his name is...

...Hijiri Gideon Straker!

Hijiri (pronounced Hee-jee-ree) is his Japanese first name. The kanji (Chinese character) is usually read "Sei" and it means holy or saint. Gideon is his English (well, really Hebrew) middle name. Gideon is the name of a man in Judges 6-8, who was the least of the least in his nation but God raised him up to use him in leading Israel into an impossible battle. God, of course, had the victory.

Everyone is going to have their own story about the baby's birth and his name. (Jon and Michiko's will be most exciting and most important!) But I am excited to share with this boy some day about my experience on the day he was born. After many days of labor and 15 hours of hard labor, he finally decided to be born. It was a bit of a battle, which we didn't know until Jon came and told us afterwards (in fact, the little guy is still in ICU for a couple of days). After Jon left, Michiko's mom began to cry tears of mixed emotions.

I thought about the baby, and then shared that I was thankful for a safe delivery and for God's protection despite complications. This baby is so blessed to be welcomed into and raised by a loving, Christian family. He will have a variety of challenges to face through his life, and his birth was just the first one. The baby could do nothing except be completely dependent upon the Lord. It will serve him well in his adjustment to his family, his life as a follower of Christ in Japan and beyond. Michiko's mom nodded and smiled.

Soon after, we were invited into the birthing room to see Michiko. They shared with us the baby's name - and my heart was touched by the conversation Akiko and I had before we even knew the baby's name. Jon came over and gave me a hug. I firmly believe that a name is so much more important than how it sounds or what we like. In Scripture, it's an important parental blessing and usually reflects some kind of experience or relationship with God. Hijiri Gideon Straker - what an incredible, appropriate name!

Please keep praying for Hijiri Gideon while he stays in ICU for the next couple of days. We won't be able to see him and hold him until he comes out. Pray, too, for Jon and Michiko as new parents, and ask for God's blessing on the Strakers, Umeharas and our mission team as we gladly receive this new boy. For Crim, Ben and I, he's not our son, but he is our baby. We love him already!!!