“I have to figure out how to make this store bloom.”

Janet Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

It may look like other consignment stores, with racks of clothing, aisles of furniture, and shelves with dishes, books, and toys. At Mission Thrift Stores, though, if you stop and listen you will hear the difference. Praise music plays softly in the background, interrupted occasionally by the laughter of volunteers sorting donations in the back room.

The difference goes beyond ambiance. These are thrift stores with a dual purpose: helping the needy and raising money to advance the gospel. Last year, the 50 Canadian Mission Thrift Stores stores donated $11 million to the Bible League Canada.

“[The Bible League] finds ministries that are doing the right thing, the right way, and they support those ministries,” explains Dorothy-Ann Norng, current manager of the Orleans Mission thrift store. “It is indigenous [working with local Christians in whatever region they serve] which is the best way to do missions all over the world.”

Norng calls herself a “fixer”. Mission Thrift Store Canada sends her on temporary assignments to stores that need help generating sales, creating a better atmosphere, and directing the staff and volunteers.

“I am here [in Orleans] to get the store going,” she says. “I have to figure out how to make this store bloom.”

Meanwhile, Norng is also trying to identify a permanent manager to run the store when she leaves.

“It needs to be someone who would embrace it. It has to be a passion for the gospel and the bigger picture of the gospel.” She adds that this type of work takes “a special sort of person to be able to balance the importance of retail with the volunteer supply.”

“The passion for me is about working for God, to be able to be part of something that I can really contribute to.”

Norng stresses the manager needs to be someone with a passion for God and outreach, not just a good head for management. The stores raise money for missions, but they can also be used to reach people locally.

Every morning, before the store opens, the staff and volunteers gather in the kitchen for scripture reading, prayer, and a time of sharing. It serves as a reminder to the group that it is God’s store and they are there for His purposes.

“The passion for me is about working for God, to be able to be part of something that I can really contribute to. It’s not always easy, but I just keep on reminding myself of the purpose.”

Six years ago, Norng’s had an experience that helped build her passion for the work. She and other volunteers were invited by Bible League to visit Ethiopia to see how they were using the money donated. She was amazed to see the schools and churches they have built, which use the Bible to teach reading and writing skills.

“They have a huge building where they provide skills training in metal work, wood work, sewing, leather craft, and farming. They provide micro-loans to widows to start their own businesses. They have a prison ministry that schools the children of prisoners and provides any clothing and supplies they can to the kids. And they have the best coffee in the world.”