Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

I Have an Idea...

November 19, 2022 - Martin Luther King had a dream – but we have an Idea or two.  The more we are doing what we are doing, in the ever-changing culture after Covid, and with inflation continuing to happen, the old ways of doing things are not working as far as retail goes. 

With that in mind, we are watching the numbers and trying to figure out the best way to keep costs low while serving the people we partner with.  We are exploring online opportunities, scaled-back retail hours, more shows with churches and other groups as well as some different kinds of displays. Praying and asking God what we should do.

With Fairtrade merchandise people, often what to see and touch what they are getting but they don’t always remember we have a store (or 2) to come and see it.  When we are out sharing with folks the sales are often very good. So, we need to figure out how to take the store to the people more often.

Additionally, we have projects that we want the folks we work with in Jackson to help with but they require space for more than a few hours each month.  Sometimes things need to dry before the next step can take place right now we do not have the ability to create these projects because of our space limitations.

The reality is we need additional support/income to make some of our ideas happen.

• What would it take to get and convert a truck into a mobile shop?
• What would it take to get space to create a year-round workshop close to the folks we serve?
• What would it take to start new groups with partner churches in other towns?

These are just a few of the questions we are asking God and our partners.  Each day we see God’s hand at work leading us to folks who need us, leading us to folks who want to help us, and providing equipment and supplies before we know what to do with it.

As you are pondering Giving Tuesday and your year-end giving – Think about helping us as we work to figure out new ways to impact those in need with not only the loving message of God but some financial support for their families as well

This week

• pray about the needs we have.
• Pray for those we partner with
• Pray for new support for the ideas we have.

Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Thankful

November 9, 2022 – With Thanksgiving just around the corner we are challenged to think about what we are thankful for. So, I am going to share both personal and ministry praises today.

Ministry

It has been almost 2 years since we stepped aside for our direct hands-on oversight of the work in the Balkans.  When you let go you wonder will it survive or will it stop?  The work in the Balkans has not stopped it is still growing.  Seeing more churches started, training taking place, and baptisms happening is something we are very thankful for.

We are also planning on returning to Bulgaria for about 3 weeks in January of 2023.  We will finally be able to wrap up a few things that we could not get done and for that, we are praising God. (Can’t wait to see many folks that are dear to our hearts)

We have found that the connections and contacts with the work here are growing and for that we again are thankful.

Personal

We are so thankful to be closer to family.  To be able to see and interact with our granddaughter is priceless.

We are both sad and thankful that Diane’s mom is in a better place.  The last couple of years she was here physically but not in other ways.  She is now with her Lord and for that we rejoice.

We are still trying to full figure out what God is wanting from us, some days we are wondering and other days it is great.  The fact that He has always lead and provided is the truth that we lean on. Knowing He knows is something that we are very thankful for.

As you think about your year-end giving both our support and development funds are always taking donations.

Take some time to think and Thank God for all that He does!

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Pop-Up Shops

October 26, 2022 – We are offering Pop-Up Shops for groups or churches that would like to give their members a chance to buy fair trade gifts this Christmas season.

If interested contact us and we will see what we can arrange.

We are still collecting for our Virtual Christmas Gift Program - Click here to give 

This week pray for:

Store Sales – They are down and we feel inflation is the cause.

Our Partners – We are not getting as much as we cannot afford to purchase it right now. Pray God would still take care of their needs.

Our Support – Needing more monthly supporters.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Mellingers on Mission!

October 17, 2022 - Neighbors of Jackson is a local Magazine that is shipped free to homes in the city of Jackson. They approached us a couple of months ago about doing a story on us because they love what we do and are all about. Click here to see and read the full article. It is well written.

As new folks come into the stores and we share the purpose and mission, people are very supportive and think it is great. They love the idea and concept of what we do.  Helping the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, and disabled is awesome. They are so glad we are doing it. We are glad too – our purpose and mission is our passion, but the reality is that without investors, shoppers, and volunteers coming alongside us we can’t do it.

We have had a tagline – Think Fair Trade First.  The idea is that if you think Fair Trade First it will cause you to act.  We are now making our tagline Think and Shop Fair Trade First. To be more specific in what we hope people will not only think about what we do but also shop and engage in greater ways.

The reality is that right now with inflation running hot, people have less disposable income that they might have spent buying things we sell.  Those funds are now going into their tank or on their table. The stores are just making the expenses we have to operate (Rent, utilities, and employees). We are well stocked for the upcoming season but unless we have a stellar selling holiday season things do not look good.  Plain and simple.

Additionally, Diane and I who do not get any salary from the stores, but raise our support have gone four months with reduced salary as there have been no funds in our account. 

So now you know more about what to pray for with us.  We are constantly looking at income and balancing how to keep this all going.  Loving our mission but dealing with the realities of operating a ministry/business at the same time.

We would love for others who are interested in what we are doing to join the team in the areas of fundraising, grant writing, product development, and training.

As we have prayed we have asked God if it is time to let go and move on and so far, we have not gotten a green light to do that.  So, we press on and share the realities of what we do and trust that God and His resource will be there just when we need them most.

If your church or group might want to have a table of products to sell - Please let us know ASAP so we can arrange the details.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Virtual Christmas Gift Box Opportunity!

October 4, 2022 - We are again sponsoring the Virtual Christmas Gift Box program to help Families in Bulgaria - this year which includes some refugees from the war in Europe.

Donations can be made by clicking here. Checks can be sent to Marketplace Manna, 151 E Michigan Ave, Jackson Michigan 49201

Please be praying for this program and the families it will impact during these trying times.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here