During my recent stay in the UK one of the major things I was doing was downsizing my British affairs. So, I sold my car back to the dealership from which I’d bought it – but not before somebody had tried to scam me out of £700, full details on request.
When I left the UK last November I took out a storage unit near Basingstoke. When I discovered how much it was going to be costing me each month, I seriously considered getting rid of everything right there and then. Deciding to put stuff into storage was, in effect, an insurance policy against things not working out here in Uganda for any reason. But, as the months become years, storage of household goods really makes no sense, it is not long before the amount paid in rent exceeds even the cost of the items new let alone secondhand.
So, I went to the UK clear that I wanted to discontinue my storage unit. After a fair bit of sorting, I sent some stuff to join me here in UG – including my electronic piano, REALLY looking forward to being reunited with it! – gave some stuff to charities and people, and threw a fair bit of stuff away, which was a bit heart wrenching as you might imagine. And, finally to get to the point of this post, sold some stuff at two car boot sales.
At this point I need to say a huge thank you to my friend Kate Harvey for her enormous help in guiding me through car boot sales – sorting through my stuff with me, advising on what does and doesn’t sell, suggesting reasonable prices to set and many other things. I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to do this by myself. When it comes to the car boot itself a huge thank you to Bear, Kate’s shih tzu, who is hugely friendly, extremely popular with passers by of all ages, and really helps to draw people in. Thank you, Kate and Bear!
So, as I say, we did two carboot sales looking to sell stuff from my storage unit in Alton, Hampshire. I have to say I found the process really interesting. It starts extremely early on the Sunday morning, so buyers are already there by 7am., particularly dealers with specialists interests. There is a second wave of people at about 10am which is the after-breakfast brigade. And then the whole thing is over certainly by 12 noon if not sooner than that.
It fairly quickly became apparent that, alongside people there to buy for a variety of reasons there were also people who, as far as I could make out, had very little money to spend and more than anything else wanted to talk. Which you will appreciate, from a seller’s point of view, takes a bit of managing, I’m really sorry, much as I’d love to chat I really need to get on and try to sell things!
So, here’s the idea. Christian leaders of the UK, you have a huge opportunity for Christian ministry right on your door steps. Establish teams to have stands at car boot sales within your patches. The one thing you might consider selling which is quite useful in that environment is packing equipment – wrapping paper, bubble wrap, scissors, sellotape, boxes, etc. My best guess is that organisers would not allow you to sell or give away refreshments as that would conflict with their business. Then – have Bibles and some other Christian materials to sell, with a fair bit of stuff to give away, including fliers advertising church services and evangelistic tracts. And, more than anything else, people willing to listen.
Can’t promise anything, of course, but having seen car boot sales in operation I have a really good feeling about this idea. If people aren’t coming to churches then it’s up to us to go to where people are, car boot sales being one such place. Would really love to hear from anybody who is already doing this or takes on board the idea, meanwhile, thank you for reading! At all times and in all places, may the praise and glory go to our Almighty God.
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