December 27, 2021 - We started 2021 wondering what we were to do? The door was closing in the Balkans and what we were wanting to do, wasn’t being done (at least by a few in our circle). Here is a summary of different areas of our life from 2021.

Retail Operations:
We relocated our store in Jackson from all a Mall to downtown in January. In April, we moved our store in Petrich back to the church complex. In May, the mall in Okemos moved us to a different spot. In September, we opened our Ann Arbor location and on December 30th we are closing our Okemos store.
Ministry Operations:
In January, we were approached about partnering with Mission Igniter to add an economic element to what they do. As we had been praying about what was next this seemed like an open door. In May, we returned to the US to begin the transition. In July, we switched from FMWM to Mission Igniter. We are still working on getting our support to the level it needs to be and will be looking at how this will move us forward in 2022.
As we have made this switch we have begun working with folks from several Churches to begin to see how we can help minister to folks economically. We are serving at the local interfaith Shelter 2 times a month teaching them to upcycle items, we have begun a meeting in the building our Jackson Store is located in with Senior Citizens with the help of folks from 1208 Greenwood Church and have begun working with a gal who is a neighbor of one of the Missional Communities with the Evergreen Church.
Our Ann Arbor Store has daily folks from different countries and ethnic backgrounds coming in. this past week a lady who saw we had things from Bulgaria came in and I even got to use the Bulgarian that I know with her. Another of our staff speaks Chinese and has used it with customers as well. We are praying about what kind of ministry will be developed at this location but we know it will be international.
International Operations:
We are still operating our livelihood groups in Bulgaria and they worked almost every month adding new products to support their families. We are planning to make 2 trips annually there and other places as more livelihood groups are established. Not sure when we can return in 2022 because of the ever-changing rules with Covid 19.
In addition, we still helped participate in the Virtual Christmas Gift Box program helping over 600 kids and their families this year.
2022 Plans:
As mentioned we plan to make at least one trip back to Bulgaria this year to work with the team we still have in place there.
We are working on setting up a traveling and speaking schedule to supporting churches and other groups who would like to know what we are doing and how they can be a part of it. If you are interested please let us know.
We hope to shore up Development Funds to expand the work we do in partnering with local churches as they work to connect and serve the poor in their neighborhoods.
We are looking at locations for “Pop-Up” stores for the Holiday season 2022 – but that means having it ready by July for September openings. Finding managers and staff and getting them in place to do this.
The more that we work in this area the more I see the needs all around and the more I see how the church can be a part of the solution but it will mean looking at ministry a little differently.
Summary
People often comment that we are out of the Box thinkers – to which I respond – what is a box? I lost my box so many years ago I am not sure what a box is. Scripture says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever but also says He is new every morning. For us, the truth of God’s love for people is the same but how we connect folks to that love is ever-changing. We want to be ready to move and sever as God provides opportunities and presents needs.
Thanks for your interests, prayers, and support for the work we do. Please continue to pray and give as you are able.
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