Email letter from ABWE

[Mommy2Kids]

(4/9/2011)

Dear Pastor, church member and friend,

I write to you today with a heavy heart. Our mission is estranged from some of our own family members, former Missionary Kids (MKs), and we long to be reconciled to them. I am writing to ask you to pray. Please pray that these MKs will experience healing in areas where currently there is only hurt and disappointment; that God will open the pathways of honest communication; that He will lead us to reconciliation; and that we will have wisdom and humility as we seek this reconciliation.

This estrangement has its roots in the sinful actions of Dr. Donn Ketcham, a former ABWE missionary who molested some of these women when they were children living with their missionary parents in Bangladesh. These women have also been hurt by ABWE’s response to that molestation back in 1989 and in subsequent years. We have discovered much about their pain and anger regarding these circumstances through a blog they recently created.

At the center of the grievances identified on the blog is a claim that ABWE has intentionally and knowingly perpetrated a cover-up of Dr. Ketcham’s crimes. I do not believe that charge is true. However, I do feel that the facts must be established by an independent investigation.

I have asked the ABWE Board to identify an organization, independent of both ABWE and the MKs, which has expertise in investigating child abuse. It is my hope that an investigative organization will be appointed and announced next week by our Board. I hope and pray that this investigation will find the truth; and based on that solid foundation, we will be able to seek reconciliation with these beloved MKs.

Thank you for being a faithful supporter of ABWE missionaries. In addition to your prayers, I also request your patience. I ask for prudence in judging our actions or motives—as I believe an investigation will bring clarity to this situation. We await the final report, so we can respond to the findings with appropriate actions. I ask for your grace as we also attempt to respond lovingly today, tomorrow, and until we have reconciled with our family. Please believe it is our heart’s cry when we say that our greatest concern is to help these MKs.

Under the guidance and in the spirit of Hebrews 10:19-24 we are trusting God to lead us through this time of trouble in a way that brings glory to His name and help to His people. Thank you for your prayers and support of our entire ABWE family.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Grateful for your partnership in the gospel,

Michael G. Loftis
President
ABWE International, Inc.

PS: Please visit the ABWE website http://www.abwe.org for updates on this situation. If you have a specific question, please contact Dr. Tony Beckett, our Vice-President for Church Relations.

[Darren]

What a refreshing, honest letter. This mission board is showing the right way to handle cases like this: admit wrongs clearly committed, and be willing to listen, even when what you may hear may not be pleasant or may injure your reputation.

[pastor's wife]

I like that the letter makes the focus be the MKs not the reputation of ABWE. Of course, any organization is going to be concerned about their perception to others when things like this come to light, and they do ask that people be patient as they go through this process because they obviously don't want their supporting churches dropping them.

But I didn't get the spirit of defensiveness from here. The focus wasn't on themselves. The spirit of the letter seemed one of concern for those who were hurt. They valued them as precious children of God, not ignored them as trouble-makers who were complicating their life.

I like that they were seeking an outside source for accountability too.

Humility, love, mercy, gentleness, repentance where necessary - that's what we need to see from Christian organizations/churches/pastors when they're faced with accusations.