August 13, 2020 – We have now been stateside for about a week. To help with “Jet Lag” I usually hit the ground running. Getting our display ready (including making is social distancing compliant). We have done one church and had 3 meals with supporters and been working at the store every day.
But the greatest joy was to see our family and especially our granddaughter Faith. She knows us as the people in the box – so I was not sure if she would come to us or be a bit more fearful. But she was not at all bothered that we were there and not in the box. Diane has got to spend a few days caring for Faith while I had other appointments for Marketplace Manna and some future projects.
This week continue to pray for our schedule and the people we meet – with the ever-changing rules for Covid – we are constantly changing depending on where we are.
Pray for the team back in the Balkans as they continue training and making plans to serve the people in need.
July 30, 2020 - Raise Right is the name of the App that you can download and use to purchase easily and Quickly gift cards for making your purchases. (We have talked about Scrip before and this replaces that)
Why would you want to use gift cards to make everyday purchases? Because when you do (and they are connected through Raise Right) anywhere from 2- 16 percent of what you spend is rebated back to us to help with the work we do helping need people around the world.
Your buying gas helps us, your back to school shopping helps us, your grocery shopping helps us. Just about everything you want to buy can be purchased with Gift Cards from Raise Right and make a difference in our work.
Down load, the Raise Right app on your smartphone or tablet, use our enrollment code, and get started in helping us do what we can to help those people in need. Current Enrollment code: 3A42E21436226
Here is a video that explains it
Still got questions call Casey at 419-304-9012.
This week Pray For:
Our flights next Wednesday - that they all happen and they go smoothly
Our Time Stateside - we are still working on midweek location and Meals with the Mellingers - pray we can use our time to the fullest
Extra here is our most recent updated schedule of where we will be.
In June, we sent products being made here in Bulgaria to our store in Michigan. We do this regularly – but about 2 weeks after the delivery we received a bill on the shipment which imposed 100% duty (tax) on what we sent. We have been working to try and get answers and a solution to this issue. This week I finally was able to talk to someone who is working on our case. Pray for a quick and favorable resolution to this duty issue.
The cost was about $813.00. Today I received an email from the shipper stating:
A partial credit for DTY $764.96 has been added to gateway credit dispute spreadsheet.
Which means the bill goes from $813 to $48.24 which is about what it should be. Thanks for your prayers – we have been working on this for over 6 weeks. Thanks for praying with us!
July 22, 2020 - This week I want to give you some background about some things to pray about.
In June, we sent products being made here in Bulgaria to our store in Michigan. We do this regularly – but about 2 weeks after the delivery we received a bill on the shipment which imposed 100% duty (tax) on what we sent. We have been working to try and get answers and a solution to this issue. This week I finally was able to talk to someone who is working on our case. Pray for a quick and favorable resolution to this duty issue.
Our flights to the USA are scheduled for August 5th. But with travel bans and quarantines ever changing – they have changed several times. Pray that we are able to come without too many hiccups on the way.
Arrangements here in Bulgaria while we are gone. Again, with the ever-changing orders and restrictions – what we arrange today may have to be redone tomorrow. Pray that we will be able to put into place flexible plans that will handle changing instructions/orders given by authorities.
The Petrich Church – we have been given a heads up that the authorities will be coming to check out all the churches in town on Sunday to make sure we are wearing our mask (if not there is a stiff fine for us and the people) we will be taking the steps needed but if they are looking for a reason to fine folks (to get fund in the city accounts) they will. Pray that they find nothing to fine us for.
Here is our schedule for the first few weeks back – still open for small gatherings and meals if we are near you – let us know at almellinger@yahoo.com and we will see what we can do.
July 16, 2020 - This is the theme for our Partnership time. Here is a video we will be using as we share at many different churches. It gives you a snapshot of all that is going on to bring God's Kingdom to people in need!
If we are not going to be at your church and you would like to see us - arrange for us to have a meal with the Mellingers and we will see what we can do.
This week pray for...
Travel plans - I called this week and our flight was canceled but they rebooked it but didn't tell us (I will be checking weekly until we go).
The agricultural program - produce is coming it - pray we get it to those who need it most.
Our stores and livelihood groups during this time.
July 9, 2020 - Here is our redone schedule for our time stateside beginning in about 3 weeks. We know with COVID 19 it could still all change but we are moving forward and will adjust if need be - after all being Flexible is one of the jobs of a missionary. :)
August 5, 2020 – fly to Detroit
August 9, 2020 – Pulaski, MI
August 16, 2020 – Bangor, Mi
August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI
August 30, 2020 - Wellsburg, WV
September 6, 2020 – West Unity, Ohio 5
September 10, 2020 – Pastors Luncheon - (RSVP) Jackson, MI
September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI
September 20, 2020 - St Charles, IL
September 27, 2020 – McConnell, IL
September 29, 2020 - Ottumwa & Fairfield, IA
October 4, 2020 – Oswego, IL
October 11, 2020 - Janesville, WI
October 17th - Pre-Christmas Brunch, Fashion Show & Bazaar in Michigan - Jackson, MI
October 18, 2020 – Milan MI
October 25, 2020 – Albion, NY
November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO
November 4, 2020 – Urbandale, IA
November 8, 2020 – McPherson, KS
November 15, 2020 - Platteville, WI
November 22, 2020 – Kokomo, IN
November 29, 2020 – Chelsea MI
December 6, 2020 - PM at 1208 Greenwood
December 13, 2020 - OPEN
December 20, 2020 - Open
December 27, 2020 - Open
January 3, 2020 – Watervliet, Mi
January 6, 2020 – Fly to SOF
If we are in your area we would love to do a Meal with the Mellingers or a midweek activity with your group. Just let us know and we will see what we can work out.
Our them this year is "Your Kingdom Come" we will be looking at what Jesus meant by that and how the church is bringing His Kingdom to needy people where ever they are.
Pray for...
... final plans for travels
... Our schedule - to fill in open dates to connect with as many folks as we can
... The churches here as they are still trying to figure out what the new normal will be post COVID 19
July 2, 2020 - Thirty-seven years ago Diane and I were married out in the woods at Sky Lodge Christian Camp. We were summer staff that turned into being the director of the camp for 2 years. We were excited about ministry and serving God in whatever way He chose. It has been an amazing adventure with many twists and turns, but each one was used by God to prepare us for something He wanted us to do next (or later down the road).
And today I am just as excited about the future as I was 37 years ago when we were starting out. Maybe more so because now we have 37 years of history to look back on. To remember all the times, He was leading us to do new things in new places with new people and not knowing how and if what we were jumping into would work, but it always did. So, with that history and the winds of change blowing for our ministry and the work here. We look forward with confidence, having a history of faithfulness to stand on.
The Churches are continuing to grow, our holistic ministries are moving forward lives are being saved and disciples made. It is time to look to the future and see what God wants to do next in and through us to advance the kingdom.
We celebrate 37 years of marriage and ministry this year and anticipate many more fruitful years ministry and impacting the people we serve.
This week pray…
… travel plans to the states – the pandemic restrictions are very fluid and change sometimes daily over here. Pray, we are able to get where we need to go to do what God wants us to do!
… the churches – some have reopened and then closed again some have not opened and some are open. Pray that they will be creative in ministering however they can to their neighborhoods.
… our stores both here and in Michigan – Sales are down and we need the income to keep the folks we hire and partner with employed. They have families that count on them and the workers count on us.
June 25, 2020 - … is Christmas Day! Now some of you are groaning because it is so early and some of you can’t wait for it to arrive. The reason I mention it is we are trying to get folks prepared and ready to help with our VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX (VCGB) Program.
We have been doing this for more than a decade now and it is growing but this year we are expecting the need to be even greater due to the COVID 19 Pandemic and so many folks we serve have not had their normal summer employment opportunities this year. And we are going to need more participation for more of our partners to make it happen this year.
So below are 2 videos that contain a great deal of the details about VCGB Program:
This is how to organize your group to help us with the VCGB Program.
This is how the program works to show to people in your group.
June 18, 2020 -(written by Diane) These are confusing times and it’s easy to get discouraged. Our community in Bulgaria is also confused about world events. Students are finishing school, and people are working temporary jobs from project to project. For many, these are uncertain times. We all can be overwhelmed by what is happening in these days.
We have different views outside our home windows, we are beginning to see activity in our neighborhood. People are starting to fix their roofs.
One view is of an old wall. When I think about the devastation worldwide with the pandemic, I get overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
Another view is a lookout over our town to other towns in the Petrich region. When I switch my view from the old wall to look and pray over the town, I begin to see the world from a different perspective. Throughout history, times have been good and bad, yet God is working through those who are part of His Kingdom.
When I look up and out I quit feeling overwhelmed and can once again put my hand in His and follow His lead knowing He’s in control and has me, my community and the world’s future in mind.
This week pray for –
Local leaders making decisions as to how to live after the stay at home orders
our own perspectives that we continue to look at the world through God’s eyes
Continued plans for our time in the states this fall
June 12, 2020 – Things are starting to come together for our Partnership Building stateside this fall – Our flights are booked and we are planning to arrive back on August 5, 2020, and be connecting with our churches and other supporters until the start of 2021.
Our Sunday schedule is coming along nicely but we do have time between Sundays that we would like to fill up with conversations, stories and dreams about what God has is and will do with you and people you know.
So, we are looking to invite ourselves to your place – You provide the meal, and invited friends and we will provide the conversation, excitement and few other surprizes. Services are great for getting the big idea across but when we can sit and share over a couple of hours so much more can be learned and understood.
If you would like to take advantage of us while in your area in between churches, contact us and we will figure out a date when we can come to your place.
This week
Pray as we are working on more details for the girls home.
Pray for the economic realities as we come out of the shelter at home and try and get things going again. Pray about changes we feel we need to make as we move forward.
