Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Why Up-Cycle Stuff to make New Products?

May 18, 2022 – We collect all kinds of stuff that seem random at times.  They are items that someone doesn’t use, want, or need.  To many, it looks more like junk or trash and we are often asked, why do you do that?

There are several reasons:

• It helps the planet, keeping things out of landfills (at least for now).
• We work with people who take the stuff we collect and through it learn a skill and a bit of income as they make something useful to another.
• The items become the EXCUSE to get connected with the poor and needy around us. By helping them meet their felt needs we earn the right to share Jesus with them.

By caring about the planet and people’s economic needs we find more doors open for us to get involved and then share the Gospel with people.

We are currently working with several organizations that have no spiritual aspect to their service to the poor, they are only trying to address the immediate needs of their clients. By helping to address the needs, with the groups, we then earn the opportunity to give them what they really need (Jesus).

Things are growing as we are weekly having conversations with groups about possible partnerships. That is exciting as means word is getting out and folks are looking for partners to engage.  It also means that we need more upcycled items to keep folks engaged.

Right now, we need more unwanted T-shirts – especially white (as we tie-dye them) but are still building our collection of everything else too.

Additionally, we want to create a workshop/training space -  to bring some of the local folk we work with for production purposes.  When we tie-dye shirts they need a place to make them and then dry.  Other times things are painted or sealed and need a space to dry.  We have been dreaming about a place for a couple of years and have followed up on 2-3 places that have not worked out.  Would you join us in praying about such a space?

And when we get a space we are going to need folks to help by teaching and working with our folks.  We would love to start a list of folks we can call upon when the workspace is acquired if you have any skills.

This week pray about:

a workshop space

partner conversations that we would create good sinergy

travels as we are entering a busy few months

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here

Simply Stuff!

May 10, 2022 – Recently Diane and I were on a trip and were talking. Diane was reflecting on the fact that we are working to take simple things to make new stuff.  That got me thinking and remembering how Jesus used “simple stuff” to draw folks in and teach on His kingdom.

• The woman at the Well – A Drink
• Feeding of the 5000 – 5 Loaves of Bread and 2 fish
• Wedding Feast in Cana – Jars of Water
• Zacchaeus – Lunch
• Healing the Blind – Spit, dirt, and mud

And if it wasn’t stuff, it was simple instructions

• Leprosy – go wash in the river
• Lame man – get up and walk

For too long we in the church have tried to make it more complicated than it needs to be, more spiritual than it has to be, and more ritualistic than it should be!  It is all about relationships – meeting folks where they are and helping them move to where God wants them to be.  In reality, it always starts with something small and moves to something much bigger.

We have been collecting stuff folks no longer want and making it into things people can use.  We will take t-shirts and tennis balls and make chew toys for pets, we take ties and make cases, headbands, and bracelets for people. We take fabric and cherry pits and make warming and cooling pads.  Simple things that when you first see them are not impressive but when you transform them they become something useful and beneficial.

The same is true for people.  Too often we look at them and they don’t look like much but once transformed by God (as only He can), they become useful and beneficial to those around them.

God wants to use…

…what we have to reach people!

…what we know to teach people!

…who we are to love on people!

So, what do you have?

            What do you know?

                        Who are to love on?

When you answer these questions, you will begin to find out what needs to be done to make an impact in your part of the world!

This week pray about...

... new groups we should start and connect with

... new locations for points of sale

... ongoing support needs for our support and the development fund.

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To help with our personal support click here

Marketplacemanna.com – online store

To help with our development fund click here