From Liberia to Tacoma, Daw Von Barnau Sythoff has new opportunity

Don’t be shocked to see Daw Von Barnau Sythoff shivering on the soccer field.

It’s has nothing to do with a freshman forward playing varsity for Tacoma Baptist in the state playoffs being nervous. It’s because of the weather: Wind, rain and unusually cold, at least for him, temperatures.

The climate here is lot different than Riverside, California, where he lived before moving to Washington over the summer, or Liberia, where he was born.

“I am learning to layer,” he said. “Slowly.”

Daw is one of three children adopted by Eric and Julie Von Baruan Sythoff, who have four adult children of their own.

Eric, from California by way of Holland, and Julie, of Wisconsin, met in the U.S. Army, where Eric was involved in the aviation intelligence field. As part of a Christian ministry, the couple traveled around the world, eventually settling in Zomba, Malawi, to teach at a Bible school.

It is there where they adopted their first child, Pearce, in 2002, when he was 13 months old.

“I tried talking (Julie) out of it with Pearce,” said Eric. “God had a different mindset.”

Their lives completely changed. The Von Barnau Sythoffs, who had settled back in Riverside, began looking to adopt again. They focused on Liberia in West Africa during a time of political upheaval and civil war in that country.

They went through Acres of Hope adoption agency and found Daw and his younger brother, Eric Titus, who were orphaned.

“We were thinking one child, but the agency came up to us and said they had brothers, and asked if we would be open to that,” Eric said.

At the time the adoption became official in 2006, Eric and Julie began a nonprofit ministry in Malawi — Passion Center for Children — designed to rescue and care for that country’s high-risk orphans.

That has become their full-time work. Three times a year, Eric and teams of doctors, nurses, teachers, businessmen, even coaches, will travel to Malawi, in southeastern Africa, to spend weeks at the facility.

“Some orphans live there,” Eric said. “Some live with family. Some live in the houses of their mother and father who have died. We are there to provide food, clothing, and even help out with college (credit).”

Because their home is their headquarters, the Von Barnau Sythoffs decided to move to Lakewood to be closer to two of their adult sons — Nathan, who lives in Auburn, and Adam, who lives in Seattle. And they enrolled their three adopted sons at Tacoma Baptist.

Pearce, a 10th-grader, is autistic. He participates in individual sports such as karate. Daw and Eric Titus, who is in eighth grade, are gifted athletes. They both play soccer and football.

While Pearce and Eric Titus have adapted well to their new environment, Daw is still making the transition. “I didn’t like it at all, but I understood why because my parents wanted to see their grandkids,” Daw said. “I just didn’t want to leave my friends behind. I like staying in a place where I know everything.”

Soccer, being his favorite sport, was an unknown, too. By the time he arrived in August, Tacoma Baptist had already began training for its season.

The Crusaders, with a strong group of returning players led by senior Riley Byrne, expected to be a Class 2B playoff team. Adding Daw’s aggressive style and nifty footwork was a bonus.

Daw has eight goals as the Crusaders head into their state semifinal showdown Friday against Crosspoint Academy at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

“He has been great,” said Byrne, who leads the team with 21 goals. “I don’t see him as being younger at all. I treat him like he is just as old as I am. He is just so mature.”

First-year coach Jenna Jones, who played college soccer at East Texas Baptist University, credits the players for making Daw feel like part of the team.

“We have a small school, so it doesn’t take very long for them to get to know everybody,” Jones said. “It has been like a family bonding, doing it for each other and not for self. They brought him in quickly as one of the guys.”

Daw, who remembers little about his early life in Liberia, knows he has been given an opportunity in the United States. It has not always been easy for him, but he appreciates his new family and surroundings.

“Honestly, at first I did not want to get adopted. Who would?” Daw said. “But I love my parents. They are great people. I love having my brother with me — even though he gets annoying sometimes.”

That thought brought a smile to his face.

“I finally prayed to God to take me from where I was (in Liberia),” Daw said. “And He did. I am very thankful for that.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 9:12 PM with the headline "From Liberia to Tacoma, Daw Von Barnau Sythoff has new opportunity."