Mark & Mary Esther Penner

Genesis 36-42 Finished

The Penner Place — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:08:38 GMT

Thanks for praying. It was a crazy week and we needed you praying—just didn’t manage to squeeze in time to write and tell you about it. I was at ViBi working against deadlines, first on a comprehension check of Jonah, and then on the final check of the...(read more)

The Penner Saga, Part Two

The Penner Place — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:10:13 GMT

25 years ago today, we arrived in Japan as missionaries. Many of you have prayed for us and also supported us financially from the very beginning. Others of you have known us only recently and are not familiar with our story. As we think back, we want...(read more)

To the Northeast and Back

The Penner Place — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:07:31 GMT

Thanks for praying. Last weekend, Pastor Hori did a great job checking a translation for the first time. Pastor Matsumoto joined us Friday afternoon and spent the night too, so we had the evening and some of the next day to go over plans to adapt training...(read more)

Down to the Wire

The Penner Place — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:02:38 GMT

“Last week we sent our first wheelchair to Zimbabwe.” Sounds simple enough, but the reality was crazy. It started with “we’ve never done it in less than two weeks, but we’ll try,” and ended with “thank you Lord—no one but you would have put this together...(read more)

The Penner Saga, Part One

The Penner Place — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:31:00 GMT

The Saga August marks 25 years since we arrived in Japan as missionaries. Many of you have prayed for us and also supported us financially from the very beginning. Others of you have known us only recently and are not familiar with the our story. As we...(read more)

Back to Northeast Japan

The Penner Place — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:29:09 GMT

Tomorrow we head to the Northeast again, this time to work with Pastor Hori, training him to check Pastor Minamida’s first draft of Genesis. Pastor Matsumoto may also join us for a bit and talk about translating Ephesians and training materials. I’m also...(read more)

Sometimes it just pours

The Penner Place — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:46:05 GMT

When it rains, it pours! Of course, it IS rainy season here in Japan. I meant to ask for prayer for this week’s trip to the Northeast, but ran out of time trying to do all the preparation. But I’m sure many were praying anyway, because . . . The main...(read more)

Great Sunday in Mito

The Penner Place — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:43:42 GMT

The momentum that was building there for Wheelchairs of Hope (see 6/23/08 update) resulted in a stunning Sunday at Mito Bible Baptist Church. After a stirring message from Pastor Kawasaki in the morning service, we had lunch, and then rolled out the covering...(read more)

Reaching into the Japanese community

The Penner Place — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:36:59 GMT

Praise God for a great board meeting. They just keep getting better. Momentum is building with the successes in Mito with Pastor Kawasaki as he prepares for a “wheelchair cleaning day” at his church this coming Sunday. Two bike shop workers, a father...(read more)

Taiwan and Japan

The Penner Place — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:35:50 GMT

Give praise for God’s amazing work in Taiwan! “Nothing happens this fast in Taiwan” was the comment of a long-time expat present at Saturday’s main exploratory meeting. Six of the eight groups known to have Deaf ministries in Taiwan were there, and even...(read more)

Thoughts on Shavuot, Pentecost, and Taiwan

The Penner Place — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:05:54 GMT

Mark’s been in Taiwan —arriving June 8, the eve of Shavuot (in Greek its called Pentecost). Shavuot is an agricultural celebration of first fruits and commemorates God giving the Law on Mt. Sinai . At Babel , God confounded the languages; at Pentecost...(read more)

Ibaragi NHK publicity

The Penner Place — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:03:27 GMT

Pastor Kawasaki (Vice Chair for Wheelchairs of Hope) was interviewed for 10 minutes on Ibaragi NHK (for you in the U.S. , its the equivalent of NPR in your state). As a result, he has had so many wheelchairs donated that he’s having to turn down offers...(read more)

Taiwan Sign Language Bible Translation Trip

The Penner Place — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:06:48 GMT

Today, Mark leaves for Taiwan, where he'll be for a week. Unbeknownst to him, a meeting was scheduled for this afternoon. He’s hoping to catch an earlier flight. Pray that he will make it. Pray also that God will grant him favor with the Deaf leaders...(read more)

US Trip

The Penner Place — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:05:18 GMT

Thanks for praying for our U.S. trip. We come back to Japan rejoicing. All our children are finished with school. It’s the first time since 1983 that we’ve had no children in school. Both Andrew and Anna have jobs and are (or will soon be) getting used...(read more)

Board meeting (Meant to post 5/22 but forgot)

The Penner Place — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:37:27 GMT

Thanks for praying. Friday's board meeting went very well. On one hand, we were keenly aware that we are just a small group of weak people sitting around a table for a few hours. On the other hand, we were energized by the realization that God's...(read more)