This story about the boys was published on www.ywamconnect.net. Enjoy!
Josh and Jordan’s stories reflect how God moves in our children preparing them to find their destinies and use their talents for the glory of God. Josh, 16 and Jordan, 15, are Don and Angie Amstutz’s two older children. They have two younger sisters Allie, 12 and Avery, 11.
Raised in Memphis Tennessee, Josh loved all sports and Jordan played percussion. Like most kids they hung out with their friends. “We had a typical southern life style, but when I came here all that changed,” said Josh. I asked Josh what their typical southern life style looked like. “I planned to go to college and make a life for myself,” said Josh. “We were expected to go to church, dress and act a certain way and always be respectful. Adults were called Ma’am and Sir. And then one day mom and dad told us we were going to Kona for a Discipleship Training School. Three months later we had sold half of our stuff and were here.”
I liked change but didn’t like to leave my friends,” said Jordan. “I thought we would go back, that this was mom and dad’s thing.”
“I felt dragged into it,” said Josh. “I wanted to go back so bad. I lived in the past, even dreamed about it. But somehow I knew we weren’t going back. And inside I knew somehow, someday I was going to live for the Lord but I didn’t want to acknowledge it. As time went by I knew it more and more.”
They attended Foundation School. Josh looked forward to it each day. “I felt blessed that there were seven guys in high school that quarter,” he said. “We went out surfing and I discovered my love for surfing.” Jordan had a more difficult time. “I am a visual learner and using our books to learn was hard for me.”
In the summer of 2007 Don and Angie sent both boys on a youth missions trip with Reign Ministries, a group for teen ministry around the world, which Angie had attended in college and wanted her children to experience. This summer Jordan wanted to go again. “We met on a hay field that had been set up as a training camp,” said Jordan. “After 10 days preparing to go overseas we traveled to eight countries in Europe doing street ministries; drama, puppets and dances. While training we had no showers, lived in tents, served and learned scripture.” This was to prepare them for what they might encounter in Europe. “God got hold of me at the training camp as my relationship to Him kept getting deeper,” said Jordan. “I learned how real God is and how to better listen to His voice. I was told never to let go of my dreams. I started wanting to come back to Kona and start a Bible study and eventually a youth center. I got excited as I realized mom leads a Bible study and she could mentor me. All summer ideas came into my head.”
“I went to Reign Ministries last year,” said Josh. “I felt I had done it. Last year was a year of struggles. I felt I wasn’t given a choice about following Jesus that I was told what to do. I was overwhelmed with everything. While I had enjoyed much of it, I felt there was something better for me. This year I wanted to choose. I wanted my passions involved and I wanted to use that love to glorify God and learn how to share Christ through my dreams.”
Josh spent July with 80 kids seeking God in Bali with ‘Surfing the Nations’ which is based in Honolulu, This group, an offshoot of YWAM, works in the schools and feeds the homeless. “I heard about Surfing the Nations through Jordan Norris (son of YWAMers Kevin and Liz Norris),” said Josh.
“We there split into six groups once we got over there.” Josh went to Bali, Indonesia to an isolated town called Balangan. “I love surfing and my heart is to reach all through surfing,” said Josh. “It was an awesome experience. The waves were epic and breaking right at our front door.” God brought out other spiritual giftings of Josh. “I had the opportunity to play the guitar and sing for worship,” said Josh. “I led worship ten times. I had thought I wasn’t good enough and had closed the doors to this dream and gifting. This was a reward God gave me. He gave me the strength to try again. Now I want to be more involved in worship on the base. And I want to reach surfers who live here in Hawaii and work with my brother.”
“I want to build back my relationship with local friends and start a Bible study,” said Jordan. “We want to start a game night and do it together.
“This is just a small part of what happened,” said Josh. “Ask us, we would love to tell you more.”
Josh and Kesia in the ambulance on the way to the airport to be air-lifted to Oahu, 7 hours after the accident.
Loading Josh into the medical plane to go to Oahu
Physical Therapy, 3 days after the accident
Kesia and Josh's first day outside, 4 days after the accident
1 week after the accident, leaving Oahu and heading back home to Kona. Josh had surgery on his broken nose.
Josh 2 weeks after the accident.
Miraculous!
Amazing!
Josh and Kesia in the ambulance on the way to the airport to be air-lifted to Oahu, 7 hours after the accident.
Loading Josh into the medical plane to go to Oahu
Physical Therapy, 3 days after the accident
Kesia and Josh's first day outside, 4 days after the accident
1 week after the accident, leaving Oahu and heading back home to Kona. Josh had surgery on his broken nose.
Josh 2 weeks after the accident.
Miraculous!
Amazing!
Christmas Dinner with friends
More amazing friends....
Josh and Jordan's friends who came for Christmas dinner
Those bubble guns were terrifying!
That's Jordan in the back on the left
Our friend Ben keeping order with the water gun
Dancing!
Loren and Dar getting soaked! 
This picture was taken Feb. 27!
