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.

Where we will be:

August 16, 2020 – Bangor, MI

August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI

August 30, 2020 – Wellsburg, WV

September 6, 2020 – West Unity, OH

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.

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

September 13, 2020 – Beloit, WI

September 17, 2020 –Kentwood, MI

September 20, 2020- St Charles, IL

September 20 – Woodstock, IL PM

September 26, 2020 – Melrose Park, IL

September 27, 2020 - McConnell, IL

September 29, 2020 -  Ottumwa & Fairfield, IA

September 30 – Waukegan, IL

October 4, 2020 – Oswego, IL

October 11, 2020 - Janesville, WI

October 18, 2020 – Milan MI

October 18 Deefield, MI PM

October 22, Clearfield, PA

October 24, 2020 – Rochester NY

October 25, 2020 – Albion, NY

October 26, 2020 - Gerry, NY

November 1, 2020 – Chillicothe, MO

November 4, 2020 –Urbandale, IA

November 4, 2020 PM – Marion & Toddville IA

November 8, 2020 – McPherson, KS

November 15, 2020 - Platteville, WI

November 22, 2020 –Kokomo, Indiana

November 29, 2020 – Chelsea MI

December 6, 2020 – Moundford FMC – Decatur, IL

December 13, 2020 - Open

December 20, 2020 - Open

December 27, 2020 – Kalamazoo, MI

January 3, 2020 – Watervliet, Mi

July 24, 2020 - Earlier this week I wrote:

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 5^th. 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.

August 5, 2020 – Fly to DTW -

August 9, 2020 – Pulaski, MI

August 16, 2020 – Bangor, MI

August 23, 2020 – Leslie, MI

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.