MK forum

Dreamworlds, im so sorry that you've gone through this. I start to freak around tall men with broad shoulders, and a military haircut. You are very brave. If you start to wonder if you are doing the right thing, picture the abuse happening to your daughter and what you would want to happen. You will be able to move on, and live a rich, full,life . . .breathing free and easy.

I googled Gary Earl and was able to send him a personal message, it showed a picture of his wife and him. It indicated I would get a reply, we'll see. Full stop.

I doubt my voice carries much weight with NTM, but here is a copy of my letter to Brian Coombs:

Sir:

I am writing to add my voice to what I hope is a growing chorus of decent people who are appalled at NTM's decision to require Gary Earl to retire from active service rather than dismiss him.

Is it true that there is no debate whether or not he committed the acts posted on the Fanda Eagles' website/ blog? We are not talking here about giving a man with a spotless reputation the benefit of the doubt. We are talking about allowing an admitted child abuser to continue receiving funds through the agency of NTM. This is hardly the "appropriate" action Larry Brown promised in January 2012.

This is a case that has been festering in NTM files since February 2006. It only took your house attorney, Mr. Scott Ross, Esq., until August of 2006 to find time to tell the victim that he was sorry it took so long to get back to her and that he would "like to proceed with looking into [her] incident." One can be forgiven for wondering why a person who could let something like this wait more than a day or two for an answer is still in your employ. However, in light of how the new NTM is dealing with Gary Earl, maybe it isn't so strange.

Please search your conscience and dismiss Gary Earl from NTM and refuse to accept any further gifts for him and his besmirched ministry. And by "dismiss," I mean, "dismiss." I do not mean "demand his resignation," this latter being more appropriate for those whose actions are interpreted as showing disrespect and contempt for leadership. Dismissal, usually reserved for those who engage in sexual activity out of marriage, is arguably better suited to those who have abused children.

Eugene Long

How many times do NTM need to have abusers and their abuse in FULL view to make them do anything about the reality of it???

By my count they will never do the "right thing"... so many stories of abuse, so many kids maimed for life and no one is held accountable... just send your donations to your missionary of choice...

I cry WITH you Lori.


And if I did not know better I would say that Noah needs to get his boat out as the flood is coming...

But no. It is too late and the Titanic is sinking. The rats are abandoning ship quicker than you can blink an eye. The flotation devices are all gone. The few life boats that once were on ship are long gone. And I am going to watch that boat go down... and I hope that if the man at the helm really means business that he goes down with his ship as any good honorable captain would do!

I am shocked. I just got a reply from NTM that said they would relay my message on. I honestly thought I was writing directly to Gary Earl. Full stop.

Lori: 1. Is NTM planning on issuing a statement to the public (or, NTM and supporters) on why the Earls are retiring?

Coomb by ya: 1. A statement will be made correcting what has been communicated. This will be processed through my office when it is made.

Only in the never-never land of NTM-speak could this be considered an answer. If Coomb by ya doesn't want to answer, just say so! He managed to do it with this question:

Lori: 3. Could you please explain why NTM decided to retire Gary rather than terminate him?

Coomb by ya: 3. This will be difficult to explain, my explanation will most likely generate a whole lot more questions. I would like the opportunity to explain this, but is it possible to try this by phone?

Holy moly, Coomb by ya, the last thing we need is MORE questions, especially a whole LOT more questions. Let's do it by phone, which has the added advantage of deniability. I wonder if you've been talking to Scott Ross?

If it can't be explained in writing, it is highly unlikely it can be adequately explained on the phone. This is such a miserable, sneaky and insincere dodge that it makes my stomach churn. I had Brian Copeland "explain" things by phone to one of my supporters, and when, based on that supporter's written comments to me, asked Brian about it, he couldn't "reconstruct the entire conversation."

Is it necessary to be named Brian to be the Personnel Director at NTM, or is Coomb by ya also a veterinarian?

Finally, get this:
Lori: 2. The action plan says the Earl's sending church will be notified. Notified with what? You said the SoF is only for the victim and Pii, so I would like to receive a copy of what you sent the sending church, since it concerns me directly.

Coomb by ya: 2. The Earl’s church was given the Letter of Outcome. I have also spent much time in conversation with them on this by phone. I am not able to pass this document on to you as I am prohibited to do so by the law. (You already have the main points from a previous email from me) Not trying to use this as a cop out. Personnel Files are confidential by law, I simply cannot pass them on. Please call me if you would like further explanation. Nowhere in any communication to the church has your name ever been used nor has your story been shared with them.

I am not a lawyer, so I wish we could get one to chime in here and explain to us all how it can be that NTM cannot share "confidential" information with a victim but CAN share it with a church. Is a church a third party?

If Lori's story isn't part of the explanation to the Earls' church, what kind of explanation could it possibly be? I note in passing that "it concerns me directly" is not the same as "my name was mentioned." But, as I said, I am no lawyer.

I am so disgusted by this. And, I have nothing but overwhelming respect and admiration for the courage shown by Lori. She is a true eagle!

And now a reply from Coomb by ya to my email:

Eugene,

I appreciate your concern on this matter.

Brian

It's like being put on hold: "Your call is important to us."

"Brian Coombs" <brian_coombs@ntm.org>

"NTM" <ntm@ntm.org>

You may want to copy your pastor, friends or local newspaper on the cc line.

You know, I can't help wondering if it would have taken Scott Ross from February to August of 2006 to answer a letter, had Lori had it written by an attorney. This is a despicable organization; they treat people like dirt.