GospelRest

MEHN US Tour ‘09 - Already since we arrived we had several meetings including a pastor and family and a LeadNET Team event.  We will begin taking the tour on the road for our speaking engagements.  Drop by and see us if you can.  Pray for wisdom, conviction, learning posture, and servant’s hearts as John and Elaine visit our partners in ministry.

Jan 18  Faith Church of Grayslake      Grayslake, IL

Jan 25  CrossPoint Church                  Ingleside, IL

Tim - is back in the US and is all set for another semester in college. He begins classes on 1/12.

John’s research project - John was able to complete all the interviews for the project.  Ask God for wisdom as John sifts through all the research data and strength to complete the project writing by mid-February.

John’s Mom - She went home from the nursing home late November.  She is doing well now at home.  Continue to pray that she may know God’s blessings in a practical way.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of a baby but not just any baby. This was the Son of God being born in a lowly stable. Because He was willing to humble Himself, He lived a perfect life and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Christmas in Japan is a mixture of attention given to the surface and ignoring the truth of the depth beneath. The stores are filled with decorations and Christmas songs which include hymns such as Silent Night and What Child is This. Shopping areas are decorated with Christmas lights and draw hundreds if not thousands to see the “illumination”. In the midst of all this “Christmas” the real reason for celebration is completely missed. The fact that December 25 is a work day as any other is a perfect reflection of what Christmas means to our neighbors and friends.
When Japanese were asked what Christmas meant, the answers ranged from Santa’s birthday to a time for partying with friends. Although few Japanese know the true meaning of Christmas, at this time of year they are very interested in listening or taking tracts or CD’s. It will take a work of God to touch the hearts of the Japanese but God is a miracle worker so we can be encouraged.
Please join us in praying that God’s Kingdom will come for many Japanese this Christmas season. Pray not only for those in Japan but for Japanese living around the world. This is the best time to witness for Christ so please pray for boldness shared in love for each of us and receptive hearts for those with whom we are sharing.

We are leaving soon. We take off from Japan December 16th for a six month “US Tour ’09” of visiting our church partners. This Home Assignment will have us busy with church visits, family and study. Before we run out the door, there are many pressing things to accomplish besides packing and getting the house ready. Please pray that we will get everything done before we leave. Also join us in praying for the churches we will be visiting over the next 6 1/2 months. Pray that God may grant his peace and rest to our home in the midst of all these preparations. Also may God grant us the insights and passion that are needed when we visit US churches.
1. Dec. 1 was Elaine’s Christmas Tea for all of the ladies in her classes. She had 16 ladies, 2 preschoolers, the speaker and herself. Pray that God would use what the speaker shared to draw these ladies to Christ.
2. Dec. 5 we are having the ladies from Elaine’s English Bible class plus a couple over for a turkey dinner. Please pray for opportunities to share the truth of Christmas with these 5 people. Read the rest of this entry »

It seems that God had orchestrated a “dream team” of church leaders for interviews for his field research on reproducing churches.  The group of leaders is a very good cross-section of leaders from around the country and various organizations.  John is nearly done with the Interview part of the FIeld Research.  Now he moves into the phase of analyzing all the information he has collected.  Ask God to grant strength and wisdom to John as the project will be moved to the US.  For some information on what he has discovered from several churches click here.

Amazed by the expected and surprised by the unexpected. That describes our last 2 ½ year adventure. We returned to Japan, packed our belongings and moved to the other side of Tokyo.

In a 6 month period, we sold our condo in the States, bought a house, moved into it, moved back to Japan, and moved to the other side of Tokyo. We said good-bye to our kids who stayed behind in the U.S., said good-bye to our Japanese friends and neighbors of 15 years, moved to a new neighborhood, and had it rain for the first week. No wonder Elaine began to wonder what we had done and why.

This whole adventure started just before our last Home Assignment. We were discussing what we would do when we returned to Japan. It was one of those moments when the words come out of my mouth before the thought is in your head. Elaine said, “Why don’t we move to Machida.” John who hates change said, “Yes, why don’t we?” We looked at each other and thought what has just happened. It was God leading us to pack up and move so we moved! Following God is not always easy or comfortable but it is always the best.

Tokyo is still the largest city in the world and our new neighborhood still speaks Japanese but what an amazing difference. The community welcomed us not just to live among them but to live with them. Elaine started cooking and craft classes as an outreach ministry. Her one Read the rest of this entry »

INTENSIVE PRAYER TEAM - Electronic Updates and Items for Intensive Prayer

1.      Thanks for your prayers for John’s mother who still is recovering in a rehab facility.  They suspect another fracture or disc problem.  Pray for wisdom into her condition and healing.  Continue to pray that she maybe able to go home this month and also really celebrate her birthday.

2.      Thank God that our schedule for Home Assignment next Jan to June 09 is nearly filled in.  Pray that God would prepare our hearts and minds for these visits with our partners in ministry.

3.      Ask God to send his Holy Spirit for a special Thanksgiving meal for some couples we have contacted for evangelism.

4.      PTL! Elaine’s trip to Toyohashi was incredibly productive.  They laid plans to meet while Elaine is gone!

5.      John’s research has just entered the final phase (update below).  Pray for sensitivity and divine insight as he meets to interview many leaders of reproducing churches this month.  Already the interviews have been proving to be extremely valuable.

6.      Ask God for his wisdom as John leads 5 people from the Hamamatsu church in a very short preaching for lay people training, this month and next.

7.      As always John is in some key meetings this month with various leaders.  JEMA 11/5, Japan Mission 11/6, CPI 11/18, Rengo 11/24-25.  Ask God for energy, insight, teachable spirit, faith and boldness.

8.      As John picked up ice skating again last month, pray for contacts for evangelism among other skaters.

The BGC Japan Mission needs one or two children’s workers to provide a children’s’ ministry program for 6 missionary children ages 8-18 during our annual Field Council April 6-9, 2009.  Those coming allow the field staff to conduct their annual Field Council without having to worry about also caring for their children.  Come and enjoy Mount Fuji and the rest of Japan.  For more information contact Mary Lou Ellison at MLTellison@aol.com.

We are looking for two young men (married couple ok too) to make contacts and do evangelism among Japanese college students (and high school) in Tokyo for one month from late May 2009 (date flexible).  A consortium of churches will pay living expenses and providing housing.  Applicants will have to arrange airfare to Tokyo (Narita) and health insurance.  This is a great opportunity for students on summer break or for those taking a “ministry vacation.” Interested send a comment or click contact and let us know who you are.

Japan has wide-reaching influence

The lifestyle, customs, entertainment, and technology of Japan continue to exert international influence.  Along with these cultural influences comes the influence of the Japanese on global culture in general accompanied with ethics, morals, values, and worldview.  Japan is also a leader in Asia, home to over 60% of the world’s people.  Key historical persons in Japan who have been Christians have had large influence nationwide, regionally, as well as worldwide.  Japan must be evangelized to use this global and regional influence.

Japan is needy and becoming needier

The great Japanese post-war economic experiment has failed, which is leading to untold disintegration in every area of society.  Suicide rates in Japan, affecting even school age children, young adults and the elderly, are the highest in the world.  The divorce rate has climbed rapidly in the last several years.  Many marriages do not last their first year!  Abortions continue to run over twice the rate of the US.  Reported abuse of many kinds including bullying is on the rise.  Japan struggles with alcoholism.  Japan is known for the unique psychological disorder, Hikikomori which is known essentially only in Japan affecting over 1.2 million people.  This disorder is a tremendous social fear forcing people to truly shut themselves off from society for over 6 months at a time. These social realities coupled with the largest aging society on the planet means these issues will only be compounded in the future.  Normally people are not drawn to pity the Japanese but these facts reveal that compassion is what they need for an “ideal society” that has failed.