Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

The Adventure Continues…

September 18, 2020 – Our time stateside has been very busy.  We visited 7 churches in 4 states so far. Additionally, we have met with 20 additional Pastors, business leaders, mission coordinators as we cast our vision and seek new partnerships.

Some days it is like we are tripping over folks who want to connect and offer things we are needing. Other days it is like we hit a brick wall and nothing seems to be going right.  But through it all, we are pressing on to investigate and try what we believe God is leading us to do and be a part of.  Each day is a new step of Faith for us and the folks we are serving.

It is an exciting adventure that we are on. One that is full of surprises and twists and turns. Thank you for your prayers! WE will keep you updated on all that is happening and how you can be involved.

This week pray for:

Everything happening in the Balkans while we are here – the church plants, the planning for virtual Christmas Gift Box Ministries, the Bible school, ag program and the safe house.

For our travels as we will be visiting many churches and meeting with many others over the next few weeks

The opening of the second Holiday Store starting October 1^st.. So much to do – so little time.

Our travel Schedule

September 20, 2020- St Charles, IL AM

September 20 – Woodstock, IL PM

September 26, 2020 – Melrose Park, IL

September 27, 2020 –McConnell, IL

September 29, 2020 -  Ottumwa & Fairfield, IA

September 30 – Waukegan, IL

October 2^nd Grand Opening of New Store

October 4, 2020 – Oswego, IL

The World and us today!

September 10, 2020 - As I watch the daily reporting of the happenings in cities around the country (and the world for that matter) I am reminded that you cannot force folks to conform.  Living as missionaries in a former communist country where conforming was mandated by law, I see that that did not work.  When the authorities were present people did what they were supposed to, but when the authority was absent what was really in the person(s) came out.

With that being said what I am learning and taking away from all that I see going on and from the Holy Spirit is that I have to do more than just talk about what is wrong and demand a change – I have to be the start of becoming the change.   I need to be aware of how I am living my faith so that what God cares about – I care about.

Our missionary work has focused quite a bit on helping the persecuted and helping those who do the persecution come together.  In the Balkans, all people are impacted by financial difficulties.  With NO jobs and NO income, you can’t support the family.  The parent(s) often go overseas to find work.  This economic reality has led to New Start (our EU company) and Marketplace Manna (our US company) being formed.  Not because we want to make lots of money but because we want to generate funds to invest in those who are poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled, and unemployed around the world.

God cares about the economics of his greatest creation(man) and I know from scripture that man functions best when we value them and what they do.  Give them an opportunity and expect them to work and they will turn things around.  Without the opportunity, it is hard for folks to be all that God wants them to be.  That is partially why we encourage folks to purchase products we have in our shop and online – Think Fair Trade First.  When you purchase fair trade items you are helping folks work and find the dignity in earning a living.  You are supporting people who are trying to take care of their families.

Now it doesn’t have to be our store – if you have a local fair-trade store or can buy fair trade certified products make the choice to do that.  It will not solve all the world’s problems but it is a start with practical benefits.

Here is a video that we made that shares a bit more.

markeplacemanna.com is our online shop if you want to check it out!

This week pray for:

The plans for the opening of the Holiday Shop in the Lansing, Michigan area.

Our travels as we are doing partnership building.

The churches and the folks wanting to work that they would find meaningful jobs.

Our Travel for the next few weeks:

September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI 

September 17, 2020 – Kentwood, MI 

September 20, 2020- St Charles, IL (AM)

September 20, 2020 – Woodstock, IL (PM)

September 26, 2020 – Melrose Park, IL

September 27, 2020 – McConnell, IL

September 29, 2020 -  Ottumwa & Fairfield, Iowa 

September 30 – Waukegan, IL

 

Marketplace Manna is Experimenting (again)!

September 3, 2020 – We have been stateside for almost a month now. We have meetings or presentations almost every day.  We have been encouraged by the meetings and conversations we are having.

We are working on several new ideas.  One of those ideas is that for the Holidays we are opening another store – this one in Lansing, MI at the Meridian Mall.  We will open on October 1^st through the end of December.  Please pray for this as we want to expose more folks to the products that we carry and the stories behind them.  The more we can sell the more folks we help.

The location is amazing – facing center court and right next to the food court in the Mall.

Prayer for our ongoing travels.

Pray for the new store opening and the temporary hires we will make.

Pray for us as we work on a few more projects while stateside.

Pray for Funding as we travel and share our vision. It is tight now and we need His wisdom.

(If you want to give to our new projects click here.

 Our Travel Schedule:

September 6, 2020 – West Unity, OH

September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI

September 17, 2020 –Kentwood, MI

September 20, 2020- St Charles, IL (AM)

September 20 – Woodstock, IL (PM)

September 26, 2020 – Melrose Park, IL

September 27, 2020 –McConnell, IL

Christmas with COVID 19 Around!

August 20, 2020 – I know it is only August and I am talking Christmas, but if we don’t we will not be ready in time for the season. 

The concern some have about going out, shopping, and being in crowds might prevent some from wanting to shop for the needy kids this year.  But our Virtual Christmas Gift Box Ministry is a way to help without having to be out and about.

Here is a video on how to make it happen with and for your church.

Please share this with anyone in your church or group that you think could help or might be interested in giving.

VirtualChristmasGiftBox.com is our website devoted totally to this cause – there are additional videos and downloadable materials for you or whoever is overseeing this project. Our goal is to raise about $15,000 to sever around 1000 families – your participation is needed and your influence to recruit others is vital. 

Thanks for helping.

This week pray for:

• The ongoing Church plant training – shifting from in-person to zoom – pray that it goes well and that the Holy Spirit will meet each pastor where they are.
• Our travels and meetings – that God would have us say what needs to be said and that we would have the divine appointments needed to further the ministries.
• Marketplace Manna – store sales, future opportunities, and wisdom in general for what to do.

Our Travel Schedule

August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI

August 30, 2020 – Wellsburg, WV

September 6, 2020 – West Unity, OH

September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI

Stateside for a Week!

August 13, 2020 – We have now been stateside for about a week. To help with “Jet Lag” I usually hit the ground running.  Getting our display ready (including making is social distancing compliant). We have done one church and had 3 meals with supporters and been working at the store every day.

But the greatest joy was to see our family and especially our granddaughter Faith. She knows us as the people in the box – so I was not sure if she would come to us or be a bit more fearful.
But she was not at all bothered that we were there and not in the box.  Diane has got to spend a few days caring for Faith while I had other appointments for Marketplace Manna and some future projects.

This week continue to pray for our schedule and the people we meet – with the ever-changing rules for Covid – we are constantly changing depending on where we are.

Pray for the team back in the Balkans as they continue training and making plans to serve the people in need.

Where we will be:

August 16, 2020 – Bangor, MI

August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI

August 30, 2020 – Wellsburg, WV

September 6, 2020 – West Unity, OH