March 31, 2007 Board of Directors Meeting

SOUTH AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
March 31, 2007 Board of Directors Meeting
Minutes

Directors in attendance:  David McLaughlin, Chairman; Mark Vernik, Vice Chairman, Shirley Neuenschwander, Secretary-Treasurer-Forwarding Agent; Mattie McLaughlin, Jim Neuenschwander, Boyd McKey, Stephen Hamilton, Don White and Joanne White.  Special guests:  Pam Hamilton, Tom Dumez, Lydia Neuenschwander, Danielle VanderWest, Darl VanKlompenberg, Wayne and Barbara Ferguson (representing Bavumeleni Children’s Centre).  Also attending as a guest: Julia Scare from the Angola Christian Church.

The meeting convened at 11:00 am EDT at the Stroh IN Church of Christ.

Greeting and welcome to all in attendance.

Devotions:  (Dave) James 2 from the Simple English Bible.  If anyone ever locates this translation of the New Testament, we need them to send to South Africa (badly needed there).  Opening prayer.

Introductions of all in attendance.

Nominations and confirmations of appointment:
Pam Hamilton, as Secretary and Director (passed)
Tom Dumez, Lydia Neuenschwander, Danielle VanderWest and Darl Van Klompenberg as             Directors (passed)

Note:  Shirley Neuenschwander will remain the Treasurer and Forwarding Agent.

The February Financial Report and compilations of Income and Expenses for each of the last 6 years were reviewed by Shirley Neuenschwander

Steve’s Field Report (Copy attached)
*General – financial situation
*Team Dumez
*Cape Bible Seminary – Congo refugee situation, (Brother Kiku) classes in Eersterivier, conflict at Elsies River (attendance down to about 20)
*Book Container Project – Good News! There was a place to store the materials shipped in 2 containers in 2005 and arriving in March 2006 in a warehouse.  Bad News!  They needed the warehouse so: Good News! The material was transshipped to the Elsies River Church building, but, Bad News! Some materials were pilfered after the church split.  However, Good News! Pat Stevenson (Anatoth) has agreed to lease us a site for 10 rands per year to build a building to house mission materials.  This land is part of a Christian trust.  Pat Stevenson wants some storage space for Anatoth Christian Retreat Center in this building.  Design of building would be rectangular with an internal wall (firewall) which would separate SACM and Anatoth portions.  The SACM portion would be for storage as well as a small office and restroom.  The office would be for Graham Malgus who is in charge of the distribution of supplies in the Cape Town area.  All of the libraries are registered with the government as Cape Seminary Libraries.  Our goal is to have 10 libraries by 2014.  Three libraries have already been established.  There is a fourth in Queenstown.  Good News!  We need to fund the building (approximately $20,000 US dollars).  That’s assuming we can use Congolese laborers.

Could the Africans raise a portion of the money and we raise the rest?  We would like to see the Africans get more involved instead of relying on the Americans for everything.  There is a certain degree of danger which attends this condition – if they contribute money, they will have the assumption that it is theirs to access, use and control.

There is a risk due to the fact that, if Pat Stevenson dies, Anatoth may dissolve and, also, the Christian trust that holds the land.  The feeling is that if Pat Stevenson dies, her family will sell the land.  Lease amount:  $20,000 for ten years.  It is our understanding that Pat Stevenson cannot take out any of the vineyards, or sell the property.  From the trust standpoint, the property cannot be broken up.  Need to contact a lawyer to see about getting a longer lease in case of problems with Pat Stevenson situation.  Mr. Ferguson can check with the Anatoth attorney to find out some answers to our questions about the trust.

Let’s look at the best lease we can get with something put in that we would be recouped for the building and any other improvements we make if the land is ever sold.  If Pat Stevenson dies before the lease is over, will the lease still be honored?  Dave says, “yes”.

One present library is in Queenstown, 2 are in the Cape Town area in church buildings where at least 1 of the ministers is a Cape Bible Seminary graduate.    There is no extra room in those buildings to house materials sent in shipments.

It was suggested that we call Steve and ask if this is the best scenario.  Dave believes that, because Steve has spent 2 years looking for a facility, this IS the best and ONLY scenario available.

Questions:  What happens if Pat dies?  Can we negotiate a partial or full recoup on improvements we make to the property in the event that we lose the facility?

Dave believes that if we don’t do this, we will kill the container program.  Mark feels that if the lease will be honored even after Pat’s death, we should consider it God’s will that we move forward.  Dave believes that if this is God’s will for this to happen, the money will become available.  Lynn Vernik believes we should heed Mr. Ferguson’s hesitation (he wouldn’t touch this project with a 10-foot pole).

Resolution:  IF the lease will be honored even after Pat’s death and IF we could recoup some or all of the improvements made to the property if the property is sold, do we choose to move forward with this?

The building would be around 6,000-7,000 square feet.  It would need roughly 7,000 blocks.

Motion was made that we authorize Steve to proceed with the legalities of leasing the land at Anatoth with two stipulations that he verify the strength of the term of lease in case of death and the possibility of recouping upon sale of property.  Motion was seconded.

Dave gave an overview of Steve’s weekly schedule.

Mark Vernik prayed and we had lunch.

Steve would like permission to use SACM funds for Thompson Ntobie’s expenses incurred while at Queenstown.  Permission granted: the funds will be taken from the General Fund.

Wayne Ferguson spoke about Bavumeleni Children’s Centre and the connection with SACM.   BCC will be bringing Primrose and her daughter to the US and would be willing to have them visit us.

BCC has been trying to get title to a piece of property where the tent is now sitting for the past seven years.  At their last board meeting, they decided to take the two houses and tear them down and put up a two story building in which the centre could be on the ground floor and Primrose’s home would be above.  Lives are being changed in that area.

Tom Dumez spoke about the Team Dumez trip to South Africa.  Dave told us a little bit more about Thompson Ntobie and his history with SACM.

Next meeting:  October 13, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.

Meeting adjourned.