The supermarket where you don't have to pay
by Kirstin Engelbracht in Challenge Weekly. New Zealand
May 4, 2007
AUCKLAND, NZ (ANS) -- It's a supermarket in which you can fill your trolley - and don't have to pay. It's probably the only one of its kind in New Zealand.The Marketplace on Sutton Rd, Drury, provides food and basic products to families in need in the South Auckland community.
A wide range of canned and fresh food as well as kitchenware, toys, clothes, sanitary products and nappies can be found on the racks. Displays mark how many of those items each family can put in their supermarket trolley.
On more than 11ha, the Mercy Missions Charitable Trust premises nestles into a tree-filled rural environment on the outskirts of Papakura. There are nearby a plant nursery, firewood stocks, hens, sheep, wood crafts and a cafe.
All the goods are donated to the trust or grown on the property. Some local businesses have supported Mercy Missions for more than 16 years.
Barbara Stone and her husband started Mercy Missions in 1991 and have been serving the South Auckland community with their goods and service since.
By faith the Stones signed an agreement to buy the land which they paid off in 10 years with grants and donations.
From 1991 to 2005 they did a lot of door-to-door outreach and street evangelism. They gave away clothes and food parcels and mowed lawns. The Marketplace started a year ago.
The ministry is looking after 125 families with 14 people working on the site and along with 31 volunteers from 17 churches.
Mercy Missions has three branches: Dovecare represents the Holy Spirit at work in the community; Harvestingis the gathering of the people on the property including the marketplace and nursery; and Vine is yet to be established.
"Mercy Missions is unique. We are neither a social service nor a foodbank," says Gaylene Bourne, the Dovecare manager. "We work hand in hand with churches, Government departments and social services which are looking after 280 families and 812 children."
The trust cares for families of all kinds of backgrounds - people who lost their jobs, can't feed their children appropriately, made wrong decisions in their lives or have problems with alcohol, drugs or gambling.
Some of those families are sent to Mercy Missions, or make contact themselves. In an informal interview they can share their concerns.
"Right from the first interview we make it quite clear that it is a working relationship," says Ms Bourne. "We love them unconditionally and support them all the way through - but it is an agreement.
"It is not just us doing everything for them and them just receiving. We have established good accountability. It is tough love"
Local services inform the trust if families don't show up for their appointments and don't do their bit.
Ms Bourne says some families just need somebody to get alongside them and help them through a situation. There is not the same recipe for everybody; the ministry helps every family individually depending on circumstances.
"But whatever their circumstances are these people all need Jesus. And one of the greatest things is to see so many churches get involved in our ministry."
Last year a counselling service sent Emma Hill to Mercy Missions. The mother of four became a Christian and attends Waiuku Baptist Church.
At the clothes rack with a big sign proclaiming "Only one jacket per family" she points at a sports jacket. "A few weeks ago I was allowed to take one. I believe the ministry is such a blessing for the community and I hope that nobody will ever takes advantage it. It's a loving place."
Barbara Stone has seen lots of families responding to the Gospel. She remembers one woman with a stealing history who spotted a Bible on the property one day.
"She had a big smile on her face when she told me she gave her life to the Lord. When she was first sent to us there was nothing there, absolutely nothing. She is a totally different person now. Those stories keep you going. We have had a lot of very exciting feedback and salvation."
As for the future Mercy Missions hopes to purchase the surrounding land around the property to develop further ministries such as a care house, accommodation and conference rooms on up to 40ha.
"It's God's land. The finances have always come in, and although we struggled at times, we have never run out of food. We have lots of things in the back of our heads but are waiting for the Lord to confirm our plans.
He will decide. God has proved himself hundreds of times at this place."
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
