Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

What a Year so Far!

October 29, 2020 – 2020 has been a year most would like to forget.  If you listen to the media we are headed for a worse 2021. The work in the Balkans and for us personally has had some ups and downs.

Covid 19 may have changed how we do things but God is still moving and using those who will let Him impact their world.

We did have to suspend our livelihood groups but plan to restart them in January, but our church plant training continued (via Zoom), the agriculture project was amazing and is being used to feed those who are in need.  We closed a shop in Bulgaria but have opened an extra Holiday Shop in the US.  The Virtual Christmas Gift Box program is on schedule with even more families being helped. We are still connecting with churches and sharing the story of What God is doing. God is still on the move.

With two months to go, we want to ask you to think about your year-end giving.  Many will be asking for your help as it has been a tough year.  We want to ask you to consider an extra gift to Marketplace Manna as we are wanting and needing to expand our Livelihood Group presence both here in the States and in the Balkans. That means start-up funds for supplies and initial salaries for the workers.  We do not want to just give them things for a month or so but actually help them to have ongoing sustainable income to meet their needs.

We are looking for any amount but are also looking or for some large gifts to help us jump-start the projects. Our goal is $20,000 for our year end project.  If you are willing and able to give click this link or mail checks to Marketplace Manna 1088 Jackson Crossing Jackson, MI 49202

This week Praise reports:

• God sent us an amazing renter for our open apartment
• God continues to connect us with folks who are on mission with us and whom we can help each other out – (next week the full story)
• There was a good Harvest with the agricultural program.

Travel Schedule:

October 31 - November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO

November 4, 2020 – Lunch at Urbandale, IA

November 4, 2020 PM – Marion & Toddville, IA

November 7 - 8, 2020 – McPherson

November 15, 2020 - Platteville, WI

November 22, 2020 - Kokomo, Indiana

November 29, 2020 – Chelsea MI

The Beauty of Fall

October 25, 2020 - This week we have been on the road from Michigan to Pennsylvania to Illinois.  It has been a great week as we have gotten to see the beauty of the changing of the fall leaves.  The higher in the mountains we were the fewer leaves on the trees but in the flatlands, the changes were just starting.

Seasons are a good reminder that some things come and go, it is part of life and how God operates.  With the dropping of the leaves, we are reminded that winter will hear soon and most do not really like that but following winter comes spring.  

Our lives are lived in seasons too. As missionaries, we do different things (normally) depending on the time of year.  Some seasons are busier than others.  We have learned to enjoy each season no matter what it brings.

Thanks to all who pray and support our work.

This week pray for:

The Sweets who will be returning to Bulgaria and need help getting to Chicago from Jackson, MI on November 10^th

The Virtual Christmas Gift Box details, the funds, the shopping, and the delivery of the gifts.

(virtualchristmasgiftbox.com)

Our travels and the sale at our 3 stores (one in Bulgaria and 2 in Michigan)

Travel Schedule:

October 31 & November 1, 2020 - Chillicothe, MO

November 4, 2020 – Lunch at Urbandale, IA

November 4, 2020 PM – Marion & Toddville, IA

November 8, 2020 – McPherson, KS

November 15, 2020 - Platteville, WI

November 22, 2020 – Kokomo, IN

REED Workshop Begin Again!

October 15, 2020 – Our mission is to help the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled, and unemployed around the world.  We have our Around the World Shops that sell items from partner organizations we work with.  A few are in the United States but most have their focus overseas.

As part of our mission, we want to figure out how to partner with groups serving the needy in our community and we are creating our model by working with the Jackson Interfaith Shelter here in our hometown of Jackson, Michigan. 

This week we took the T-shirts, Tennis Balls, Pinecones, and Candles that were donated to us and made Dog Chew Toys and Fire Starters.  We take these items and work with folks from the Shelter.  We pay them a fair wage for their time and they in turn are shown how to make products that we put into our inventory for sale.

Our REED Workshops stand for Repurposing items, Economically beneficial, Environmentally helpful, Developing Skills. We take something that would be discarded and take space in the landfill and transformed it into something that can be used by another. 

Much like the lives of the folks we get to spend time with, they are seen by many as discarded and not of much value but we know that they are made in God’s image and have great worth. While they are working we chat and get to know who they are and what their story is.  For us, the real purpose is not the items made for the store but the lives that we get to invest in for the KINGDOM! 

We are looking for volunteers to help us with other products. If you would like to learn more about our REED Workshops email me (almellinger@yahoo.com) and we will see if we can duplicate this program where you live and serve!

This week Pray for:

• We need to rent one of our apartments in our house soon. Pray that God sends us the right person(s). 
• The ongoing REED Workshops as we work to expand this ministry.
• Our travel schedule – with New York adding Michigan to the states that would require quarantine we are altering our travel schedule. Pray that we connect with the right folks for what we need.

Travel Schedule:

October 21, 2020 – Philipsburg, PA

October 22, Clearfield, PA

October 23, 2020 - Oil City, PA

October 25, 2020 – Decatur, IL –

November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO

November 4, 2020 – Lunch Urbandale, IA

November 4, 2020 PM – Marion & Toddville, IA

November 8, 2020 – McPherson, KS

A Little Break!

October 9, 2020 - This week we have been spending time with our oldest son, his wife and their daughter (Faith - our granddaughter).  It has been a wonderful time of reconnecting and getting to know Faith better. Here are a few photos of us.

Things are still progressing and the ministry is still going on. We are beginning our prep in the Balkans for the Virtual Christmas Gift Box ministry this coming Christmas season. Go to virtualchristmasgiftbox.com for all the details.  Also if your church is wanting to participate and needs more info please contact me right away so we can get you started.

This week pray for…

Our ongoing partnership presentations. Some are in person – last Sunday we did it by Zoom and some are not happening due to the COVID realities.

The Virtual Christmas Gift Box ministry this year as we are planning on 1000 kids.

The store sales – pray that we are able to help many folks around the world with the sales.

 This Months Travel:

October 11, 2020 - Janesville, WI 

October 18, 2020 – Milan MI - AM

October 18 - Deefield - PM

October 20, 2020 – Wellsburg, WV  

October 21, 2020 – Phillipsburg, PA

October 22, Clearfield, PA

October 24, 2020 – Rochester NY – Edgewood 

October 25, 2020 – Albion, NY

November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO 

Grand Opening of a second Around the World Shop!

October 3, 2020 – We had our official Grand Opening on Friday, October 2, 2020 of the new Around the World Shop in Okemos (Lansing), Michigan.  It was a great deal of work setting up a second store with getting inventory, getting everything priced and in the tracking system but we did it. The reaction from the community was better than we hoped for.  Sales for the first couple of days exceeded expectations and that was with little to no local advertising.

What is exciting to us is when we share the purpose and reason behind the shop, people are excited to hear and know that what they purchase is truly making a difference in someone’s life.

Here is a video of opening day!

Please pray for:

The harvest with the Agricultural Program.

Our Stores sales and impact

Out travels

Here is where we will be:

October 4, 2020 – Oswego, IL - ZOOM CHURCH MEETING

October 11, 2020 - Compass Church – Janesville, WI

October 18, 2020 – Milan MI

October 18 Deefield, MI PM

October 21, 2020 – Phillipsburg, PA