GospelRest

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For more information on the volunteer team go to the team website.

Other video links to other videos about the CPI conference are:

The Challenge of Japan and CPIs Answer
Short-term Mission Team

CPI National Conference Video

If you missed our US Tour messages, well you can listen to them online (video also available).

To listen or download the audio sermon “Good News for a Distressed World” at West Hills Community Church just click on this link

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And back in February Elaine was on Moody Radio in Chicago. A recording of her sharing during a sermon was played as part of the show Chris Fabry Live! Here is a link to listen to a recording of this 54 minute program. Several people call in to the show to discuss the topic that Elaine introduces on spiritual renewal. There is also a description on Elaine and the program at the Chris Fabry Live! website. You can also get a free podcast (MP3) of the show via ITunes. Just search for Chris Fabry Live! at ITunes. And select the Feb 26, 2009 show.

INTENSIVE PRAYER TEAM
Electronic Updates for Intensive Prayer
John and Elaine Mehn – Converge Worldwide (BGC) – Missionaries to Japan
July 2009

WAYS YOU CAN PRAY FOR US AND OUR MINISTRY
1. We leave for Japan July 7th. Pray that we would be able to hit the ground running in the midst of jetlag, summer heat, and getting settled. CPI preparations are well behind schedule.
2. Ask God for his comfort and strength as we become empty nesters again, leaving Tim and Beth in the US.
3. Continue to pray for Beth and Tim as they look for work. Rockford has the highest unemployment in the state of Illinois.
4. Pray that this term would be highlighted by greater partnerships with the Rengo for Kingdom impact.
5. Praise God for a great Father’s Day weekend with extended family and an excellent 30th anniversary celebration in a cabin in the woods of a state park.

YOU MIGHT BE MISSING SOMETHING GREAT.
Here is a part from a letter from a couple that came to Japan twice and served as short-term missionaries. “When I think about my life and if we never had gone to Japan what a joy we would have missed.” Consider becoming a short-term missionary. Drop us a line, we have various needs in Japan.
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John and Elaine Mehn
Serving in Japan as your missionaries
International Ministries of the Converge Worldwide (BGC) http://www.ConvergeWW.org/
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John was just talking with a woman who has had Japanese home stay students in her home over the past several years. She did not know how to share her experience with Christ with them. We have materials on how to share your journey with Japanese. Also there is RJC ( www.rjcnetwork.org/). The Reaching Japanese for Christ Midwest will be held in the Chicago area October 9 and 10th. More information is available at rjcmidwest.wordpress.com. If you are in the area please attend, and tell them John sent you. There are networks throughout the US.

Japan’s economy contracted at a record pace the first quarter of this year.  This economic collapse was worse than both Europe (six times) and the US (nearly ten times).  Japan, as you know, depends on an export economy and with people refusing to by cars and electronic gadgets Japan has had its worse economy since 1955.  The average Japanese has hunkered down financially and are panicked as job security has nearly vanished.  The Japanese government has also passed a stimulus package to get Japanese to spend money, instead they are saving.  Pray for the nation of Japan that they would look for the Savior God’s security and for the church to respond in this time of uncertainty.  For more information see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/8058708.stm http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090520/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_economy_2/print

Japan already with one of the highest suicide rates in the world has seen more since the global economic crisis.  The current crisis and the resulting job losses have driven more Japanese to suicide.  There is a record number of Japanese in their 30s.  People from their 20s through their 50s, many of them temporary workers, have committed suicide directly because they lost their job.  Continue to pray for those contemplating ending their own life. For more information see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090514/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_suicides_1

MEHN TOUR ‘09 ENDS THIS MONTH

We are leaving for Japan on July 7^th.  As you can imagine, as we get ready to leave we have several meetings with family, friends, and people on mission business as well. There is much to do.

ITEMS FOR PRAYER IN JUNE

1.      We have been wrestling physically with colds and fatigue for the last several weeks.  Pray we recover for the big push to get ready to return to Japan.

2.      Praise God for the great positive responses to our Home Assignment ministries.

3.      Praise God Beth graduated and Tim completed his welding program.  Ask God to grant bh Tim and Beth good jobs.

4.      Praise God as we celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary this month.

5.      Ask God for guidance as I have to move the “research center” to Japan in July.  The research project is coming along but it will not be done before we leave the US.

6.      Pray for good time with our relatives on Father’s Day weekend and then again July 4^th (parade!).

7.      Continue to pray for work on the upcoming CPI conference in November.  There is much to do to get registration up and running.  We are still recruiting volunteer workers from the US (see below).

8.      Praise God that Elaine’s visit to a LeadNET group (pastors’ wives coaching group) in Duluth was very successful.  They want to partner with a LeadNET group in Japan.

9.      Continue to pray for the recruitment of an entirely new generation of Japan Missionaries with Converge Worldwide.  Both the Zinkes and Mehns are recruiting on Home Assignment.   We are recruiting mission teams to come to Japan for outreach and other ministries, individuals to do English and church ministry.  We have one person very interested in possibly coming for a year.  Pray that happens.

MEHN US Tour ‘09 Highlights This Month –

Home Assignment will be mainly from Rockford, IL home base this month for our final visiting schedule.

06/07 Calvary: Mundelein, IL

06/14 Skokie Valley: Wilmette, IL

06/18 Bethany: Moline, IL (Elaine cooking class)

06/28 Springbrook Community: Huntley, IL

Actually good news in March for the Japanese economy which posted positive growth for industrial output for the first time in a half a year.  However the news continues to be bad.  “The world’s second biggest economy has been hit hard by the global downturn, sliding into a sharp recession…. These are grim times for Japan’s economy…. Japan has been hit badly by the downturn because worldwide demand has collapsed for its cars and electronics…. shipments are still running at just over half the levels of a year ago.”  This means more suffering by Japanese families and individuals not to mention churches.  Pray that churches would be aggressive in touching hurting lives.  More at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8026111.stm

BE A PART OF CPI – THIS YEAR – The ‘09 CPI Conference (November 3-6) Transformation ‘09 short term volunteer team is already taking applications.  Each conference 50-70 workers come to Japan to help serve the conference and conduct vital ministry: Children’s Ministry Program Team (40-50 needed), Youth Ministry Program Team (2-5 needed), Program Team which includes the media team (8-10 needed), and general workers (5-8 needed).  So far about 30 workers have been recruited but we need another 20-30 more.  Also included in the trip are visits and service in local Japanese churches and sightseeing. The duration of the trip is probably October 30th through November 8th and costs including airfare, transportation, housing, meals, will be under $2800. Several videos related to the conference are at www.GospelRest.com.  For more specific information log on to www.JapanCPI.com.

Reaching Japanese for Christ Academy is again offering the popular Japan 101, an on-line course which will begin April 20th.  Here is what Naoko Brown, Japan 101 co-leader, says, “Do you ever wonder why your Japanese friends act in certain ways?  This 8 week class will help you figure out some of the answers to your questions.  Through weekly reading assignments, you will learn about the history, social structure, cultural elements and spiritual aspects of Japan.  Weekly reports are due at the end of each week.  By reading and commenting on each others’ reports online, you will learn even more and be inspired to reach out to Japanese for Christ.”  If you are interested go to www.rjcnetwork.org.