From Dawn this morning (also today would have been Ryan's 34th birthday):
Hi Everybody,
Ryan’s service here in Kenya was on August 15. It was good.
We are planning our trip to the states and I can share some of those dates.
We fly from Nairobi to North Carolina on September 2 and 3. Ryan’s parents live in Garner, NC. This is our first trip without Ryan. Our kids are Caleb age 8, Levi age 6, Seth age 4, and Chloe is almost 3. I hope and pray the three airplane rides and two layovers go smoothly.
My in-laws are lending me their van and we are driving to FL on September 18 to attend Frank Toews Memorial Service in Leesburg on the 19th. My sisters, Diane and Debra, are flying in on Wednesday the 23rd . Friends of ours, the Williamsons, have opened up their home to us. On the 24th we are going to Disney! Diane, Debra, 4 kids, and myself. A dear friend who I have yet to meet is giving me 5 tickets. My parents and In-laws arrive on the 25th and Ryan’s Florida Memorial Service will be on Saturday the 26th.
First Baptist Church of Oviedo
45 W Broadway
Oviedo FL 32765
I’ll let you know the time when it’s decided.
First Baptist is Ryan and I’s home church. I am looking forward to worshipping with them on the 27th. We will drive back to NC on the 28th.
October 1 is Chloe’s 3rd birthday, we will probably fly from NC to NY and spend a few days at AIM’s office in Pearl River. On October 4 we will probably fly to MI to be with my family. On Saturday, October 10 we will have another Memorial Service in Holland. I am still deciding on the venue and time. October 14 would have been Ryan and I’s 9th anniversary.
Sometime in the middle of October, Tiffany (Frank’s wife who also died in the crash and one of my best friends) are being whisked away. Just the two of us (and none of our 8 kids) are going on a retreat. Our counseling center here in Nairobi is planning a special retreat for us. We asked them to plan it for us while we are in the states. So far they have 3 options for us to consider, in MI and PA. Tiffany and I want to grieve well and are open to receiving all the help we can get to do this. I am looking forward to it already, for a safe place to laugh and grieve with my friend.
On October 28, me and the kids are off on another road trip to Wausau WI to spend a long weekend with my brother and sister-in-law and their 3 kids. We drive back to MI on November 2. Sometime that week, we will fly back to NC and spend those last days seeing Ryan’s family before we fly to our home in Nairobi on November 17 and 18.
After all these flights and road trips, I hope I will have started adjusting to traveling with 4 small kids and no husband. I am not looking forward to it, and hope I have the freedom to cry and be mad when I need to. But I also hope we can have A LOT of fun.
I shared a lot of details. I hope you print this up and post it on your refrigerator or place it in your Bible and pray for us on each day, knowing what we are doing on those days. When I have the domestic flights, I’ll clarify those dates for you.
Thanks
Dawn and the 4 kiddos.
P. S. We are returning to Kenya, I will share more about that in the future. But I am certain that God wants us here and he will supply a ministry for me. I have some good possibilities already to consider.
P. P. S. I share a lot of daily information on Face book. Please find me as your friend and keep up more regularly with what those crazy, adventurous Williams are up to next
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Updates from Kenya
Yesterday was Frank Toew's memorial service (the pilot). Mom and Dad both wrote how beautiful it was. There was a video of his life as a father, brother, son, husband, and missionary. Caleb and Levi (my nephews, 8 and 6) were given the option to attend. Caleb attended and cried. This broke my mothers heart. In just a few days he will attend a similar service for his own father. Levi is not doing well. He doesn't want to be in the house. He stays at his friends house and even spends the night. We all choose our own way to grieve, even at age 6. Seth and Chloe say, "Daddy died" but don't know what that means.
Ryan's body is being flown from South Africa to Kenya this week. He is in a sealed casket because his body is full of infection. It is not allowed to be re-opened. His Memorial Service will be this Saturday and the families are making a video. Dawn said that service itself will be recorded so that her kids will know how well their Daddy was loved.
They are still waiting on Chloe's paperwork. For those of you that don't know, my niece Chloe is Kenyan and was fully adopted on June 19. Dawn and Ryan have been raising her since March 2007. Chloe is not allowed to travel until all of her paperwork is complete. Once they have her VISA and Passport they can travel to the States.
Tiffany (Franks wife and Dawn's best friend) is from Florida and so is Ryan. The families (grandparents, Dawn & Tiffany, and the 8 children) will all fly to the States together in about 2 weeks. Then the Williams and the Toew's will go to FL for 2 more Memorial services. Eventually, Dawn and the kids will fly to Michigan for a Memorial service here. They will be in the States about 6-8 weeks and then will return to Nairobi. Dawn and Ryan were planning their regularly scheduled furlough for March 2010 and Dawn says that they will still do so.
And here are a few sentences from Dawn:
"I’m tired. Last week was consumed with supporting Tiffany as she grieved for Frank, visiting Ryan in the hospital and being his advocate, and trying to keep my kids needs met. This week is grieving, accepting help from both my parents and Ryan’s parents who are all here, and being loved by my missionary family. I would say I am in denial. I know it’s true, but I can’t believe it deep down inside. I’m not looking for him, but have been too surrounded by people to feel lonely yet. In South Africa, I was able to spend as much time as I needed with the body that Ryan left behind. I truly was able to say good-bye and grieve then.
Ryan and I talked a lot about what we each would do if we lost each other. And we both wanted to remain on the field because we both felt called to missions. AIM is very supportive and willing to work with me on that."
Thanks for all of your support.
Ryan's body is being flown from South Africa to Kenya this week. He is in a sealed casket because his body is full of infection. It is not allowed to be re-opened. His Memorial Service will be this Saturday and the families are making a video. Dawn said that service itself will be recorded so that her kids will know how well their Daddy was loved.
They are still waiting on Chloe's paperwork. For those of you that don't know, my niece Chloe is Kenyan and was fully adopted on June 19. Dawn and Ryan have been raising her since March 2007. Chloe is not allowed to travel until all of her paperwork is complete. Once they have her VISA and Passport they can travel to the States.
Tiffany (Franks wife and Dawn's best friend) is from Florida and so is Ryan. The families (grandparents, Dawn & Tiffany, and the 8 children) will all fly to the States together in about 2 weeks. Then the Williams and the Toew's will go to FL for 2 more Memorial services. Eventually, Dawn and the kids will fly to Michigan for a Memorial service here. They will be in the States about 6-8 weeks and then will return to Nairobi. Dawn and Ryan were planning their regularly scheduled furlough for March 2010 and Dawn says that they will still do so.
And here are a few sentences from Dawn:
"I’m tired. Last week was consumed with supporting Tiffany as she grieved for Frank, visiting Ryan in the hospital and being his advocate, and trying to keep my kids needs met. This week is grieving, accepting help from both my parents and Ryan’s parents who are all here, and being loved by my missionary family. I would say I am in denial. I know it’s true, but I can’t believe it deep down inside. I’m not looking for him, but have been too surrounded by people to feel lonely yet. In South Africa, I was able to spend as much time as I needed with the body that Ryan left behind. I truly was able to say good-bye and grieve then.
Ryan and I talked a lot about what we each would do if we lost each other. And we both wanted to remain on the field because we both felt called to missions. AIM is very supportive and willing to work with me on that."
Thanks for all of your support.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Waiting
I am sure you are waiting for more news.
The problem is that I don't know what to share. And it's taking me a long time to process a lot of what has taken place in the life of my family.
Thank you so very much for your kind words and well wishes. We all appreciate the prayers.
For those of you who have lost touch over the years, my email is: nienhuisdj at gmail dot com
Also, I have my mom's cell phone until she returns. If you would like to call me, please use her phone number.
I will tell you more when I can.
The problem is that I don't know what to share. And it's taking me a long time to process a lot of what has taken place in the life of my family.
Thank you so very much for your kind words and well wishes. We all appreciate the prayers.
For those of you who have lost touch over the years, my email is: nienhuisdj at gmail dot com
Also, I have my mom's cell phone until she returns. If you would like to call me, please use her phone number.
I will tell you more when I can.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
In the blink of an eye.
My sister Dawn and her husband Ryan Williams are missionaries with Africa Inland Mission (AIM). They live in Nairobi, Kenya with their four children: Caleb (8), Levi (6), Seth (4) and Chloe (2.5). Ryan is a Flight Engineer (mechanic) for the AIM AIR fleet. The mission of AIM AIR is to support missionaries and ministries throughout East Africa. If you have ever been to Africa then you know how bad the roads are. Many missionaries live hours away from the city and it can take days to get to their homes. AIM AIR manages a fleet of small aircraft that transports missionaries and supplies to small villages throughout their Region. Their motto is "Serving those who Serve" and they do it with excellence.
Ryan works full-time at the hangar while Dawn works full-time at home, caring for their children and running the home. Together they live on a compound with other missionary families. The compound is filled with support staff, pilots, mechanics, and happy children. It is a very close-knit community.
Dawn's best friend, Tiffany and her husband Frank, live on the same compound. Frank is a pilot for AIM AIR while Tiffany works full-time at home, caring for their four children.
On Saturday, August 1, 2009, Frank and Ryan took 2 photographers from Conversant Life for a plane ride over Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa. The back door of the plane was removed so that the photographers could get great shots of the slum. Near the end of the flight the engine stalled and while Frank was trying to glide the plane to an unexpected landing along a road, the wing of the craft clipped some telephone wires. The plane flipped over, crashed into a building, and fell three stories to the ground, engulfed in flames.
Frank died.
Ryan, my brother-in-law, was pulled from the aircraft just a few minutes before the plane exploded.
The other two passengers assisted in saving the life of our dear Ryan. They themselves suffered injuries but are doing well in a Nairobi Hospital.
Ryan suffered lacerations on his face, 40-50% of his body is covered with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He also suffers from a broken left hip and a crushed pelvis. Yesterday Ryan was transported via a medical aircraft to Jo'burg, South Africa to receive further care.
These last few days have been days of chaos. We are all in mourning for Frank and his family. I cannot begin to imagine how they are doing. Frank's Memorial Service will be Tuesday, August 11th in Nairobi.
As for our family, we are in shock. Ryan is a stubborn fighter and for this I am thankful. He works with this hands, tinkering and fixing things we didn't know were broken. He is an adoring father and husband and passionately in love with our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is also a fantastic brother-in-law. We are lucky to have him in our family.
Yesterday his mother arrived in Nairobi and tomorrow my mother will join the Williams Family. The entire family has to fly to South Africa to join Ryan (and then eventually to the States? But I'm not sure). The Moms flew in to help Dawn pack up the entire house or put it in storage, to help care for the kids, and to support my sister as well as the community on the compound.
Just a few hours ago my mom called me with a new update on Ryan: he was put on Dialysis today to support his kidney function and is now considered unstable. Please pray with me for Ryan, for Dawn, and for Tiffany and her family.
And a few minutes ago my mom told me that Ryan was re-assessed today. The burns actually cover 70% of his body. Survival rate for burn victims greatly diminishes after 60% of their body is burned.
Please pray for all of us.
Ryan works full-time at the hangar while Dawn works full-time at home, caring for their children and running the home. Together they live on a compound with other missionary families. The compound is filled with support staff, pilots, mechanics, and happy children. It is a very close-knit community.
Dawn's best friend, Tiffany and her husband Frank, live on the same compound. Frank is a pilot for AIM AIR while Tiffany works full-time at home, caring for their four children.
On Saturday, August 1, 2009, Frank and Ryan took 2 photographers from Conversant Life for a plane ride over Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa. The back door of the plane was removed so that the photographers could get great shots of the slum. Near the end of the flight the engine stalled and while Frank was trying to glide the plane to an unexpected landing along a road, the wing of the craft clipped some telephone wires. The plane flipped over, crashed into a building, and fell three stories to the ground, engulfed in flames.
Frank died.
Ryan, my brother-in-law, was pulled from the aircraft just a few minutes before the plane exploded.
The other two passengers assisted in saving the life of our dear Ryan. They themselves suffered injuries but are doing well in a Nairobi Hospital.
Ryan suffered lacerations on his face, 40-50% of his body is covered with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He also suffers from a broken left hip and a crushed pelvis. Yesterday Ryan was transported via a medical aircraft to Jo'burg, South Africa to receive further care.
These last few days have been days of chaos. We are all in mourning for Frank and his family. I cannot begin to imagine how they are doing. Frank's Memorial Service will be Tuesday, August 11th in Nairobi.
As for our family, we are in shock. Ryan is a stubborn fighter and for this I am thankful. He works with this hands, tinkering and fixing things we didn't know were broken. He is an adoring father and husband and passionately in love with our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is also a fantastic brother-in-law. We are lucky to have him in our family.
Yesterday his mother arrived in Nairobi and tomorrow my mother will join the Williams Family. The entire family has to fly to South Africa to join Ryan (and then eventually to the States? But I'm not sure). The Moms flew in to help Dawn pack up the entire house or put it in storage, to help care for the kids, and to support my sister as well as the community on the compound.
Just a few hours ago my mom called me with a new update on Ryan: he was put on Dialysis today to support his kidney function and is now considered unstable. Please pray with me for Ryan, for Dawn, and for Tiffany and her family.
And a few minutes ago my mom told me that Ryan was re-assessed today. The burns actually cover 70% of his body. Survival rate for burn victims greatly diminishes after 60% of their body is burned.
Please pray for all of us.
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