In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast

[mike]

No we should NOT stop supporting these mission efforts, simply based on one person's very questionable allegations. I do not believe that organizations such as CAM, other Anabaptist and non Anabaptist mission organizations raise large amounts of relief items, provide medical care, dig wells, provide clothes, food etc. never reaches the local people. Neither do I believe that the missionaries do not care about the Haitian people. They leave their nice homes here in the United Stated, Canada, etc. to serve the poorest of poor, facing major inconveniences, threats of being mugged, a climate that they are unaccustomed to, etc. To say they don't care, after making huge sacrifices is just wrong.

What I am reading lines up with many things that we learned a long time ago about the scandal. My inclination is to believe that there is much truth in what the author says. I leave room for some things: that the author could be mistaken about some things; his motives aren't fully known; it's not written in his first language; his perspective may be limited; and so forth. But in the main I think this book should be read by anyone interested in the CAM Haiti/Jeriah Mast scandal. Take it for what it's worth. It's the self-published anecdotal account of an undisputed attempted rape victim of Jeriah Mast whose pain CAM representatives tried to make whole at least in part with money.

[GaryK]

Two apologies:
1. sorry about the typos (commenting on the fly from my phone)
2. sorry about the crassness right out of the gate. I don't really do not do the online forum or SM too much, because I don't have time

I have watched this forum from a distance for some time (although not all the time by any stretch) and various times thought of getting involved. I just do not have the bandwidth to do so on a regular basis. I am a very committed individual of the CA community. I would suggest there are a lot more who think like I do that just will not show up on this forum because they'll receive the same warm reception to truth. After this post, I will go silent again, much to the relief of many of you.

It is fascinating though to watch the responses here. The realities that I have highlighted still remain largely unaddressed.
I have been accused of character assassination and a few other things in the process. Google definition of character assassination: the malicious and unjustified harming of a person's good reputation. Am I doing character assassination by raising concerns about statements posted on this thread?

I have simply pointed out (and continue to do so) realities taken from what was being written:

Issue 1 - Ernest raised a major accusation in the form of a question which casts huge doubt on the credibility of the book without researching his claim, or reading the book, or providing further evidence (While at the same time claiming to want to hear all sides before forming an opinion. Then, when challenged, he further tried to say it wasn't against the author, which then would mean the gullible author was influenced by others to write what they wanted him to write. How is that for believing that the author is a competent individual able to stand on his own two feet?

Issue 2 - Gary (and others) protecting Ernest because he "knows" him -- that logic has been used time after time to protect bad actions, of Jeriah, and many others. Just because I know someone to be good and trustworthy does not mean they can't blow it or that they are actually as I have perceived them. Dangerous thinking there.

Issue 3 - Ernest saying he has no horse in this race -- is that actually completely true? He has many close friends and "respected" church leaders as former co-workers at CAM. In the circles that I associate with, I believe most would see that as at least somewhat conflicted.

Issue 4 - CAM has done so much good/ many good people there - I get that, on one hand. On the other hand, that logic is extremely dangerous -- it may have been discussed here already, but have we not learned anything from the Ravi Zacharias or Mars Hill situations? https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/po ... mars-hill/

Again, these issues are here for you to do with them what you wish. You can also do with me what you wish.

You seem to suggest that because Ernie didn't do his due diligence before asking the question, he was wrong to ask it. If that is wrong, it's wrong to do that across the board. So the question this raises in my mind is - how is what you did to Ernie in your original post any different than what you seem to think he did? Would asking Ernie to clarify what he meant by the question rather than insinuating wrong motives on his part have been a better approach?

And again in this post you seem to be questioning his honesty in saying he has no horse in this race. How do you justify that?

To suggest that the logic behind me and others "protecting" Ernie (one of the most selfless, caring and conscientious men I know) is the same logic used by some people to protect Jeriah Mast (a rapist and child molester) is simply wrong. I know what I believe about the CAM/Mast travesty and have a pretty clear understanding of Ernie's view and to suggest that there is an equivalency in "logic" seems to assume a lot of negative things about those of us "protecting" Ernie.

[steve-in-kville]

What I am reading lines up with many things that we learned a long time ago about the scandal. My inclination is to believe that there is much truth in what the author says. I leave room for some things: that the author could be mistaken about some things; his motives aren't fully known; it's not written in his first language; his perspective may be limited; and so forth. But in the main I think this book should be read by anyone interested in the CAM Haiti/Jeriah Mast scandal. Take it for what it's worth. It's the self-published anecdotal account of an undisputed attempted rape victim of Jeriah Mast whose pain CAM representatives tried to make whole at least in part with money.

Anyone who had ever journaled, wrote a memoir or autobiography and tried to write non-fiction will struggle with this. A few years ago I wrote what I believe to be my memoirs. At first it sounded like expose, like I was an investigative journalist or something. I knew it needed a re-write, but struggled with how I was going to go about it. People that proofread it would often say "I didn't remember that part" or they saw it differently or the motives I portrayed varied from what they thought.

An associate of mine told to "just write your story. It is yours not someone elses." So I am

[Pelerin]

What I am reading lines up with many things that we learned a long time ago about the scandal. My inclination is to believe that there is much truth in what the author says. I leave room for some things: that the author could be mistaken about some things; his motives aren't fully known; it's not written in his first language; his perspective may be limited; and so forth. But in the main I think this book should be read by anyone interested in the CAM Haiti/Jeriah Mast scandal. Take it for what it's worth. It's the self-published anecdotal account of an undisputed attempted rape victim of Jeriah Mast whose pain CAM representatives tried to make whole at least in part with money.

Anyone who had ever journaled, wrote a memoir or autobiography and tried to write non-fiction will struggle with this. A few years ago I wrote what I believe to be my memoirs. At first it sounded like expose, like I was an investigative journalist or something. I knew it needed a re-write, but struggled with how I was going to go about it. People that proofread it would often say "I didn't remember that part" or they saw it differently or the motives I portrayed varied from what they thought.

An associate of mine told to "just write your story. It is yours not someone elses." So I am 8-)

Along with that, it can be very difficult to explain your perspective to other people who aren't familiar with the situation. It's all very clear and straightforward in your mind, but when you tell other people, you realize need to tell two more stories to give the proper background and then a few more to explain those stories and pretty soon you have a corkboard of strings and pins to connect all your raving together.

[Sliceitup]

If you were the author of this book, what way would you have of knowing about all the other things CAM does in the US and around the world, and all the people involved in its work? I think the author is painting with a broad brush also, but I think we should definitely cut him some slack on that.

If the author wrote a book, he certainly had internet access, and a simple search of CAM's website would have revealed that.

The author's grievances go beyond CAM to to missions and NGOs in Haiti generally. He says that these groups tend to raise large amounts of money for Haiti, but in the end, the local people lose out, and missionaries who truly care about Haitians are rare.

I think that is a really unfortunate result after the incredible amounts of time, effort, and funding that has gone into Haiti over the years from untold numbers of organizations. What have all these groups been doing wrong all these years? Is it worth trying to figure out? Or should we just stop supporting these mission efforts?

No we should NOT stop supporting these mission efforts, simply based on one person's very questionable allegations. I do not believe that organizations such as CAM, other Anabaptist and non Anabaptist mission organizations raise large amounts of relief items, provide medical care, dig wells, provide clothes, food etc. never reaches the local people. Neither do I believe that the missionaries do not care about the Haitian people. They leave their nice homes here in the United Stated, Canada, etc. to serve the poorest of poor, facing major inconveniences, threats of being mugged, a climate that they are unaccustomed to, etc. To say they don't care, after making huge sacrifices is just wrong.

Your comment displays exactly the kind of thinking that bothered the author. “The missionaries leave their nice wonderful life to go this terrible place and help out these poor people. The poor people should be more grateful and not complain about this.” This kind of thinking is really problematic.

I don’t think Dylo is saying the people don’t care, he’s saying there are improvements that should and could be made.

[Josh]

Except Dylo did say exactly that: that missionaries don’t care.

[Ken]

I realize you are just quoting a review of a book you haven't read. But instead of taking a single sentence out of context as the writer did, it may be useful to look at the actual page from which that quote is taken. He is actually criticizing Haitian church leaders even more...

I have read the book. And yes he criticizes the Haitian Church leaders, his pastor Dad, Pastor Daner, NGO's, CAM, all mission organizations in Haiti, the workers who sacrificed to help in the country, the workers education levels, the level of aid mission organizations provide, the list is endless.

He does have a right to criticize how CAM handled Jeriah Mast and the abuse he inflicted on young Haitian boys.

He talks about the need to report abuse to the police. In 2013 he reported the abuse to CAM, yet didn't report it to the police. Instead he went to work for CAM and with Mast. So his handling of the abuse was less than stellar as well.

So are we engaging in victim-blaming here as well?

The author spends a great deal of time talking about the gaslighting and pushback he received when he, as a youngster, did report what happened to him. Church leaders, both Haitian and American, who went to a great deal of effort to convince him that what happened to him did not actually happen. That he must have dreamed it. Or misunderstood. And that all was taken care of. And like many victims he is wracked with guild for not having done more, and for not acting to protect his younger brother and other younger victims. That is party of his story. But it doesn't excuse the culpability of others. In fact, it makes it worse.

He also talks about the lines of authority within his conservative Haitian church and how one is taught from the earliest age to respect those lines of authority and not go outside them to do as you suggest and go to the police. Which would probably be a questionable and risky act for a teen to do in Haiti anyway.

[Grace]

Your comment displays exactly the kind of thinking that bothered the author. “The missionaries leave their nice wonderful life to go this terrible place and help out these poor people. The poor people should be more grateful and not complain about this.” This kind of thinking is really problematic.

When injustices occur at the hands of missionaries, as with Jeriah Mast, they have a right to complain.

But to complain about new wells provided for fresh water, food, clothing, medical help and medicines, yes they should be grateful.

I don’t think Dylo is saying the people don’t care, he’s saying there are improvements that should and could be made.

Page 150 in the book...


" From CAM to other Anabaptist missions to missions from other denominations and mainstream non-governmental organizations (NGOs), groups raise a lot of money, use God’s name, make passionate speeches, and publish impressive newsletters, but the local people always seem to lose out. It feels rare that I meet a missionary who truly cares for the Haitian people.”


Dylo projects an image that the only reason people come to Haiti is to make passionate speeches, publish impressive newsletters, reves in the praise they receive (page 153) etc. and that they really don't care. I don't believe that.

[Grace]

So are we engaging in victim-blaming here as well?

The author spends a great deal of time talking about the gaslighting and pushback he received when he, as a youngster, did report what happened to him. Church leaders, both Haitian and American, who went to a great deal of effort to convince him that what happened to him did not actually happen. That he must have dreamed it. Or misunderstood. And that all was taken care of. And like many victims he is wracked with guild for not having done more, and for not acting to protect his younger brother and other younger victims. That is party of his story. But it doesn't excuse the culpability of others. In fact, it makes it worse.

He also talks about the lines of authority within his conservative Haitian church and how one is taught from the earliest age to respect those lines of authority and not go outside them to do as you suggest and go to the police. Which would probably be a questionable and risky act for a teen to do in Haiti anyway.

The author was a victim of horrible abuse, and I would never blame him for that. And you do have a valid point on why he didn't go to the police.

[Ernie]

Had I known that my comments would be taken the way there are, I would never have posted in this thread.

I do think your comment (speculation, whatever) could have been worded a bit better. I can see why people felt you were implying that the author was simply grinding everyone's axes for them - but honestly I've done a lot worse as far as in-artful language goes.

Ok. Not sure how useful this post will be but here we go.

In the CAM ABUSE thread and the CAM HOSTAGE thread, I periodically posted information directly from people involved that I could relay with certainty. If I couldn't say something with certainty, I made that clear.

In this CADET BOOK thread I have no primary sources at this time to give me correct information.

I wish I would have worded my original post differently. I'm sorry that what I wrote came across as accusatory.
So here is how I would like to reword my original post.

I heard from someone close to the situation that Cadet had many people emailing him almost daily, telling him what to include in the book. Can anyone verify whether this is correct, not correct, or partially false/true?