MK forum

Thanks for refreshing this letter, Shary. It is finding its way all over the world, through Facebook. 79 "shares" so far! I am floored. I thought I was writing the letter in an attempt to reach the hearts of NTM (and former NTM) parents. Instead, the majority of those who have responded and re-posted seem to be MKs. Not just MKs from NTM, but many others as well. I have taken all privacy settings off the document on Facebook, so it is now "public". I have set it free to fly ... with no idea of where all it will go!

For those who have wished for the letter to be distributed by NTM to its members (including retirees), I have been corresponding with NTM about this. They have decided they will not be doing this, though they would like to use parts of it in their Abuse Prevention education. I am thankful if even one present or future MK in NTM can be protected from the pain of abuse and abandonment.

Since the mission will not be sending the letter out with their stamp of approval, it will be up to the rest of us to try to reach parents with this message, in whatever way we can.

Well well well. So NTM doesn't want to distribute the letter. Surprise surprise. This makes Brian Shortmeier and his letter of a while back just another NTM lie. They don't care, they don't get it and I don't know if they will ever get it until they reach heaven and duh. This makes me so freaking angry [screams quietly inside].

Aussie wrote earlier "...waiting on The Lord to tell me what to do."

I am so tired of this mentality. I have heard it from too many we'll-meaning folks. It is an EXCUSE! It keeps one from acting on what they already know is the right thing to do.

Raz, did you send a copy directly to Larry and ask him to distribute it? Of course I'm not surprised if that idea was rejected.

Someday we should all converge on Sanford together and get a hearing... Fanda Eagles Unite!

I love your fervor, Interested!

No, I did not ask anyone in NTM to distribute it. There were others who did, however. (Or maybe just one who did? I don't know.)

But I was the one notified that the idea was rejected.

I have been corresponding with Brian Shortmeier, Director of Child Protection and Chief Administrative Officer of New Tribes Mission USA, regarding the request to send this Open Letter to Missionary Parents out to all NTM members.

Today I received an e-mail which should clarify NTM's decision regarding the open letter. They will be using it (or parts of it), but will not be sending it out in the way it was requested.

This should clarify their position, for those who are still wondering.

From Brian Shortmeier:

Rachel,

I really appreciated your open letter to MK parents.

Someone suggested that we, NTM, send it on to all NTMers. I wanted you to know that although I am in favor of what you wrote and I like the idea of sending it to all of our members, NTM sending out the document could communicate that we are trying to divert attention from ourselves and shift the focus and blame onto MK parents, thereby reducing our own culpability. The last thing we want to do is to cause any additional pain but we do want to echo your call for greater and more open communication between adults MKs and their parents regarding the past.

I am grateful for the permission you have given me to use your letter in our Child Protection training for future missionaries. The issue of abandonment needs to be fully explored and understood. I am working on creating a resource folder of recommendations, articles and letters such as yours to better help folks come to grips with continuing issues as well as past problems. Once the contents of the folder are assembled, I will make it available on our members’ internet resource area and I will inform all current NTMers of its existence, recommend that they read it and give them a link to navigate to it easily.

In His grace,
Brian

(Posted with permission. I forgot to say that.)

So... Thank Brian. Thanks that you are willing to continue to own NTM culpability.

What do you have to say to Kari, Bonnie, the 23 Fanda students who were abused? Specifically regarding the fact that Ron Abrams has been able to return to the village, maintain his vehicle there, get his funds through NTM, maintain his home, keep his belongings there?

How insulting to these victims. Supposedly Ron was terminated. It is confusing to the Budik tribal people who were told he was terminated but now returns for 3 month increments.

It is insulting to this whole process.

NTM says they have come clean but yet they still permit this. NTM Senegal is ignoring the enormity of Ron Abram's sin toward all the victims and their families.

Brian, please give us your response.