Ministry Updates and News from the Mehns
A few days ago we had someone ask about our financial situation. Here are the facts. We have ended the last two years over 100% of our needed financial support. But due to the overall global economy and the declining dollar against the yen this year will be the most challenging. When we came to Japan the dollar was 200 yen, now it is 75, an all-time low. This means gasoline (reg) is $7 a…
Every year Elaine invites all the women from her various cooking, needlepoint and Bible classes to our home to celebrate Christmas. They sing Christmas Carols (note the video) and share a Christmas message from an invited guest. Today, December 5th, 24 women came and heard Chiho Nakano, our pastor’s wife, share the meaning of Christmas with them at the Tea. The house is packed with women who really have a great time. They all went…
Last week I had someone ask about our financial situation. I thought more of you would like the facts. We have ended the last two years over 100% of our needed financial support. But due to the overall global economy and the declining dollar against the yen this year will be the most challenging. When we came to Japan the dollar was 200 yen, now it is 75, an all time low. This means gasoline…
The 1,000 year tsunami occurred over 8 months ago but the struggle continues for victims. Since May Converge Worldwide has sent 8 disaster response teams focusing mainly the in Shintate and Urayashiki neighborhoods of Ishinomaki, one of the cities the tsunami hit the hardest. Over 60 volunteers from 11 different churches have worked over 5,390 man hours (1) distributing relief supplies and goods to 874 individuals totaling over $2,800 dollars and (2) removing the mud…
After the 3.11 quake we almost cancelled the CPI National Conference. I am glad we didn’t. This biennial conference was bigger than in 2009! On November 9-11, nearly 340 missionaries, pastors, and laypeople gathered (along with over 100 children). The theme was “together” church planting in the wake of the quake. Many of those in attendance were from the Tohoku disaster areas or had worked there in ministry this past year. “We were struggling hard,…
Happy Thanksgiving. If anytime where was a time to be thankful in Japan it is now. So grateful that God has sustained us through the disasters and empowered us to mobilize others to help. The whole situation is sobering about how fragile life is and how easy it would be for civilization to break down. We are thankful to God for these and many lessons from disaster victims. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Let’s…
Please pray for John and Elaine Mehn this November! 1. Disaster Response Team Nebraska (team #8) leaves Nov 3 until the 12th. Yas Yoneda will again be leading the group; pray that God would use them to minister in word and deed with disaster survivors. This will be Tim’s last team trip before he leaves Nov 19th. Pray as we plan for more teams to come help. 2. CPI National Conference Nov 9-11. This conference,…
1. Praise God that the Retool Kit training event went very well in Kyoto at the beginning of the month. Ray Swatkowski and Gary Harrison were the trainers. John was able to participate. 2. Thanks for praying for Elaine’s meeting with several Japanese pastor’s wives in coaching, prayer and fellowship for their LeadNET group. 3. We hope to have a dinner party with the “Agape Kai” group of Japanese couples at our home on 10/30.…
CPI National Conference (11/9-11) preparations are going very well. Over 250 are registered already . Both Elaine and John have many duties. John was “drafted” to give the closing message on “Compassionate Church Multiplication.” Pray for preparations, teamwork, and even more people to register. There is still time for some people reading this to volunteer as a children’s worker or other key positions. If you are interested just let us know. www.conf.jcpi.net.
The next volunteer team “The Michigan Team” will leave on the 17th and return the 28th. Our new Disaster Team Coordinator, Yas Yoneda, will be leading this team. Fortunately they are a small team with only one who is not a veteran and cannot speak Japanese. They will continue ministry in Shintate and Urayashiki neighborhoods of Ishinomiya. The team will also be involved in some outreach events. Tim Mehn will again join this team. Please…