Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001

Dear Edgar and Mireille

You are no doubt looking for a reply to your last letter. First I will say I am very sorry you feel you need to once again air your complaints in this manner. We have tried to talk to you and others have written giving you good advice of how to find peace in your heart. Much good advice was given to you in the letter that Johan wrote to you, but you see fit only to send one portion of his letter to many others. You mention your concerns, and we have talked to you about some of them, and I have done a lot of searching in my own life, and find there are some things I could be more careful with. As Johan told you, constructive criticism can be helpful but you have gone far beyond that. However, I do wonder, Edgar, if you had continued in the work and had the present day situations and responsibilities to deal with, that fall on workers today, if you could have or would have made decisions differently! I know that some of the things you criticize us of, we discussed in your home some years ago, when decisions had to be made of how best to meet the situations as they came upon us.

Through the years I have tried to consider you and your family with visits etc., and you have been given much help from the time that you left the work, help of those who have continued in the work. But perhaps this is our 'thanks' for that now.

You bring up about Terry in nearly every letter. This was dealt with, and there was the one point I had been misinformed about, and had mentioned to others, and I have asked for forgiveness for this. When she was in the work, she and her sister were given many privileges and favours, and much was done to make it possible for them to be in Sweden and to secure citizenship etc., but again, maybe this is the 'thanks' I get for it now. We know how dangerous it is to set one person high on a pedestal, as we can be so mesmerized by them, that we fail to see some of the errors they make, and blindly follow along with them.

As far as referring to us as being like Pilate, like the counsel that condemned Jesus to death, etc. etc., we are still the servants of the God of Heaven, and He will in due time take vengeance as He sees fit, if there is not a humble repentance shown. Yes, we all stand under the judgement of God. I have often prayed for you that you would not go so far as to blaspheme the work of the Holy Spirit, in your statements about the workers.

I am not about to try to justify or condemn you or anyone else, but I have searched your letters to see what the root is, that is causing you such distress.

I am convinced that it is either wanting to have your name spread far and wide, or envious and jealous or a despising for me, as nearly all the things you mention reflect on me.

Yes Edgar I can remember times when the homes of the Sunday morning meeting, were homes where you could come and feel the peace of God there, where one could feel welcome and where God's people could meet and break bread together, in harmony and unity. I remember those who had the meetings in their home, took time to visit those unable for meetings, and encouraged and stood by the workers that gave their lives to carry the Gospel to others. Yes, I am glad there are still homes like that today, and where the children in the home learn to love the meetings, the friends and workers. I am glad that I was raised in a home where I never did hear the workers being criticized thought workers then were not perfect either, but laying down their lives in a sacrifice of love for God's will and way for their lives.

I am thankful there are workers today going the same way Jesus sent His disciples, going in faith, and able to face, as Paul said, a lack of abundance, when it comes to the natural needs and requirements. We have learned as workers, that we are responsible for how we use what has been given to us, but I do want to make changes where necessary to please our Heavenly Father. I do not for one minute say that I have always been wise and made the right decisions in using what has been given to us, but I do want to make changes where necessary, and be able to be like is written of Daniel, "neither was there any error or fault found in him" .I have not attained this as yet, but strive to do so. I do not seem to find where it says that the workers are to live in poverty! We are trying to follow Jesus example of living by faith, and not laying up treasure for ourselves, but wanting to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. What kind of testimony is it to our friends if we live in rags and drive wrecks! Some of our friends have talked to me about that, and want people to know that they love and support this work!

Oh how I would like to see a letter from you finding some good in some, (I am sure there is some good in most workers and friends) rather that digging into the mistakes and weaknesses of us all, and condemning us as only ungodly people. This is what destroys fellowship, and maybe that is what you want to do, to destroy us. You may succeed in destroying some, but the result will be in you destroying your family and yourself.

I hope I am wrong in some of the observations I have made, but in letters from the different ones, asking who this man Edgar is, people who have received your letters that do no even know you, asking if he is in fellowship with us, or does he go to meetings etc. make me understand the spirit of the letters were not guided by the spirit of God.

Oh yes, a person could write many things but I do not feel this is the way to resolve any differences, as most often it is misconstrued or misunderstood, as maybe even this letter will be, but it is still written in concern for you and your family and your future in the Kingdom of God. I do hope and pray that peace could be restored amongst us so there could be the desired fellowship in the Spirit that is so vital to be able to continue and reach the goal of eternity with our Master.

I am sorry to have to write some of these things, but hope you can understand I am concerned about your spiritual welfare, for you and your family.

I hope we can all come to convention in the right spirit, wanting to again sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. Conventions have proved to be a time of help and healing in the past, and can be just this for us now, if we come in a humble, quite spirit.

Greetings. Eldon