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REDMOND
REPORTER
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Happy to have their family together Boyer family’s adoptive sons home from DRC, just in time for the holidays SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
It’s been almost three years, but Andre and Luke Boyer are finally home with their family. Since late 2012, their adoptive parents, Jason and Jennefer Boyer, had been waiting to be able to bring their two sons home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The couple — who used to live in Redmond but are now in unincorporated King County between Redmond and Sammamish — had filled out all the required paperwork (American and Congolese), participated in home studies and waded through all the other red tape required to adopt their boys three years ago. At the time, Andre was 3 and a half years old and Luke was 1 year old. But Jason and Jennefer hadn’t been able to bring Andre and Luke, now 6 and 4, respectively, home because they — along with hundreds of other families worldwide — were stuck in a limbo as they waited for one single
The Boyer family in front of a waterfall in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August. After almost three years, their sons Andre and Luke have finally been able to come home with their adoptive family. Courtesy Photo piece of paper. That piece of paper was an exit letter, which would allow Andre and Luke — who had previously been orphans — to leave the country with their parents for the United States.
SUCH A RELIEF
It wasn’t until Nov. 2 that the Boyers learned that they would finally be able to bring their boys home. At that point, Jennefer had moved to the DRC, following a visit in January during
which Luke became very ill and it became clear that one of them would have to stay. She had been living in the DRC for about nine months. About two weeks prior to them learning the boys could come home, Jennefer and Jason were trying to figure out a holiday schedule for him and their two biological daughters to visit. The next day, they learned that 69 children who have been in the same paperwork limbo as Andre and Luke were being released — including 14 children to the
United States. Jennefer said it was both exciting and scary news because they didn’t know if the boys had made the list. They had also had a number of “false alarms” in which they thought they would be receiving the exit letter, but didn’t. When they learned their sons were part of the 14, it was “such a relief ” — especially as the boys had been released together. Jennefer said there were some cases in which siblings [ more BOYERS page 10 ]
Redmond Lights set for tomorrow The City of Redmond will celebrate Redmond Lights, its annual winter festival, from 4-8 p.m. tomorrow. The annual event celebrates the city’s cultural diversity with light installations, traditions, music, activities and fun for all ages. The event will begin at Redmond City Hall (15670 N.E. 85th St.) with free entertainment, a bonfire, food and fun activities, including the dissemination of the 2015 Think Redmond Light blinkers (while supplies last). Mayor John Marchione, along with special guests, will light the campus before departing on the luminary walk. The walk meanders down the Redmond Central Connector to Redmond Town Center with performances and light displays along the way. This year, DigiPen staff and students will be presenting a special light installation for the community. Local businesses will provide warm beverages, and attendees can make s’mores and decorate cookies. Redmond Town Center will offer ice skating, carousel rides, an ice sculpture and kids activities. The Redmond Senior Center (8703 160th Ave. N.E.) will host a Holiday Market from noon to 6 p.m. For more information about Redmond Lights, visit www.redmondlights.com.
People enjoy last year’s Redmond Lights festival. Reporter file photo
‘Merry Christmas’ signs return for fourth year ANDY NYSTROM anystrom@redmond-reporter.com
The “It’s OK to say Merry Christmas” signs are back in Redmond. Courtesy of Terry Talbot
With the “It’s OK to say Merry Christmas” signs back in Redmond for the fourth consecutive year, people are strongly voicing their opinions about the notices. Once again posted by a mystery person or group, City of Redmond employees first noticed the green signs with white lettering this past
Saturday near churches on 166th Avenue Northeast. The Reporter and one resident spotted signs near the City Hall campus and the Redmond Regional Library on Northeast 85th Street/160th Avenue Northeast and the Redmond Fire Headquarters on 161st Avenue Northeast. The signs feature a Bible verse on the front side, and on the back there’s a nativity scene, which is new to this year’s signs.
“This is where the ‘politically correct’ thinking gets it wrong. We need to spread love, respect, embrace and share other citizens’ cultures and holidays because it matters! It brings us closer to each other’s one-nation concept regardless of the diversity. I cannot wait to start greeting people with ‘Merry Christmas’ greetings. It is just too early for me, personally,” said reader Ed Kaddoura. [ more SIGNS page 10 ]