Thank You for praying and caring for Japan!

Our 7 month Home Assignment begins this month with visits to three states.
Jan 7-8 Faith Church of Grayslake, Grayslake, IL
Jan 15 Temple Baptist Church, Rockford, IL
Jan 21-23 Cornerstone Baptist Church, Ludington, MI
Jan 28-29 Baptist Tabernacle, Kenosha, WI

Please pray for the impact of our visits in large and small groups in each of these churches. Continue to pray as wisdom is given in completing our speaking tour schedule. Pray for safety in traveling and adequate pacing through the tour schedule.

Japan Disaster Response – Things are a bit quiet but more short-term workers will arrive this month for long-term service. Also we are expecting several teams to head to Japan from both the US and Canada in the next few months. More goods are being distributed, more homes are being remodeled, and ministry to children and youth are developing. Pray for a permanent place for ministry in the communities in Ishinomaki where we are focusing.

Pray for Our Support – We will not be allowed to return to Japan on time unless our support is at 100%. Right now our support is hovering just over 90%. Pray that more would join in partnership with us, both churches and individuals. We could really use any increase to continue the work of equipping church planters and meeting practical needs through disaster relief. Consider a one-time gift or maybe regular giving throughout the year. To give to our ministry see the Converge Worldwide website http://www.convergeworldwide.org/give/49651. Just click donation.

INTENSIVE PRAYER TEAM – January 2012
Accelerating Spiritual Renewal and Church Planting Movements
John and Elaine Mehn – Converge Worldwide (BGC) Missionaries to Japan

Yas – The trip to the Ishinomaki city with John and Elaine to visit some 20 families stricken by the tsunami was a rewarding experience. We prepared to bring these dear friends a grand Christmas greeting with Elaine’s handmade ornaments, a box of Christmas cookies, a Christmas card, and a Bible. John and I know firsthand how hard “mudding” is and how important it is to do a thorough job, but we hardly saw a finished product until now. To see a house completely refurbished and sit down with the families in their warm living room made me realize all the hard work was worth the effort. I know it took a “village” to do the job and I wish each and every one of you could have experienced these grateful and welcoming families. Your hard work set the tone for sharing with them the gospel message. Thank you volunteers and thank you brothers and sisters who prayed for all of us. I suspect the dividends will continue to come in as we continue this important work of spreading God’s message of love and forgiveness.

Elaine – Over the months of John making trips to help in Ishinomaki I have heard lots of names but now I have faces and personalities to go with those names. Even though this was my first time to meet the people we visited, I felt like I had known them for years. Each of the ladies we talked with were people that I would love to have as my neighbors so we could sit and talk often. It was such a blessing to me to be able to bring hope to people who had lost so much but even more so to see smiles return. Yes, there is still much to do and the emotional pain will continue but in Christ we can have hope for a bright future.

John – We have shared about Mr. and Mrs. S. whose home and interior decorating business were nearly completely destroyed by the tsunami. He has to go to the hospital every other day for four hours of dialysis. Mr. S. invited us into his workroom that earlier we had helped to restore. Over coffee we talked for nearly an hour, exchanged our Christmas greetings and shared with him a Bible. He was very open to the gospel. He shared that he found the Buddhism that he was raised on was meaningless to him. I explained how Elaine and I both personally know how futile religion can be. I told him that we had met Jesus Christ personally and we hoped he would too. He was very intrigued by a personal relationship with God himself. Pray that God would continue to help them rebuild from this tragedy and also to know the God of Hope personally.

“Without you here with us, we would lose all hope.” Tsunami Disaster Victim

Evangelism has occurred with personal sharing of faith stories with over 50 victims’ families, distributing literature, and community outreach events. Future ministry will connect more with people through cafés, sports clubs, children and youth ministry. The call has gone out for more volunteers especially carpenters and builders.

If you are interesting in working as a volunteer we can introduce you to wonderful people like those hightlighted in this video.

Thanks for your prayers as John spoke in a church in the disaster area on 9.11, 6 months after the triple disasters. John had nothing to say but God had a lot to say about what Jesus would do if he was in Tohoku.

Carpenters and Builders Now Needed
Along with general volunteers, we need builders and carpenters to come help us with the rebuilding phase. Along with teams this fall we need teams for next spring and summer. Pray that God would raise up these workers for this important neighborhood rebuilding ministry. Please contact Converge Worldwide if you are interested in joining a team. http://www.convergeworldwide.org/reach-nations/japan-relief.

MAYBE JOIN ONE OF OUR DISASTER RESPONSE TEAMS IN JAPAN. ENJOY BEING USED BY GOD, DEVELOPING GREAT TEAMWORK, AND MAKING GREAT FRIENDS. PRAY ABOUT COMING.

BUT HELP! Now we need to help recruit carpenters and builders to help in this next phase of helping Ms. D have a more normal home before winter. Please pray for Ms. D. that she may find Christ as her savior. Also pray that carpenters would be soon recruited to rebuild her house.

CARPENTERS NEEDED

Help Converge Worldwide rebuild first floors of homes damaged by the tsunami in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse. The types of repairs to be completed are: installations of floor/wall insulation, sub-floor, drywall, exterior walls, and enclose window and door openings.
Samaritan’s Purse will provide team members with orientation, instructions, power tools and supplies to do the job. All we encourage you to bring your own hand tools (hammer, tape-measure, tool belt, squares, cutting knives). While volunteer teams may have little experience, it is necessary that some individuals with each team have some experience in carpentry. Carpenters will be assigned for work with Japanese carpenters or lead carpenters. Please apply at the Converge website www.convergeworldwide.org/japanmission.

We have had over 4 teams from the States from 8 churches and volunteers totaling nearly 50. Our compassionate response to the disaster has taken several thankful turns in the last several weeks. 1) We are beginning to see people return to their homes and our outreach/community events are gathering them together. 2) We have broadened our scope by also working in a community neighboring Shintate, 3) We are in an aggressive rebuilding program partnering with Samaritan’s Purse. We need many more volunteers to help complete mudouts to prepare these homes for rebuild.