Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

People we want to Meet with while Stateside!

August 15, 2019 – We have reported that we want to establish one livelihood group with every church that we plant in the Balkans.  We currently have 8 livelihood groups but we have 19 churches planted and we are looking to start 15+ more churches in the next year.  What an opportunity.  To do that we need to expand our distribution network so we the new groups’ products have distribution outlets.  We also need to get startup funds to begin the new groups with the people in the churches.

We are looking for supporters (either current or ones we have not met yet) who will help us by investing new donations to this need. 

After our upcoming vacation, we will begin in greater earnest in our weekly travels to partner churches.  In between churches, I am working on connecting with businesses to add our products to their shops, participating in craft and vender fairs on weekends and connecting with business leaders about what we are doing asking for their investments and donations for our projects.

Now I am asking our weekly email receivers to do the following.

• Pray that God would lead us to the right people, in the right place to share our story and need so that we can continue our expansion.
• Connect us with folks you know that could help us develop the livelihood groups, add our products to their shop or help us expand our current marketing programs and outlets
• Think about hosting a display of our products at your church (especially if we are not coming to your church this time around) or a local craft fair this fall (we will send you everything – you just show it, tell our store and sell what you can).

This week I am asking you to pray for the above-mentioned needs. Pray that we would connect with the right folks in God’s timing to accomplish what He wants done.

On a note of praise – Several months ago we asked everyone to pray about a vehicle for us as we are home.  We did end up purchasing one from a family who were becoming missionaries and moving to another country.  It was older but seemed to be in good shape, we took it to Florida and have had some problems with it – but we are getting them fixed.  We knew it helped us for a quick need but were not sure it would be the best vehicle for all our travels.  This past week I received a text asking if we would like the current vehicle we are diving given to us as a donation.  It is a very functional van – one we have been using for several of our partnership tours.  We responded yes.  So now we have 2 vehicles (we will be getting rid of the first one and investing the funds back into the work).  All that said to share that God is faithful and does answer prayers in HIS time!  With that blessing, we know that what we are doing is where we need to be about for the kingdom at this time.   Thanks again for all your support!

Grand daughter Faith's Dedication!

August 8, 2019 - Last Sunday was a special day for our family.  Faith was dedicated and we were there to participate.  Being missionaries means being away for some memorable events in our families lives so when we get to participate we really enjoy the time.  Here are some photos that were taken around this event!

We are really enjoying time with the family while stateside this year!

We will be heading off for a Westward trip this next week that will include visiting my side of the family a few Church presentations and then a trip with Brad, Zendra Faith, and Casey!  Can't wait to be with them away for the normal activities of life for a week!

This week pray...

... for a good trip to the West

... for a restful vacation time with the family

... for the developing plans and opportunities for our work!

Connecting with us while we are stateside: Faith, Hope & Love Tour!

August 3, 2019 – Most of you know we are stateside for a few months doing partnership building – that is visiting our churches and supporters – updating them on all that God is doing.  Our Sunday mornings are filled but we do have some Sunday nights and midweek times free.  If we are not coming to your church and you would like us to meet with you or your group, please contact us.

Here is the places we are currently scheduled to be:

August 3, 2019 – Adrian Craft Fair –

August 4, 2019 – Upper Sandusky, OH

            PM at 1208 Greenwood – store display

August 10 – Schwartz Creek Naz. craft fair near flint)

August 11, 2019 - Stone Haven – Troy Michigan

August 13, 2019 - Ottumwa & Fairfield Iowa (Potluck) – PM

August 18, 2019 – East Wenatchee, WA

September 1, 2019   - McPherson Church –

September 4, 2019 – Greenville FMC – Report on the Safe House

September 8, 2019 – G Free – Phillipsburg, PA

September 14, 2019 – MONEE FMC -

September 15, 2019 – Freeport

September 22, 2019 – Taylor – Journey of Hope – AM

            Cornerstone – Battle Creek – 6 PM

September 28 – SAU Vendor Fair J Homecoming

October 6, 2019 - Westland FMC

October 13, 2019 – Ferndale FMC -

October 19^, 2019 - Woodstock FMC 10 AM (Saturday)

October 20, 2019 – Grace FMC – McConnell. IL

October 27, 2019 –Wesley Church - Waukegan

November 2, 2019 – Meal, Fashion Show and MM Sale -  Toddville. Iowa

November 3, 2019 – Marion, Iowa

Looking forward to seeing all the supporters we can.

This week pray for:

Team Bulgaria as we have some groups coming to finish out the summer and for the dedication of the Girls Safe home in early September.

Us for safety in travel and for good meetings and presentations as we travel. And for our finances.

Jerry & Nancy Malone who will be serving for 3 months with the team in Bulgaria – helping and doing whatever they can.

First Trip for Partnership Building

July 25, 2019 - Last week we were in Orlando Florida for the FMC General Conference and when it ended be drove to Wisconsin (in 2 days) for Family Camp at Sky Lodge Christan Camp.  Both events were great as they allowed us to share what God was doing and how folks can help.  We connected again with many, many folks we know from all over the world at these to events. 

I am reminded of how far and wide God's family is and how connected we are to each other. 

Continue to pray for us as we travel.

Pray too for the future plans with our livelihood groups and the work here stateside.

Pray for the team in Bulgaria as they get ready for the dedication of the Safehouse in early September.

 

Unexpected Reconnecting at Boston Market:

July 12, 2019 – This past Sunday we were meeting our son and his family at a Boston Market in  Toledo, Ohio.  Diane was going to go back to their house to watch our granddaughter Faith on Monday and I was heading back to Jackson to finish preparations for our trip to Orlando for our General Conference meetings there.

We walked in and as I looked around I saw a lady who looked like a woman we met back in 2006 at a different Boston Market right after we were called to Bulgaria. What was interesting about that meeting is we found out she was from Bulgaria and so we met with her and some other Bulgarians who helped us with some basic language and culture before we went.  We had not seen her or had any other communication from her since we left 12+ years ago.

So, I asked my wife do you think that is Pepi? And Brad said yes that is Pepi why?  (They had been there awhile waiting for us and had struck up a conversation with her).  So we reintroduced ourselves to her and had a quick chat as she was working and couldn’t stop that long.  We are going to meet later this fall when we are back from some of our trips.

She was excited to hear what God was doing in her home country.  We are excited to reconnect and realize that in God’s family we can pick up where we left off no matter how many years have gone by.  For us, it truly is becoming a small world!

This week pray for our time at General Conference:

Pray for connections with the right folks for current and future ministries.

Pray for good sales of the products from Marketplace Manna while there

Pray for safe travels of all those coming and going.