BRENDA ESCALERA FLORES

NOV. 12TH, 1995

BRENDA IS THE YOUNGEST CHILD TO EVER STAY AT THE ORPHANAGE, BUT WHEN HER MOTHER WAS IMPRISONED FOR BRINGING DRUGS INTO THE PRISON TO HER FATHER, IT WAS FELT THAT IT WAS IN BRENDA'S BEST INTEREST TO LIVE AT THE ORPHANAGE WHERE HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WERE ALREADY STAYING. AT LESS THAN A YEAR OF AGE, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT SHE AT LEAST FELT THE SECURITY OF HAVING HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND HER. THERE ARE NOW SIX MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY LIVING IN THE HOME.

WE HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING HER LEARN TO WALK, AND WE ARE NOTICING HOW OBSERVANT SHE IS TO THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND HER. SHE DOESN'T PART WITH HER SMILES TOO READILY, BUT SMILES TURN TO GIGGLES WHEN SHE IS TOSSED INTO THE AIR OR TICKLED.

WHILE WE ARE SAD FOR THE THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED TO BRENDA IN HER SHORT LIFE, WE HAVE MUCH HOPE THAT AS SHE GROWS AND LEARNS IN A LOVING ATMOSPHERE, PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE LOVE OF JESUS, THAT THERE IS A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD FOR HER.