Tuesday, December 16, 2008
AT HOME – December 16, 2008
Thank you for traveling with us on our adventure to Africa. Now we’re embarking on two more adventures – to see about healing and/or repair of Pewe Joseph’s esophagus (we have our first doctor’s visit today), and to become knit together as a family. We will try to continue the blog for a while longer to keep you updated on his medical status!
Already we’ve had many victories and joys. Pewe Joseph likes to “go in da ca’ [car],” so we ventured to Berean bookstore yesterday. At the checkout counter, there were lollipops and they were huge! I told him that they were too big, but I would give him a sucker when we got home. Immediately, he plopped down, immobile, and gave me that totally unresponsive look he has. When I finished paying, I told Kelly, “Get the keys ready to hightail it out of here; this is probably going to be pretty ugly.” But he allowed me to get his coat on and get him to the van, still basically immobile. He was silent all the way home and when we walked in the kitchen, he said, “candy.” I followed through and everyone was happy. This is a HUGE victory in his little life. A week ago, in the midst of 6-a-day tantrums, I certainly couldn’t foresee this day. Even better, later in the day after Kelly and Michele had taken Pewe Joseph to Meijer, when he came back home, he ran to me and gave me a big hug! It’s the first demonstrative thing he’s done, and to think that we’ve only known him a week. All the kids are enjoying getting to know Pewe Joseph, and so far, he seems to fit right into the Dyer crew. Of course, we’ll have more victories and trials, advances and setbacks, but we’re well on our way as a family of seven. God has been very good to us.
CHRISTMAS LETTER
Since these past two weeks have been the highlight of Dyer 2008, I think the blog will suffice as our Christmas letter this year.
Between the Old and New Testaments in the Bible, there was 400 years of silence. God’s chosen people could not hear His voice or see His hand. Yet, He was not absent, and although it could not yet be seen, God was at work orchestrating His plan to bring salvation to all people. When the time was right, He fulfilled His promise by sending His Son into the world as a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. A dirty stall in a tiny town as the birthplace for a king? But God had planned the perfect time, the perfect place and the perfect circumstances for the Christ Child to come to us – and the angels rejoiced!
There were many times in our adoption journey when I felt God’s silence. From the time we first contacted Bethany Christian Services, until we brought Pewe Joseph home, it’s been almost 3 years, and we’ve known specifically about Joseph for 10 months. I have gone through times of hopefulness, and times of confusion, doubt and despair. Yet, again and again I made a conscious decision to put my trust in God. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38, 39)
And now that we can see the fulfillment of God’s plan, all the waiting – and even the silence – was worth it. God had planned the perfect time, the perfect place and the perfect circumstances for the child to come to us – and we are rejoicing. There is a song that says when you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart. He is always at work for our good and for His glory.
The name Joseph means “God will add.” Through Pewe Joseph, God has added to our family, added to our faith, and added to our joy. Now through Jesus Christ, MAY GOD ADD to your life, your faith and your joy. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Merry Christmas!
Steve, Jill, Kelly, Michele, Eric, Nathan and Pewe Joseph
Thank you for traveling with us on our adventure to Africa. Now we’re embarking on two more adventures – to see about healing and/or repair of Pewe Joseph’s esophagus (we have our first doctor’s visit today), and to become knit together as a family. We will try to continue the blog for a while longer to keep you updated on his medical status!
Already we’ve had many victories and joys. Pewe Joseph likes to “go in da ca’ [car],” so we ventured to Berean bookstore yesterday. At the checkout counter, there were lollipops and they were huge! I told him that they were too big, but I would give him a sucker when we got home. Immediately, he plopped down, immobile, and gave me that totally unresponsive look he has. When I finished paying, I told Kelly, “Get the keys ready to hightail it out of here; this is probably going to be pretty ugly.” But he allowed me to get his coat on and get him to the van, still basically immobile. He was silent all the way home and when we walked in the kitchen, he said, “candy.” I followed through and everyone was happy. This is a HUGE victory in his little life. A week ago, in the midst of 6-a-day tantrums, I certainly couldn’t foresee this day. Even better, later in the day after Kelly and Michele had taken Pewe Joseph to Meijer, when he came back home, he ran to me and gave me a big hug! It’s the first demonstrative thing he’s done, and to think that we’ve only known him a week. All the kids are enjoying getting to know Pewe Joseph, and so far, he seems to fit right into the Dyer crew. Of course, we’ll have more victories and trials, advances and setbacks, but we’re well on our way as a family of seven. God has been very good to us.
CHRISTMAS LETTER
Since these past two weeks have been the highlight of Dyer 2008, I think the blog will suffice as our Christmas letter this year.
Between the Old and New Testaments in the Bible, there was 400 years of silence. God’s chosen people could not hear His voice or see His hand. Yet, He was not absent, and although it could not yet be seen, God was at work orchestrating His plan to bring salvation to all people. When the time was right, He fulfilled His promise by sending His Son into the world as a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. A dirty stall in a tiny town as the birthplace for a king? But God had planned the perfect time, the perfect place and the perfect circumstances for the Christ Child to come to us – and the angels rejoiced!
There were many times in our adoption journey when I felt God’s silence. From the time we first contacted Bethany Christian Services, until we brought Pewe Joseph home, it’s been almost 3 years, and we’ve known specifically about Joseph for 10 months. I have gone through times of hopefulness, and times of confusion, doubt and despair. Yet, again and again I made a conscious decision to put my trust in God. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38, 39)
And now that we can see the fulfillment of God’s plan, all the waiting – and even the silence – was worth it. God had planned the perfect time, the perfect place and the perfect circumstances for the child to come to us – and we are rejoicing. There is a song that says when you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart. He is always at work for our good and for His glory.
The name Joseph means “God will add.” Through Pewe Joseph, God has added to our family, added to our faith, and added to our joy. Now through Jesus Christ, MAY GOD ADD to your life, your faith and your joy. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Merry Christmas!
Steve, Jill, Kelly, Michele, Eric, Nathan and Pewe Joseph
Saturday, December 13, 2008
ARRESTED!
Brussels - Earlier today, the Steve Dyer family was apprehended by the Immigration Polizei for trying to smuggle pint-sized Liberian contraband across the Belgian border. They were detained and put on the first airplane back to the US. [AP]
Well, this is all true, but not quite as dramatic. After our 6-hour red-eye flight out of Monrovia Friday night, we had planned to stop over in Brussels before our long journey home. When checking our passports, we were asked for a visa for Pewe Joseph. Of course, he has one for the US, but it had not even crossed my mind to check to see if he needed one for Belgium. After all, we don't. So they would not let us pass and took us into that little secret room off to the side. The immigration police were able to get us all on the next plane to Washington, DC to connect to Indy. Boy, they get results! The good news is that after 30 hours of traveling, we're home a day early. The bad news is that I didn't get to buy any Belgian chocolate for souvenirs. More good news: It's kind of fun to say that we've been kicked out of Belgium!
Pewe Joseph was quite a trooper all the way home. The worst of it was a 20-minute screaming fit with Steve on the plane as we left Belgium. Steve was pretty frazzled as you can imagine, but Kelly and I were living it up with our real silverware and glassware in Business class. When the flight attendant came to get me, we traded places and I slipped Pewe some Benadryl, so we had a much more peaceful time after that. When we got to Dulles airport in Washington DC, Pewe asked me, "Is this America?"
On the last leg home, Pewe Joseph got to sit next to the window. He seemed mezmerized by all the sights of the airport and actually flying. It was beautiful to see all the lights after the sun went down. I can't even imagine what was going through his mind. Everything seems new when you look at it through the eyes of a child.
God has been faithful to us. We are so grateful for your friendship and your prayers. And a special, heartfelt thanks to the Mark, Catherine, Taylor and Will Whittier for all the lovingkindnesses they've given us as well as caring for Michele, Eric and Nathan while we were gone.
I was afraid Pewe Joseph would be tired and withdrawn when he met the rest of the family, but he even reached out a little bit to Nathan and Eric. He seemed especially glad to have some boys to play cars with! Michele and Taylor put together a beautiful hand-made scrapbook of our African Adventure so far. Thank you to those who contributed. It will be a treasured keepsake for our family. Now to bed and a great day of bonding as a family tomorrow ...
Love,
Jill
Well, this is all true, but not quite as dramatic. After our 6-hour red-eye flight out of Monrovia Friday night, we had planned to stop over in Brussels before our long journey home. When checking our passports, we were asked for a visa for Pewe Joseph. Of course, he has one for the US, but it had not even crossed my mind to check to see if he needed one for Belgium. After all, we don't. So they would not let us pass and took us into that little secret room off to the side. The immigration police were able to get us all on the next plane to Washington, DC to connect to Indy. Boy, they get results! The good news is that after 30 hours of traveling, we're home a day early. The bad news is that I didn't get to buy any Belgian chocolate for souvenirs. More good news: It's kind of fun to say that we've been kicked out of Belgium!
Pewe Joseph was quite a trooper all the way home. The worst of it was a 20-minute screaming fit with Steve on the plane as we left Belgium. Steve was pretty frazzled as you can imagine, but Kelly and I were living it up with our real silverware and glassware in Business class. When the flight attendant came to get me, we traded places and I slipped Pewe some Benadryl, so we had a much more peaceful time after that. When we got to Dulles airport in Washington DC, Pewe asked me, "Is this America?"
On the last leg home, Pewe Joseph got to sit next to the window. He seemed mezmerized by all the sights of the airport and actually flying. It was beautiful to see all the lights after the sun went down. I can't even imagine what was going through his mind. Everything seems new when you look at it through the eyes of a child.
God has been faithful to us. We are so grateful for your friendship and your prayers. And a special, heartfelt thanks to the Mark, Catherine, Taylor and Will Whittier for all the lovingkindnesses they've given us as well as caring for Michele, Eric and Nathan while we were gone.
I was afraid Pewe Joseph would be tired and withdrawn when he met the rest of the family, but he even reached out a little bit to Nathan and Eric. He seemed especially glad to have some boys to play cars with! Michele and Taylor put together a beautiful hand-made scrapbook of our African Adventure so far. Thank you to those who contributed. It will be a treasured keepsake for our family. Now to bed and a great day of bonding as a family tomorrow ...
Love,
Jill
Friday, December 12, 2008
Today we took a taxi to the Island area to a Doctors Without Borders hospital. The trip was slow with busy congested traffic. Again, I expected to see a modern facility with many Western doctors and nurses, and again I saw mostly African nurses. However, it was clean and many men and woman warmly greeted PeWe with big smiles. He was well-known at this hospital. We took many photos of PeWe and nurses and one little girl named May-ma.
Joining us on this trip where PeWe’s grandmother, and an AOH representative. PeWe’s grandmother was his main caregiver, and stayed at the hospital with him for two years.
Pewe’s grandmother got out of the taxi just after we crossed the bridge coming back into Monrovia. Shortly after Pewe began to wimper, then cry very loudly. We expected some of this, but it is always hard. However hard this is for us, it is harder for him. In his 5 short years, he has spent time with his birthmother, his grandmother, the hospital, the orphanage, and now our little Bed and Breakfast room. What he needs most is days on end with a consistent environment. In 2 days, he will get that. This will be a tough day for him now, but an investment in his future. We know he’ll be glad to be able to see where he spent some of his Liberian childhood and the faces of his friends, mother and grandmother.
Steve
Joining us on this trip where PeWe’s grandmother, and an AOH representative. PeWe’s grandmother was his main caregiver, and stayed at the hospital with him for two years.
Pewe’s grandmother got out of the taxi just after we crossed the bridge coming back into Monrovia. Shortly after Pewe began to wimper, then cry very loudly. We expected some of this, but it is always hard. However hard this is for us, it is harder for him. In his 5 short years, he has spent time with his birthmother, his grandmother, the hospital, the orphanage, and now our little Bed and Breakfast room. What he needs most is days on end with a consistent environment. In 2 days, he will get that. This will be a tough day for him now, but an investment in his future. We know he’ll be glad to be able to see where he spent some of his Liberian childhood and the faces of his friends, mother and grandmother.
Steve
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thank you all for your prayers. Remember, TIA (This Is Africa), so we did not go to see Pewe’s grandmother today. I’m sure God will hold all your prayers in readiness for if and when we get to do that tomorrow. Today, we did … well, mostly nothing. We hung around the B&B waiting for the AOH staff to take us to the hospital. In their defense, they have been very busy, which is a good thing. But we had a long day without much to do. And what do you like to do when you’re bored? EAT!? Surprisingly, Pewe feels the same. It’s obvious to us that Grandma used to give him whatever he wanted (and then, yes, he has to spit it up – yuck). This is where most of our battles have occurred. Thankfully, the tantrums were fewer and shorter in duration than yesterday. We think he’s realizing that we do what we say and we won’t respond to the crying. I guess all those Dr. Dobson books finally paid off! He’s had many moments of success as well, and he’s started to come to us for comfort and to be held. This is great improvement and we had a MUCH better day than yesterday.
On the “home” front, we finally got our air conditioner fixed (after 3 days without) and we figured out how to work the TV. We almost feel like we’re back to civilization. But we’re still looking forward to getting on the plane tomorrow. It was good to be here to see and experience Pewe’s homeland, but this is a difficult place to live. Kelly has been great the entire time; wow, what an education this trip has been!
I read today that God is “longsuffering” with us, not slow like we might think, but patient so that everyone can come to repentance and salvation. That’s been a good example for me to dwell on today, to be longsuffering and patient with Pewe – for his good and while he takes the time he needs to learn new ways. Thanks again for all your prayers for us. We absolutely know that we are being lifted up and God is blessing us through all of you.
Love, Jill
P.S. Eric – your newest little brother likes to organize things and keep them put away. He also enjoys washing his hands – for a long time. I thought you’d like that!
P.P.S. We probably won't get to post again until Brussels (Saturday)
On the “home” front, we finally got our air conditioner fixed (after 3 days without) and we figured out how to work the TV. We almost feel like we’re back to civilization. But we’re still looking forward to getting on the plane tomorrow. It was good to be here to see and experience Pewe’s homeland, but this is a difficult place to live. Kelly has been great the entire time; wow, what an education this trip has been!
I read today that God is “longsuffering” with us, not slow like we might think, but patient so that everyone can come to repentance and salvation. That’s been a good example for me to dwell on today, to be longsuffering and patient with Pewe – for his good and while he takes the time he needs to learn new ways. Thanks again for all your prayers for us. We absolutely know that we are being lifted up and God is blessing us through all of you.
Love, Jill
P.S. Eric – your newest little brother likes to organize things and keep them put away. He also enjoys washing his hands – for a long time. I thought you’d like that!
P.P.S. We probably won't get to post again until Brussels (Saturday)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Well everyone, today's been a little bit of a rougher day, but PeWe is slowly attaching to us as time goes by. This morning we went to the Acres of Hope's office, where we met PeWe's mother. We weren't sure what to expect from the meeting, but I think it went very well. She was very kind and nice; PeWe recognized her very quickly, but didn't seem very attached. We found out that he actually lived with his grandmother a lot and that she was the one who lived with him in the hospital for at least a year. Tomorrow we will go to visit the hospital and his grandmother, so pray for us, because that might actually be the harder visit to make. However, it was good to meet his mother so we could talk with her, so she could see he was going to be well taken care of, and also to take some pictures that PeWe will want to have as he grows older.
You know, for Americans it's really difficult to imagine giving up your child, but in Liberia - and in many 3rd world countries - it's a different mindset. Kids are often out on their own a lot even at age 3 or 4, and for a Liberian mother who has no husband, no money to care for a medical need and four other sons to raise, this was her best option. We believe God has also made this adoption the best option for us too.
We had a little scare this afternoon concerning PeWe's feeding tube...we took him to the nearest hospital, which was probably scarier than dealing with it ourselves :) He ended up being just fine, but the conditions of the hospital we only spent 30 min. in would have made the FDA kick the bucket. But you know, that's how Africa is. The people are just trying to survive. There's an enormous gap between America's sickening wealth and most of the world. We just don't understand how to do without in order to help someone out. The mother of James, another boy who is being adopted said he hadn't eaten in a few days. That's life here. In the end it doesn't matter which side you're on...we all need God's help.
~Kelly
You know, for Americans it's really difficult to imagine giving up your child, but in Liberia - and in many 3rd world countries - it's a different mindset. Kids are often out on their own a lot even at age 3 or 4, and for a Liberian mother who has no husband, no money to care for a medical need and four other sons to raise, this was her best option. We believe God has also made this adoption the best option for us too.
We had a little scare this afternoon concerning PeWe's feeding tube...we took him to the nearest hospital, which was probably scarier than dealing with it ourselves :) He ended up being just fine, but the conditions of the hospital we only spent 30 min. in would have made the FDA kick the bucket. But you know, that's how Africa is. The people are just trying to survive. There's an enormous gap between America's sickening wealth and most of the world. We just don't understand how to do without in order to help someone out. The mother of James, another boy who is being adopted said he hadn't eaten in a few days. That's life here. In the end it doesn't matter which side you're on...we all need God's help.
~Kelly
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Well, Pewe is sleeping on the bed just a few feet away from me right now! Tonight we had a big long crying battle, but the parents won. :) Well, I guess he wouldn't be a Dyer if he wasn't strong-willed. Yesterday we drove up to the orphanage to meet PeWe and about 20 kids were sitting on the porch, waiting. PeWe was standing there too, waving, and came up to us with a big smile. We're told he's quite the talker, although he's been fairly quiet with us. I know he has a lot to get used to.
We're also working to get used to his feeding tube...it's not too hard to manage, but PeWe's desire to eat is. He loves to smell and try and taste everything snack in sight, but he just can't keep it down. We're praying that God will provide a good doctor in the states, and will help heal his esophagus.
PeWe is very helpful and extremely smart. He's already explored every suitcase, purse and bag we've brought with us and already figured out how to work the camera! The next few days should be interesting, because I don't think our one motel room is going to keep him occupied. We pray he continues to attach to us as we learn to care for him.
~Kelly
We're also working to get used to his feeding tube...it's not too hard to manage, but PeWe's desire to eat is. He loves to smell and try and taste everything snack in sight, but he just can't keep it down. We're praying that God will provide a good doctor in the states, and will help heal his esophagus.
PeWe is very helpful and extremely smart. He's already explored every suitcase, purse and bag we've brought with us and already figured out how to work the camera! The next few days should be interesting, because I don't think our one motel room is going to keep him occupied. We pray he continues to attach to us as we learn to care for him.
~Kelly
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We made it!
Well, we're finally in Liberia! We flew in on a strip of tarmac surrounded by grasses and watched by various UN vehicles. It's about 91 degrees, and very humid. We were picked up by someone from the orphanage and driven out on the one paved road in the country to where we are staying. We met another man on the plane, from MO, who is also adopting a son. As you pray for us, pray for his family as well, as his 2 yr. old son-to-be has hydrocephalous. Tomorrow is the big day, as we will finally get to meet PeWe/Joseph! It's going to be really exciting. After tomorrow, he is in our care! Pray for us as we work at communicating with the Liberian staff and try to learn as much as we can about PeWe's life and background. Thanks to God for bringing us this far.
~Kelly
~Kelly
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Hello everyone!
Thanks to your prayers and support, we all made it to Belgium! Mom and I got on all our flights, even though we were flying standby - thank You God! We left Washington D.C. on Friday at 6pm. and only 7 hrs. later we were landing in Brussels at around 7am on Sat. I'm not a fan of jet-lag. We walked around Brussels all day long, stumbling upon a Christmas parade and looking at the incredible architecture that's been untouched for hundreds of years. One of the pics is from the parade, and one is from the "Grand Place," which is the main square downtown. And don't forget the waffles and chocolate! I also got my pic with the apparently famous "Mannekin Pis" statue.... translated that means "Peeing Kid." It's literally a statue of a peeing boy, who happened to be dressed as Father Christmas today :)
God has been good, and I trust that our flight to Monrovia, Africa will go smoothly tomorrow. Talk to y'all later.
~Kelly
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Africa, here we come!
Our journey to adopt our little 5 yr. old boy, named PeWe Zay-Zay, has been a long one, but thankfully God has brought us to a place where soon we can share pictures of "Joseph's" journey from a hospital in Liberia, Africa, to a home in America with the Dyer family!
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