Good neighbour stories

Last week, I met with eight families at our furniture storage area who were in need of specific pieces of furniture for a variety of reasons. Several had fled abusive family situations and had very little to start over with. One lady had moved from the east coast recently, and had nothing but her clothes with her. She was so grateful to NeighbourLink volunteers and our used furniture project. She was able to get a small kitchen table and two chairs, some bedding, towels and dishes. She had a small bundle of towels and said that she "didn't want to be greedy and take too many, so others would be able to get some too." Before she left, she hugged me, thanked me and said one day that when she was in better circumstances, she would be able to donate to this ministry herself.

A senior lady requested a ride to her doctor in Corunna and back. Her daughter works full time and can't get time off work very often to drive her. She's moving to Corunna as soon as an apartment is available to her. It would have cost $30 to get there in an agency vehicle, and she didn't feel she could afford that much. Church volunteers drove her, and she insisted on giving them gas money for their vehicle. She shared that she is a worrier. Her health is not good, she is alone a lot, and frets about everything. The volunteers encouraged her to pray when she starts worrying. In the quiet of her apartment, God would hear her prayers and give her peace from her worries. She said that she used to attend church, but had not been attending in recent years. She planned on attending a church near her apartment when the weather got better. There are so many opportunities to encourage the lonely and remind them of the importance of faith in their lives.

Organizations such as the Lambton Health Unit, Children's Aid Society, Family Drop-In Centre, Lambton Children and Youth, Community Legal Assistance, Credit Counseling Services of Ontario, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Home Care, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Social Services have needed the services of NeighbourLink church volunteers over the past year. Our only limitation is when there are no volunteers available to help. We look forward to many new churches joining the NeighbourLink network in the coming year, expanding our volunteer base, and increasing the variety of services available to Sarnia.