monthly focus ~ furniture giveaway to internationals

FURNITURE GIVEAWAY TO INTERNATIONALS

Students from all over the world descend on US college campuses every August looking for an opportunity to educate themselves and improve their futures.  But that’s not all they are looking for when they first arrive.   They are also looking for furniture for their apartments.  They certainly didn’t bring any with them, and they know painfully little about our culture to know where and how to buy any.  This is a need a church can meet and catch the attention of these international visitors for God and the Gospel. 

At Purdue University two EBM missionary families, the Briggs and the Gottfrieds, are ministering to the 5,000 international students on the campus.  Each Spring/Summer they collect quality used furniture from churches and individuals.  In the middle of August they give away the furniture to international students who just arrived in our country.  This is a concrete way to show these newcomers a love they may have never experienced in their own countries. 

Recently a new student from Asia said, “Thanks a lot for the furniture.  It was indeed very kind and considerate gesture from your organisation.  I already am very impressed with America and the people here. I sure would like to meet you some time during the picnic or may be during the course [Bible study].”

New students are especially in need of kitchen tables and chairs, couches, easy chairs, and beds.  For those who would like to donate, please contact Paul Briggs (slcfintl@gmail.com, 765-743-0610) or Dana Gottfried (dgottfried@ebm.org, 765-471-8587).  Items are being collected now and stored in Lafayette for the August Furniture giveaway.