Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Chew Toys and Helping the Homeless!

November 7, 2019 - This week we were able to launch in Jackson an idea that I have had for several months now. 

Over the summer we collected unwanted T-shirts to be upcycled (the new term for recycling). We have several ideas of products we can make to use them again.

Since the mission of Marketplace Manna is to help the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled and unemployed around the world, we figured we could also impact those folks right here as well.

We contacted the local Interfaith Shelter for the homeless and proposed that we partner to help give the homeless a bit of cash to help them.

We set a date asked for no more than 8 workers and set out to have them make Chew toys for dogs.

We were able to show them what we wanted and teach them the steps involved and then set them loose to make them.  We paid them just above minimum wage here in Michigan for 3 hours of work.

Now it is not going to get them a home or correct all their problems but it adds to the solution. It lets them work and produce something that they can be proud of and feel a little bit better about their life.  It lets them know that there are folks who want to help and are working on solutions to help them.

Our goal is to do this more often and add to the list additional upcycled products we have them make.  (We also want to thank Spring Arbor University Tennis Team for donating the unused Tennis balls that they had for this project as well.) 

How often we do this will depend on how the products sell.  As we invest in what we pay them and until things sell we do not have much more.

This week pray…

... pray for this Weekend - November 8-10 as we are doing a 3 day Craft Fair.  It is at a mall and requires being open from 9-9 most of the days.  Pray for our team and that we would sell a great deal.

… for our 1^st Year Anniversary celebration on Monday (11/11)!  Pray that we not only get some promotion but that we can share the why behind what we do to the folks who come.

… for our return to Bulgaria 2 days later.  The apartment that we are move into may or may not be ready and we are not sure where we will live until it is – Pray that the work gets done ASAP!

… the folks at the interfaith Shelter and our ongoing partnership!

One Year Later…

October 31, 2019 – It was one year ago that we were in final preparations to start our sabbatical and open the temporary shop at the local Mall.  12 month later our temporary store has become a full-time operation.  We have become a non-profit and are now partnering in some way with 19 other fair-trade groups. 

It has been rocky at times wondering and worrying about making our payments and the upkeep of the shop but with a lot of hard work, many prayers and the support of folks everywhere we go. we have lasted a year!

But what does that mean?  It means that more than 3000 families (best guess) have been helped by the sale of the things they make.  That means they have been able to care for their kids, keep them in school, put food on the table and clothes on their backs.  It means people in the area are more aware of the realities of families around the world and how to help.  It means that our partners have another point of distribution so they too can help more folks.

But our store also works locally partnering with organizations on the frontlines here in the states.  Next week we launch our first project with the local homeless shelter. Which we hope with be a monthly opportunity to serve.

We are working with more craft and vendor fairs and able to minister and educated as we do.  We are partnering with supporting churches to have displays from time to time in their church reminding people to shop fair trade giving a percent to their local Missions.  Scrip has been launch which is beginning to generate regular weekly funds to invest in ministries around the world. This year we are a collection point for a Toy Drive to help disadvantaged kids have Christmas here in Michigan. (I love having a stateside opportunity as well as our virtual Christmas Gift Box program overseas)

A year ago, when we began this experiment with opening a shop we did not know what to expect but we knew God wanted us to try and as we walk this path more opportunities presented themselves to us and we followed through it lead to more people being served  We are about to enter a busy season for the store and we will be returning to the field we now have some additional dreams to help and the sales from Christmas  will determine what new projects get started.

Pray this week for…

… our holiday sales (at the store, online and in churches)

… our return to Bulgaria on November 13^th (Safe travels, and a quick readjustment to life in BG as we set up a new apartment and get the Virtual Christmas Gift Box program done.)

… our church plant in Petrich as we are also considering some adjustments to our programs there.

Final Weekend of Partnership Building

November 2, 2019 – Meal, Fashion Show 4 PM - Toddville. Iowa

November 3, 2019 – Marion, Iowa

            PM – Platteville, WI

 

How do you Retire?

October 24, 2019 -  Jerry & Nancy Malone are friends that we met when we were on staff at the McPherson Free Methodist Church.  They were parents of students in our ministry and volunteers in the Youth Group.  They and their kids went on several mission’s trips we sponsored while there.

When the Malone’s decided to retire they decided they wanted to do something different.  So instead of finding a nice place to settle down and relax, they would invest their time in helping missionaries around the world.  They do not want a project to do but rather they want to serve the missionary and the local work.  When not needed they explore the country and learn about the people and places.

Since early August they have been serving in the Bulgaria helping Team Balkans.  They helped prepare and host the people who came for the dedication of the safehouse, helped with the launching of 16 new church plants. Cleaned things and drove groups that came in where they needed to go and so much more.

When they wanted to come we knew we would not be there as we have been scheduled to be stateside during that time.  And as we look back on it, God wanted them there to support the work when we were away.  God knows what He is doing and when we all follow great things happen.

They have just left Bulgaria and are on to other places and adventures (never staying longer than their VISA allows). 

THANKS, Jerry and Nance for your faithfulness to God and going where He leads.  May your tribe increase.

This week pray for…

… our travels and church visits and all that we need to wrap up here before we return to Bulgaria.

… Funding for all the projects that we are working on. Especially the Virtual Christmas Gift Box fund.

…the Malone’s as they continue on their adventure with God!

Partnership Building Schedule

October 27, 2019 –Wesley Church – Waukegan, Il

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

November 3, 2019 –  AM Service - Marion, Iowa

            PM Service – Platteville, WI

Year-end Giving Ideas:

October 17, 2019 - The Work in the Balkans is expanding and growing by God’s leading. We are so amazed at what we have seen develop.  With that comes needed expenses to make it happen.  We thank God for our partners, prayers, and supporters.  We know that we would not and could not have gotten where we are ministry wise without your help and prayers.  At this time of year, folks begin to think about their year-end giving.  Lots of folks with great causes are asking for your support.  We too have great needs and want to share with you where and how you can help.  Below is a list of the few areas for your consideration.

If you do not want to know about how you can give more stop reading now.  If you would like to be aware of what we need and how you might help continue reading.

Prayer Request – 1) We are one to about 3 weeks left stateside and have lots to do pray for safety in travel and getting all else done. 2) The new church plant cohorts in Bulgaria and Serbia 3) The Virtual Christmas Gift Box program.

AS we continue to expand the work in the Balkans needed expenses go up.  I want to share with you a bit about the new work and what it takes to make it all happen.

Virtual Christmas Gift Box: This fund helps us to help kids and families that would not otherwise have Christmas experience God’s love and joy through the gifts and supplies it provides. We are planning on up to 1200 kids this year (with the new church plants) at about $10 a child means we are needing $12,000 this year. https://squareup.com/store/marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop/item/virtual-christmas-gift-box

Marketplace Manna Development Fund: These are funds to help with the expansion and set up of distribution points for the fair-trade products we market.  We are wanting between $10,000 and $25,000 for our expansion. https://squareup.com/store/marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop/item/fundmarketplace-manna-development

St John’s Safe House:  The purchase and renovation were the first part – as we get the girls and have the expenses of funning a home we are looking at about $3000 a month for food, utilities, clothes, school supplies and required staff. https://squareup.com/store/marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop/item/st-john-s-safe-house

Church Planting:  We figure it takes about $300 a month per church to cover the expenses of doing church plants.  These expenses run for 2 year that is the duration of the training cohort. https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/df-epbgbalkndev

Livelihood Group Start-Up: we are looking for $5000 per new startup and our goal is to add an additional 4-5 groups this year. https://squareup.com/store/marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop/item/fundmarketplace-manna-development

Missionary Expenses:  this keeps the missionary in place to oversee the work that they are partnering in.  this is ever-changing and evolving.  All the missionaries could use additional support to finish the year where they need to!

David and Jill Sweet https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/df-vibgsweet

Chance and Dee Dee Galloway https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=486

Al & Diane Mellinger https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God is on the Move…

October 10, 2019 – I say that God is on the move as I see his hand working in so many places and I see the enemy working overtime to distract us from all that is happening.

Diane & I with Granddaughter Faith - A very GOOD thing!

Over the past month (while we have been stateside) we have reported on the dedication of the safe house, the beginning of 7 new church plants in Bulgaria and 9 in Serbia. And the work is on track to become an annual Conference in our movement next year. Time with family has been awesome. Our church visits have gone well with many folks connecting in new and deeper ways.  And things are looking up for Marketplace Manna.

At the same time, we have had struggles with things at the store, our car and with our home and the rental units in it.

Funds and cash flow to help with all that is going on continues to be an issue we deal with. Our trust is in God but we also know we have to do our part to let the needs be made known without seeming to be begging.

With about 1 month to go on this stateside partnership time, we are getting tired and looking forward to returning to the Balkans. but even that is still a bit of an unknown as our new apartment is still being redone and we hope it is ready when we get back. We live one day at a time.

So, we are excited, tired, expectant and a bit apprehensive all at the same time which only drives us to trust in God all the more. This week pray or praise for whatever you see above that catches your eye.  God knows what we need and He will let you know how to pray!

Thanks again for your prayers and support!

 

Our schedule:

October 13, 2019 – Ferndale FMC – Ferndale, MI

October 18, 2019 – JTV show -  1:55 (local Jackson TV show)

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

October 20, 2019 – AM - Grace FMC – McConnell. IL –

            PM – Monee FMC – 6 PM

October 22 – Trunk or Treat – Jackson Crossing 5-7 PM      

Oct 24 –  Small Group SA 7 pm

October 27, 2019 –Wesley Church – Waukegan

October 29 – Rotary Breakfast Club 7 AM