Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Partnership RE-Schedule 2020

July 9, 2020 - Here is our redone schedule for our time stateside beginning in about 3 weeks.  We know with COVID 19 it could still all change but we are moving forward and will adjust if need be - after all being Flexible is one of the jobs of a missionary. :)

 August 5, 2020 – fly to Detroit

August 9, 2020 – Pulaski, MI 

August 16, 2020 – Bangor, Mi

August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI 

August 30, 2020 - Wellsburg, WV 

September 6, 2020 – West Unity, Ohio 5

September 10, 2020 – Pastors Luncheon - (RSVP) Jackson, MI

September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI 

September 20, 2020 - St Charles, IL

September 27, 2020 –  McConnell, IL

September 29, 2020 -  Ottumwa & Fairfield, IA

October 4, 2020 – Oswego, IL

October 11, 2020 - Janesville, WI 

October 17^th - Pre-Christmas Brunch, Fashion Show & Bazaar in Michigan - Jackson, MI

October 18, 2020 – Milan MI 

October 25, 2020 – Albion, NY

November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO

November 4, 2020 – Urbandale, IA

November 8, 2020 – McPherson, KS

November 15, 2020 - Platteville, WI 

November 22, 2020 – Kokomo, IN

November 29, 2020 – Chelsea MI 

December 6, 2020 - PM at 1208 Greenwood

December 13, 2020 - OPEN

December 20, 2020 - Open

December 27, 2020 - Open

January 3, 2020 – Watervliet, Mi

January 6, 2020 – Fly to SOF

If we are in your area we would love to do a Meal with the Mellingers or a midweek activity with your group.  Just let us know and we will see what we can work out.

Our them this year is "Your Kingdom Come" we will be looking at what Jesus meant by that and how the church is bringing His Kingdom to needy people where ever they are.

Pray for...

... final plans for travels

... Our schedule - to fill in open dates to connect with as many folks as we can

... The churches here as they are still trying to figure out what the new normal will be post COVID 19

A 37 Year Adventure!

July 2, 2020 - Thirty-seven years ago Diane and I were married out in the woods at Sky Lodge Christian Camp. We were summer staff that turned into being the director of the camp for 2 years. We were excited about ministry and serving God in whatever way He chose. It has been an amazing adventure with many twists and turns, but each one was used by God to prepare us for something He wanted us to do next (or later down the road).

And today I am just as excited about the future as I was 37 years ago when we were starting out.  Maybe more so because now we have 37 years of history to look back on.  To remember all the times, He was leading us to do new things in new places with new people and not knowing how and if what we were jumping into would work, but it always did. So, with that history and the winds of change blowing for our ministry and the work here. We look forward with confidence, having a history of faithfulness to stand on.

The Churches are continuing to grow, our holistic ministries are moving forward lives are being saved and disciples made.  It is time to look to the future and see what God wants to do next in and through us to advance the kingdom.

We celebrate 37 years of marriage and ministry this year and anticipate many more fruitful years ministry and impacting the people we serve.

This week pray…

… travel plans to the states – the pandemic restrictions are very fluid and change sometimes daily over here. Pray, we are able to get where we need to go to do what God wants us to do!

… the churches – some have reopened and then closed again some have not opened and some are open. Pray that they will be creative in ministering however they can to their neighborhoods.

… our stores both here and in Michigan – Sales are down and we need the income to keep the folks we hire and partner with employed.  They have families that count on them and the workers count on us.

Six Months from today...

June 25, 2020 - … is Christmas Day!  Now some of you are groaning because it is so early and some of you can’t wait for it to arrive.  The reason I mention it is we are trying to get folks prepared and ready to help with our VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX (VCGB) Program.

We have been doing this for more than a decade now and it is growing but this year we are expecting the need to be even greater due to the COVID 19 Pandemic and so many folks we serve have not had their normal summer employment opportunities this year.  And we are going to need more participation for more of our partners to make it happen this year.

So below are 2 videos that contain a great deal of the details about VCGB Program:

• This is how to organize your group to help us with the VCGB Program.

• This is how the program works to show to people in your group.

We are not necessarily asking for donations now (but if you want to go to https://marketplacemanna.networkforgood.com/projects/103527-virtual-christmas-gift-box-fund) but rather asking our supporters to work with their church, small group, or class to help us later this summer and fall.  We want to give you lots of time to prepare and get ready for this program.

Thanks for your support – praying you to have a blessed summer.

This week pray for…

… people and groups to choose to help with the VCGB Program

… our churches as the Government here has increase restrictions(again) which will prevent some groups from meeting

… our partnership building plans in the US starting in August

What’s your view?

June 18, 2020 -(written by Diane) These are confusing times and it’s easy to get discouraged. Our community in Bulgaria is also confused about world events. Students are finishing school, and people are working temporary jobs from project to project. For many, these are uncertain times. We all can be overwhelmed by what is happening in these days.

We have different views outside our home windows, we are beginning to see activity in our neighborhood. People are starting to fix their roofs.

One view is of an old wall. When I think about the devastation worldwide with the pandemic, I get overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

Another view is a lookout over our town to other towns in the Petrich region. When I switch my view from the old wall to look and pray over the town, I begin to see the world from a different perspective. Throughout history, times have been good and bad, yet God is working through those who are part of His Kingdom.

When I look up and out I quit feeling overwhelmed and can once again put my hand in His and follow His lead knowing He’s in control and has me, my community and the world’s future in mind.

This week pray for –

• Local leaders making decisions as to how to live after the stay at home orders
• our own perspectives that we continue to look at the world through God’s eyes
• Continued plans for our time in the states this fall

Looking For

June 12, 2020 – Things are starting to come together for our Partnership Building stateside this fall – Our flights are booked and we are planning to arrive back on August 5, 2020, and be connecting with our churches and other supporters until the start of 2021.

Our Sunday schedule is coming along nicely but we do have time between Sundays that we would like to fill up with conversations, stories and dreams about what God has is and will do with you and people you know.

So, we are looking to invite ourselves to your place – You provide the meal, and invited friends and we will provide the conversation, excitement and few other surprizes.  Services are great for getting the big idea across but when we can sit and share over a couple of hours so much more can be learned and understood.

If you would like to take advantage of us while in your area in between churches, contact us and we will figure out a date when we can come to your place.

This week

• Pray as we are working on more details for the girls home.
• Pray for the economic realities as we come out of the shelter at home and try and get things going again. Pray about changes we feel we need to make as we move forward.
• Pray for our partnership building plans