Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

The Promise…

January 27, 2012 – This week while traveling in the UK to meet with some of our partner ministries here – took the following photo of a Rainbow. 

The rainbow was given by God to Noah as a sign He would not to destroy the earth again by floods.  It was also a reminder to me of God’s commitment to mankind- His desire that none should be lost that ALL should be saved! 

When I think about why we are here and what we are doing – that too becomes part of our goal to reach those who are lost so that they can be saved.  We are here, but we do not do it alone. There are partners all over the world who join with us asking God to do what He wants to do, reach the lost.  While at a church in the UK after a service a woman came up and said your weekly communication is wonderful, it makes us feel like we are there and a part of what you are doing.  And all of you are, all who pray regularly or the work.  We are humbled and honored that many folks prayer regularly for the work here! Please keep it up – we need it!

We are entering a time of great change and expansion with the work in Bulgaria, doors are opening and the work is expanding and increasing in so many ways. As the team here on the ground has increase the points of contact have also increased and that mean more options and opportunities to serve. We are exposed to more needs and situations that need attention.  We know that God's will is that NONE should be lost and are doing our best to maximize the work we do to that end.

This week pray for the team here in Bulgaria.  Pray for clear wisdom and understanding of what we need to be about. (I am excited about some things that we are working on but not able to share yet publically – but will soon!)

Take some time to thank God this week for the following too!

Peggy came through the surgeries great!  She is doing well.

My travels to England were productive and all went well.

English club is off to a great start with some new participants this year.

 

Behind every good man is a….

January 20, 2012 – You have heard it the saying behind every good man is a good woman – well in my case I have two – My wife Diane first and then for the work in Bulgaria there has been and is Peggy.  You have read about her at times in the past.   She is major part of the work we do here.  She helps us with language studies, translation work, government red tape, and engaging with planning and securing buses, hotels and convention centers.  She also helps us understand the Bulgarian culture at times explaining the history and the rational behind what is going on.  To say the least Peggy has been used by God in a great way with the work we are doing here.

(Peggy with her family last Summer)

Peggy also does not like any attention (so she will not like me writing about her today- but I am going to anyway).  Recently, Peggy went in for some dental work and the dentist did an x-ray that reviled a couple of cysts that would need to come out. At the time they were not bothering her but both were very close to important nerve endings.  Well over the past couple of weeks they have begun to bother her and today went in and had to have a tooth removed because the pain was too much and it was quite infected. She will be going back next week for surgery for the cysts too.

(Peggy Translating for a speaker)

I share this with our prayer partners because Peggy is important to the work and she and her family can use your prayers.  Pray for quick healing of the procedures, pray for little to no pain during the process and pray for the payment of these procedures – Under the socialize medicine of Bulgaria much of this will not be covered. 

Also pray for me (Al) as I travel for meetings in England this week (22-25) and Diane is here in Bulgaria.

Continue to pray for the planning and scheduling of events for the year – God is doing some exciting things and I hope to be able to tell you the WHOLE story very soon.

 

Lessons from Jessie the Dog

January 12, 2012 - When we returned in November our landlords (who live above us) had gotten a puppy.  We know that we do not have time to have any pets while here in Bulgaria but it has been fun to watch and play with Jessie over the past 11 weeks.

I have learned (or been reminded of) some things by watching Jessie.

1) She is friendly to everyone and everything.  As a puppy she wants to explore and learn and so every new thing is an opportunity to try something. She is small enought o still get under the gate and so we see her all around the nieghborhood.  A good lesson for missionaries - be friendly and explore every new opportunity.

2) She is a bit clumbsy as she is growing and not all parts of her body fit well yet. - As missionaries still learning the culture we feel clumbsy ourselves and it is okay as we are still growing too!

3) She is always happy to see us and now comes running when we call.  We are not her owners but definately someone she knows - the other day she went on a walk with Diane and I - just followed us where ever we went.  We to need to be open to follow the Holy Spirit as he leads us on the adventure we are on.

4) She is happy and a dog you want to be around - we are now looking for her each day to talk with her and to pet and play with her (She must be confussed getting command and greetings in English and Bulgarian).  We hope that when the people around us see us come that they too are glad to see us and want to be around us.

This week pray for...

...our continued planning as we are having meetings with leaders to figure out how we can help them this year.

... the Galloways and Mark as they continue to adjust and  feel there way through the Bulgarian culture

...our finacial support for 2012 - we are needing to get more commitments for our work here and we need to figure out what are next steps to do that will be.

Meet Mark Henke!

January 5, 2012 – Mark joined Team Bulgaria on December 29, 2011 and will be with us through at least the Love Bulgaria Conference in July.

Mark is not a stranger to us as he was part of a Church Team that came to Bulgaria 2 summers ago to help with the Love Bulgaria Youth Conference. Fell in love with the country and its people and felt God calling him to come back!

Mark is 27 years old, loves God and loves Bulgaria – enough said.  

We are looking forward to Mark assisting us in Petrich with the English Clubs, especially the one we are trying to restart with the youth.  Additionally, Mark will be helping with the 4-5 Catch Fire Festivals scheduled later this spring, the Love Bulgaria Youth Confernece and with anything else we can think of to keep him busy.

 

This week pray for…

… Marks adjustment to Bulgarian Life.

… Al & Mark as they travel next week for some meetings in Sofia with some individual Pastors.  Pray for safety in travel as winter road conditions are always changing.

…The English Clubs as our Adult one begins again next Tuesday!  Pray that the right folks would be drawn to it and for opportunities to arise to share the Gospel with the students.

 

Happy New Year - Goodbye 2011 - Hello 2012

December 31, 2011 - The last day of 2011 and what a year it has been.  Attached is a link to a year end report we created with pictures and a timeline of events that took place. (After writing it and then reading it, I figured out why we are still a bit tired.) A Year in Review: 2011 Bulgaria

Once again we want to thank all of you our faithful partners for your prayers, gifts and from time to time encouraging words.  That means a lot to us!

This week do two things: 1) Thank God for His Blessings and Provisions in 2011 and 2) Ask Him to do even great things in 2012 both in your life and in Bulgaria!

Next week - Meet Mark Henke - our newest staff member!