Yamaguchi Prefecture is a long way from Tokyo. We had never been there before but were invited by our dear friends Mr. & Mrs. N. This trip was about 5 years in the making. It was delayed so many times due to schedule and finances. The relationship with Mr. & Mrs. N goes back at least 7 years, probably more having begun with some short-term English teachers. Yamaguchi is where they grew up and they…
ELAINE continues to cultivate kingdom friendships with her Bible study, needlepoint class and three western cooking classes. She is anxious to begin another small group Bible study series at a Rengo church. Pray about that. JOHN is equipping churches to build transformational relationships for evangelizing and discipling Japanese. This coming Sunday (June 9th), John will share with the Crossroad congregation about the importance and types of healthy small groups. Hopefully several will be interested in…
1. A key Rengo National Mission Department meeting will be held June 11, 12 in Nara. Pray for God to grant vision, faith, wisdom and joy. 2. A team from California joined by veteran Ritsuko Narita from Bethlehem Minneapolis will form another team to serve in Ishinomaki to help disaster victims. June 16-27th. Elaine will be joining the group from 21st-26th to target women’s ministry with Linda Bengtson. Pray for travel, safety, prepared hearts, and…
JAPAN was privileged to have Dr. Dan Maxton pastor of LifeBridge church in San Diego visit us last month. He ministered at Field Council along with Roger Inouye (from Wisconsin). The rest of the time Dan met with Rengo pastors and stayed at the Mehn guest house. Some highlights were meeting with members of the Rengo National Mission Department, where we discussed assessment processes for church planters including a new tool translated into Japanese on…
1. Thank God for his strength, wisdom, endurance, faith, and orchestrated surprises during “non-stop” April. Again a full schedule of classes, key meetings, events, and projects. Keep praying! 2. John & Elaine are off to Yamagata prefecture on May 24-29th to spend time with Mr. and Mrs. N in her parent’s home. We have been sharing the gospel with them locally for several years. As we have built this relationship, pray for natural opportunities to…
I have suffered significant loss in the last year. One year ago, April 14th, my mother passed away. I am very grateful that she had a great life, died well, and knew Jesus and is now in heaven. She is still missed. My father died in 1991 so much of my time in Japan has been away from my mother. I used to call her every Saturday which I miss very much. She was always…