Al & Diane Mellinger's Missionary Adventure

Snow Days Here Too!

February 18, 2021 – Like most folks in the US we too in Petrich have been hit with a snowy cold week. (We will get snow down here but it lasts for a few hours) We received about 10 inches of snow and temperatures have stayed at or both freezing this week.

So, we are staying in and communicating via phone, internet, and email with the team.  We are getting ready for having our annual conference with the churches at the end of March and that means getting things prep and translated. Our role this year is more coaching the National leadership and advise on the next steps.  It is exciting to see the National Leaders step up and take charge of the work.

Please pray for the upcoming conference (in person if we can on Zoom if we can’t) in late March. Pray that everything will get communicated, translated, and sent out so all parties are well informed.

Pray for the leadership as we are going to be electing a new Supt. this conference. 

Pray also for Team Balkans, God is doing some new work and some changes are coming – pray that we will truly sense God leading as we all move forward.

Back for a week!

February 6, 2021 – We have been back in Bulgaria for a week. Because we arrived with a negative COVID Test document we did not have to quarantine.  We have been busy as we have attended our local church twice, met with the rest of Team Balkans, toured the girls' home to see the progress, conducted inventory, and are getting ready to slowly relaunch some of the livelihood groups.  All that while getting our body clocks back in this time zone. We are happy to be back and excited to see what God is doing even during COVID!

We are also making some additional changes to our communications system.  We will be sharing less and less on this blog post about Marketplace Manna and the fair-trade projects we are working on with it – instead, you can sign up at Marketplacemanna.biz for regular communication (like this) for the Fair-trade programs we are working on.  If you sign-up you will get regular updates on programs, discounts and ways to get involved where you are.  Some exciting things will be happening at this new site and we want everyone who is interested to be kept up to date.

(you can also scan this QR code with your phone to be taken to the sign-up box)

This post will continue to happen with updates on what Team Balkans is up to and how to pray for the work over here.  You do not need to do anything to continue to get this one.

Thanks again for your support.

This week pray for…

… the preparations for the relaunching of the livelihood groups

… our continued adjustment

… the ongoing preparations of the Girls' home.

En route - 30 plus hours

January 27, 2021 - When most of you get this post we will be somewhere en route to Bulgaria!  We had our COVID Test and they came back negative - so we are cleared to fly.  First from Detroit to Chicago then Frankfort and then (after a 12-hour layover) Sofia.  We will be traveling for over 30 hours (although, I usually sleep on the flights).

We are ready to get back and to see our friends and coworkers.  We will miss our family and friends here too. That is a drawback to living in two worlds. But the blessings are also special as well.

Last weekend we had our last in-person visit with our granddaughter and family.  We enjoyed it very much - good thing we can video chat when not around.

Thanks to all who we saw this time stateside and who helped us in some way - you always make our time in the US memorable. 

Today pray for us as we travel and navigate all the COVID rules in the different countries we will be in. Next week from Bulgaria again!

One week and we return to Bulgaria (if all goes well)!

January 21, 2021 – We are scheduled to fly out next Thursday for our trip back to Bulgaria.  As of right now our flight is on and all we have to do is get a Covid Test that comes back negative within 72 hours of our flight and we should be good to go.

It has been a wild and amazing 5 months since we returned in August. Visited about 30 churches (in person). Opened a new store location – moved another store location spent time with the family and friends as best we could.

We will return and after a 10 day quarantine period will be restarting our livelihood groups (or at least that is the plan) and continue in the transfer of the work to more of the nationals.

As we will soon begin our 15^th year on the field we are still amazed at what God is doing and how He has lead us and used us to connect with and touch people.

Thanks for your prayers!

This week pray for…

… our flight back to BG on January 28^th

… the restart of the livelihood Groups

…the transition of more of the oversight to the nationals

A Guy Named Steve!

January 14, 2021 – back in December when I was peeking in the window of the location we are now moving our store to I meet a guy on the street named Steve.  He lives in the subsidized housing units above the store.

On Wednesday, we started redoing the floors which required scraping basically on your hands and knees.  I saw Steve outside looking in, so I pop my head out and greeted Steve and jokingly asked if he wanted to help – He declined my offer.  But an hour or so later he came back by and volunteered to help. I told him I could not pay him anything but he was welcome to help.

We worked and talked and now every day Steve comes by wanting to help and chat.  Steve will be a great protector of the store as he is out and has his eyes on everything, but more importantly, he is one of God’s children that we are getting to know and are ministering to him.

Our new location has not yet opened and we are seeing ways God will use it not only to help the people in other countries but also in our back yard.  (and we found out that today January 14^th is Steve’s 66th Birthday – so we are going get him a cupcake or something and celebrate with him!)

This week pray for

STEVE – that he gives his live to Christ

Our Grand Opening on Monday, January 18^th – that we would know only have good sales in this location but more ministry to folks like Steve as time goes by.

Our return plans to Bulgaria – we fly back on the 28^th but everything with COVID is always changing.

Happy New Year - We are Moving!

January 5, 2021 -  Not Diane and me but Marketplace Manna’s Jackson Store is moving from the Jackson Crossing Mall to downtown Jackson (corner of MLK and Michigan Ave) 100 S Martin Luther King Drive.  Our lease was up and traffic in the Mall had steadily decreased and downtown Jackson is on the uptick with development and fun places to go. So we decided we wanted to go where the action is.

We are excited about the space and location and our overhead is going down which means more funds can be directed back to our partners and the people they help.  Our moving date will be sometime in Mid-January (shooting for the MLK weekend).

Please pray for the move and that we will be able to serve even more people and share the stories of people around the world that are being touched by what we sell.

There is a great deal of work to do to get this place ready but we love a challenge and know we will be happy with the end look.  If you are in the greater Jackson area and want to help with the prep and cleanup work or want to help us pack up and move the shop let me know and we will keep you informed.

As you can see the floor has dried glue from the carpet that was in there that we will have to remove (but it a pretty tile pattern).

This was one of several areas we have been asking prayer for in our future.  We hope a couple others of them will be nailed down soon too!  Happy New Year to all!

MARKETPLACE MANNA: More than a Store!

December 30, 2020 - We have been asked a few times why are we doing Marketplace Manna and the stores? Here is a brief reply:

Marketplace Manna has it’s Around the World Shops.” Currently, 2 locations – one in Jackson, Michigan, and our newest one near Lansing, Michigan additionally we have our online shop and our display table when we travel to churches and conferences.

The sales are by far the most visible program, but we are much more than a shop peddling trinkets from different countries. Our mission is to help the poor, disenfranchised, persecuted, disabled, and unemployed around the world. We are a holistic ministry doing so much more.

We hold REED Workshops and want to work with churches or groups that also have a desire to help folks in need.  REED stands for Repurposing items, Economically Helpful, Environmentally friendly, Developing skills. These are held in partnership with groups that serve the least among us. We take items that are being discarded and creating a new useful product by teaching those in need to make something out of it. We pay them a fair wage and then put what they make into our inventory to sell – while we share the story.

We Profit Share with churches, schools, and other groups who want to help us with our mission.  Done through fundraisers, table display sales, and our gift card program. We know that the more we can sell the more we can impact those in need.  We also want to encourage local groups to reach out and help the folks in need in your backyard as well. We also know funds are often tight so if we can help each other everyone benefits.

We offer Seminars and Training Opportunities to groups who want to know more about what we do and who we serve.  Sharing stories and making folks aware of what impact their spending has is the first step in making real change in the world. We are currently developing programs for kids that we hope will include short coloring books and maybe some animated videos.

Livelihood Groups are ways we also make investments in folks who are wanting and willing to work but need a jump start with startup funds to get a product developed and into production. We see this as a hand up instead of just a handout.

We Partner with more than 20 groups serving people in more than 30 countries and growing regularly.  The reason we partner with like-minded groups is the more of the products they sell the more the folks they serve will make.  We give them a broader exposer.  Volume is what will help the poor, disenfranchise, persecuted, disabled and unemployed support their families.  We are always looking for groups to partner with to add variety or items to our shops but also help more folks care for their families.

When you help us by shopping or giving to our development fund you help us help people care for their families.

Pray for…

Our return to Bulgaria plans – our early January flight was canceled and we are now rescheduled for late January (as we are still waiting to see what happens with COVID after the new year).

Our store in Jackson – we are wanting and needing to relocate it as the Mall we are in is not doing well.  We have a place in mind but are running into some road blocks – please pray for God to lead and work out the details.

The restart of the livelihood Groups when we return – Depending on wher COVID is at will determine how and what we can restart.

If you are able we are looking for Development funds as we start the new year and some new ideas. - to give go here - https://marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop.square.site/#xZAoyk

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December 24, 2020 - This Christmas Season we have been in awe of God’s Faithfulness! We have been grateful for the support and words of encouragement we have heard. And we are amazed at how God has directed and blessed the sales at the stores and online.  We are living in very exciting times with many challenges but also the opportunity for great impact and much ministry too!

Thanks again for prayers, support, and help in 2020 – Let’s see what new and exciting things 2021 holds!

This week thank God for the gift of His son and all that He continues to give!

Yearend giving ideas:

David and Jill Sweet – Coworkers in Bulgaria partnering with us on the ground in Bulgaria -

to give go here - https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/df-vibgsweet

Chance and Dee Dee Galloway – Coworkers in Bulgaria partnering with us on the ground in Bulgaria - to give go here -  https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=486

Marketplace Manna Development Fund – Helps us start new groups to reach new communities. - to give go here - https://marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop.square.site/#xZAoyk

Ending the Year Strong!

December 18, 2020 -  What a year 2020 has been (everyone is saying that – but it is true), we are ending the year much different than we started. How the ministry is done has changed. The folks we serve have expanded and the needs have increased. At the same time money is tighter (as folks everywhere have lost jobs or had reduced hours) and that means giving for some of the team and projects is great right now.

As we come to the end of 2020 and you are looking at your own finances and want to give what you can – here are 3 areas that we work with that could use your support.  If you cannot give anymore – please pray that God would meet the need we have and the challenges we face.

David and Jill Sweet – Coworkers in Bulgaria partnering with us on the ground in Bulgaria -

to give go here - https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/df-vibgsweet

Chance and Dee Dee Galloway – Coworkers in Bulgaria partnering with us on the ground in Bulgaria - to give go here -  https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=486

Marketplace Manna Development Fund – Helps us start new groups to reach new communities. - to give go here - https://marketplace-mannas-around-the-world-shop.square.site/#xZAoyk

Make a Difference, BE the Difference!

December 5, 2020 – With the world-wide crises taking place around us it is hard to know what to think let alone what to do.

We began the COVID pandemic in Bulgaria. When it appeared to die down we came stateside for partnership building and now we are hearing reports of major problems with our friends and coworkers in Bulgaria and all over the world.

So, what can we collectively as followers of Christ do?

• PRAY – it is the most powerful force in the world and we can do it where ever we are alone or in a group.
• Respond as you can! – write a note, deliver some food, call on the phone. Let folks know that they are not alone! Where you see a need – respond!
• Help Us Help Others! – We through our Fairtrade Store and Sales are helping families and groups that are helping families all over the world impacted by the pandemic. When you buy Fairtrade, you know that the proceeds from that purchase are directly impacting a needy person/family somewhere in the world.

To help us shop at marketplacemanna.com right from the safety of your home and when you do pray for the folks who made the gifts you have purchased!  It is truly a way to make a difference, become proactive and BE THE DIFFERENCE!

This week pray for:

The organization and distribution of the Virtual Christmas Gift Box program. With COVID we are adjusting how this is done so please pray!

Our Store sales pray that they would go well – so that we have more to reinvest back into families trying to make a better life.

Diane and I as we try and figure out how to do all that we need to during this crazy time. We are wrapping up things in places and starting new things in places and trying to figure out what are the next steps in all our ministries.  Things are not happening like they have in the past.

Our pray for you is that you truly have a Bless Christmas Season even though it will be different!