MK forum

Gene: LIKE!

I am more and more convinced that quite a lot of my actions are motivated by fear. Let me tell you, I don't have a reason for a lawsuit on my behalf with NTM. But if I did, I wouldn't get a lawyer. Why? Because I'd be scared to death. Let's talk about some practical ways to push past fear, whether it to talk with your parents, an investigator, or a lawyer.
1). Talk to a devoted friend first. Ask for someone else to stand with you in prayer and courage. One time my pile of paperwork was so daunting for me, I paid my niece by the hour to sit with me, file, and help me talk through it. There are things I just can't do on my own. Use the members of the forum for encouragement. At the bottom of each post is a little "PM" button. You can write to each other privately this way.
2). Read some hero stories. Rosa Parks, etc.
3). Whenever I have to tell my husband something bad, it helps me if I first say how vulnerable and scared I am, that it's not his fault, but it is something I need help with. That kind of sets the stage for a less defensive conversation.

How do you push past fear? Help me out here!

"Fear" probably needs its own thread....

Thanks for bringing up a subject that we all have to deal with, some of us every day, several times a day. If you start the thread, I predict that there will be a LOT of participation.

A big problem with older people and 911 calls, is so many of them want to go down the street and talk to the nice nurse that said hi once . . .or call their nephew who watched a lot of M.A.S.H., of course it wastes valuable time. So the 911 campaign has had to be a massive public relations education effort spanning decades. And you know, it actually works most of the time, now.

So how can NT make their system better?
1). Take away any spiritual connotations--abuse is abuse, everyone has one clear path to follow, the child hotline number.
2). Show that it is ok to trust and use the country's authority system.
3). Sometimes it's better to talk to a stranger. Especially when so many people are related to each other, or served on the same field with each other . . .make it ok to do this, that their duty, not disrespectful.
4). Take out Les Emory in a public way. I'll be part of the posse.

Has anyone heard anything at all about the lawsuit? I certainly haven't read anything about it on the NTM members website.

I am very surprised this news hasn't been picked up by more media. Very surprised.

I can tell you that I live outside of the US and my teenage daughter went back to the US for the summer. When she was flying between Fl and Minn, she sat next to two friendly ladies from Montana. When she told them that her parents were in NTM, they immediately responded with "that mission is not getting good press lately"

I have not been on here for a long time, but I am an NTM missionary who also grew up in NTM. I read this forum regularly. I have learned a lot from your stories. Hard reading at times, but I think it is necessary for me to listen and learn.

From the NTM website:

http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/hearing-set-on-aritao-lawsuit

Here it is:

A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30 on NTM USA’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit related to child abuse that took place at New Tribes Mission’s Aritao school in the Philippines in the 1980s and 1990s.

NTM recognizes that the impact of Les Emory’s assaults on 11 girls continues today. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and NTM USA reiterates its commitment to help.

The facts about NTM’s response to the abuse that took place 18 years ago are far different from the allegations of the lawsuit.

In 1993, one girl reported to her dorm parents that she had been sexually abused by Mr. Emory, her former dorm father at Aritao school in the Philippines.

Prior to this report, no one had reported any incidents of child abuse regarding Mr. Emory. NTM’s files from that period do not indicate that any reports or suspicions of child abuse were raised during his application process; in his four years of training, which was part of NTM’s process of screening candidates; or in his 15 years in the Philippines, nearly seven of them as a dorm father, before 1993.

Upon learning of the abuse, the leaders of NTM in the Philippines traveled to the school and interviewed Mr. Emory. He confessed to abusing the one girl and he was removed from the dorm. The leaders believed that the perpetrator would not face justice in the Philippines but would be brought to trial in the USA, and sent him back to the USA. He was also dismissed from membership in New Tribes Mission.

Mr. Emory’s home church and other supporting churches, and the missionaries of NTM of the Philippines, were informed that he was dismissed for child abuse.

An investigation was launched, which identified 11 victims. Mr. Emory eventually admitted abusing eight girls. Although he denied that he had raped any of the victims, the investigation produced sufficient evidence to believe he had raped three of the girls and abused all 11 girls.

When it came to light that there had been more than one victim and that Mr. Emory had lied to NTM Philippines leaders, his supporting churches and the missionaries of NTM of the Philippines were updated.

Leaders of NTM USA, based in Florida, called the Florida child abuse hotline to report the perpetrator, and kept a transcript of the call. They were told no report could be taken because the crime occurred outside the USA.

NTM USA leaders also called the counselor who was working with the perpetrator to ask if he had reported the perpetrator in Virginia, where the perpetrator was from and where he was being counseled. The counselor stated that he had called the Virginia hotline and he too was told that Virginia would not take a report because the crime occurred outside the USA.

New Tribes Mission USA offered counseling and other help to the victims and their families. NTM USA continues to desire to help with needs arising from this abuse.