Everyone in Japan Struggles with Japanese

We have worked in Japan for a long time continually learning Japanese.  We have gotten pretty effective in the language doing public speaking (sermons, devotions), leading group discussions (Bible studies), and various person conversations including the telephone.  We freely admit that Japanese is one of the hardest languages to learn.  The other day someone asked how long did it take you to learn it.  My response was 50 years!  It may take 100 years! Recently…

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Elaine on Moody Radio in Chicago

Yesterday 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…

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California and Japan

Thanks for praying for the Retool Kit training (church mobilization and renewal) in San Francisco last week.  It seems the Rengo Japanese pastors and the Japan Ministry Team in the US will be locking arms to further training for churches in the future.  We will see. I learned a few things about California last week which I thought I would pass on to you. Japan is roughly the same size as California, but Japan has…

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Lost in Tokyo

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…

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Understanding Hikikomori

Hikikomori (pron. He-key-koh-moh-ree) literally means “pulling away, confinement” or an acute social withdrawal.  Hikikomori is a relatively new social phenomenon that the Japanese government defines as individuals who isolate themselves from the rest of society in their parents’ homes for at least 6 months.  It is estimated that hundreds of thousands possibly upwards of 1,200,000 people (or 1% of the population) struggle with this social anxiety. 

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Very Untypical Four Days

We are often asked what a typical day is for us.  Well, we are still out searching for one.  But sometimes we have very untypical days. John was recently on a 4 day trip to 4 locations, 3 cities, 3 prefectures, 1421.7 km (883.4 miles) mainly by bullet train, 2 interviews, a sermon on forgiveness, sermon training for lay people, an ad hoc mission Executive Committee mtg., the Rengo Mission Liaison committee meeting, the Rengo…

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Mission Giving Thanks

This year our November brought our yearly ministry planning for the mission and a fun time of celebrating Thanksgiving together.  This year it was earlier than the traditional US date (but later than Canadian Thanksgiving Day).  We are so thankful to have our new missionary, Lori Harms with us.  Also the Asian Director and his wife were also able to celebrate with us.  We are looking for more people to join our Japan Field Team.

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Surprised and Amazed – Nov 08

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…

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