Final post!

Choir maybe 1966

Howie Morarie, Gloria Stairs, Galilee Borden

Elizabeth Lotz,  Charlotte Metzgar

I am going to write one final blog on my Tambo Memories  blog which I believe will be the last I write.   I have many good memories but no more stories.

I was privileged to meet with the Investigation team on the Tambo Abuse in early March I think it was.  I was impressed that they were not seeking for scandal or to cover up any wrong doing.  They are very much seeking for the truth of our individual experiences at Tambo.

I did not feel I had anything to tell them but was surprised at the flood of memories this meeting has evoked.

Those at Tambo with me, knew I was dismissed from Tambo early in the Fall of 1964.  It was in fact an unjust dismissal, where the staff in charge, at that time, concluded Paul Hale and I were deliberately breaking rules because they judged something they saw incorrectly and determined we were lying to them when we were questioned.  Paul's brother Philip Hale and a friend Bruce Pencille were also dismissed at the same time because they determined those two were deliberately seeking to bring dissension with the other students.  There was truth to the dissension but it was because Bruce had questions the staff were incapable of giving satisfactory answers for,   and so Bruce began to ask others at school.  The questions were hard.  Bruce was a young man who was seeking to follow the Lord at that time, but he had  a questing mind and they were real questions.   We were all dismissed the same day.

Paul Hale

My friend Paul Hale was punished for being my friend as Philip was punished for being Bruce's friend.  Paul was a very true young man, who loved the Lord and moreover sought to  follow the rules at Tambo sincerely.   My relationship with him was a blessing in my life and a very real part of my own seeking to know the Lord in truth in my life.



 In my own opinion Paul was the most harmed by this action.  Of course, I was not close enough to Philip and Bruce to judge their  hurt.

For my part - I believe I was in fact the least hurt.  I was mostly uncaring.   I had the opinion they were just adults that didn't know what they were doing.  I know, at 16 that was a bit bold of me, but in those days I had absolute belief in my own outlook.   In retrospect I suspect the staff found me a right royal pain in my attitude. I was not seeking to circumnavigate their rules.  It was more a case of I was sitting down at their command, but standing up inside.

But, I deeply loved my time at Tambo.  I was allowed to return to school in the January term and finished my school there.   I believe my time at Tambo was a blessing from the hand of the LORD, a rescue in my life from the paths I had been taking.

First Bridge 1966

Yes, I had some hard times but in time I saw the problems as a very positive part of my life.   I want to thank Dave and Elizabeth Lotz, and Mabel Hurst especially for all they added to my life.   I also found Bill Pittenger's teaching style very positive.  Otherwise, I'm deeply grateful to my fellow students.  I was very blessed in the wonderful people I  went to Tambo with.  Thank you one and all.

So this will be good-bye

Cheers
Galilee Borden Weldon

A letter or remembrance from Nancy Morarie.  I remember many of us students gathering outside the radio room to hear what was happening in the tribes.  This is a bit of Nancy's story.

Nanci Morarie's Parents

Nancy Morarie Knutson

Our heavenly father  sure cares about all of us. Years ago my mom touched the heart of a young woman. Mom shared our heavenly father's love with her. She came to stay with us in Tobite, was like a big sister to me. I was a baby when she came and she was ten and she stayed with our family for approximately 8 years.

My father brought a young man to Tobite to help him build my mom a house. This young man was trying to teach the Ayore men how to light a kerosene refrigerator.   They got mixed up and put gas in the fridge.  When Dad went to light it, the  fridge exploded into flames. While trying to save our thatched roof house Dad was very badly burnt.

My dear grandma taught at the church where my parents got saved. Some missionary men came and told about the men that tried to make contact with the Moro's (a name they had given the Ayore people) and were killed. My mom was at the meeting that night and was deeply moved.  She was only 17 years old, But was filled with a deep desire to share Christ with the Ayore people, where already men, in service to the Lord had given their lives, carrying the message of the Cross to those who had never heard.

She quit high school. My dad begged her to use his GI Bill, and finish her education.  Mom said, "No, I'm going to Palm Springs, CA to find out what this is all about."

My dad was so in love with this young lady that he  dropped out of college and went along. He could hardly wait to marry that crazy lady, but had to wait until she was 18. He loved her so much that he gave his life to the Lord so they could become missionaries together.

My oh my, but the Lord blessed them richly, giving them the most loving people in their lives.  When the day came that mom and dad got to the jungle in Bolivia, where the Ayore people lived, the Lord gave the Ayore's a deep love for them also. 

Then, my Grandma decided she would get involved and organized for retired people to come to the church, bring old sheets.  They tore the sheets up and made rolls of bandages to use in the tribe where needed.   She also made paper flowers and put them into little vases from her home. She gave every person who had a baby a bouquet. She  made kimono baby blankets. In this very practical way, that wonderful mother of my mom, so in love with the Lord, played a part in finding ways help.

She was inspired in energizing the elderly members of the church,  to make money for the church and to support the beautiful dream of her youngest child my mom. Grandma loved to make quilts and taught others to love it also. While they were busy making and selling their quilts, they were part of the ministry to teach the Ayore people about a loving Savior. 

 My dad's parents were amazed at my parents faith. Back in Colorado family and friends began to correspond with my parents.  There was a Seventh Day Adventist Doctor that found out that this heavenly father was real. He began gathering medicines  no longer needed by his patients, and sent them to my father. With the medicines this Doctor sent, he also gave instructions on how to use them.

In the 50's and 60's  people communicated by ham radio.  The Doctor found a ham radio operator in the States, and as my dad was a ham operator too, they got the instructions as quick as a telephone call would have been.

So when my father was burnt 'to a krisp' he had the medicines and bandages needed. My mother carefully wrapped his 2nd and 3rd and some 4th degree burns with the salve and bandages sent from the team back home. Mr. Young and the Doctor kept in close communication  with Mom and Dad initially to monitor Dad's recovery. Later they kept up the contact with mom and dad just to keep up with how the ministry was progressing. 

My Dad found a young man, a carpenter, to come and help him build a house. It sometimes seemed an impossible task.  But when we can't, the Lord takes over the reins.

So, without a Menards or Home Depot they managed.  Dad and that carpenter became a team.
Soon the Team  had some changes.  That little ten year old had became a young lady and dad's  carpenter fell in love with her.  Soon there were wedding bells and a marriage.  It was not long after the wedding that they moved away from Tobite. This made me sad when they left.  I had become very attached to that young lady.  She was like a big sister to me and and to my three brothers.
That carpenter stole her heart. That was that I thought but when I went to Tambo I found out that they were at Tambo also.  Then I grew up and had to leave physically, but I have  all those wonderful years stored in my memory.  I had a wonderful rich life in Bolivia. The Lords gifts are rich and satisfying. I was blessed by the friendship of the young girl who came to live with us, the carpenter she married, their children.  There were many other wonderful students and staff  at Tambo who enriched my life.  The Lord has given me a dear family, a church family, and the joy of becoming a nurse. Through it all I've found that he never leaves you nor for sakes you.

When I found how to get on facebook it was a joy to  reunite with many of my dear friends.

Imagine my amazement and joy when the daughter of the two for whom my parents played cupid, back in the days of the Ayores and Tobite popped up on face book. Then I found the other daughter lives in New Jersey and here I am with her. She is the spitting image of her mom and loves the Lord dearly along with a wonderful man her husband. I haven't been well and they are nursing me physically, and nourishing my soul spiritually. They took me to a Spanish speaking church.  Hearing the music in Spanish is so blessed.  It has echoed in my memory for years. Now it is  not ab echo but a reality. What a joy and blessing to have memories coming to life.  All I can say is praise the Lord.
He is truly a wonderful caring heavenly father, not only sending his only begotten son but giving us  life beyond measure.

We need to think of this couple that helped out at Tambo and thank them for sharing their life working behind the scenes with the carpentry there. Our families continue to have support and their support is not as good. Their daughter is a teacher in Santa Cruz and her husband works full time in the ministry, by faith.

Don Leonard and wife Maria

I long to find a way to send some financial aid along to the parents that have worked so faithfully in Tambo. they were there when you were there and so many others and the daughters remember all the kids. Got any ideas how we can shower that wonderful couple with thanks. The Carpenter has chukkas and sure needs medical help and they need financial help. They too believed in the same Lord we do. I want to send them something.  Do you have any idea how we can communicate the needs that they have and how to support the once young girl, now a 70 year old women ,trying to take care of a sick hubby with getting only one check a year from the Bolivian government.  It's not enough to get by on, while we sit here at home complaining but also have jobs and not the big worry.  I see how we often find things to worry or complain about here, while they are trying to pick up the pieces and continue to serve the Lord there with failing health, and financial problems.  Yet, they remain  so involved with still sharing the Lord, never an ounce of asking or expecting. I call that true devotion to the Lord. If you want to know more and have an idea of how we can continue to support the work we left so the ones we left behind can continue to share this wonderful love please tell me. Here is a picture of that lovely, loved couple spoken of above.  Thank you   Nanci

If anyone reading this desires to help let me know and I will connect you with Nanci Morarie Knutson

Do any of you  Tamboites from mid-60's remember a honeymoon couple staying overnight at Tambo.  The details as I remember was they were on their honeymoon.  They were on a motorbike and had come from the states and were going to Patagonia I think.  By the time they stopped at school I'd had fun for several summers when Paul and Phil Hale came to Cochabamba and rented motor bikes.  In those days there were no laws about wearing helmets, at least that I knew of.  I loved being on a bike -  in those days only as a rider, never in control. 

After I graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland Oregon I moved to California and worked at the Wycliffe headquarters when they were in Santa Ana.  I bought a small Honda 90 while there and totally loved it.  Always longed for a bigger one.

Seeing this couple totally ignited my imagination.  It was to me the most exciting  way of travel and from that time my dream was to someday make that trip - from States to land tip in South America.  I never have made that trip but it's only in very recent years I've accepted the fact that I probably never will.  And more, have accepted the fact that now I would want a more comfortable ride.  But I spent years planning that trip in my mind - what bike I would ride, what route I would take and always  in my dreams was an overnight stop at Tambo.   I've often wished I'd found out their names and asked them to keep in touch.  I've wondered if they wrote a book about it. And I've wondered if stopping at Tambo became a memory for them, as their trip so set a rainbow in the sky for me..  One little chance event yes, but  it's been one of those big moments in my memory.

(Words in parentheses are mine- Galilee)

In 1967 Jean Bates had invited Sharon Swank and myself to spend the year in Bolivia. I'm sure you remember Sharon more than me as she was closer to your age and I think in her senior year. I was in 9th grade that year.  (My loss, I never met either of you.)

I arrived in Cochabamba a week after school started in Tambo. As the airlines lost my luggage, Jean had to take me shopping for some clothes and shoes before I could leave on that long bus ride to school. We took her Honda 50 to the market. I didn't realize until years later the significance of those huge piles of coca leaves!

And, as you know how Jean is, she always had some activity for you and there was no idle time.  I spent the next few days helping out at the print shop - seems like it was just across the street. I thought I remembered it was the Borden’s that lived at the print shop.  The second day we had a very nice sit down lunch. It almost seemed like a formal meal. All I remember from that lunch was the rhubarb pie! My first and, in fact last.

 (HA! When I borrowed a book to read from Jean, she made me look up all the words I didn’t know. Then I had to show the list to  her.  Then Jean would use those words when we talked to make me familiar with them.  Jean loves words and raised my own interest in them.  Jean did live across the street from the print shop for quite a long time.  After I left Bolivia she moved into the second apartment over the Print shop when it came empty.  I would imagine you ate at the WBT group house as my mom and dad always ate lunch there.

When I arrived at Tambo Mr. and Mrs. Lotz helped me settle in. Something new for me was study hall in the evening after a day of school.  It was a good idea.  But mostly I remember the distractions.   

Shortly after I arrived at Tambo there began to be talk that guerrilla leader Che Guevara was in our area leading a guerrilla band.  This created a huge commotion amongst the older boys especially. Everyone was trying to get as much information as they could and any new information spread through the school like wildfire. But the most reliable source of information seemed to come from the bus drivers , Galgo or Dyana.   During the next period of time, as the military was looking for Che Guevara, the students were instructed to stay on the school grounds. We were not even permitted to go across the road to Doña Antonia's little store.

One afternoon a couple of truckloads of soldiers came driving around and parked on the far end of the soccer field. They were in full gear and had automatic weapons. Some of the older boys who spoke Spanish were able to pick up some information from the Bolivian national soldiers in the trucks. They were told that a truck driver reported seeing a small band of guerrillas  just a few miles up the road going toward Comarapa. Did that ever raise the excitement level around the school. In retrospect, knowing where Che was captured I suspect that report was an exaggeration. I guess though, that we all felt safer with the soldiers in the vicinity because the next day two of the older boys and I were allowed to take the old Power Wagon out to fetch some firewood on a rocky creek bed a mile up the road.

A few days after that word of Che Guevara's capture and death made its way to us. Someone acquired a newspaper showing his corpse. I thought it was graphic and gruesome. It was over almost as quickly as it started. I wonder if Che Guevara realized the significance of those huge piles of coca leaves!! In 1967 life seemed more innocent. Little did we suspect of the coming drug wars, cartels and so many destroyed lives - all for those coca leaves.

J. David Beckes (aka John)  (Thank you John)


A portion of the Newspaper report at that time.

Valle Grande, Bolivia, Oct. 10--The army high command officially confirmed today that Ernesto Che Guevara, the Latin revolutionary leader, was killed in a clash between guerrillas and Bolivian troops in southeastern Bolivia last Sunday.

The armed forces commander, Gen. Alfredo Ovando Candia, said Mr. Guevara had admitted his identity before dying of his wounds. General Ovando said at a news conference that the guerrilla leader had also admitted that he failed in the seven-month guerrilla campaign he organized in Bolivia.

The identification of the body was made after fingerprinting by the Eighth Army command.

[United States officials in Washington reacted cautiously to the Bolivian reports that Mr. Guevara had been killed, but there was an increasing tendency to regard them as true. Page 18.]
 The body was flown here yesterday, lashed to the landing runners of a helicopter that brought it from the mountain scene of the clash. The army said yesterday that it had received a report that Mr. Guevara had been killed near Higueras, but it declined to make immediate positive identification at the time.

After the body, dressed in bloody clothes, arrived here, it was fingerprinted and embalmed.

[The Guevara fingerprints are on file with the Argentine federal police. As an Argentine citizen, Mr. Guevara was required to be fingerprinted to obtain a passport when he left his homeland in 1952. These official records have provided the basis for comparison with the fingerprints taken by the Bolivians from the body said to be that of Mr. Guevara.]
 The scanty beard, shoulder-length hair and shape of the head resembled the features of Mr. Guevara as shown in earlier photographs. He was 39 years old.

 For anyone interested, there is a very interesting book, written by Elizabeth Musser, called Searching for Eternity about another major war criminal captured in Bolivia around this same time.

Things that stick in my memory as good.I love now, but failed to appreciate the fact that as high school students, every student had a job they did for a month.
I was folding sheets the other day and remembered sharing that job with another girl in my first year there. We did sheets seemingly for hours and they had to be perfect. The two of us worked together to pull them out and fold them so they lay perfectly flat and with out wrinkle and all the edges perfectly matched. This was my first lesson if doing a job with someone else, and doing it properly. I think every student who did the laundry ended that job with a pride in doing a job well. Well, I don't know that for sure. I just know it was the result with me. Today I cannot fold a sheet badly without an inner “I've got to do that over.” And in this day of dryers for clothes I find I miss the smell of air dried clothes.

One of the jobs I got a lot or so it seemed to me was cleaning the girls bathroom, showers, sinks and toilets and the staff bathroom. I came to love the fun of making it shine and I personally came to enjoy working on my own to do the job. I only learned later in Bible School that cleaning a girls area was a lot easier than cleaning a guys area.

I don't actually remember any other job I did though I'm sure I was on the roster to do them all.


I also liked the fact that we were responsible to keep our own rooms clean, beds made, clothes in their places, floor swept and whatever was needful to make the room presentable. My mom had taught me to work and showed me each job and exactly how to do it. But I think at Tambo, with everyone having to do work, added a dimension for me to try and do it as well, and with pride.
In class, I loved History with Mr. Bill Pittenger. I loved taking notes in class and not following a book though we had books to study. I loved the essay tests and that after the test we all, as a class met with Mr. Pittenger and argued why we deserved a higher grade for our answers. He was generous and never made us feel foolish. I was so disappointed at Multnomah that we had these cookie cutter tests with answers that meant memorization of dates and events. I loved the fact that in writing an answer the dates and events and sequences just fell in place and became real which facts and figures without the story never has for me. I'm big on the story of how and why.

I loved English with Mrs. Lotz. She introduced us to the joy of good literature.  I admit the grammar and spelling parts destroyed my g.p.a. more than once. ARG!!! But again, Mrs. Lotz was a teacher who made learning like exploration – a bit hard at times, but the end was worth it all. I still have a copy of James Whitcomb Riley's The Bear Story in my book of special poems. Mrs. Lotz reading of it made it come alive. And for Shakespeare, I remember we did Julius Caesar in her class. Years later, my daughter and I had a ball reading The Taming of a Shrew aloud, each of us taking different voices. Sometimes we just stopped to laugh. Something I would never have even thought enjoying without Mrs. Lotz' classes.

I loved Algebra with Mr and Mrs. Lotz. I seem to remember Mrs. Lotz started the course, Algebra 1 and Mr. Lotz taught Algebra II. I have never found math easy. I had to many blanks in my grade school years to be able to work well in any math. I am still not good in anything beyond the basic four skills and unfortunately, although I loved Algebra and did well in class I promptly forget it all. That I'm sorry for but I will say, I loved those classes and the sense of accomplishment as I conquered each new exercise.  Also, the fact that by Algebra II Mr. Lotz gave us a test paper and we had the week-end to complete and turn in the test.  He set guidelines and trusted us to follow them.  That taught me about wanting to be worthy of the trust.

I loved where Tambo lay – out in the country. I loved the terrain around the school and the river that could roar one day, or turn into a mild mannered lady tripping along depending on the rain in the mountains. I loved the hills, the cactus. And I loved the 7 hour bus trips to and  from Cochabamba to school, through the mountains and the rain forest. I loved the unexpected things that happened. On the bus trip I loved those times, only a few in number, where all the kids that got on the bus at Tambo sang hymns, in harmony, as we road through the night. It never occurred to me to wonder what the other passengers thought or may have wanted. I do hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

I loved the music we had at Tambo. Mrs. Hurst making the piano dance and sing all on it's own. I've traveled and lived in many places since Tambo and discovered that we were very blessed with the musical talent we had at Tambo. Mrs. Hurst, Anna Foster and Gloria Stairs, there in my day, were all so talented. I was blessed that both Anna and Gloria so often were willing to sit and play for me, allowing me to just enjoy it and sometimes to sing. Wonderful memories.

Someone had made a platform in a tree in the area just off the road going out of Tambo toward Santa Cruz. In my first year there I spent almost all my free time up in that tree. I loved it. My memory is that that tree platform wasn't available by the next year. I never did find such a relaxing and lovely spot again.

But I loved that whole area surrounding school, and the freedom we had during the afternoons, after our jobs were finished, to wander in the hills. I learned to have my quiet time out in the open air. It actually took me years to adjust to having devotions inside in a house.

There are so many individual things I enjoyed but mostly not general things we all shared.  I had hoped when I started this blog that other Tambo-ites would share memories they had from Tambo but this hasn't happened.   But, thank you members of the staff and fellow students for all you added to my life.  I wish so much I'd taken more pictures while there.  I've enjoyed what others have shared.  Thanks for that too.

I have been blessed to see several "flash mob" renditions of the Hallelujah Chorus on U-tube over the last few weeks, and have been longing to hear the whole Messiah.  I just discovered I have a total Messiah CD  and have been listening to it with joy in the words and delight in the wonderful music.  As I've been listening I remembered the first time I was ever in a choir that sang the Hallelujah chorus.  It was at Tambo - sometime after 1964 when I first went there.  How I enjoyed it.  Then I began to think of the different pieces we sang, and how often in that music, as I was singing I felt the power and presence of the Lord in the music.  As I listen to my CD,  I was wishing I could hear the entire Messiah sung by our Tambo Choir, or a  group of believers.  Not trained opera type singers, but sweet voiced singers, the music pouring out of believing and praising hearts. 

Gloria Stairs that was, reminded me of this also.  How she was so moved when the total audience stood to their feet at Tambo.  I have no memory of every hearing the Hallelujah chorus live so I was astounded.  What a glorious praise to the Almighty Father. I think almost everyone in the choir, if not all, were deeply moved.

 I love that even today it is sung by men and women who though they despise the name of the Lord or only know it to use it in vain, but they love this music.  When it  is sung, or even just played I believe every heart that hears it quickens with joy and adoration.  How like the Lord to use this gift to Handel to keep Him in our minds and hearts even when we try to deny Him. 

I remember being in choir at Tambo as being one of the real high lights of my time there.  Everyone was involved.  You couldn't say, I'm not interested or I cannot sing.  It was a requirement.  I always thought everyone could be taught to sing, to carry a tune because I saw Dave Lotz work with each group til they knew their parts perfectly.  I bet many of the Tambo choir members could still sing their part in some of the music we sang. 

I remember one of the older girls singing  "I know that my Redeemer Liveth" - it still brings tears to my eyes as I remember.  I remember singing "He could have called 10,000 Angels" and the first time, as we sang, I was fighting to not break down sobbing at the message of the song.  Music is so powerful - one of the divine gifts given to mankind to remind us of our Father, Creator, Redeemer and Lord. 

Satan has tried for all time to destroy that gift in the world, to corrupt or mar it, but for all that, God continues to use music to praise, honor and worship  Him.  And it flourishes in this world, bringing joy and and a deep to deep response of worship to our creator. 

I remember also, one Easter Morning, just as the sun edged the top of the mountain, being awoken out of a sound sleep to the song  "Christ the Lord is risen today" over the school loudspeaker.  I know I leapt to the window, looking eagerly for the Lord coming down for us in that minute. 

Thank you Mr. Dave Lotz and all those others, Mrs. Hurst, and even the students  Anna Foster and Gloria Stairs in my day and other's my mind has forgotten for one of the best parts of Tambo life.

Just recently WORLD magazine had an article about abuse in a Missionary school in Africa. I read it with great sorrow in my heart and tears welling up inside me. But I want to say, emphatically, during the years I was at Tambo High School, in Bolivia, from Spring 1964 to graduation in 1967, to my own personal knowledge there was no abuse of any sort going on at TAMBO. On the web page set up for giving a forum of expression to those abused in Africa, it was indicated that TAMBO was going to be investigated. If this is true I am heartbroken. But, I personally want to speak for the interactions I had at TAMBO.


I was an outsider, and as such, created somewhat of a stir with the authorities at TAMBO. At the time I felt it, and was at times bitter. For me, the coming back to school after a furlough of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lotz began a positive and healing change for me personally. My differences within the school in fact had much to do with my own casual and ungodly outlook at the time. I'd begun to be a Christian on the outside but ceased walking with God in my heart. I believe the staff realized this and were fearful that my unrepentant heart would cause trouble with other students, especially those I was friends with. However, I praise the LORD always for giving me the privilege of going to Tambo. The friends the LORD brought to me were a strong factor in my wanting to serve the LORD, in fact.

I was never perfect - but a boy who began to pay attention to me, Paul Hale, spoke often to me of faith, and urged me to let the LORD rule and reign in my life. Girls who came along side, Gloria Stairs and Anna Foster are two I've kept in loose touch with over the years, but many others also, never in word or deed showed any interest in 'rebelling' but rather made me want to love the LORD.


Many things also touched me long term.  Mr. Metzgar shared how God healed his beloved daughter Charlotte at a young age. He also shared about God speaking to him how taking things home from work, pens and paperclips is what I remember, was stealing. One of the staff taught on being responsible for the area around you - not carving on the desks, not throwing papers down on the ground. Then we put the message into practice covering the whole school grounds picking up trash. VERY effective for me. I still cannot throw stuff out the car window!!!!

Bill Gothard's teaching about honoring parents in dating and not dabbling in any form of witchcraft was very timely for me. I'd not ever been interested in astrology, but had been reading a book about how to control other peoples thoughts. My dad found it and threw it away, but with the teaching from Mr. Gothard I learned why.  In Africa I saw how dealing directly in Satan's territory brings havoc in lives and nations.


I confess, I did not get along with every staff member equally, but though there were some misunderstandings that caused me some trouble, it was that only - and since growing up and having children of my own I understand more.


I personally praise the LORD for taking me to TAMBO. And I want to speak for the staff there at that time. I do feel now and even did then, that it was not God's plan for a family to have children and then post them off to a boarding school while they did work for the LORD. And I felt very strongly that it was horrific for husbands and wives to be separated for months at a time. I know their hearts were to serve the LORD but I believe God's plan was for families to live together, and children raised by father and mother - at least in the early years. But, my friends at Tambo, who went to school there from grade one all are very positive and loving about those school years so I believe God honored the intent of their parents hearts.

It is unfortunate that there were people willing in the African school to abuse those young lives. I deeply grieve for them - in fact I've been praying for the victims of that abuse but also for those who sinned against the children, and the authorities who took the knowledge of abuse casually. I know God is mighty to forgive, but repentance does not follow forgiveness, rather repentance is followed by forgiveness. I know, as I've done my own share of sinning and needing God's divine restoration. And I also believe where repentance is not evidenced there will be a meeting with the LORD regarding those areas. I say this fearfully, as I know my own need of repentance and keeping my own heart right with God.

But in praying what came to me, was the word in the Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Only in remembering God is in control and will deal with each of us according to our lives, have I been able to let go of my own rage against those who destroy the lives of children. We are called by God to stop evil when we see it and are in a position to do it officially before the Law, and following in the body of Christ, God's plan for the church /Spiritual leaders to deal with sin - but in the end I have to leave it there. I pray for repentance.


We, the body of Christ, need to become serious before the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.