Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Points of Sale Expanding

April 30, 2022 – A few weeks back we wrote about the more we sell the more we help people.  That can be done by selling more in our current locations or it can be done by increasing our “Points of Sale”.

When we travel and are speaking we have a point of sale for the time we are there. Sometimes, groups, have us send them products for a display for a special event, that is another point of sale. (If you would like us to come or for a display let me know)

But another option is to have some of our products in consignment-type shops where we join with other vendors to create a store or point of sale. This is the area that we are looking into and investigating the options. It really started when a man approached me, while I was filling in at the Ann Arbor location, about an idea for a development he was working on in Coldwater, Michigan. We followed up and are working on that location currently. 

But that got us to think that maybe there are more enterprises that we might be able to partner with to share the merchandise made to help the poor and needy around the world. We are now in conversations with locations in Portage, MI, Mason, Michigan, and Marshall, Mi.

In fact, we are looking at having Marketplace Manna’s Up-cycled Shop – where we only sell things that are made from recycling items. This will benefit the local groups we work with as all the items made by local groups use upcycled materials in them

Think of all the folks that could be impacted as we figure out more and different ways to help the needy. Maybe you know a place near you that might be interested in having some of what we produce and get from others in a shop near you!

Please join us in praying about this. Pray God would open the right locations with the right shop to have a huge impact.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Environment

April 22, 2022 – I am writing this post on Earth Day.  A day established to promote and celebrate taking better care of the planet.

As part of our goal to help the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled and unemployed, we also try to encourage the products we sell to be earth-friendly. Our REED Workshop products all have a recycle or upcycle component to them (using old t-shirts, Candles, pinecones men’s ties, etc.).

Because we have “Sustainable products” for sale, we participated in and were featured with a special display at the Briarwood Mall.

That is great but Environment is even more important for people.  What is it like for the poor and needy? What was it like for these folks growing up?  Environment goes a long way in to shaping how we live, think and function as people.

Several of our partners work with women who have been abused.  The homeless shelter also works to change or create a better environment for its clients.  Getting the needy into a new environment is critical to their recovery.  The same is true to ministering to and working with those struggling around you.  

Working to change the environment that they live in is very important. For some it might be where they live, for others, it might be the encouragement they get.  For us to give folks something to do, that they can accomplish, to help themselves, is building a new environment.

Jesus tells many stories about the needs of people and about how others responded or fail to respond to those needs. (parable of the Sheep & Goats, the persistent widow) These stories help us if we have ears to hear, to realize that people are what God wants us to focus on and care about. They are the only thing we can take with us to heaven when this life is done.

We are thankful and grateful that we are able to in some small way touch the lives of folks around us be they in our backyard or across the sea.  We want to encourage everyone to be looking for and finding the needy God has placed near you so that you can be His hand and feet to minister to them in some way.

This week pray for…

…eyes to see the needy around you

…our travel schedule and ongoing funding need for our support and the work we engage in.

…the refugees our Bulgarian Team is working with and we are trying to figure out how we can best help them.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Happy Easter To All!

April 16, 2022 - This was part of the Easter Decorations at our Briarwood Store. We had many Eggs from all over the world (hence the Egg Hunt).  We know eggs are not the reason for the holiday. It is Jesus' death as the payment for our sins and His resurrection that brings us all New Life!

We hope and pray that all would come to know Jesus!

thanks for your prayers and support!

This week pray as God leads you for us and our ministry!

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

The More that is Sold, the More Folks we can Help.

April 9, 2022 - Currently we are partnering with more than 25 groups/organizations representing people in 47 countries. We have all kinds of stuff from soaps to chocolate, from wood trivets to paper beaded jewelry.  Each has a story that impacts a family trying to survive.  We are constantly looking for unique items to add to the collection.  We are partnering with many local organizations, as well as more overseas, as there are poor and needy folks everywhere!

Having a variety of items is not our end goal. Selling what we have so that we can purchase more is. The families have been paid for everything you see in our stores or online.  To continue to help our partners and the people they serve, we need to be constantly getting new items in, but to do that we need to sell the items that we have so we have the funds to make the new purchases. We need folks to continually stop by and purchase gifts and items so that we will need to replace those items in the store (thereby helping those we serve).

That is why we often say – Think Fair Trade First!  We are also trying to get new and different items in regularly so that when you come back, you will find something different.

In addition, we are looking for more points of sale opportunities to move product as well.  This could be at your church, with your club or organization, your school or just a group of friends. It could be a small display in a local business, in a waiting room, or church lobby.

Here are a few other ways you can helps us continue to help those in need.

Craft & Vendor Sale Volunteers

We are looking for people who would be willing to set up a display and work at area Craft and Vendor Sales to help us sell the handmade merchandise and the stories that go with each item.  If you would be interested in doing this, let us know, and we will then see what craft/vendor sales are in your area and see if it would work.

Investment Opportunities

Looking for (an) investor(s) who will help get us the start-up funds to put to work Ukrainian Refugees in Bulgaria.

Looking for (an) investor(s) who will help get us the start-up funds for a center in Jackson to help us in training and working with the groups we partner with in the southern Michigan area.

If interested, email or phone me ([email protected] or 517-395-3054)

Pray for the above-mentioned needs

Pray for us as we try and figure out how we can put the refugees to work

Pray for our personal support

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

 

To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

The Otsego Apartments & The Friendly Home: Lives impacted!

April 7, 2022 – In Jackson we have four groups/churches that we are partnering with to assist and support people with great needs.

In the Otsego Apartments, we are now holding a monthly gathering with any resident that wants to come. It includes an activity, presentation, and discussion of the presentation.  The numbers vary from month to month but we are getting to know the folks and getting known by the folks.  This past week one of the residents stopped me as I was heading into the store and said you pray when you gather, right?  I said yes. Well, one of the residents that was liked by all died – can you say a prayer this week for Kevin.  My response was yes! 

That may not seem like a big deal but the fact that they know we are prayers and they seek us out for prayer is a huge bridge for other conversations from time to time. These folks are in their last few years and many have no one to show them any attention. They are lonely and cranky sometimes but people that God made in His own image and who loves them very much.  If we can be His arms, to hug and mouths, to pray then that is where we want to be.

The Friendly Home – is another elderly home for older women who again do not have anyone else to care for them.  Once a month we pick up products that they make (that we pay them for) and drop off the raw materials for the next month.  We have been doing this and are getting to know the ladies that we work with – they are so thankful for something to do and for a bit of extra cash.

When I chat with the folks and hear what they have to say I am in awe of how God has lead us to connect with these folks to show his love for them and to affirm that they still matter and can do something …they are not a lost cause.

What group or organization might be in your town?  How could they be served?  If you would like some ideas or want some help, let's talk! We are looking to partner with others who can reach the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled or unemployed where ever they are.

Pray…

… for the relationships, we are making that they would lead to spiritual conversations and more.

…for our travel schedule for the spring and summer as we are looking to get out and share what God is doing and how others can be a part of it.

… for our financial support –may we find new partners to pick up the shortfall we have experienced.

Giving links:

To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here