Tatiana's birthday was on January first, but since I was traveling that day we celebrated yesterday.  Tatiana is one of our young mothers who live with us in Esther's House.  She has lived with us for 9 months now and I am thrilled to see how she is progressing.   Tatiana had nothing but the clothes on her back when we received her.  Her daughter Glenda didn't even have shoes on her feet.  She had run away from another facility that the government had placed her in because they were abusing her daughter.  Glenda had bruises on her arms from where she had been hit by staff.  Tatiana was so shy when she came.  She spent her days in her room afraid to speak to me.  I remember when I took her clothes shopping.  She picked out one outfit for her and one for her daughter.  She was nervous to even ask for that much.  When I told her that she needed at least 5 outfits she was shocked.  She had a difficult time accepting our charity.  
Today Tatiana is a leader in the house.  She is responsible for over-seeing the other girls as they complete their daily tasks.  She is also responsible for all of the educational needs of the others.  Tatiana is enrolled in a beauty school and is also in high school.  She sings with the worship team in our church and is training to be a student leader in our youth group.  She has also participated in some dramas that we have produced. 
Tatiana shares her testimony in front of groups of people about how God has taken this girl who was orphaned at the age of 4 and used her in such a mighty way.  I admire Tatiana for the way she is using her life for God.  She could easily be bitter for all that she has been through in her young life.  Instead she uses her experiences to help others and to glorify God.  I think we all can learn a lesson from the life of Tatiana.