5Q4 > An ADRA Op Shop Volunteer

Twenty-one-year-old Tim Golstajn is in his second year of nursing at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW. He also loves second-hand goods, which makes him a great volunteer in the Ballina ADRA Op Shop.

1 How did you get involved with an ADRA Op Shop? > In early 2004 I'd just moved back home to Alstonville, NSW, from Sydney and complained to my mum that our local church should have an op shop (because I wanted to work in one). Would you believe it? Our church was setting one up in Ballina right around that time!

2 Surely a student needs all the cash he can get. Why volunteer?> To get free clothes! Nah, not really! You know God says that if we give money to Him, He will bless us with more. I think the same applies to time (and I need more time). The more we give away, the more we get back. I don't understand it, but it works for me.

3 Why did you choose nursing? > I chose nursing at a time when I still had absolutely no idea what job I wanted in life, and I felt God pull me in that direction even though nursing was the last thing I wanted to do. But, strangely enough, I love it now and it's the direction I want to head in.

4 Found any great bargains? > Plenty. Once I found about 10 really old Ellen White books for less than 50c each! I'm serious, I collect them. Last year I bought someone a birthday gift from an op shop. But don't tell them. Some people don't appreciate op shop gifts. I don't know why!

5 How does being a Christian affect your daily life? > In every way. Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ. To me that means I aim to obey Him and imitate Him, like speaking a kind word to someone who needs it. He also gives me strength to resist temptation when it comes each day, which He promised (1 Corrinthians 10:13). He also gives me peace when I ask for forgiveness.