Saying Goodbye

Well, it's been a fun week. Sadly the Grandmas have to go home tomorrow. We have had such a good time with them. Thanks to the Grandpas and uncles for letting them come. I have gotten spoiled though, I think I only changed one diaper this whole week. Not only did they take amazing care of Riah, but they canned some salsa and tomatos for me. And I know some people were a little worried about two Grandmas sharing one grandson, but they got along great, and I know Azariah enjoyed being spoiled by two grandmas at once. He is a blessed little boy to have them as are Holden and I. We will miss you two!!

The Big Day!

Riah eating his cake.

Riah licking off the candle while we kissed him.

Azariah and Holden and I with a beautiful quilted blanket from Grandma Janet.

Well, yesterday was Azariah's 1st birthday! We all had a great time celebrating with him. He got some very nice gifts from his family back in Nebraska, which we are very thankful for. Riah dove into his cake. He ate the whole piece in a matter of a few minutes. I was suprised he didn't get sick from all the sugar. The Grandma's had a blast playing with him and spoiling him this past week. We only wish more family could have come to the party. You were all very missed.

It's been kinda crazy around here. Today is Holden's birthday, so we are going to celebrate and let the grandmas babysit tonight.

The Grandmas are Coming!

Well, summer has been pretty hectic, but things are only going to get crazier. In two days both of Azariah's grandmas are coming to see him! Riah's birthday is on the 12th, so we are going to be able to have a party with my mom and Holden's mom. We are all really excited for them to get here. We only wish the Grandpa's and the rest of the family could be here too. miss you all so much.

Back to Nebraska!

Well, we made it back to Nebraska to visit for Amanda's wedding. It has been really nice to see family again. There was alot of craziness before the wedding, but we made it through. It was fun though, and Nate and Amanda are soaking up the sun in Hawaii now. Yesterday we went to the river, and Azariah just loved it. Today we went fishing at the Reynold's Pond, and I was able to capture some good shots of Azariah in the water. He really loves to splash around. The only things is that he has no fear, he would just dive his head under if we let him.

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Eight Months!

Well, I can't believe it, but Azariah turned 8 months already on Easter. People always told me that the time would fly once you have kids, but I didn't think it would go by this fast. It seems like he is trying something new everyday. He is on the verge of crawling. He has gotten pretty good at the army craw. Holden and I are having a blast with him. He is a very lively little boy. I'm afraid that when he starts walking I won't be able to keep up with him. Every day that I have with him is a blessing from the Lord. I am so thankful that He has given us a child to raise. Please keep us in your prayers that the Lord would continue to guide us as we parent Azariah.

Spring!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Everything is turning green again. We have all really enjoyed the weather here for the most part. It has been in the 60's and 70's most of the time. Azariah loves to go outside and play. He is growing up too fast though. The picture of him and Holden is in our back yard. Holden was throwing him in the air, and I had an idea to try to capture it in a picture. I thought it was so cute. And the picture of me and Az is at Cane Creek Nature Preserve where we love to hike. There is a beautiful waterfall there. Azariah had a great time hiking behind Holden in the Hiking Back Pack. (Thank you Stutzman's and Washer's for getting us that!)

Azariah and Kota

These are some of the latest pictures of Azariah with one of his new best friends. The dog's name is Dakota, and he is one of the Stutzman's dogs. As you can see, Azariah just loves him. It is funny because Az and Kota are actually only a few weeks apart in age. He is such a big cuddly puppy. Even though he doesn't look like a puppy, he is still under a year old. I love to watch Az with animals. He seems to like anything that has fur. He just wants to pet them all the time. Holden and I would really like to get a dog for him someday soon.

Indonesia - A Sobering Privilege

1 Peter 4:12-16 - 'Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.'

Our trip to Indonesia was a sobering privilege in that, we got to live and fellowship amongst persecuted believers and missionaries for a week and a half. And just to clarify, 'we' = myself, Matt Glass (HeartCry Asia Coordinator) and a few other brothers from TX and TN that met up with us there.

Yes, the trip was filled with awesome and fun experiences (like hiking up and exploring an active volcano, eating dog, catching big lizards, etc.)... but more than that, we were able to see the above Scripture passage lived out there in West Java, Indonesia in a way that I had not seen before. And now, those verses have a much deeper meaning to me as I think back on the names, faces and testimonies of the people there. Our main trip objective in going was to check out an indigenous church-planting team called 'Asih Pamitran'. We had heard a lot about them from a contact that we have over there and he had asked us to seriously consider helping the team. Asih Pamitran is made up of a handful of Sundanese believers who have been called by God to reach their people with the Gospel. Pak Nunu is the leader of the group and it was a joy to spend most of our time with him as he explained what it is that they do. The majority of our trip was spent traveling around West Java with Nunu to the different groups of people scattered all over that they serve and help and minister to. The trip was so profitable because we not only got to meet the leaders and hear them tell us about the work, but we got to experience it firsthand and observe their lives.

Basically what happens on West Java when someone becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, they are immediately kicked out of their families, their name gets taken out of the family tree, they are fired from their jobs; and their family, old friends, former employers and neighbors will seek to make their lives miserable. Why? Because West Java is populated by Muslims and they are intolerant of anyone converting to Christianity. They treat those that do convert so badly in hopes of forcing them to renounce their faith and go back to Islam. If they don't return to Islam they are then forced away from the area or simply ostracized and ill-treated by most for life. Recently (within the last year) in a village about 2-3 hours from where we were staying, all the believers' houses were burned. Sometimes the Muslims will even try to kill them! Do these believers fight back and seek revenge? Nope. Instead, they love and pray for those that hate them. Quite a different world we live in over here, uh?

Well, Asih Pamitran is in the midst of all this, and they are there to 'pick up the pieces' and help these people who have been stripped of almost everything. They (Asih Pamitran) will provide housing (if needed), jobs, schooling for the children and encourage and edify within the context of local churches where they can worship and fellowship! The jobs are made available by Pak Nunu who has started small businesses for the sole purpose of providing work for the persucuted believers who are left jobless. These small businesses include: quilt-making, dog breeding, and goat breeding.

HeartCry's role in all this is simply to help Asih Pamitran in any/every way that we can that will enable them to continue on in their ministry and even to expand and start more works and churches if the Lord allows. It is a huge joy and privilege to be a part of their lives and ministry and to be in a position where we can serve these dear folks in a land far, far away! Please, please pray for them - I've included a slideshow with pictures of a lot of the people that I've been talking about and I hope that will help encourage you to pray for them. And I hope that all this that you've just read is a sobering reminder to you that there are people out there right now that are suffering because they believe in and worship Jesus Christ. May we not just thank God that we don't have to live like that and then go on living life enjoying our comforts and freedoms, but rather look for ways to get involved and truly live for God! Is Christianity here really about comfort and ease? Or, is it about loving God and loving and serving others? Who has the Lord place around you that needs love and help? Will you love them? Will you help them?

Indonesia! Up in the mountains, there are villages scattered all over in places that you'd never think were inhabited by people.

Pak Nunu (left) and his family - daughter Jui, wife Ibu Lena and son Vino.

Here are the believers I was telling you about - they are crowded into Pak Nunu's garage worshiping the Lord!

Visit in April

Well, it's pretty certain now that we will be coming back to Nebraska to visit next month. Holden is in a wedding on the 18th, and then he will be flying out of Omaha to Australia. So Az and I will be staying in Nebraska while he is out of country, then we will all drive back to AL after he gets back. We are all really excited to see everyone again. Azariah misses all his Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins.

Things are going good here in Alabama. The weather has been beautiful. We have been spending alot of time outside. Azariah loves the outdoors. This week has been a little challenging, especially for Holden. I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth out on Thursday, so Holden had to take care of me and Azariah. Plus Az has a cold and he's teething, so Holden had his hands full. But he did a great job, and I am so thankful for his servant heart. The good news is that I have been recovering very well, and Az is almost done with his cold, I think. Please keep us in your prayers.

Some new pics

Azariah and Ezra Stutzman. It is so cute to watch Az and Ez together. I'm sure Ezra will be excited when Az can run around with him and play.

He is getting better at sitting up. He hardly ever falls over anymore.

I thought this picture was adorable. I brought the camera in with me when I got him up from his nap. He is usually all smiles when he gets up, but he wasn't as happy that day.

Japan - Light in the Midst of Darkness

Matthew 5:14-16 - 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'

Hey everyone, its Holden. I thought these verses of Scripture were very fitting to help me tell about the trip to Japan. Luis and Nicola Ramirez-Thorne (see picture below) are the missionaries that we (HeartCry) serve with there in the Greater Tokyo, Humura area and they are definitely light in the midst of much darkness. Spiritually speaking, Japan is an extremely dark place. Depression is very prominent there and the suicide rate is unmistakable proof. Greater Tokyo averages 100 suicides per day! Though everything is nice and shiny and technologically advanced on the outside and the people are all very disciplined and hard working on the outside.... there is much hopelessness and turmoil that is hidden and suppressed. The good news? There is a young family that has committed their lives in service to the Lord and they are dedicated to labor there in bringing the truth and hope of Jesus Christ to that land! What's very neat about their work is that Luis is from Peru and Nicola (his wife) is originally from England. Right now, they primarily reach out to the ever growing Hispanic population there in Tokyo, but the longer they are there the more they feel burdened for the Japanese as well. They are both learning the language and the Lord is giving them many opportunities among both people groups.
So, on the trip we were able to get to know them and get better acquainted with their ministry in order to be able to help and serve them on a more long-term basis. It was so good and important for us to go and see first hand for ourselves if this was something that we could affirm and get behind to help more. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray for Luis and Nicola in their work in Japan.

Here is Luis, Nicola (missionaries to Japan) and their baby boy, Rohan.

This is outside city limits where a little more space is given. In Japan, almost everyone has a garden.

Here is a typical Japanese house/apartment. As you can see... everything's a tight fit over there. They have mastered the art of utilizing the little space they own, and those plants are not just flowers or decoration, but a garden!

Here is a temple that was conveniently located by the river where devout Japanese can go to pay the 'gods' and ancestors money to help them have a better life. It was sad to think of the many mislead people who actually think their prayers are heard. May the Lord reveal to them the truth of His gospel.

One day, we traveled outside the city by train to this beautiful spot on the river. It was a good time to get to know Luis and his family better; as well as learn more about the specifics of their ministry.

Happy Homecoming!

Sorry it has taken me so long to write about how Holden made it home. We were both so excited to see him. He ended up missing his flight from Houston to Huntsville, but he was able to catch a later flight. So me and Az suprised him and showed up at the airport. He thought that two of the guys he works with were coming to pick him up, but I was planning otherwise. Azariah has been having a blast spending time with Holden this past week. Holden has been trying to recover some lost sleep and get used to the new time zone. His body was on 15 hours ahead of the time here. We have enjoyed hearing some of the stories, which hopefully he will get an email out to update everyone on the trip. We are so thankful to the Lord for allowing him to go on the trip and for the work that is going on all over the world to bring lost souls to know Him.

Holden's Coming Home!!

I just got an email from Holden saying that he is packing for home! Right now it's Monday morning in Indonesia. There flight leaves there for Tokyo at 10:00 pm their time, and they have a 10 hour lay over in Tokyo. Then they leave for Houston, which will be an 11 hour flight, and then from Houston to Huntsville, AL. So they will be back at 5:20 P.M. our time. Me and Azariah are both really excited for him to get home.

Latest Updates from Holden

So this is the latest news from Holden. I just copied and pasted one of the emails he sent to me. So incase you're wondering what he's up to, here's what he said...

"Yesterday - the jungle was soooo cool! We stayed at Pak Andi's house in the midst of a village out in the Mountains of West Java. He and his family along w/ his brother-in-law and his family are the only believers in that village and the surrounding areas. We arrived there at his hut and then dumped our bags and hiked to the river. I can't begin to tell you how beautiful it was. But more exciting than that was to sit around outside the hut of Pak Andi and listen to him tell us how he was saved and what Christ means to him! We had good fellowship and most of the guys went to bed early, but I was able to talk with Pak Nunu and we had a good conversation considering the language barrier (he speaks English fairly well, but we had to talk slow and explain a lot). Then, me, Matt, Trevor and Nunu stayed up for a long time talking about Asih Pamitran and Nunu was able to write down a lot of names numbers and figures. then we hiked the river this morning and bathed and messed around for awhile ( it was a blast).
The rest of the day was spent driving back to Bandung and then traveling to a quilting station and getting a feel for what goes on there. Me and matt had them drop us off at this internet cafe on the way home so that worked out pretty good. O, and the ride out to the jungle and back was insane... i mean, we took an off-roading jeep and basically went mudding and off-roading through the Mountains for two hours there and back!
Please cont. to pray for us for discernment and also pray for Asih Pamitran - it seems that the Lord is opening up a door for HC to work w/ them and they seem to be solid and faithful to the Lord. Tomorrow we drive to a volcano where we will be camping out. Adjat, a member of Asih Pamitran, will give us his testimony. I'm really excited for this trip as well, so pray for us. Safe travels and all."

-Holden

Things are going pretty well on the homefront. Azariah got a cold, but he is finally getting better. We have been staying busy most of the time. We go over and see Jen and Jake and the kids a lot. That has really helped the days go faster and not so lonely. We just take it one day at a time and can't wait to see Holden again.

Holden's Update

Holden sent us this picture from Japan.

As some of you may know Holden is on his trip to Japan and Indonesia right now. He is having a wonderful time. He said that it is really crowded in Tokyo, but they are having wonderful fellowship with the believers who are planting a church there. The missionary couple they are visiting has a little boy that is 3 days older than Azariah, so Holden said that makes it hard for him because he misses Az so much, but at least he has a baby to play with. He left for Indonesia on the 23rd, and I finally heard from him via email, and he said they made it there safely. He said he is getting pretty homesick, but that the trip is still going very well. He will be camping out in the jungle either tonight or tomorrow night, so obviously he is very excited about that. Him and Matt will be meeting with Trevor Johnson ( a missionary there in Indonesia) for the next week to get the know him better and learn more about the ministry there. Please continue to pray for him and the other men. He said they drive really crazy, so pray for safe travel.

Trip to Nebraska

We had a great trip to Nebraska this last month. It was great to see everyone. Azariah has now met 11 of his 12 grandparents. He will hopefully meet his Great Grandpa Patten this spring. We stayed with the Patten side first for a week. The week included Lindsay and Bill’s wedding, sledding behind the four-wheeler, finding the lost chinchilla, Chilli, and lots of fun family time. We went to the Hurt Christmas Eve in Boelus, which was fun. We got to stay there until Christmas morning. Then we went to the Barry’s house for a week, and it was so much fun to watch Azariah with all his crazy uncles. We got to see lots of family and spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Burr and Barry. It was nice to see some family that we haven’t seen in a long time like Shane and Kristen and Scott and the kids. We got to see Jordan (Holden’s brother) and spent some good quality time with Mom and Dad Barry. Over all it was a wonderful trip, and we miss everyone dearly.

Long Trip Home

It was a long trip home, but we made it safely home from Nebraska. Azariah was an angel the whole trip. He never cried once for the whole 15 hours. He did get a little crazy though. I guess this is what happens when you are stuck in a car seat for 15 hours. He was being so goofy. We thank the Lord for safe travel.

Updates

Well, I have really been wanting to work on this blog and write about our trip to Nebraska and Holden's upcoming trip to Indonesia and Japan. My first problem is that we don't have internet at our house, so I can't do it when I'm home with Azariah, so I have been trying to find a good time to do it, but things have been really crazy. Chris Madison came to stay with us, which was a lot of fun, and Holden has been trying to get everything ready for his big trip. Unfortunately I don't have much time right now, and I don't have all my pictures, but I just wanted to let you all know that I am planning to update you guys on all this stuff as soon as I can. We miss all of you family back in Nebraska and everywhere else you all are. Please pray for Holden, he leaves on Saturday and will be gone for 18 days. Love you all!