Finding Purpose in Retirement: Ken Jeffery’s Book Aid Mission
In the quiet town of Swaffham, 79-year-old Ken Jeffery and his wife Chris have discovered a meaningful way to spend their retirement years that combines their faith with community service. Since November 2023, the couple has transformed their spacious garage into East Anglia’s drop-off center for Book Aid, a charitable organization that has spent nearly four decades collecting and distributing Christian literature to regions where such resources are scarce or unaffordable. What began as a simple solution to help their church dispose of unwanted books has evolved into a fulfilling ministry that not only supports global literacy but also creates opportunities for meaningful human connection right at their doorstep.
The Jefferys’ involvement with Book Aid started almost by chance. “We first came across Book Aid because the church was clearing out books and we found a place in Norwich, and I forgot about it,” Ken explains. “Then it came up again and I wanted something to do now I’m retired. I’ve got a massive garage and when the church here cleared out some more books, I rang Book Aid.” That simple phone call marked the beginning of their new mission. In just two years, they’ve collected over 200 boxes of books donated by churches and individuals throughout the region. These materials don’t gather dust in Ken’s garage for long—they’re eventually collected, processed, and shipped to schools, colleges, and orphanages across African nations including Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Burundi, where they find new life in the hands of eager readers.
For Ken, a former milkman and bus driver accustomed to daily interactions with the public, this volunteer work satisfies his natural inclination toward human connection. “I meet so many people from around the area and it’s very interesting to hear how the churches are doing,” he shares with enthusiasm. The donors range from retired vicars to families handling house clearances after the loss of loved ones. These encounters often evolve beyond simple book drop-offs into meaningful exchanges. “We’ve had the pleasure of praying for people when they come here; it’s such a good avenue to talk to people,” Ken reflects. One particularly memorable interaction involved a young maintenance worker from Premier Inn in Lowestoft who drove a considerable distance to deliver 100 Gideon Bibles that would otherwise have been discarded. During their conversation, Ken learned the man was a former Jehovah’s Witness open to spiritual discussion. “I haven’t got to chase anyone around,” Ken observes, “people come to us.”
The logistics of the operation are straightforward but effective. Ken and Chris accept donations of various Christian materials in good condition—Bibles, study books, music books with scores, children’s literature, devotionals, and Bible commentaries. “Don’t worry how you bring them, carrier bags or boxes,” Ken reassures potential donors. After receiving the materials, he meticulously repacks everything into flat boxes obtained from Asda supermarket and stores them in his garage until sufficient quantity accumulates for Book Aid to dispatch a van. From there, the books undergo processing before being shipped abroad in containers. The most recent shipment departed for Kenya in late September, carrying with it thousands of pages of knowledge, inspiration, and spiritual guidance to communities eager for such resources.
The Jefferys’ commitment to this cause stems from a deep desire to make their later years meaningful. Having celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, the couple made a conscious decision about how they wanted to spend whatever time remains in their life journey. “We’ve been married 50 years and we’re still going. We’ve said that whatever years we’ve got left, we want to be of use, so we got involved in this,” Ken explains with sincerity. Their garage has become more than a storage space—it’s a hub of activity where books find new destinations and people find unexpected moments of connection. Ken sees their volunteering through a spiritual lens: “Book Aid for us is connections. Because you spread the Gospel in one shape or form and the rest follows.”
The impact of the Jefferys’ work extends far beyond their garage in Swaffham. Each book they collect represents a potential transformative experience for someone thousands of miles away—perhaps a student gaining access to educational materials, a pastor finding resources for sermon preparation, or a child discovering the joy of reading through illustrated Bible stories. While Ken and Chris may never meet the recipients of these books, they understand the ripple effect of their seemingly simple act of collecting and storing donations. Their story demonstrates how retirement can become a season of renewed purpose and unexpected ministry. For those interested in contributing to this cause, Ken welcomes contact via email at [email protected], after which he personally arranges convenient times for book drop-offs. As the Jefferys have discovered, sometimes the most meaningful service happens not on distant mission fields but right at home, with an open garage door and a willing heart.
