Car Clinic at our Church

[Cow Poke]

OK, the count is in! We serviced TWENTY SEVEN vehicles today, and learned a few things.

A) We worked from 9am to 4pm. Only 3 cars came in after 1pm. Next year we'll quit at 1pm, along with whoever is in line at that time. It was a LONG day!

2) We hit our target audience -- single moms, older people, and poor people. We didn't have anybody that seemed to be there "just for the free oil change coupon".

C) Something I didn't expect, but was a blessing -- several older people stopped by to have us look at their cars, then they stayed to talk. And stayed. And stayed. It only takes us about 5 to 10 minutes to service their vehicle, but one lady stayed for an hour. Our ladies were inside serving refreshments and just sitting around enjoying fellowship, and some of these older people just enjoyed sitting and talking. One older gentleman was a P-51 fighter pilot in WW2. Some of you know how I love P-51's so he was a delight!

At 4pm, as we were putting things away, 2 more cars came in, and we took care of them, then put things away. LONG day, but a real blessing.

[Cow Poke]

Charlie is one of my best buddies - he's always laying down on the job!

charlie 2.JPG

[Cow Poke]

Sometimes we'd have 3 cars lined up at a time!

car clinic.JPG

[Sparko]

OK, the count is in! We serviced TWENTY SEVEN vehicles today, and learned a few things.

A) We worked from 9am to 4pm. Only 3 cars came in after 1pm. Next year we'll quit at 1pm, along with whoever is in line at that time. It was a LONG day!

2) We hit our target audience -- single moms, older people, and poor people. We didn't have anybody that seemed to be there "just for the free oil change coupon".

C) Something I didn't expect, but was a blessing -- several older people stopped by to have us look at their cars, then they stayed to talk. And stayed. And stayed. It only takes us about 5 to 10 minutes to service their vehicle, but one lady stayed for an hour. Our ladies were inside serving refreshments and just sitting around enjoying fellowship, and some of these older people just enjoyed sitting and talking. One older gentleman was a P-51 fighter pilot in WW2. Some of you know how I love P-51's so he was a delight!

At 4pm, as we were putting things away, 2 more cars came in, and we took care of them, then put things away. LONG day, but a real blessing.

Cool!

I met a 90 year old gentleman yesterday who was very interesting (and spry!). He was a marine in WW2 and was part of an advance force for the planned invasion of Japan, and was there just a couple of months before they decided to drop the bomb. He had some amazing stories!

[Cow Poke]

So, one of the people who came to Car Clinic yesterday was in Church this morning with their family. After Church, the husband (man, wife and small child) told us that they had been looking for a Church that actually practiced what they preached. They asked if they could make an appointment to talk about being baptized. I will be visiting in their home early next week. WHO KNOWS?!?!?!

[Sparrow]

This sounds like a fantastic way of doing ministry. Kudos!