite confusing—everyone you ask has a different opinion. For Ana Maria, the biggest problem is she doesn’t feel that any one believes her, and she isn’t really sure who she can trust. It looks like Ana maybe with us for a while.
There is a fourth new resident in the Miriam Home. Francielle (10 years old) arrived just two weeks ago and she is a treasure. Fran is use to fitting in to new situations. She actually lived
in the Miriam Home before (when she was very young) because her mother is a street person with serious mental problems and she has never been able to care for her daughter. Sadly, Fran passed from one relative to the next and none of them actually cared for the child (the most recent aunt and uncle were so abusive that Fran can’t go back to her school because there is a fear they will go after her). Please pray that we will hear God’s direction for this sweet girl.
But not everyone new in the house is under the legal age to vote! I’d like to introduce Nathalia and Jaqueline, new to the Miriam Hom
e team. Nathalia is a vibrant young Christian who is our new social assistant. She has a whole hearted love for the children and one of her first projects here was praying for the right person to fill the last remaining staff vacancy - the psychologist. The answer to our prayers arrived the beginning of September when Jaqueline joined us. She has already proven to be a treasure and together, these young women are working to find the best options for the children and their families!
Editor’s note: This is just part of Jonni’s news this month. To read more on the continuing story of Cleberson, please read here!
