Living Mosaic Christian Reformed Church, a church plant in Burlington, Ontario, is reaching out to its neighbors with couches, chairs, and dining room sets.
Last year the church started a furniture bank to enable immigrants, refugees, single mothers, the working poor, and others to acquire items they would otherwise not be able to afford.
Iona Buisman, Living Mosaic’s community ministry director, said the church launched the furniture bank in response to a request for help by a community agency.
The furniture bank currently operates out of several garages, but Living Mosaic is looking for warehouse space. Finding adequate facilities for the fledgling ministry is a struggle.
“It’s very expensive in Burlington. . . . That has been a source of frustration for us, but it has taught us to be patient and wait on God,” said Buisman.
One family, who left everything behind when forced from their home in Afghanistan, received a coffee table, dining room set, and chairs. “They expressed their gratitude to Living Mosaic Church for helping them get a fresh start in Canada,” said Buisman.
Another family who was happy to receive furniture a year ago recently asked the pastor of Living Mosaic to come and pray with them.
The furniture bank receives funding from Operation Manna, a program of Diaconal Ministries Canada (www.diaconalministries.com), which assists local outreach ministries.
