Ministry Updates and News from the Mehns
Wow what a lot of changes since we last wrote. Last time we told you about John’s impending knee replacement surgery that upset our plans and schedule. This month brought clarity of where to follow God. Weeks of Writing – John has been working several days each week completing his third book, “Japanese as an Unreached People.” He has lined up several knowledgeable proofreaders who will get the draft copy by Wednesday September 14th. Then…
We had dropped in to see the orthopedic doctor for my next visit. He showed us the results of the MRI. The MRI was decisive. The doctor commented that he was surprised John was walking at all and not in much more pain. We had only one option, replace the knee joint. We were thankful to God that the decision was clear. We scheduled surgery as soon as possible and anticipated weeks of physical therapy. …
Get ready for bumper cars! Experts told us that after living in Japan for 35 years our transition back to the US from would not be easy and take at least 3 years for the adjustments. Imagine riding a bumper car ride for 3 years? Recently we concluded that we probably do not fit in everywhere. But gladly we are realizing that we do fit in the important places: like Converge – our ministry family,…
Well the road trips continue. Last month John visited Village Church Thornton and Conifer Community Church when he was in Colorado. Elaine came along via a video update. This month Elaine and John will be heading east on a road trip to visit two churches: July 24 – Calvary Baptist Church – Warren, Pennsylvania July 31 – Anchor Church – Avon Lake, Ohio. On this trip we will visit Elaine’s honorable older sister and do…
FOCUS ON THE UNREACHED Our Converge ministry family has the vision of “Asking God for a Gospel Movement among Every Least-reached People Group – in Our Generation.” Last month in Denver we had a massive missions conference with 83 of the Converge missionaries present along with other Converge church leaders and members. So many encouraging stories of the progress of the gospel around the world as John attended the Leaders’ Summit standing in for our…
Praise God for John’s safe and successful two-week road trip to Colorado for the Leaders’ Summit, REACH Conference, and visiting churches and partners. Ask God for blessing, wisdom, and faith as the Asia Impact Team has numerous opportunities, an enormous job, with relatively few to do the work. We need wisdom and God’s guidance. Continue to pray as our team is cultivating connections and planning more trips into Asia. John continues to have problems with…
Our team impatiently waited 2 years to travel back to Asia. In late April and early May we got our craving. It came with 3 weeks of traveling, ministry, learning, meeting new people, and connecting to reach Unreached People Groups. Our team purpose is to come alongside leaders and equip them to start gospel movements among Unreached People Groups (UPGs). Well, as you will see below, that is what we moved toward, 5 amazing opportunities…
On June 21-23 is Converge’s REACH conference, a national evangelism and missions conference that only happens once every two years. This is a great place to hear stories of how God is working in and through his people on the mission field and network with churches that are focused with like passions and areas in the world. It will be held at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, CO (Denver). We would encourage all of you…
Ask God to bless the relationships on John’s road trip to Colorado for the Leaders’ Summit, REACH Conference, visiting Churches and partners. PTL for the smooth first trip through Asia in over two years. The airflights actually took John around the world! We were able to navigate the Covid-19 protocols getting in and out of one country, Japan, and the US with visas and permissions. Ask God for the Asia Impact Team to bless the…
After two years of waiting! Finally, John gets to head back to Asia. This month will mean John’s first trip to Asia since the beginning of the pandemic and since we relocated to Northern Illinois in April 2020. FOCUS ON ASIA Visas are received, flights and hotels booked, schedules checked and a bit of packing. Still much training and preaching preparations to continue. John will be gone for about three weeks. Elaine will not be…