GospelRest

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.

Thoughts Along the Way©

Elaine Mehn

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

Over our 22 years in Japan we have had a number of visitors. Some have come for just a meal and some have stayed overnight(s). Of this latter group some have slept in comfortable beds, some on the floor Japanese style and a few on couches or other less Read the rest of this entry »

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.

It has been an extremely interesting year in that Major League Baseball officially started the season HERE in Tokyo in March.  Now my two Chicago teams THERE have won their division, the White Sox and the Cubs.  (Also my favorite Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, won their division too).  The White Sox and Cubs have not both won their divisions since 1906.

Jay Leno said the world may end if the Cubs win.  He has a different theology than me.

NOTE: John watched some baseball on TV this summer but has not been able to watch a game since. Zannen (too bad!)

Thoughts Along the Way©

Elaine Mehn

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Almost two years ago, we had the large tree in our front yard cut down because it was causing problems with the electric wires and was keeping any sun from getting to the front of the house. The stump that was left is about 2 feet tall and hidden behind a bush so you can’t even see it.

Read the rest of this entry »

In order to keep in touch better, we moved this website to a new server and we are still rearranging the furniture.  Some of the internal web links in the pages do not work.  We are trying fix them as soon as possible.  Until then simply use the webpage navigation on the top left.  Thanks for your patience and your prayers.     John and Elaine

Thoughts Along the Way©

Elaine Mehn

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:13-14

Map reading in Tokyo is so much different from map reading in a U.S. city. In the U.S. the streets aren’t always laid out in a nice grid formation but they do have names and an indication if they are north, south, east or west of whatever the central point is. I often joke that Tokyo streets were laid out by a drunken snake. In truth, the ancient system of streets was to confuse the enemy and make it more difficult Read the rest of this entry »

Thoughts Along the Way©

Elaine Mehn

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

A few years ago we purchased a house. We are like most in that we paid for part of it and took out a bank loan for the rest. The day we signed the papers, we moved into our new house. What an exciting, terrifying, wonderful and exhausting day. We were now the proud owners of a house with all of the responsibilities that go along with ownership. Read the rest of this entry »