Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Follow-up and …

Virtual Christmas Gif Box – Update!

Back in late October in our weekly update I shared an idea with you and many have responded favorably to the idea – So I thought I would let you know that you can actually make your contributions on line at our website www.almellinger.com it is in the right column.  Click on give now and follow the directions you can give from your bank account or use your credit card. This is through FMWM and it is safe, fast and easy to use!  (If you would rather not do it online email me and I will give you other instructions)

If you have downloaded the packet and had families of kids do the shopping you will need to just email me the information. (Not enough time for me to get it all online this year but I will go to work on it. For another year).  Tell me how many kids – (number of boys and number of girls – ages – and the items the kids choose.  We will put them together and get them delivered)

Also in order for us to be able to get the shopping done and the gifts ready we need to have the funds by December15th – (email me if that is not possible so I know what we can count on for this project). 

Thanks again for the comments and support of this project to make Christmas a bit brighter for a few kids here in Bulgaria!

Additional Helpers Needed Here.

I know we have not been here that long but God is working and we are being kept very busy.  I could travel and preach at a different place every Sunday.  We have feeding programs and Micro enterprise opportunities to help develop, training of pastors is a priority and we are working on some kind of school or training course Pastors and leaders can take.  If you know me I don’t mind lots happening but things are growing at a pace that even I will not be able to handle soon.  Also knowing the process to get help we are beginning to ask that this field be considered for additional career or VISA appointments to come and help.  If you are at all interested please let me know so we can begin the process of making it happen. I am reminded of the scripture that says you have not because you ask not.  Well I don’t want to be accused of not asking – will you ask God TOO for us?  When we came we said it would be an adventure – well it is and it is amazing!  Come and check it out!

Our Address –

Some have inquired about how to mail things to us – we do get mail and it takes about 10 days usually to get here.  Our address is

Al & Diane Mellinger

Vacil Kunchev Street #39

2850 Petrich, Bulgaria

This week pray for…

…the Virtual Christmas Gift Box program.

…God to raise up helps for Bulgaria.

… us and our family during this Christmas Season being apart!

Thanksgiving 2007

November 22, 2007 - First of all we hope and pray you had a great thanksgiving. So this week we are going to list some of the things we are thankful for (so far):

…Your support and prayers – we know we cannot do what God is asking us to do without the support of so many people who pray!

…Peggy and Steffon – our coworkers, translator, teacher, driver, red tape “sorter-outer” and new best friends! What a blessing from God!

…God’s Leading and God’s provision – during this entire Time God has lead, guided and provided just what we have needed as we have needed it! For that we are grateful.

…A great team in Europe to be working with – Just returned this week from a conference in Budapest where we finally met most of the other European Missionaries and their church leaders. What a great group of people God is assembling here.

…We have finished the VISA and Residency process for the year and have our Residency Cards. Now to get more pages in our passport!

…The great many local leaders and Pastors we are meeting and beginning to mentor! What a privilege to come alongside and hear their passion for reaching Bulgaria and the people God has placed in their lives. It shows and reminds me how much God loves His world!

…Our family back in the states – this was the first thanksgiving without the boys with us. Not that it is a special day here as it is just another Thursday but we know back hope it is a day for family to reconnect. We do at times miss our family but we are thankful for them and their support!

Dear Lord,
Thank YOU for all you do in our lives everyday that we don’t realize are gifts from you! Thanks for protection and guidance as we live our lives. Thank you for good friends and leaders who help us to know where to go and what to do! Thanks for loving us so much you didn’t leave as we were but came to show us how to live. May we learn to be obedient and faithful to your word and teachings.

Lord – Diane and I want to thank you for our supporters and the church who help us to be here! We could not do this without them. It is an amazing team effort that you orchestrate – we have come but only because they pray and give. They are so much a part of what you are doing here!

Lord, Thanks doesn’t seem to be enough but it is all we can say!

So this week Thank God for the ways He has worked and they ways He has blessed. In our lives and in your own as well!

PS – if yu get this on Thursday or Friday – say I prayer a I am teaching an all day workshop on leadership for 30-40 pastors this Saturday (11/24). I could use some prayer.

Slippers

November 15, 2007 - Laat Wednesday we went out and purchased slippers, 6 pair. Al and I do not need that many slippers. We have found that people are used to taking off their shoes inside the home and the floor is colder now that winter is coming. So we enjoyed buying slippers for guests inside our home. This will make everyone feel welcome and comfortable here.

We have both enjoyed the time we are taking to get to know well a small group of people in Petrich before we, as a team, reach out to this town.

One of these is my good friend Maria owns and runs a bookstore in town. I have been spending time there each day listening to customers as they interact and when the store is empty, Maria teaches me some Bulgarian and I teach her English. She has invited us to her home and she has the gift of hospitality! We enjoyed our evening there this past week.

We have found a source for some Christian books and literature that Maria was unaware of so we have connected the two together. This is great because some tracts and flyers are free and can be put out for people to take. I look forward to several years of ministry alongside Maria.

This week pray for:
1) People to feel welcome to our Bible Study and free to participate.
2) Maria as she continues to be a shining light in her community.
3) We are in Budapest for meetings with the missions team in Europe until Monday pray that it all goes well!

Diane (and Al)

Projects Al & Diane Mellinger are Working On (September – November 2007)

November 8, 2007 - As I started reviewing and writing down all that has happened since we actually settled down in Bulgaria since mid September (9/7/07) I was a bit surprized. Here is the list:

1) Learning Bulgarian – (Classes daily 2+ hours a day)

2) Renewal International Network – Meeting with and following up on all contacts and often preaching or teaching in their churches – (Have spoken or am scheduled to speak 7 times (September – November plus Sofia Conference and England Conference and Hungary Conference) – Also have had about 5 other meetings with Pastor’s just to get to know them and attend the GLS (Global Leadership Summit) in Sofia – A Willow Creek Conference.

3) Feeding Programs – Micro Enterprise Proposal – trying to figure out a way to manage the ongoing requests for fund to support this need of feeding widows and orphans.

4) Petrich Bible Study and Church Plant Ideas – Meeting weekly and although small the trust factor is growing. Maria keeps invited people to attend and Peggy & Steffon are dreaming of Ministry options again. You will be hearing more about this very soon. This also includes creating the Virtual Christmas Gift Box idea for Christmas ‘07

5) Spring Arbor Youth VISA trip – Summer 08 – Working with Rich Morgan and Roumen Ivanov of Missions Possible Bulgaria. Looking at creating a major international activity joining Bulgarian youth, American youth and maybe even some British youth in a week of training – joint outreach and evangelism and general getting acquainted with each other.

6) A Young Adult from Canton FMC New Hope - coming in April & May to check out her calling to missions.

7) Another Pastor – Coming in July 2008 – Planning trip for 2009 VISA Team to Bulgaria

8) Working with Margie and Ivo (a couple we have met – she is from Canada and he is Bulgarian) about helping us – through email and a personal visit to Petrich.

9) Connecting with Mladen (a Bulgarian Leader living near us) and His Network (teaching on leadership issues 11/24 – first meeting with his network of Pastors)

10) Completed our Residency paper work and have our stamp waiting for the ID Cards to arrive.

11) Plus weekly email prayer updates, monthly newsletters and many Vonage Phone calls to supporter in the US. Additionally, we did conference calls to Jackson Ladies Bible Study and Brownstown Morning Service during these 3 months. And filmed and sent away video for a presentation this December at CrossRoads Church as part of their Christmas Series.

Didn’t think I had done that much yet but when you start to put it on paper and write down all that has happened I am amazed and blown away at how God is leading and what He is doing. WOW No wonder some days I feel very tired. Blessing to all!

This week look at the list and pray for something and or THANK GOD for all that He has begun here through our partnership (You and Us and God!)

Letters from Kids!

November 1, 2007 – This week I want to reprint an email I received from one of our partner churches. We went there before we left and not only spent some time with the adults but we had a great time with the kids too. They have kept in touch and here are some of the letter they wrote as well a comment from the leader. It is never too early to start to do mission with the kids and we have kids stuff on our blog under resources for you to use as well check it out. Here is the email!

Dear Al & Diane,

The kids have been thinking a lot about you, and have been praying for you too. They enjoyed the coloring page with your new car a few weeks ago! At Our Redeemer, we post your newsletter/e-mails on the missions bulletin board each week, and we also share them with the kids, so they stay informed. Last Sunday, they had their monthly Mission Sunday in Children's Church, and they spent time composing letters for you.

I can't tell you how much missions has "come alive" for the kids. It was very valuable to have you come visit at Our Redeemer before you left for Bulgaria. Not only are the kids excited to write to you, but some of the classes are turning in their Sunday School offering marked "For the Mellingers." Please know that you are thought of and prayed for too!

I will do my best to transcribe the messages the kids wrote...

Dear Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
I've been wondering this for awhile. What color is your car? Do you have any pets? How is Bulgaria? Are you having a great time?
~ Sarah

Hello,
How are you? I have a friend who has a friend who came from Bulgaria. How is the food there? Do they eat a lot of meat? Can you speak the language? Can you say, "Hello?" Have you made any new friends?
~ Noah
P.S. What color is your car?

Dear Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
What does your nose look like? What do your eyes look like?
~ Hannah

Hello!
How is Bulgaria? We are doing great here! We are praying for you two! We hope your car is doing good! I hope you made some friends. What kind of food do you eat there? Have a good time
~ Samuel

Hello Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
How are you? Did you make friends? What color is your car? Can you tell me a few words in Bulgarian?
~ Ethan

Hello Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
I heard that you have a new car. What color is it?
~ Anna Beth

Dear Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
How is Bulgaria? What type of food do you eat, and how is it? How is the weather down there? It is getting rather cold now in Illinois. I heard you got a new car, sounds nice. Well, have fun and enjoy the weather.
~ Daniel (A.K.A. Dino)

Dear Mr. Al & Miss Diane,
How are you? what color is your car? What kind of food do you eat?
Is it hot there?
~ Andi
P.S. Did you make any friends?

This week pray for …
…these kids that they would continue to be interested in missions as they grow.
…quick minds to remember what we are learning in Bulgarian class.
…our funding – it has dropped off a bit but we know God will provide.