All Things Drew

Well, every now and then we need to have a little update for the grandparents, and other Drew fans! Drew is getting a lot of head rubs…I hope he will manage to still have hair when we leave. Anyone on the street may stroke his hair and say “Mash-Allah” (meaning something like - Allah is generous)… which is really just code for “You are so cute!” but they don’t want the evil spirits to get jealous and come after the child, so they praise Allah instead.

Drew is also getting a lot of credit for being Turkish. His love for Ayran (the salty yoghurt drink) wins big points. His pronunciation of the English word “kitty” sounds far more like the Turkish version, “Kedi,” and there are lots of the little furry guys around, so many people get to share in Drew’s delight in spotting (and chasing) them!


We also get lots of input into Drew’s care on the street. Today Andy was managing Drew, the stroller and some shopping bags on the bus. A well meaning woman wagged her finger at him for not holding onto Drew tightly enough, then scooped him up onto her lap until the ride was over. Later, despite the fact that it was in the high 50s, several grandmothers stopped and put Drew’s hood on, and told us that it was too cold for him to be without it. Never mind that the poor kid was sweating from running his little legs off because pushing his own stroller is a great thrill.

Happily Drew is also learning real truth here in Turkey. We are so thankful for his attachment to his Big Picture Story Bible. The fact that he sometimes throws a temper tantrum when we will not read more to him is irony that is currently lost on him. But I am really excited by some of the little connections he is making. The first story, of course, is that of creation. While Drew has not been able to put together the two word answer “All Things” to the question, “What did God make?” he will quickly and excitedly tell you “moon” – which is a true answer if not complete! But my favorite moment today was when we were reading again that God gave Adam and Eve good words to obey, and that they were to obey because God is king. Drew looked up and me and said, “No bite,” and just went back to looking at the book. I was so excited. Drew is having a very hard time with obedience in that area, and it was exciting to hear that he understands part of our discipline and other instruction. We pray that God will be at work in Drew’s heart, that he will soon desire to obey God, and will live out his design to glorify and enjoy his maker.