Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Marketplace Manna Update:

October 2, 2024 - God is moving and we are in awe of Him and what He is up to.  Our job is to do our best to follow.

Praises:

• We have had more interest in local volunteers helping in our Reed Workshops and Lectures. We have been chosen to be helped by a Young Leaders Program with the local Chamber.  We have had 3 quilting classes so far and they are going well.
• Our manager has been offered a great job doing something else she loves and for that we rejoice.
• We have recently joined forces with “My Bakery” a local business that has come out of My Place a home helping those aging out of Foster care. We carry their cookies and treats during the week in the shop! (you can read more about this ministry in the recent Jackson Magazine https://www.flipsnack.com/EEDAA966AED/october-2024/full-view.html go to page 30
• We had a volunteer Group from Spring Arbor University come and help us begin our Holiday makeover.
• 

Concerns:

• Sales are still down as the economy is still tight and folks are still loving the shop and the concept, they just don’t have funds to buy. Pray that we do well for the Holidays.
• With our store manager moving on we are now looking for someone to work part time about 25 hours a week to help us manage the store. Looking for someone with a passion for our mission and a willingness to learn about our partners and what they do. Pray God would send us the right person that we need to move things forward.
• Pray also for Diane and I – our minds sometime think we are still 20 something but our bodies say otherwise. May we learn a rhythm to life at this stage in our lives.

To give to our work Click here https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/MissionIgniter/Mellinger

It is Happening!

September 16, 2024 - It took a while but a dream we have had of reaching out to people at the store is finally being developed.

On September 10, 2024 -we had our first sewing class for the residents of the low-income housing complex where we have our store in. (It’s an old Hotel that has retail in the old lobby area and apartments upstairs.)

We had 3 students attend (our limit is 4 with sewing machines) and it was great.  It is a two-part class, so they came back to finish the project later in the week, What is so exciting is that during the class the instructors get to chat and learn more about the folks and the other needs they have,

Additionally, the local chamber of commerce has a local young leaders’ program where the participants are mentored throughout the year by experts in the community.  One component of the yearlong training is giving back to the community by assisting non-profits and we were chosen as one of those non-profits this year.  They will be helping us find people to offer classes, lectures and training.  If they have a hobby they can come and talk about awesome – if they can teach a craft, amazing – maybe they can help better earn tech or how things work.

We are so excited about how this could impact the people that are around us and also help other in the community that they can help and serve by just doing and being who they are.

These are the finished lap quilts they made. We are now going to be offering additional quilt classes due to the popularity of this one.

Pray for the Seniors that we are getting to server.

Pray for the Retail part of what we do - it is hard right now.

Pray for support to expand the training part as it does cost some for us to do this.

To give click here (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3138219)

Volunteers Needed -Maybe one is you!

March 19, 2024 - As we continue to work through all the things we can do to keep and maintain this ministry, one part is getting more volunteers to assist with working the shop and helping with REED Workshops.

If you are near Jackson, Michigan and would like to help please contact me at [email protected] and we can get you set up.  We are looking for 4-8 hours a month for this project.

If you are not near enough to volunteer - please pray for volunteers. Pray about sales as well and pray for the people we serve.  They are amazing folks that we will be writing about soon.

thanks again for all your support over the years!

 

To give to our work Click here https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/MissionIgniter/Mellinger

 

Overhead

February 17, 2024 – Every week we have a few people that stumble into the shop and take some time to look around and make all kinds of wonderful comments on the shop. They love the idea and they love what we are doing.  The folks then thank us and leave not buying a thing but almost always with the statement “We’ll be back.” The accolades are rewarding but they don’t pay the bills. 

As I stated earlier in the month about our options for staying in business. One is getting monthly contributors to cover the overhead expenses we have. This would include rent, utilities, insurance, and some labor costs.

(Our REED workshop space where we work to make things to sell)

(Some of the retail space)

We need about $3,500 a month to cover these.  I know it is not glamorous to give to this, but it is needed.  If you want to help even with a one-time gift during the really slow winter months that would be great.  If you want to contribute to this need monthly that would be awesome.  If you are not able to help please join us in prayer for these needs and wisdom to know if it is time to serve in another way.

Thanks for your prayers.

Looking for Volunteers – Could you be one?

February 8, 2024 – As we shared last week, we are needing to make some changes in how our retail operations function. 

We are looking for folks who would be willing to work at the shop one or two afternoons a month.  They would help us wait on customers, tidy up the displays, and minister to the folks who come in.  The volunteers will be trained and given all the information they need to serve. 

As a thank you on the days that they serve they will receive a 20% discount on anything you purchase.

One cool thing about working at the shop is that you get to learn more about our partners and the people who are being helped.  It is not just unique items that we sell they are also a way a family supports itself.  “Every tag tells a story and every story helps a family” is a saying I share often with customers.

If you would be interested or just want more information about being one of our Volunteers please email me at [email protected] or call me at 517-395-3054.

This week continue to pray about the store's needs and how we can continue to help the needy around the world.