CAM Molestation Issue

[Hats Off]

If you read appleman's post in one of the other threads, I think that none of us is attempting to downplay the seriousness of this. Most of us do not have the information you have. You might say we are in shock.

[Hats Off]

Trudy has a new post reporting on a conversation with Paul Weaver.

[mike]

Response of a fellow CAM missionary in Haiti on a public Facebook post:

Note: This is not a statement of position,
but more an observation in reply to a growing theme in comments on social media.

June 12, 3:00am

I’m a missionary wife and mom of two small children here in Haiti. My husband has known Jeriah for years, I have known his sweet wife for years. We had no idea this was going on. Our hearts are grieved as we consider the things that have recently come to light. We are praying for all those involved and especially the victims.

Right now, I can’t sleep because of the things that so many on Facebook are saying.

First of all, to be clear, we are also disappointed that Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) has not admitted to their involvement and knowledge concerning Jeriah in the past. It is shocking to hear that the individuals who knew what was going on did not take proper action.

However, to those who are calling out to boycott CAM and rallying people to discontinue supporting the organization; (the New York Haiti Benefit Auction now says they will not be funding CAM this year) I ask you this: What are you going to do for the new line of victims that YOU will create? I am speaking of the hundreds of old people and widows that survive on the regular food boxes they receive through CAM. I’m speaking specifically of the children of impoverished, hard working families in small communities all over Haiti (let alone the rest of the world) who have depended on CAM to provide their schooling and one square meal a day.

I’m speaking of the recipients of loans through the CAM funded SALT programs. The hundreds of families who aren’t starving anymore because of the sustainable businesses that are created with their help.

CAM cares for malnourished babies through their milk formula programs; devastated Syrian refugees living on the food they freely provide; clinics worldwide that use their donated medicines. One of these clinics is just a few minutes down the trail from us.

Honestly, I am not very familiar with Christian Aid Ministries’ programs in other countries but I know there are quite a few; and I know firsthand that many, many people rely on this organization for their survival. We’re not talking about a mortgage on a big house. Or a second car. Or their kids’ college education. It’s about their survival. Think, beans and rice survival.

Those of you who have supported any international aid organization have aligned yourself with their work. That work can create a dependency that cannot just be undone. International aid - good, bad or indifferent, it is what it is, and YOU CANNOT JUST QUIT cold turkey.

And so I ask of you, those of you who are insistent on boycotting this ministry - please, please have a plan to help those who depend on CAM’s help. Are you willing to sacrifice your life and energy to take over the care of all these individuals that you have been supporting through CAM. Have a plan for everyone who would suffer without warning, and probably without ever knowing why.

Should the thousands of CAM recipients worldwide really be the ones to pay for one man’s sin? See the big picture, let’s think before we react and talk. Be prayerful. This situation is truly terrible, we all know that. We are all grieving.

We pray that Christian Aid Ministries will do the right thing. Or rather, the INDIVIDUALS within the organization who have made GRAVE ERRORS in this situation would be made accountable. There must be consequences in situations like this and correction dealt out when it is needed.

We should all learn a lesson about proper vetting and accountability for those we send to the mission field.

One other thing, if you succeed in shutting CAM down, won’t that validate the hesitancy of those mothers mentioned who didn’t speak up for their sons in the first place. That is, when someone does come forward and speak up, help and support for them and so many others is lost.

Thank you for your consideration. May God be merciful and work repentance, pour out grace on the suffering, and establish the light of truth.

Breanna & Michael Rudolph

[mike]

Trudy has a new post reporting on a conversation with Paul Weaver.

Very good.

[queserasera_2]

I wish she would've posted his response. Leaving it out implies he didn't respond how she wanted him to.

[Josh]

I wish she would've posted his response. Leaving it out implies he didn't respond how she wanted him to.

More likely he would not agree to go on the record with his response. Perhaps someone should ask him to consent to release his response publicly.

Regarding boycotting CAM, I and others would be glad to endorse donating to CAM once a full, independent audit is complete and the auditor’s recommendations are followed.

Right now, nobody knows if donations to CAM are actually funding defence attorneys or hush money to abuse victims.

[Hats Off]

I wish she would've posted his response. Leaving it out implies he didn't respond how she wanted him to.

It does feel that way - it isn't actually a conversation.

I would very much echo Breanna Rudolph's response - completely shutting off CAM will hurt many innocent people.

[QuietObserver]

CAM isn't the only organization in the world helping the poor. Directing your dollars to another organization isn't starving the poor.

If you're concerned about funding defense attorneys, you can donate to specific CAM programs and avoid the general fund.

[appleman2006]

It is encouraging to me that staff like this are more or less asking for the same type of accountability that everyone else is asking for primarily that those that knew lose their jobs. That tells me that this may actually happen.
One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

[Bootstrap]

One thing is more clear than ever and that is that a third party investigation must be done and done very quickly.

It should be started very quickly. And done very thoroughly. Doing it right will not be quick.