This 1959 Buick convertible, donated by a local pastor, is the most glamorous A.I.M. car. When a missionary from Ethiopia drove it recently with his family, they put the top down. Cruis ing around in this open car was the most "sinful" thing they had done in a decade.
Known whimsically to the A.I.M. mechanics as "Queen Mary/' because of its size and luxury, this 1959 Lincoln Continental is the queen of the furlough fleet. Because of excessive gasoline consumption, its use is confined to local areas.
missionaries of necessity must have cars while on furlough, in order that they may do the necessary “ deputa tion” work. Secondly, the donor receives a tax- deductable receipt for top retail value. Depending on his tax situa tion, this can mean that the value of his gift may be much greater than its cost to him. The third advantage is quite appealing to many people. A person about to buy a new car can donate the car he would normally trade in to A.I.M. and then go in “ clean” to make his purchase. It avoids all the bickering and dicker ing, and the uncertainty as to wheth er the deal was a good one or not. If you should have a car which you would like to dedicate to the Lord’s service through A.I.M., Inc., you can contact the organization at Post Office Box 551, Glendale, Cali fornia 91209. BE
Every Christian organization needs money, and the average Christian giver is besieged from all sides with appeals for contributions. On the other hand, practically nobody asks for used cars, and consequently it is not hard for A.I.M. to find contribu tors of vehicles. The lack of money begets resource fulness. Sometimes there will be two similar cars, one with a bad motor and the other with a bad transmis sion. Combining the best parts of the two produces one roadworthy auto mobile. Perhaps a few dollars are realized from the junkman for what is left over. A little should be said about the advantages for the donor of a car to A.I.M., Inc. To begin with, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made a contribution that goes definitely and completely to the Lord’s work. In our present society,
and John Boewe, of Church Press (printers o f K in g ’ s Business). Through necessity, A.I.M. became a sort of stepchild of Church Press. Parking space, office and mainten ance personnel, and a portion of the necessary funds, come from the printer-host. Through contributions from in dividuals and car dealers, the num ber of cars on the road has now in creased to 35. Quality varies wide ly, ranging from a top of the likes of the 1961 Ford depicted on the cover, to the low level of a 1949 Chevrolet, which barely rates the classification of “ T ran sp orta tion car.” In every case, however, the volunteer A.I.M. mechanics try to make certain that the vehicles loaned are capable of cross country travel. Glen Smith and other employees of Church Press, take care of the me chanical work which lies within their capability. A certain amount of re pair work also is donated by Chris tian garage men. Missionaries are not charged for use of the cars. Their only cost is license and insurance. If, as occa sionally happens, a car gives out at some remote spot, the missionary is permitted to abandon it. If another car is available at the time, he is given a replacement. King’s Business carries an adver tisement asking for the donation of cars to A.I.M., Inc. This request has brought in a number of good cars. However, without any advertising at all, the demand by missionaries far exceeds the supply. Every year, as summer begins a n d missionaries come home, it is necessary to turn a number away because all usable cars are taken. Lack of funds is a constant prob lem. A.I.M. never has solicited finan cial contributions, a n d probably would have little success in doing so.
Dr. David P. Ruppert is a medical doctor serving under the Baptist General Conference in Ethiopia since 1950. Presently on furlough, and staying at the Mission Road colony in Glendale, he stands here with his family in front of a Ford station wagon donated to A.I.M. by a local physician.
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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