-------- Table of Contents --------

Hello, Elena Rose! Hello, Lise!
Bette & Hans' new Lise & Bette's health
Dave Maendel sentenced to probation
Lawsuit Dismissed, Bruderhof will appeal
Christian Domer & Joe Keiderling
Reply to Domer/Keiderling
Harmful Religion book in print
ITEM: Deerspring closing
Hartford Courant - Deerspring closing
ITEM: WTNH (ABC) TV covers Deerspring
ITEM: B'hof request for CBS tapes denied
Rosie Sumner's Party
Ramon Sender - Teeth Fund report - JCA
CJOB Radio
CBC Radio
Winnipeg Sun - "Mounties Probe"
Winnipeg Free Press -"RCMP Confirm Probe"
ITEM: miscellaneous Bruderhof news
Looking Back - Nostalgic Tidbits
Melchior Fros
Blair Purcell
Barnabas, Timothy, Susan & Joy Johnson to JCA
Elizabeth Bohlken-Zumpe
Rosie (Johnson) Sumner
Name Withheld to Blair & Margot Purcell
Joerg Mathis to JCA
Tim Johnson
Name Withheld
Hilarion Braun
Blair Purcell - Andy Bazeley at Woodcest
Elizabeth Bohlken-Zumpe
An Older Ex-Member
Konrad Kluver
Stanley Vowles
Susanna Zumpe
Mike Caine
Norah Allain
Dave Ostrom - "Trip To The U.K."
Elizabeth Bohlken-Zumpe
Walter Smalakis - poetry
Hannah Goodwin Johnson
Hans Zimmermann - "The Rosella Fight"
Samuel Kleinsasser's 1950 Notes f/ P'vera
Sam Arnold - "Our Trip To Ontario"
ITEM: The Peregrine Brochure
Cult Information - support line and workshop

I said, "Your Honor, I lived right near these people since the 1960s. Since 1978, they've asked me not to come onto their communities and I've respected that. I know I transgressed the law and I'm deeply sorry, but what would Christoph have done if he had been forbidden to see his relatives? I don't even know whether my mother is alive!"

The probation officer who interviewed me before sentencing said she was deeply moved by my sincerity and the reasons for my actions. She said that they would recommend probation, but according to the law of the State of New York, the judge had to sentence me to at least five years.

The defendants argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the Bruderhof had not commenced the actions until more than a year after the allegedly defamatory statements were allegedly made and the claims were therefore barred by New York's statute of limitations. In response to questioning by U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the Bruderhof's lawyer conceded that the Bruderhof had made no attempt to sue the defendants during the one-year-limitation period, although the Bruderhof had known where to locate the defendants at all times and the defendants had not attempted to evade service of process. Judge Sotomayor then rejected the Bruderhof's argument that it was not required to sue within one year because the defendants were not New York residents, and held that the statute of limitations required dismissal of the action in its entirety.

The Bruderhof has indicated that they plan to appeal the dismissal.

Through the last several years, you have directed much of your efforts to "exposing" the Bruderhof as a cult, and you have alleged, among other things, that the Bruderhof practices mind control, abuses its children (physically, sexually and emotionally), overmedicates its members, and practices Estate raiding. You have worked feverishly to "expose" the Bruderhof through the national media and have attempted to obstruct or undo the Bruderhof's agenda wherever and whenever you could -- even where you held essentially the same beliefs as the Bruderhof on a given issue (e.g. the Philadelphia hearings on the death penalty).

What we find interesting, however, was your failure to publish on the Internet (or in the KIT newsletter) a copy of the Bruderhof's defamation Complaint against you, even though you previously thought it worthwhile to fully publish other, less comprehensive Complaints in which you were also named as a defendant. Fortunately, it appears that someone else decided to publish the present defamation Complaints, granting your followers the opportunity to understand the nature and appropriateness of the allegations made against you.

What is most troubling to us, however, are your published "reports" that your attorneys will soon defeat the Bruderhof's baseless Complaint, which implicitly suggests that such a victory would be on the merits because, you believe, the Complaint's allegations are specious. What you have not told your followers, however, is that the motion your attorneys have filed and which will be argued on November 4th is based upon a technical defense (i.e. statute of limitations or untimeliness) and is not directed to the merits of the Complaint.

Suffice is to say that we believe that the Bruderhof will prevail against your technical motion. It is clear to us, however, that you do not want the issues which we have raised to be fully aired in a public forum, otherwise you would have published the Complaint for your followers and you would now be looking forward to your long-awaited moment to clear your name by facing the substance of the allegations rather than seeking to avoid them on a technicality. At best, that would indeed provide you with a hollow victory. We believe that you are afraid the truth will make you look bad before those who are unwitting in their belief that your motives are honest and worthy.

Ramon, now is your opportunity for the full disclosure to which you have claimed entitlement. You should instruct your attorneys to withdrawn your technical motion and accept the challenge that an impartial trier of fact should hear and rule upon the merits of our allegations. Inasmuch as you believe that all of your actions were justified and appropriate, you have nothing to fear. You also owe it to your followers. We would appreciate it if you would publish this letter in the November KIT newsletter. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,

The article quoted spokesperson Larry Domer as saying "Deer Spring Bruderhof is closing down its Norfolk facility in order to consolidate its business and community way of life with other existing Bruderhofs in the U.S. and England."

Norfolk's First Selectman Arthur Rosenblatt was quoted as saying, "Let me emphasize the brethren are not moving at all as a reflection on the community. That's not the issue at all. Norfolk loves the brothers and they love us.'' The article also pointed out that Deerspring pays the highest taxes in the township, adding, "The community is registered as a corporation, and workers in the factory are considered volunteers. The move could have a significant impact on Norfolk's tax base."

"Bruderhof To Close Norfolk Commune"

by Gerald Renner and Kevin Canfield,

A Christian commune of once-impoverished refugees that has become part of a multi-million-dollar business enterprise is closing down after nearly 40 years in Litchfield County.

The 350 members of the Deer Spring Bruderhof in Norfolk will be sent to live in other communes in what a spokesman said was a business decision.

People in the Bruderhof have become prosperous by trying to live simply, as the ancient Christians did -- in voluntary communism. They lead a devout life, dress plainly and share property and possessions. Their commune is the only one of its kind in the state.

A spokesman, Matthew Domer, said the move is necessary "to consolidate our business and communal way of life with other existing Bruderhofs in the United States and England."

The Bruderhof is a movement of about 2,500 pacifistic Christians banded together in six communes in the United States -- in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut -- and two in England. They support themselves with business grossing about $20 millon a year.

"There is space available in the other seven sites to absorb the Norfolk residents," Domer said.

The eight communities make and sell classroom furniture and toys called Community Playthings and physical therapy equipment under the Rifton Equipment for the Disabled. The Bruderhof also owns an 11-passenger Gulfstream jet that it has rented to such celebrities as Sharon Stone, Eddie Murphy and the rock group Van Halen.

A 300-acre commune in Rifton in rural northeastern New York state, is the central Bruderhof. J. Christoph Arnold is the leader. Decisions are made by Arnold in consultation with an executive group called Servants of the Word.

Trucks from the other U. S. Communes shuttle back and forth to warehouses in Rifton.

Components of the Norfolk woodworking factory will be absorbed by the other Bruderhof sites, Domer said.

"It was a surprise," said Arthur S. Rosenblatt, Norfolk first selectman. "My first concern is that it might have something to so with discomfort in the community, but they quickly assured me that there was no problem, that they felt welcome in the community. The whole thing was finance-driven."

"It's that the nature of our manufacturing process doesn't require so many different locations," Domer said. "We've found ways of trimming and streamlining our manufacturing process so that we require less space."

The decision to move was not motivated by any fiscal problems, Domer said. He would not discuss how the decision was reached.

The community owns 56 acres in Norfolk. It will be largely vacated within six to 12 months and eventually sold, Domer said.The property, with 10 commercial buildings and 13 dwellings is worth about $6 million, town records show.

Joyce Mahoney, town assessor, said the community and the town agreed in the 1970s that the Bruderhof would pay taxes on half the property's assessed value. Mahoney said the community pays almost $70,000 a year in town taxes. It is the largest taxpayer in the town of about 2,100 people.

Rosenblatt said the will miss the tax revenue, but added that, "There are some major compensating factors."

The community runs its own elementary school, but 32 of its highschool-aged students attend Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted. The town pays about $250,000 a year for those students to attend the high school. When the children leave, the town's education costs will decrease, Rosenblatt said., Rosenblatt said the community will be missed. "They've definitely contributed to what I would call the texture of the town," he added.

The Bruderhof movement, founded in Germany in the 1920s, fled Adolf Hitler and moved to Paraguay until after World War II. I affiliated with a group of Hutterites in North Dakota, a 400 year-old Anabaptist community that relied mostly on farming to sustain its communal Christian life.

The Hutterites and the Bruderhof communities no longer have anything to do with one another. Each accuses the other of departing form the right Christian path.

The Bruderhof movement has garnered a growing chorus of critics in recent years, including academics who say it has become authoritarian and former member who complain they are not allowed to visit their relatives.

The Bruderhof has sued CBS TV which in the spring broadcast a "48 Hours" program that aired critics' complaints. The lawsuit was dismissed.

Domer said the CBS program had no effect on business and had nothing to do with the decision to leave Norfolk. The Bruderhof has also sued Professor Julius Rubin, a professor of sociology at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, for remarks he made about the Bruderhof in a Philadelphia radio broadcast. The lawsuit is pending in federal court in New York.

"My sense is this is not an economic decision," Rubin said Wednesday. "It is as if there is this major sense of consolidation out of fears of external threat and inability to control their people."

An anchorperson reported the recent story of the Bruderhof's decision to leave Deerspring and asked whether the Bruderhof was creating a "hell on earth" by promoting rules that were too rigid and punishment that was too severe. She explained how the group had become controversial, with many ex-members charging that they were the victims of emotional abuse and interrogation as children and adolescents within the Bruderhof.

Mike Boller spoke of his punishment as a child for "spoiling a song" where he was kept under house arrest. Clara Arnold admitted that she attempted suicide twice and charged that she was abused emotionally and interrogated in a way that was designed to force confessions of sins from her. Dave Maendel spoke of his experiences of interrogation and isolation from family at age 12.

Julius Rubin, Professor of Sociology, Saint Joseph College, was then interviewed about the injurious effects of these forms of church discipline and family disruptions where the enforcement of a single belief system has little tolerance for nonconformity or diversity. ABC reporter Jim Hoffer told the audience that despite repeated attempts, the Bruderhof refused to be interviewed or to answer these allegations from former members. He also interviewed the town of Norfolk's First Selectman who said that Deerspring members were good neighbors. A high school official stated that Bruderhof children seemed happy and well-adjusted.

Reporter Hoffer displayed a two-page letter from the Bruderhof attorneys stating that all allegations were unfounded. "...Not a single person who has ever alleged misconduct on the part of the Bruderhof has ever filed a complaint." The letter went on to explain that what was commonly accepted as acts of normal child-rearing 40 years ago would be seen today as politically incorrect acts of near-child abuse.

Finally, Hoffer told the audience that ex-members still suffer pain and anguish from their Bruderhof childhoods. Ex-members have sought out each other for healing and support. KIT was not mentioned by name, but scenes from the 1997 Friendly Crossways conference were aired.

Friday night a brief (less than 3 minutes) segment covered the sentencing of Dave Maendel with footage outside the courthouse, a statement from Dave, and "no comment" from Christoph Arnold and Joe Keiderling. Christoph then drove away in his bright red pickup truck, with his ever-faithful German shepherd dog 'Kit' in a crate in the cargo bed.

Bring at least twenty photocopies of any songs you want to sing, to be sure the words are available to all. Piano and one guitar at home, bring anything else to stir the air. Neighbours will have been warned. Campfire in evening if weather fine and mood right. Love to you all, wish you could come and join us,"

Also, congratulations to J. Christoph Arnold for living up to his forgiveness book in the case of Dave Maendel's sentencing hearing, as noted earlier on page 1 of this issue. Other opportunities along these lines may arise for Christoph, as indeed for us all.

"Evidence of child sexual abuse on Manitoba Hutterite colonies is mounting today as the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] investigates allegations of long-time abuse. A caller this morning to the CJOB Action Line said he was abused as a young boy living on a colony and that it's time for the government to step in: (Caller speaking) "Person who's doing this needs treatment. I don't think the Hutterites are educated enough for this problem. I think the government should send people in there and teach them how to spot abuse or how to deal with it after. Hutterites don't do that. They more or less maybe just punish the person and then well it'll go away, and it doesn't. It won't."

"Mounties Probe Abuse at Hutterite Colony"

by Mike McIntyre, Police Reporter

RCMP are investigating some Manitoba Hutterite colonies after concerns were raised about possible isolated cases of abuse involving children in the past 20 years. The investigation has been ongoing since January, but the Mounties have yet to find any evidence of abuse to lay charges.

"We have still not substantiated any of the allegations," Gerry Jennings said yesterday.

The issue emerged late last year after several Manitoba Hutterite children went on an exchange program to a colony in New York. One of the colony members became concerned after hearing stories from the youths about growing up on their colony and contacted RCMP.

The alleged incidents involved the disciplining and supervision of children by parents and sexual improprieties between children, said RCMP.

"We're talking about concerns about lifestyles on the colonies. We don't have any allegations of adults sexually abusing children, and there is no evidence of widespread abuse," said Jennings. "We're not talking about another (Graham James) case here."

RCMP are taking their time on the investigation and interviewing dozens of people who live on Manitoba colonies. The names of the colonies are not being released as the investigation is ongoing.

"RCMP Confirm Probe Into Hutterite Allegations

All allegations unsubstantiated so far; Colonies say suggestions are painful."

by Doug Nairne, Police Reporter

RCMP confirmed yesterday they are investigating allegations of child abuse on Hutterite colonies in the province. The allegations include sexual abuse, but Mounties say the main thrust of their probe is delving into the amount of supervision Hutterite children are given.

"To suggest that this is a sexual abuse investigation is dead wrong," said RCMP spokesman Sgt. Gerry Jennings. "Sexual abuse is only one very small part of what we are looking into."

The investigation was launched last fall after a senior member of a splinter group of Hutterites in New York made a complaint to police in North Dakota and Manitoba. The man alleged Manitoba and North Dakota Hutterite children were not being treated properly, citing examples where young children were left alone while the adults worked. The complaints surfaced following an exchange program in which children moved between the Canadian and American colonies last year.

A pair of senior Mounties from the Winnipeg general investigation section have conducted dozens of interviews in the case and traveled to New York to meet with the people making the allegations. Jennings said no charges have been laid and none of the allegations have been substantiated. "We haven't found anything that would support suggestions of child abuse," he said. "Whether or not there will be a police intervention in this case remains to be seen."

Police say the rate of accidents involving young people is no higher in Hutterite colonies than in other farming communities, so there's no obvious indication there's a problem with child supervision. Several Manitoba Hutterites contacted yesterday said the allegations are politically driven by rivalry between local Hutterites and the colonies in New York, and have little basis in fact. They say the different colonies have come into conflict because they have different philosophies.

One member of a colony south of Winnipeg, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the allegations have seriously damaged the image of the Hutterites and caused suffering in the communities.

"This has created a great deal of pain for us," the man said. "People already view us with prejudice, and this will feed their misunderstanding and intolerance."

Police sources say they're aware of only one incident of alleged sexual abuse. It involves a youth who reportedly put his hand on the buttocks of a young girl.'

"This is not a case of adults preying on children," one officer said.

Deer Spring has been preparing for the Lord's Supper, which means a "clearance/confession" time for members. Pleasant View is undergoing "a new beginning" under their new name, "Maple Ridge."

November Issues of Previous Years

November 1989 - Dave Ostrom: I challenge the fact that there has been a change... [in the Bruderhof's attitude] because of an experience I had in 1984: My family and I were on vacation touring the East Coast where I took them to where I had lived. At New Meadow Run, while parked on a public road in front of NMR, a vanload of members pulled up and the driver informed me that if I didn't leave, they would call the authorities and have me removed (from a public place!). At Woodcrest, again, we were parked on a public road, taking photos of the covered bridge there, and a car with members pulled up and informed me that "If I didn't get the hell out of there they would call the authorities and have us removed." (again, from a public road). In contrast to this attitude, a few days later we visited Forest River colony. While I was not received and did not expect the same reception as a brother would, the reception I did receive still cause tears of joy for me...

November 1990 - Miriam Arnold Holmes: I was deeply pained by both Andreas Meier's reply to our Open Letter and by Kathy Mow's letters to Ramon as published in the last KIT edition. What both Andreas and Kathy don't seem to realize is that there are certain common standards of decency recognized in our society which, when violated, are dealt with through government agencies. This means that we who live in the "world" have an obligation to live by these standards and, when necessary, intervene when others do not. Andreas says "Could you please let us live our choice of life in peace." I think we all would gladly do that if we were assured that the standards of decency, which include freedom from emotional abuse, were followed in that choice of life. If my next-door neighbor abuses his children, I cannot in good conscience let him "live his choice of life in peace." No, I would have to intervene to protect innocent children. If that neighbor does not want to hear what I have to say, I am mandated by law to report that abuse to the authorities. The Bruderhof is not above the law...

November, 1991: - Hilarion Braun: On the American 'hofs, 'kitsch' is rampant and is ultimately the subjugation of the artist's individuality to a formless form -- i.e., an absolute. The posting of slogans, especially those with reference to 'fighting,' 'purity,' etc. are meant to maintain an asceticism of the type the military has traditionally claimed. Thus this militant puritanical element is joined mystically with 'the brotherly life.' It is this fundamental contradiction in Christianity that has made this religion so adaptable in its sordid and violent history. The compulsion to destroy a family through exclusion and the 'love of a brother' cannot dwell in the same heart without enormous turmoil and stress. The periodic crises on the Bruderhof are, I believe, a necessary catharsis in which this fundamental contradiction is palliated by distraction and scapegoating. The cruelty with which Hans Zumpe was treated is not even now regretted, as indicated by Hans Meier's and others' letters. Would murder instead of adultery have been 'less sinful?'

November, 1992: - Andrew Harries: went to the KIT Conference at the Ridgeway in England. I actually spoke at a meeting because I felt something strongly. It was a very good experience. Meeting people from so long ago and sharing and finding that others had suffered on the Bruderhof also. Many or most there had been kicked out for various reasons. For many like myself, no reasons was ever given. That was our home! We were born and grew up there! We knew nothing different. All our lives it had been drummed into us that this was the ideal life, the perfect way of living. Then suddenly we were shoved out. The Bruderhof was like our family. It was as if they just opened the back door and shoved us out. It felt like, "Go and live in the woods on your own. Look after yourself. You are bad. We don't care about you."

Where is the loving and caring and Brotherhood which was talked about so much? I was told by someone else about two people whom I know well who tried to commit suicide more than once. It was said as if they were to blame. There was something wrong with them, not, "What have we done wrong? Where have we gone wrong?" I am not a religious person, but I think the bible says a lot of good, sensible things. One is something to the effect, "You shall judge them by their fruits." What more need one say?

November, 1993 - John A. Hostetler: In their effort to create a "pure" community and to succeed in their "struggle against the devil," severe disciplinary measures have harmed the children. For example, young children from the ages of nine to fourteen have sometimes been interrogated for their sexual fantasies and punished by being placed in social isolation for weeks.

"Some children were interrogated so harshly (for several days) that to this day they have not overcome the abuse." (Elizabeth Bohlken-Zumpe, Torches Extinguished} Adults also have suffered from severe emotional impairment and psychological trauma during prolonged periods of enforced separation from their children. Such authoritarian and controlling behavior has contributed to a climate of deprivation and fear.

November, 1994 - Name Withheld: The Hutterites have received dozens of unwanted letters from the SOB asking for money, conferences, boastful and fancy letters, many of which advertise their folly, such as their death marching, daily school activities, exclusion practices in their church, and in many cases trying to make the Hutterites feel guilty, when they don't know head or tail of what's going on amongst the Hutterites. In '90 we suggested that they need not send us The Plough, but they got worse on that matter and only started sending us direct letters.

I feel sorry for the SOB. In previous years they were, and still are, stubborn, ignorant, practicing high power and authority, things totally unknown to us. Yes, I feel sorry for them. They haven't broken their own self-will. All those books and letters -- they wasted their paper and postage expense. Terrible! Irresponsible!

November, 1995 - 'Chronicle,' the Needham, Massachusetts television program on 10/11/95, (Ch 5 WCVB -- ABC affiliate for the Boston area):

CHRISTOPH: Yes, we live in good times, a lot better and... good times make bad Christians, and we have to be careful. But... I'm STILL proud of the jet!!
MARY: If the Bruderhof has taken to free enterprise, they are not so sure about other American values. (to Christoph) Do you believe in democracy?
CHRISTOPH: No! I am thankful for democracy. Democracy is better. We have lived under Hitler, so democracy isn't all bad, but democracy can be a tool of Satan. It can hide other evils.
MARY: Satan is real to you. It is not an idea.
CHRISTOPH: He is a hundred percent real. For us, there are only two powers, that's light and darkness. There is no gray in-between.
MARY: That tendency to see the world in terms of black and white, light and darkness, in or out, us or them, may make finding middle ground difficult.
CHRISTOPH: Jesus says that in the end times, daughter will turn against father, brother against brother, sister against sister, children against parents, the house will be divided, and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

November, 1996 - Carol Beels Beck (to Joe Keiderling and Christian Domer): What about the offer of two years ago to involve a 'Mediation Service'? Brilliant idea, blocked by leaders in the Brotherhood! What about the legal action you two instigated last year against COB? A blatant misuse of power! What I heard is that the concern about using the name "Bruderhof" was mentioned to COB negotiators, but before any discussion could take place, you two had used Big Brother tactics. What has that got to do with reconciliation? How can you say you 'reluctantly arrived at this drastic move...' when you had not discussed it with those wishing to set up COB?

What about the endless attempts of various individuals to work at reconciliation through their families and loved ones in the Community, blocked by a few sentences said in the Brotherhood by powerful 'brothers' like yourselves? I shudder every time I think, that if I had made it into the Brotherhood I would probably sit there and believe every word you say about how evil KIT or Ramon are, etc., with no means or wish to prove its correctness for myself. When I had finished reading your letter in Sept KIT '96, I once again had this picture of you two sitting on the mountain top appealing to all of us sheep in the valleys to come to see how we have been deceived by KIT editors. I had this same picture of you Christian speaking from the mountain top of all righteousness when you directed such a personally intrusive attack at Ramon in your letter to him, printed in KIT (May 96 pps. 3-4.)

What right has any human being got to do what you did in that letter? It brought to mind the story in the New Testament where Jesus asked the Pharisees and onlookers "Who is willing to throw the first stone?"

One of the things I feel most ashamed of that I learned in the B'hof and that has been painful to unlearn is judging & finding others wanting, based on my values & beliefs. I feel your organization is riddled with self-righteous judging and disregarding, especially dissenters of your 'cause.' The response -- Ramon printing the complete interview with Sibyl and your parents -- I found so beautiful ( KIT May 96). It just is puzzling that if you are so keen for reconciliation, why to this day haven't we read anything in KIT of your response to reading in full that taped meeting between Sibyl, Ramon and your parents!

Your angry, unfeeling, cruel, untruthful accusations, especially against Ramon, were totally exposed by the printed dialogue. I do not necessarily agree with Ramon or any other KIT editor's sexual/moral values, but that does not give me the right to judge them and then publicly denounce that person as having no ethical or moral values. All that I know of Ramon tells me the opposite. I don't really like quoting from the Bible, but I can't resist, given your letter written from the mountain top of Christian respectability and morality. "We on the contrary experience the true liberation and joy of living a life of sexual purity and fidelity." The latter may be so, but who did Jesus denounce, the prostitutes or the spiritually and morally smug Pharisees?

For me the answer to the above puzzle lies in the belief that "in iniquity I was brought to birth and my mother conceived me in sin" (Psalm 51:5). In other words, the sin I commit is a "normal" part of this good-natured fellow you know as Mel. I am, simply put, a part of fallen nature. I even show the effects of a fallen nature, living, as I do, in a world of total silence. I am not all that God intended me to be no matter how cuddly and innocently I lay in the birth-cradle. In those times of relative "innocence" the seeds of sin were already planted, albeit hidden from immediate flowering. Despite these, or shall I say, because of them, God had also graciously implanted the DESIRE, the yearning within my soul, to be that which He had intended for me all along.

When I read the familiar words of Matt.18:21,22 in which unlimited forgiveness of my brother or sister is commanded, I feel right away that this is indeed as it should be. I find it almost "easy" to do so. And why is that? Largely because I know all too well my own need before God, but also because my brother or sister in the faith is guided by a DESIRE and earnest motivation to please our God. My extending forgiveness and the other person's desire to be reconciled are pleasing to our Father.

I have a certain assurance that the process of forgiveness, even if it needs to be entered into repeatedly for the same offense committed against me, is helping and maturing the faith of my brother or sister until such a time that the undesirable behavior ceases and is replaced by more loving conduct. The bottom-line is that my brother/sister is making progress toward spiritual maturity. Knowing this enables forgiveness to well up quite naturally within me.

But what am I to make of the need to practice unlimited forgiveness when persons I consider brothers state that "It does not matter if what we do is right or wrong, as long as we do it together". What if these persons continue to hurt others and themselves alike with a warped point of view for which I can find no basis? What if their elder reminds me of the need to forgive unconditionally while he and others continue to ignore the many pleas to reconsider their stand before God?

For some believers, this dilemma becomes unbearable and leads to the realization that the only way to remain faithful to Christ, their first love, is to sever their bonds with the Bruderhof. For did not the very vows that require a willingness to receive admonition also include a readiness to admonish others "if you should sense within our community life something that should be clearer or would more fittingly bespeak the will of God, of if you should feel that something ought to be corrected or abolished?" (Torches Rekindled p. 301). When a young novice trustingly places his/her entire spiritual well-being into the hands of others is it not right to assume that a reciprocal relationship exists? Once abused, trust is hard to regain!

Dear Bruderhof leadership: Please humble yourselves, admit your ongoing wrongdoing, and show genuine signs of seeking to be reconciled. Only so will you bring honor to Christ's cause, and be understood in the manner you so much desire. A simple gesture of goodwill might be to print something along the following lines in The Plough, the foreword of Torches Rekindled and the KIT Newsletter:

Dear Reader: Our history has been marked by great joys and unspeakable sorrows. We are increasingly aware that we have sinned against fellow-beings who at one time shared our common life. In some cases we have not even practiced basic human decency. We are deeply sorry. We wish to seek unconditional repentance and forgiveness for our past wrongs. If you feel the urge to write or talk to us we will receive you gratefully and will make an earnest effort to seek peace with you.

Only when we sit down together seriously desiring to settle our disputes according to the teachings of Jesus will we reverse the present course and once again find the ability to forgive "Seventy times seven".

Dear Brotherhood of the Bruderhof: Martin Luther King had a dream of brotherhood. I too have such a vision. I long for a day when all this anger, malice and strife will cease. I long for a day when you will be contrite and reconciled with many. A Love Meal may be in order. Please invite Ramon! You won't have enough space to house all who may come, but you and we could not care less! And before we eat our meal together, we shall all stand up, link hands and let the rolling hills of Woodcrest ring with upraised voices:

A joyous song break forth among us / The Lord be thanked and praised. / Our feet shall always tread earth firmly / And yet our hands shall reach to heaven. / To them that lay in sin and sadness / There came a youthful joy and gladness. / A joyous striving for the highest / The Lord be thanked and praised! With great love for you all, I remain your,

You will note the Bruderhof(tm) has chosen a very high profile individual (Mumia) to champion. In my opinion, this is simply because Mumia killed a police officer -- a heroic action as viewed by those on the extreme left. By linking to this cause, this murderer, they are able to rope in activist individuals such as Ramsey Clark, Pete Seeger, and several others who, I believe, would be appalled at the true nature of the leadership at the Bruderhof Communities(tm).

The Bruderhof(tm) has not chosen to "stand" against the death penalty in cases involving assault against children or women because those would not be the "popular" causes that Mumia provides -- at least this is my opinion.

Recently, the Bruderhof(tm) attempted to get police authorities in South Dakota involved in a witch hunt for sexual abusers among the Hutterite Colonies (nearly all of whom have had the good sense to expel the Bruderhof(tm) from their Hutterite ranks). The latest I've heard is that the allegations were so vague and lacking in detail that the investigation has, essentially, been dropped.

...The tragic thing is that we simply don't want to be "brothers" with the Bruderhof(tm) on the terms they have set -- which include acceptance without complaint of the behaviors they have exhibited in recent years. If the leadership were to change (almost impossible under their by-laws), then the common brothers could reclaim the religious standards and tenets that once guided them. It will be very difficult for them to accomplish this goal because so many have abrogated personal responsibility in the name of unity.

All of this, of course, is just my opinion -- but it is an opinion, I am certain, shared by many,

When we and other ex-bruderhofers heard about John Rhodes' phone calls to Ramon, we had a cautious optimism that this would be the beginning of renewed dialogue between the Bruderhof and us. Tim was in California when John's overtures were discussed and was amongst those who counselled that Ramon accept in good faith the invitation to meet. Others expressed the view that the Bruderhof could not be trusted; but Ramon wanted to trust John and the Bruderhof, and Tim supported this.

We are aware of the e-mail correspondence between John, speaking for the Bruderhof, and those sued by the Bruderhof. We are dismayed, not only by the legal action, but also by the totally dishonest and underhand tactics which were designed to bring Ramon, Blair and Julius together under the pretext of a conciliatory meeting.

Christoph, as the leader of the Bruderhof, are you fully aware of what is being done, ostensibly in the name of the brotherhood, by such individuals as John Rhodes and Christian Domer? If you are, how can you justify these actions in light of all past Bruderhof teachings and precedents dating to the pre-Hitler era, and your own recent publications?

Surely, these actions demonstrate a total reversal of the radical interpretation of Christianity which your grandfather Eberhard sought to bring to living expression. We find it hard to believe that full and open discussion by all brotherhood members could have led to the recent lawsuits and, in particular, the deception used in serving the summons.

We note that none of your lawsuits to date have been against those of us who were born in, brought up and expelled by the Bruderhof. We want you to know that we have read the latest lawsuits and fully support Ramon, Blair and Julius in defending these allegations.

We recognise that there are differences between the Bruderhof and ex-bruderhofers, but believe that there are far more appropriate and constructive means, such as mediation, to address our differences. We strongly urge you and the brotherhood to withdraw all lawsuits, thus providing the opportunity for us to explore areas of concern to both sides.

We will send a copy of this letter to all those involved and hope you will share it with the brotherhood. Yours sincerely

In the last newsletter there were different articles that had appeared in the local newspapers in the States as well as various contributions from KITfolks in Europe. When we write from Europe, we often do not know what has happened in the States where most of the aggressive action from the Bruderhof seems to hit the news. I think that we in Europe need to support KITfolks in the States better by sending more information and contributions from this end...

From the very beginning the Bruderhof saw us as a threat. They fought us! Why? Because it has always been Bruderhof policy that ex-members should not contact each other. In 1989 we had a visit from Johann Christoph Arnold with some eight other members. He asked me if I received KIT. I said I received it, but my eyesight was so poor at the time that I had difficulty reading the very small print. He told me not to read it because Ramon Sender was a very sinful man who only wanted to destroy the Bruderhof and what it stood for.

Then I started reading KIT and found some astonishing, nasty, anonymous letters as early as November, 1990: "An Open Letter to Ramon Sender and Other Writers of The Filthy Tabloid of Lies Known as KIT" (You should read that one again to understand what I want to say!) I have heard that these letters actually came from the Bruderhof at the time to try and destroy our newsletter (this I heard from a more recent leaver who even knows who the writer was.) For me, it was the starting sign to become involved because I felt that here real lies were being printed! So it is clear that from the very beginning the Bruderhof took an unloving, unchristian, very aggressive stand towards us. Since that time, things only have become worse because the Bruderhof leaders falsely inform their members about us and force, especially our old parents, to openly take a stand against KIT. So if now we ask ourselves, once again, "What does KIT stand for and what do we want to achieve or stand for?" then I think we should be quite clear about not accepting such lies about us.

The latest actions of the Bruderhof:

1) To have the Hutterite communities investigated by the law in an accusation that children are sexually abused and molested and that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating this matter.

2) That Dave Maendel was brought to trial by the Bruderhof and a Bruderhof leader actually said, "Maendel deserves to be 'locked away.'

3) Ramon and Blair were shadowed by people, probably private detectives, to serve them legal papers in New York State.

What are we doing about these things in Europe? Do we stand behind our friends? Is it right to say "That KIT people have been the cause of these actions? I do not agree! I feel that we are standing too far away with our Bruderhof past from 37 years ago. What are we doing about the loveless actions from the Bruderhof we hear about, or which come our way?

1) Old Buddug Evans, who was taken away from the Darvell Bruderhof and is too old to understand why she was deported. She seems to ask daily, "Where am I? Why am I not at Darvell?"

2) The 'Hartford Boys' were abused. Susie Zumpe was abused. Sexual abuse happened on the Bruderhof many, many times. When we hear about the charges brought against the Hutterites, does that not make us want to challenge them on what they did to many, many young people fifteen or ten or six or even one year ago?

3) I know of a boy who was hit so hard by a Servant that he suffered a bad brain concussion. All these matters always were cleared up internally, but no apologies to the person or persons concerned.

4) People who leave today are molested, blackmailed and abused, and live in fear. When we left, we did not live in fear. We considered returning to the Bruderhof one day.

When I read in the last KITletter that the Bruderhof is "installing a new high-tech security and surveillance system at night" so that no one can trespass their property, and when I think that even on the Michaelshof in Germany they had aggressive watchdogs and "light surveillance" that greatly bothered the neighbors, then I must conclude that George Orwell is right when he said in his book 1984, "Big Brother is watching You" I do not believe that this surveillance is so much for "incomers" but much more the fear of "outgoers" like Susanna who left in the middle of the night.

To conclude, I would like to say that all the aggressiveness has come from the Bruderhof leadership, probably out of fear. Pointing their finger at the Hutterite colonies might distract officials for the time being from looking more closely at what is really going on inside the walls of the Bruderhof system, but I am afraid it has nothing to do with Christianity, Hutterianism or the beginnings of Eberhard Arnold. The Bruderhof is a sect -- a dangerous cult, and we are the only ones to call them to truthfulness for the sake of the many, many innocent, honest and trusting members that have no idea what the Top Leaders are up to. If we want to prevent a Jonestown or a Waco repeating itself, we are the ones to try and get together with them around a common table to air our feelings of fear and distress about the way they are going.

KIT has taken an active part in unraveling the untruth, and we should support this more and more. A few years back I was on Dutch TV in a discussion about cults and sects in the States. This was due to my book. I have just watched the video again, and the question was put to the panel: Why do these cults and sects flourish in the States? The answer given was "Because in the States, faith of a church is a business. They advertise for it!? Well, that is exactly what the Bruderhof is doing: advertising on the Internet and promoting all the books written by Christoph Arnold on the Internet!

This is something the Anabaptists would not do, nor my Grandfather Eberhard Arnold.

So I wish us all the sincerity to divide between what we believe and stand for and the shrugging of shoulders and saying, "Let them get out of this mess alone!" Are we not obliged to open our mouth when we see wrong and sin and people becoming a victim of this? Is it not strange that the younger generation that left the Community during the last years have almost retreated from contributing to KIT? Why do we not hear from the whole families who have left in recent years? Are they too afraid to mix with us? Or are we not open enough to hear their difficulties and give them help? All this reminds me so much of the Eastern Block when the wall was still between East and West, and German soldiers shot and killed people who wanted to feel to the West. Let us be open to see where we can help, and let us be active in supporting those who stick out their necks for all of us. Love to all,

Tim and Carol hosted me on my business trip to Atlanta last week, hardly seeing anything of me for four days, as I gallivanted arduously in town, letting myself in late at night. Chowki (the Johnson dog, from Hindi/Urdu "chowkidar", meaning watchman) kept noticing and mentioning it, but bless them, they didn't complain. Then I got taken to "Hot Mikado" (brilliant) and a meeting with President Carter at Emory (rather impressive) before I rewarded my big brother for such generosity by letting him take me hundreds of miles up through the Smokies via lovely Susie and Duffy's to Nashville. Picking up Kathy Brookshire en route, we wound our way through the hills, even unto Dollywood (rather tacky Cherokee and Dolly paraphernalia spoiling otherwise lovely scenes) -- Tim couldn't bring himself to stop, for some reason! Half singing three-quarters forgotten or never known country songs and listening to Peruvian, Guadalupe, Grand Canyon and anything except Tennessee windy music.

To cap it, the top of Ole Smoky was neither covered with cheese nor snow but workmen and so, although we strolled up from the carpark, our way was blocked. Some people were going round, but we turned back. I wonder if we could have negotiated passage if I'd gone on and explained nicely that I was all the way from England just for this? Had a Dairy Queen to soften the blow (expulsion from Oak Lake left empty space for not-to-be-got-in-England Dairy Queens, which is odd because I can't remember having more than one while in, on the way back from the dentist!)

On to Duffy and Susie's hidden peaceful place and two fine people I really did remember from Forest River and Oak Lake childhood days. Most of the ex-Bruderhofers in England I didn't actually know as a child. I remember loving them then, and I think they are even nicer now. They had a houseful of visiting family, but still welcomed us and there was a lot of talk and laughter and good wholesome food and drink around. A real farmhouse kitchen, centre spirit of the house. Outside, I don't think I've ever seen such tiny Hummingbirds, I surely have not seen naked little Kiwi fruit (delicious and no peel) and Cardinals, not greeted for years and years.

After a peaceful night and a good walk up to unsuspected, awesome falls, Tim and I left for Nashville the next morning. Doing the Hermitage (President Jackson's home) on the way, we bought our tickets for the Grand Ole Opry, booked into a motel, returned to eat in Opryland, and I revelled in two and a half hours of Country Music. Actually it was not all good quality, but I was there. Amazingly, so was Tim. He further indulged me by skirting into Music Row afterwards (Did we miss something? It was a bit empty.) and then I couldn't get us back onto the motorway, so we checked out increasingly sleazy backstreets, shades of Gore Vidal, and got a little stressed but, still friends, entered Downtown. Exit still elusive, but a few times round and through and out we came, seconds away from the motel! Next morning, back to pick up Kathy and, a couple of Dairy Queens later, the return drive was completed. No skunk this trip (but reminiscing more about Phewey with Kathy); saw a woodchuck. Smokies really are hazy. Leaves turning colour before our eyes.

That was almost it. Delicious meals, delectable deep heat, hard work, lovely family and friends, then back home to sunny England and m'boys. Thank-you, Tim and Carol, Duffy and Susie and all your family, and Kathy. And not-at-all-podgy (!) Chowki for a memorable visit. (I told you I'd put you in KIT again if you didn't give back my sock....) Quiet weekend coming up, with boat party on the Thames celebrating sister Elizabeth and her husband Richard's fiftieths. Elizabeth's fiftieth celebrations in April were so good she's back for more! And we're all right in there with her. Love, Rosie.

I have followed with great interest the stories of what happened to Ramon and you two enroute to Friendly Crossways. Incredible! So different, as everyone who has ever been a Bruderhofer can attest, from "the way it was." While there's life, there's hope of redemptive power changing their present course. The quiet, persistent way you folks and Ramon et al are working your way through this maze (on behalf of all of us, I really believe), is impressive and I appreciate what I consider a Christian attitude at work.

How I should like to participate in a reunion sometime. But currently it is not even thinkable. Still, the reports, such as yours, mean more to me than I can say. Yes, indeed, I know (name deleted). We were really good friends and have been in correspondence from time to time. Glad to have the new address and also (name deleted) too. Am still in correspondence, and (name deleted) and (name deleted) & siblings. If and when you are able to contact your parents directly, tell them we remember them happily and gratefully -- as we do so many. Surely, the general membership does not have the remotest idea what the leadership is doing.

I don't know how you can let me know who was at Friendly Crossways without breaking any confidences, but it would be so wonderful to envision each of these dear friends of 30+ years ago as sitting together in support and in joyful song. We have three of the old leather-covered songbooks and we love to sing them.

Thank you again for writing and please do stay in communication for it means more to me than I can say. Love and all best wishes to you and to Emily. And you know all who are involved in the lawsuit are in my special prayers,

It has been a real concern, a real need to me, the way people outside the Bruderhof have been cut off from all their relatives. That people are informed that their mother or others dear to them have died, been buried and then only days later being informed. This has brought a lot of pain and with many it has made them very angry with you and also the Bruderhof.

These measures implemented against the ex-members are inhuman, dear Christoph. Just imagine how you would have felt, if you would not be allowed to see your mother, while she is still alive, and then being informed, that your mother is six foot under the ground and you were not wanted at her bedside, or later at the grave. Then the incident with Dave Maendel, the lawsuit against Ramon, Julius Ruben and Blair Purcell. Don't you think that there are better ways of resolving our differences? How wonderful it would be to talk freely about these differences, rather than lash out tit for tat. That has never brought peace yet; it always snowballs and in the end someone loses his cool and does something that is regrettable to all concerned, something that is irreversible.

Dear Christoph! Lets not wait until a catastrophe strikes someone down. Lets come to the negotiation table and talk like Christians should. I plead with you -- don't pursue the path of destruction any longer. Lets sit down and talk and resolve whatever it might be. How wonderful it would be if we could at least live peacefully side by side, even if we disagree on some issues. There is no need to get at one another. I can assure you, dear Christoph, that the largest percent of all who read KIT are not out to destroy the Bruderhof, nor are they against you personally. The majority wishes the Bruderhof well. They wish the Bruderhof would become that which it is supposed to be and at the same time have access to their loved ones.

You should have heard my children, when they found out that two weeks ago Olwen (Joerg's mother-in-Law) is supposed to have had a stroke. How often have they wept into their pillows, because they are not allowed to see Oma Anni (Joerg's mother) and grandma Olwen. Why should children suffer over the disputes of adults and in our case even false accusations. Is that justifiable? Is that fair? So I leave it in your hands and pray that good reasoning and common sense will in the end prevail. Christoph! You have everything to gain. Don't go and blow it. Waiting for an answer from you I greet you,

My comment may have been triggered in part by hearing from Duffy and Susie when Rosie Sumner, Kathy Brookshire and I recently saw them in Tennessee, that the one response they'd got to three letters they'd sent to different Bruderhof people to ask what was going on with the legal suits was a very agonized one, from a couple known to many of us (but not to be named here!), which to me indicated that this was something that was simply too painful for them to discuss. This was from a couple who I think can be fairly characterized as having come to the Bruderhof as genuine seekers, and people of intelligence and spirit, as could be said of so many who have joined, regardless of what later happened to them.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but we all know something of what happens to the individual psyche when enmeshed in a conspiracy of silence. One's choices for how to cope, whether by continuing to live a lie or to speak out, are very limited, and the consequences are painful either way. People have developed a variety of survival and coping mechanisms, yet as some of us know from personal experience, these are apt to fail when the rug one has planted one's feet on is suddenly jerked away. After a while, one sees what happens around one, and wonders who is next, and when. I don't envy anyone at the Bruderhof who has both a conscience and a brain!

On a happier note, Carol and I drove down to Plains, GA, this weekend to participate in the annual Peanut Festival, which this year included a couple of dedications, relating to the presidential race of 1996. We've been in Plains several times, actually, since Carol joined the Atlanta staff of the Carter Presidential Center. Friday night we stayed at Mis' Grace Jackson's Plains Bed and Breakfast, where we've stayed before. This is conveniently close both to the Plains Highschool (now a museum), where a "pageant" of Plains history was to be performed that evening, and also to the starting line of the next morning's 5K run, for which I had signed up.

On leaving our room, to set out by foot for the play, I noted an athletic youngish man was standing sufficiently close to our door that I momentarily thought that before leaving we should perhaps lock the door, which we've never done in Plains. But, not to worry, as Ms. Grace beckoned us into her rather dimly lit parlor, where she said she had some visitors we'd like to meet. As the man rose from his seat in the darkish corner and stepped toward us, he looked vaguely familiar, but it was not until he spoke that I realized that it was Jimmy C. himself, along with Rosalynn.

They'd actually dropped by to see some George Washington Carver prints, which had not arrived yet (brought in expressly for the Peanut Festival). With true small town courtesy, and perhaps mainly because Carol does deal with the Carters, and especially Rosalynn, they invited us to sit and chat, while they waited to be summoned to the pageant, where they were to be the honored guests. After a few minutes of this, when we indicated we'd better leave to be in time, they invited us to drive with them to the event, which we happily did, with the slightly suspicious young man, who by then I realized was Secret Service, as our driver.

So, did this unexpected episode energize me to win in my age group in next morning's run? Sadly, no, as I ended up comfortably in the middle of the pack, with a satisfactory but not outstanding performance.

Later, after an informative lecture on the history of the peanut, and Plains' modest role in this, and after performances of Native American dances and ceremonies, and a wander around the local arts and handicrafts, we closed out our visit with a fine Mennonite meal at Yoder's "Deitch Haus" restaurant, near Montezuma, and headed home. Fortunately, Montezuma did not extent his revenge to the Georgia Mennonites and their restaurants! So, back to the working world,

Father Ron asked JCA a question about a quote in the book from Dietrich Bonhoeffer which JCA could not answer. He had forgotten what the quote was and what it referred to. It was about 'cheap grace.'

Upon hearing JCA talk about forgiveness, I have one question: doe JCA forgive, does his corporate president forgive, does his vice-president forgive?

We, each and every one, can talk and counsel on forgiveness. However do we really forgive, or do we only write, talk and discuss what it means to forgive? Perhaps it would do everyone good to seriously think about what the word 'forgiveness' means and what it means to put forgiveness into practice. I personally do not think that we need to read a lot about forgiveness. Either you forgive or you do not. It is as simple as that. And if you forgive and thank God for other people, then you do not launch lawsuits against them! Sincerely,

As an agnostic, I still have a vision of what a Christian must be, if only because of my own lack of faith in the reality of Christ as God's son. In other words, my strivings to "believe" led me to read the Old and the New Testament, and it is clearly a confusing message except in the sense of faith. Throughout both Testaments, the message of faith is clear. God is depicted as one who will watch over his faithful and will protect them from harm. If one cannot believe this, and if one has to resort to police and court systems at every turn in life that one finds irritating, one cannot possibly claim to believe in God. Even an agnostic like me believes that love is powerful and ultimately the only thing that matters.

I think the Bruderhof's orgy in lawsuits, police brutality/entrapment clearly indicates a crisis in faith. Why not ask God for help? Who not listen to KIT and think seriously about how such terrible alienation can come about when the majority of the group professes to be Christian? What possible harm could come to the Bruderhof through visits by KITfolk? If the Bruderhofers were Christians, would they not welcome the chance to be examples to the 'godless'?

Nothing of all this nonsense with the Bruderhof makes any sense in terms of Christianity, but it does make sense in terms of power-lust and impotent cravings. Zealotry and narrow-minded obsessions are not the exclusive domain of religion. I don't for one minute believe that JCA and his goons are religious in the normal sense. Their obsessions with power, self-image and cruelty are not the stuff of the 'religious,' i.e. the belief in "higher" power. This is why even the very pious in KIT cannot bridge the gap.

I saw an interview of JCA on TV in which he prayed and talked about his books and about not being a dictator. Nothing he or the interviewer said seemed sincere or decent. It was, very simply, the bland babble that used to be the crap that was part of the evasion during the Vietnam War to avoid controversy. The interviewer seemed to poke fun at JCA, but didn't seem to have any deeper insights to offset JCA's simplistic nonsense.

Thanks, Sam Arnold, for the fine book review. You saved me much! Hope you didn't pay for the book!? I find it typical of people who have never really read the Bible to use such terms as human sexuality. The Bible never recognizes such an attribute. It views sex only in terms of acts. The concept of sexuality has slowly evolved and is still in the process of being challenged by findings that will help us become free. Only a few decades ago, homosexuality was classified in psychiatry as a pathology. Even now the "ultra religious" view it as such and have managed to "convert," etc., etc.

A hint of Christ's own views regarding the diversity in human temperament is in the Bible and seems to include all of that which the "ultra religious" condemn. In any case, JCA is not expert in human psychology, not is he the one who wrote these books. His language usage of the few TV programs on which he appeared was quite distinct from that quoted from his books. Remember the case when Henry XIII had Sir Thomas Moore write a book on issues that later troubled him?

Another angle on all this nonsense about sex is this: how is it that those who condemn the evils of sex know so much about it if they have not practiced it? Even more inconsistent is the denunciation of that which "God has made" by those who believe we were made in his image. Love to all,

The reason for the call today was to report that he had stopped to visit his mother's grave at Woodcrest. He had not called ahead for permission to visit.

The gatehouse, however, was unmanned (or womanned -- for that matter -- and he simply drove on in. The cemetery was just a few yards beyond the new gatehouse, an addition since his last visit to Woodcrest for his mother's funeral.

As he visited the grounds (down the hill from the main compound), he was joined by a Bruderhofer with whom he had a quiet conversation. It's not known if that person arrived because Andy had been seen on the surveillance cameras. They talked a bit, pleasantly enough.

Andy had called ahead to the local police department to tell them of his intent -- they told him that a visit to a burial ground to mourn was permissible and to call them if any difficulties arose. The Bruderhofer in question departed the scene, heading "up the hill." Shortly after that, two more came down to "share the moment" with Andy. One was a fellow who had threatened Andy with physical harm the last time Andy visited -- during the time his mother was dying. To give the man credit, he apologized for doing so prior to Andy's departure from the Bruderhof at that time.

This time, though, both Bruderhofers raised the roof with Andy, pointing out that they had done so much for him in the past and reiterating how ungrateful he had been. One of them went on to say that they were going to call the police (presumably to have Andy arrested for visiting his mother's gravesite in a peaceful, unobtrusive manner). This fellow also remarked that Blair Purcell (me -- the current writer) would not be able to rescue Andy from the trouble he would now find himself in.

Let me point out to Joe K. that the only protection I could offer anyone (from the Bruderhof) is to continue to tell the truth to anyone who wants to listen. If that's worth commenting on in Joe's eyes, so be it!

They blocked Andy's car and called the police. There seems to have been some mix-up over whether Andy got the story right the first time in regards to his "right" to visit his mother's gravesite -- the police, this time, were less certain.

Then Joe K. and Chris M. debated, one assumes, as to whether to restrain Andy and ask the police to place him under arrest. Good sense prevailed, however, and they allowed Andy to leave. As they did so, they challenged Andy to report what happened on this visit of mourning accurately. I believe what I've said here is accurate; if there are any discrepancies, Joe, please feel free to add you comments.

Contrary to what Joe might believe, this is another instance of someone standing up for his personal human right, the right to mourn one's parent. No one put Andy up to it; no one knew in advance that this was his intention (many have known about the trip he's making). Wouldn't have been a gracious gesture to have invited Andy "up the hill" for a meal before he left? To have allowed him to visit with other relatives like his grandparents and an aunt and uncle? Sorry folks, it doesn't work that way at the Bruderhof. Call the police; chase the mourner away. Well, Andy had been there just about the amount of time he intended. He simply wanted to mourn his mother. He did. Best wishes,

It is pitiful to see them now growing rapidly into a cult and heaven knows what is going on behind closed doors! I witnessed the silent tears flowing down from the grieving faces over their dead children or the last breath of a dying man who gave his all. All of this and more was trampled on when they dropped the bomb in Primavera. But I feel there is little sense dwelling on the past. It is done and the future is wide open to all. Take heart,

Yes, my undivided gratitude to all KIT staffers!!! But now my intuition dictates that I dissociate from the KIT process because I have come to the conclusion that a legal battle is being fought between the Bruderhof and the KIT staff members which goes far beyond any intentions the KIT process might have had. I don't blame either block because the one side is trying to show up the facts behind the fictions while the other, in order to protect its dwindling amount of credibility left, deems it vital to endorse the extreme of attacking frontally with libels and defamations, thus using its money-power to smother the truth of the money-less. And all thus under the guise of Christian Love and Forgiveness???

I feel in my bones that to achieve their sinister aims, third parties are trying to manipulate the lives and feelings of all KIT subscribers by using similar psycho-terror methods I was subjected to, some 45 years ago, at the Bruderhof in Paraguay. No! I am not chickening out! But today's procedures by the Bruderhof make me cringe deep inside and bring back nightmare-memories of psychological anguish and suffering at the hands of such Bruderhof bullies as Roger Allain. Joerg Barth, Heini Arnold, Karl Keiderling and Hans Meier, just to mention a few of the -- then -- worst. To sum it up: I hate to be terrorized and abused by anybody in any way like I was while living on the Bruderhof during my puberty and youth, and I may not account for the consequences!!!

I just won't allow the past to throw its shadows of psycho-terror, threat and abuse into my present life.

This controversy arranged recently by the Bruderhof is neither biblical nor democratic, but zeroed-in against democracy and Human Rights as well as being totally un-American!!!

Whosoever should think that this type of psycho-terror that Johann Christoph Arnold, the son of the late Heini Arnold Vetter, is launching at us 'KITfolk' is anything new in Bruderhof history would be very mistaken!!! A red thread of this kind of schizophrenia and psycho-terror may be traced all through Bruderhof history, and obviously Johann Christoph Arnold has been well coached by his late father. Or where else comes his know-how?

For the above reasons, I beg you, dear KIT staff: please don't send me the above KIT publications anymore!!!! Just to be reminded of the Bruderhof, its schizoid leaders and their lying makes me sick to the guts and puke!!! Greetings of friendship,

Take to heart what I am writing you, discuss it with responsible people (and I do not mean lawyers) and change your tack while there is still time. In the context of what I wrote, it is not understandable that you could recommend a book on forgiveness while evidently, on the basis of what you write, you do not practice it. Not for nothing is it said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Look at history.

What I said about Amnesty International you seem to have completely misunderstood. I have been working for the organisation for twenty years. While I do not agree with all I read in KIT -- how could it be otherwise? -- there is enough confirmation in it from diverse sources as to there being a considerable modicum of truth [corrected typo 12/7/97] contained therein in some assertions concerning certain aspects of the Communities' activities meted out to some individuals that comes within Amnesty International's mandate of combating "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," be it physical or mental, in conformity with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

However I am not writing you as an active member of the above organisation but to indicate the position you might find yourself in. No, I wrote to you [previously] out of a sense of the fitness of love. Your and the communities' activities in regard to Ramon Sender and others do not seem to fit that criteria.

10/13/97: I was very pleased with the October KIT, and the information contained therein augurs well for the future in that many see the injustices. Though it is difficult for all concerned in America, there is no lack of those prepared to do something about the situation. Good. The following is a copy of a note I've sent to Christoph. If you think it would be suitable to appear in KIT, feel free to use it.

Dear Christoph: You know I wrote to Christian Domer and received less than a meaningful reply. It is strange that you allow the suit against certain people to go forward. It appears that you have all the words on forgiveness, but not the action. Open the doors of the communities to those who want to positively contact their families and friends. Obviously there may be the odd one or more than one who, out of bitterness or negativity at the way they have been treated by the communities, may pose a minor threat. There is enough strength in the communities to easily, positively deal with that. I expect you have read the October 1997 KIT. If not, it is to be highly recommended. For contained therein is a heartfelt cry from many for reconciliation and forgiveness. Not on your terms of return and acceptance. Oh no, but of a desire to sit down in love and share thoughts and ideas without any recriminations. That way lies peace your grandfather wrote of and practiced. Not the dead peace of the graveyard or a purely pastoral peace, but a lively ongoing sharing. Joy for everyone. As it is, the way you appear to be going will only lead to more anguish. heartache and sadness for all. Is that what you want? I cannot believe it. Sincerely,

First of all, the big Sixties Crisis was always somewhat hush-hush, and I was always under the impression, from what I was told, that "600 people left in the 1960s." There was no mention of anyone being forced to leave; they simply said "mistakes were made." I never heard the term "anti-Arnold" until after I left.

Another thing that bothered me, too, was the criticism of Cyril Davies. It was always said that Cyril was too proud and arrogant to give up the hospital for the "life." I thought that was quite noble of Cyril, but other Bruderhofers certainly didn't share my opinion. I got a chance to meet Cyril and Margot when I was a child in Darvell, and they didn't fit the description of being arrogant and self-centered people at all. I was glad that Erna Friedemann brought up the issue of what a good doctor Cyril was in the last KIT issue.

As I was only tiny when Heini died, I can't make any of my own judgments about him. I can, however, share some of the descriptions of him that are/were quite common. JCA talked often of his parents, and said time and again that it was clear from the beginning that Heini and Annemarie never wanted to be in the center; the only thing that mattered was Christ and the Church. He would struggle with tears at the memory of their humility and how badly they were mistreated in Primavera. According to him, and many others, Heini was terribly ill and so many people accused beloved Heini of faking the illness. Heini, in his goodness, apologized and overworked himself trying to make things right when in actuality he was near death. The faithful members lovingly sang at his bedside while the uncompassionate, who claimed that he wasn't really sick, never went near his deathbed for which dear Heini willingly forgave them later.

Heini never sent anyone away, but so many lies were told about how he had, we were informed. Many people considered him to be power-hungry, which was so very far from the truth. Heini just wanted to be a humble brother. Heini and Annemarie never thought about themselves but always sought to serve others. It was often talked about how he had humbled himself to the Hutterites and apologized for something he hadn't even done -- what it was I do not know.

People often said that the Michaelshof resembled those enchanting days of early Woodcrest and the journeys to America where they met so many people longing for a new life, which then led to Woodcrest. After the very difficult years in Primavera, Woodcrest gave them new hope and new courage for life. In meetings, much emphasis was placed on seeking those who were lost, for they needed to be saved, and to do the commandments of Jesus and not to preach them. We were challenged to love all mankind and under no circumstances were we to speak evil of anyone, or be unforgiving and hateful, or to love money. We would not enter the Kingdom of God if we loved some and hated others. If we were to have a problem with someone, we were to settle out of court with them by sunset and by no means use the world's justice system, for God is the only judge. It was pointed out that hypocrisy was a deadly enemy of Christ. We were to speak the truth to one another at all times and never speak behind anyone's back.

Eberhard and Heini Arnold's 'death days' ware very special occasions for the Bruderhofers of today. They are "quiet days" (much like Good Friday) and people wear black. I find that rather sickening, not to mention hypocritical, as we were raised to believe that all families were equal. I also find the pictures of Eberhard and Heini in the Servants' offices and peoples houses idolatrous. Such pictures are given as Christmas gifts to people.

I remember hearing about KIT, but the only names I recall being mentioned were Ramon Sender and Bette Bohlken. Bette's book, my father Ben Zumpe informed me, was out to destroy the Bruderhof and was full of lies about Heini. However Ben denied my request to read it for myself. The one thing that bothered me tremendously was that amongst all of this KIT frenzy, no real specifics were given, and one would be viewed suspiciously if one dared to seek further information on this evil bunch of Satan followers who "were out to destroy the Bruderhof and all good things in the world." In most cases, people would react with shock and fear, but it kind of had a reverse effect on me. I considered anyone who questioned the SOB to be fascinating. The first brother I called when I ran away was the only one accused by my parents of being involved with KIT, and that was no coincidence.

I also remember my mother pleading with me to become a lawyer, saying, "Don't waste your intelligence on becoming an M.D. We have enough doctors. We really need good lawyers!" I expressed my confusion as to why we would need lawyers. Didn't the New Testament discourage the used of the court systems? "We are being sued by many people -- KIT people," she said. "When you are a Brotherhood member, you will be privy to the details."

Another thing I'd like to know about Primavera is, were you who lived there pressured into going to Gemeindestunden the way we were? I gave up any beliefs in God around the age of 12, and informed my father that I was no longer eligible for communal prayer as I didn't believe. He said, "Nonsense, we all have our times of doubt. How do you think I will look if you don't go? You will come, and you will sit in the front row with your mother and me." Nothing I could say would convince him otherwise, but it a way it was good because sitting through those meeting only reaffirmed my doubts in it all.

The Arnold worship is still rampant -- Eberhard's writings are read far more often than the Bible. I always found it strange to hear of how Eberhard and Emmy would travel for months at a time while everybody else worked on the Hof. In Gegen den Strom, Emmy writes with such arrogance of how they would return from a month or so of travel and find the Brotherhood in disarray. She writes that Eberhard was in the army during World War I as an "Ersatzreservist," but was sent away for medical reasons. Strange how quickly he turned to pacifism after it became clear that he was unfit to serve in the army... She also describes how people drew pictures on the walls of the house "with Eberhard leading everyone with a sunheart flag." Is it a coincidence that that part was omitted in the English version?? Apparently Eberhard was just as much opposed to democracy as his grandson JCA. Anyone who reads that book and claims that Eberhard's intentions were anything other than those of JCA or Heini is either deluding himself, in denial, or grasping at some primitive attempt at defending the Arnold name. I happen to be a great granddaughter of Eberhard and Emmy.

To reaffirm the accuracy and to challenge him on the Christianity (or lack thereof) in filing lawsuits and using police brutality, I called Ben about a month ago. I took notes of the call and here is some of what he said. (For the record I had a witness on the phone with me who will be happy to confirm the call from their own notes). I asked him why he had failed to respond to the letter I had written in April challenging the copyright lawsuit against Ramon. He said he was too upset about the 48 Hours program to answer. He went on to say that he is not involved and is not really interested in the lawsuit against Ramon, and doesn't know enough about the lawsuit against Blair or Julius either. Later he admitted to the lawsuit: "Never for money, though." He said that the Bruderhof had been occupied with lawsuits for many years and that it was just part of business. He feels KIT needs to be stopped from harassing the Bruderhof. His justification: "Nobody sues for no reason." He said that Ramon has said in writing that he wants to destroy the Bruderhof, but declined to send me any verification. I expressed that I had recently spoken with Ramon and others at the KIT conference and nobody I encountered mentioned wanting to destroy anybody.

I then asked him what happened to the tenets with which I had grown up as a Bruderhof child, such as turning the other cheek, settling disputes with one's brothers outside of court, loving one's enemies, and God being the only judge, etc. He cheerfully professed that God is not and hasn't been the only judge, and a lawsuit is nothing but using the Constitution and American society's judgment in what is right and wrong. I asked him what would happen if they found Ramon, Blair and Julius innocent, and he replied in that case the Brotherhood would have to question where it stood. He seems convinced beyond any doubt that the community will win each case.

I asked him when the Bruderhof started calling the police and using the courts, to which he answered, "Since Sannerz. We called the Commissar countless times in Primavera when the natives stole our possessions."

"What if the police are violent and someone gets hurt?" I asked.

"That's on their hands, not mine," he replied.

I asked him why Michael Boller was arrested at a open house, and Ben first thought I meant Michael Caine and claimed that he had tried to shoot Heini, then recovered quickly, saying that Michael Boller had been cheeky and that if I were to come to the community and be cheeky, I too would get arrested. I questioned further on the lovingness of such acts and he said that he (we) are not clear on when to use love and when to use the law.

I then asked him how he could claim the Commune was such a happy place when there were countless suicide attempts. "We tried to stop many, many suicides," he said. "People were/are in terrible need." He doesn't feel he has any blood on his hands.

Back to the lawsuit issue: "They (Ramon, Julius and Blair) must have done something not nice," but Ben really wasn't familiar with the details until the subject of Christian Domer's letter to the Hutterite elders came up, to which he responded triumphantly, "Ramon should never have published a private letter. It is out of our hands..."

I asked him for details on the 1960's crisis, and he said that people brought an evil spirits and were against beloved Heini. Which brought me to another point: the idolatry of having pictures of Eberhard and Heini posted everywhere. "Well, Eberhard was a prophet, like Paul and Jesus. Heini was so very loving -- a real man of God. And Christoph is truly a man of God who has so much to say to us in these times (in his books)." I asked Ben to send me copies of the books, but he said I should go to a bookstore.

None of these things surprised me. This man raised me, and such conversations have been common since I was little. This is the community of today, and according to Ben and others, it has always been this way. Pacifism is used for becoming a CO, but most of the kids on the Commune get into fights all the time. I think the main reason I left was because of the total hypocrisy -- I did grow up very privileged as a Servant's daughter, and was not unaware of my family's status. The no-gossip rule does not apply in a Servant's home. My parents took us out to eat on a weekly basis. We would rent a movie about twice a month, and only our family was allowed to watch it. No fuss was made if I or my siblings were late to work. There certainly was never a shortage of liquor in the house. By the way, when I was living there, JCA had a TV and a VCR in his house, and his son and the other Servants' kids would watch violent movies during Brotherhood meetings, etc.

I always felt that the main reason my parents were opposed to me ever having a relationship with Ebbo Moody was because he wasn't ranked high enough for me. I came to that conclusion when they started pushing me to take an interest in a certain boy who was a Servant's son, and who I detested. I might also mention the families of my brothers-in-law: Chris Zimmerman (Milton & Sandy's son), Stephen Barth (Joerg & Renata) and James Mow (Merrill & Kathy). My other sister married an outsider, which is not considered Plain People if married to a Servant's child. Once of my sisters started a legitimate relationship with her future husband before she was even a novice at the age of 16. I had the same opportunity with the above-mentioned Servant's son, but declined. Anyone who claims the Servants are not privileged is lying.

Servants and their children seem to be very similar in that they are opportunistic, self-righteous, arrogant and always with the need to control others. If one is raised to believe one is better than everyone else, it's hard for some people to catch on to how ridiculous it all is, and they go to their graves firmly believing that they, personally, have so much more to contribute than anyone else. It all gets old rather quickly. One strong sign of this is these people's inability to take any kind of criticism.

Well, that about sums it up. Again, I would really welcome any kind of response to this, preferably in KIT, but if in private, please mail to my address in this issue's address book list. Anyone who wishes, both ex-members and members on the Bruderhof, are invited to share their ideas and memories regarding these issues. It would be nice to include examples and specific memories as opposed to merely opining. Sincerely,

Maria had two children from that marriage when her husband died, but was then rejected by his family who disowned her and her children. Soon after, while struggling to keep herself and the two children, she met up with a welfare organisation. She did not understand the philosophy of that organisation, but all the same, in it she found food and shelter, bearing in mind that Madrid is the highest-lying capital city in Europe, and it can get very cold. For her, life seemed quite settled, even with the Spanish Civil War raging at the time, when, all of a sudden in 1939, everyone had to leave the city on foot. Madrid had been invaded by Franco's fascist army. The group she was part of started to walk towards France, consisting mostly of women and children. They made very slow progress, and many children as well as some women died on the way. Quite often they were attacked by 'men of the highway ' and food was in very short supply and often even water was not available, let alone clean or pure.

After weeks of hardship they arrived in Andorra. Going up the mountain pass was very dangerous, as this stretch was watched by the Spanish as well as the French 'police' -- come military. If you know Andorra, then you will know that the 'plateau' up there is very bleak, cold and extensive and that throughout history many people have died there for all sorts of reasons. From Andorra they still had to walk through the mountains to Narbonne, in France, on the Mediterranean, where the Camargue starts, a very swampy, mosquito-infested area which plagued man and beast when there was no wind or breeze.

After they had left Andorra, they received some food and medical supplies from the Red Cross and some even got a ride on horse carts as well as some donkeys which had been acquired. Six months after leaving Madrid, they arrived in Narbonne, considerably fewer than they had started out with, but happy now to be safe especially when they heard constant rumours of the atrocities that were taking place in Spain. On the march from Spain to the Narbonne, everyone had lost someone. Both of Maria's children were killed by the Spanish, because they looked European or Basque and not Spanish, as by this time many individuals from Europe and also the United States, were fighting for democracy against Franco's fascist armies, who had formed themselves into the 'International Brigade'.

After about three months near Narbonne, some British Quakers got involved with the refugees. Maria knew a few words in English, so she acted as a interpreter for the British, who in return helped her get to England. It was in England that she found out that her children were dead, as well as the whole of the Quaker family she had married into. Fortunately the family had banked a lot of money in a British bank, which made her the benefactor as she was the sole survivor, of what used to be a very lucrative business. In England Maria worked as a cleaning woman as well as giving some lessons in conversations, she herself at this time still being illiterate, but learning very quickly.

The second World War had broken out and England was at war with Germany. Maria met someone in London from the Bruderhof who invited her to visit them in the Cotswold's, where they had a big farm. The commune was in the process of moving to Paraguay, because many of their members were German. Increasing hostility by the locals towards them, and the real danger of physical violence against Bruderhof members, prompted the Home Office to advise them that the Germans emigrate to another country. It was the decision by the whole group that they did not want to be separated and that all of them would emigrate to Paraguay, South America.

As a British War Orphan, I went to Paraguay too. It was in there, in my early childhood, that I first encountered Maria. I remember that time quite vividly, when much of the time I was looked after by old ladies. There was 'Granny', who was from Lancashire and then there was Tante Kaete, who was from Breslau, Germany, and now there was Maria from Spain. Not one of them could speak the language of the other, so a lot of the dialogue was managed via dictionaries. Some of the words sounded really beautiful, as for example the words 'caballo', 'perro', 'century', 'Jahrhundert', 'lucerro'. Each one of these women had a name for me. For Granny it was 'my dear young man', for Tante Kaete it was 'Landstreicher' (vagabond), and now for Maria it was 'Mi Vago Pequeno'. I am still indebted to those three ladies and all they did for me, especially when considering how they had escaped a war-torn Europe, a war which was still raging, where there was so much fear, so much poverty and misery, and now living in the back-wood country of Paraguay, in the tropics, with millions of flies and mosquitoes. Under such circumstances -- how can one be happy? But for me it was one big adventure, and as a child I would never have guessed what these three ladies had gone through in their own youth as well as now in Paraguay.

For me, Paraguay was my home, my security, always marvellous and exciting. The long walks that we took, the many horses and other animals that we had, this was a life of bliss! How much these three ladies sacrificed for me in their ways, with myself taking all that for granted. It is that mental picture of these three ladies (and by looking at it only for a second), which brings back so many vivid memories. In spite of the poverty, Maria was always cleanly dressed and had a permanent smile on her face. I can't ever remember her complaining about anything No doubt she would have had plenty to complain about; about the nasty hand which life had dealt her. Today I can still hear her saying 'Sabes quantas son estrellas, por las nubes acostan.'

Many years later, when I was twenty-two years of age, Maria had come back to England. By then I was three times her size, but she still greeted me with 'Mi Vago Pequeno'. I had a job truck-driving, so she accompanied me a few times as well as another old lady from the Bruderhof who used to be my teacher for a short time: Lene Schulz, originally from Germany. The Bruderhof resented me taking these two ladies along with me in the truck, the former having changed beyond recognition to what it used to be in Paraguay. The 'leaders' were exercising absolute control over everyone. Hitler, Stalin and Jesus were now ruling the commune, the Americans having taken control over the English communities in Wheathill and Bulstrode. The Bruderhof had employed me as their truck driver, paying me a wage, but they nevertheless resented me taking Maria along with me. Soon after that takeover by the American communes, at the age of eighty, Maria and Lene were kicked out by the SoB. Maria died a lonely lady in an old peoples home in High Wicombe, England, on the March 1, 1962.

That is what the Bruderhof became; totally lacking in compassion, possessed by greed and self-concern, they had no longer any place for unproductive people like Maria who herself had worked for the organisation unstintingly for many years and had handed over all her inheritance to them. But this was of no consequence, she still was kicked out at a very old age and left to rot in a old peoples home. And this by the Bruderhof which once was so charitable and now has been consumed by greed for power and money. And one now hears that they are flying, for charter, decadent pop stars around the world in their own Gulfstream jet ------ just like Jesus did on Ascension Day??????? Greetings to all,

We should not be wasting any love on them -- they don't even know the meaning of the word. They are only after money and power. Seth has told us about this class of beings, who came aeons ago from a distant part of the galaxy having been expelled from somewhere else. A few manage to incarnate on earth and the others hover around in the earth's aura from where they influence those human beings who are susceptible to them. I gather that in the long run they had their place as providing human beings with some motive power to grow spiritually, something to get their teeth into, so to speak.

The Garden of Eden, like infancy, could not last forever and as adults we have to regain it on a higher turn of the spiral. But now, as Seth says, the earth is under very great pressure from the gravity of an extremely distant but still immense planet whose effect upon human beings is to polarize them (it sounds to me rather like the Last Judgment.)

Anyway, the more spiritually inclined turned towards love are receiving greater stimulation, and the others are coming under the opposite influence and feeling compelled to reveal their true natures. This will continue for quite some time, during which all sorts of disasters and negative things will continue to happen. But the most negative elements are going to be finally removed, so that earth and those of us ready for it can continue their joint evolution. In the light of this kind of perspective, one's own human dilemmas acquire a differen significance.

Finally everything that is is a part of God and has its place, but for us as human beings there has to be some relative right and wrong which is valid. And here I feel we have to follow our genuine feelings and allow anger its place. Forget about reconciliation and fight them, since that is what they are asking for. You can't forgive someone who isn't sorry for what they did, so let's stop being sentimental about the Bruderhof. It has long since ceased to be what we wanted to give our lives to. And I don't believe we should for one moment consider the idea of giving up KIT. We don't know exactly what we're for, but I'm sure it's very positive and will, as time goes on, attract more and more positive elements. Now even if the Bruderhof leaders win their lawsuit, in reality they will only be destroying themselves more decisively and cannot possible kill something which is alive. You all get all the support which you need and deserve, Ramon.

I've since been in touch by phone with Lucretia Meier, and John (Hans-Joerg) is doing reasonably well, and Margot Davies also is slowly recovering. Lucretia ascribes her own inner strength to her diet -- I think that is perhaps the wrong way round, but never mind, she's a real pillar. I love hearing from Ruth Lambach about her big family. There are a number of these big families who remain in close touch wherever they happen to be on the globe. It was Clara, not Betty, who moved to Curitaba. The next one to leave Sa› Paulo will be Tina. There'll be a second family center there. That had better do for now. It's 9:30 A.M. and I haven't had breakfast yet. Lots of love and a big hug,

A Report On A Much Enjoyed And Informative Trip To The U.K.

My daughter Nancy and I visited the U.K., Nancy to accompany Helen Ellison on Helen's victorious sculling or as we Yanks would call it, 'rowing' competition, and I to chaperone and poke about the countryside on my own. Nancy is supposed to be reporting on her version of the trip; those of you with teenagers will appreciate the resistance to parental schedules and requests?

While waiting for Nancy to finish her effort, I will offer up a few thoughts, observations and feelings. Nancy and I went to the U.K. in off-season of KIT, the next major European gathering being next year, 1998. Part of this was a perverse streak on the part of Yosam and Oakie, to be where KIT is not to see what happens in the 'off-season'. For those of you not 'on-line', Yosam and Oakie are two personae that define me on the Internet. Yosam is for the Disney character, Yosemite Sam that reacts to and antagonizes Bugs Bunny. Yosemite Sam's forte is escalation and being a 'loose cannon'. Oakie is an aggregate of all the red-neck, backwoods, isolated, put-down poor people the Bruderhof/Society of Brothers and literary elite would like to ignore as uncouth and stupid, ignoring some of the finer points these people are very knowledgeable about like honesty, fair play and compassion.

I'll try and get this story back on track. Helen and Dot graciously invited Nancy to come and visit them and to accompany Helen on her Competition trips to LLandaff (for all the non-Welsh, that is pronounced "Laondow," so I am told) and Nottingham for the Nationals. It's beautiful country. The boosters, rooters and all cheered the Hereford Cathedral School to some victories and places.

We arrived at Hereford Friday afternoon as we were fortunate in getting stand-by on an earlier, direct flight from SFO to Heathrow. Being early, we were able to attend Helen's 'Speech Day', an event I found interesting and different from our U.S. 'Graduation Day' ceremonies. Sunday, Dot, Cledwin, Helen, Nancy and I drove to LLandaff near Cardiff and cheered Helen and her teammates to victory. After the regatta, I started off towards Crewkerne and Leonard Pavitt's while Nancy and the Ellisons rode back to Hereford on the team bus.

I trundled off in a nice rented Rover diesel. Now there is a Forest River Story of some Brits who inadvertently put water in a gas tank. Time has a way of bringing poetic justice. I chortled with glee at the Brits and for many years found humor in their unfortunate mistake. Well, a few minutes down the M-4 headed for Leonard's, I noticed the tank was low. Soooo, I slipped off the motorway into a rest stop and filled up. Had a quick lunch and pulled back on the motorway. About ten miles down the motorway, this nice new car stalled. As I looked at the fuel indicator, it read DIESEL! OOPs! I thought something was funny when I filled up at the pump with unleaded.

Dreading the worst, I opened the hood, bonnet to the U.K. and turned on the emergency flashers as we do here. By nightfall no one stopped and I saw no police so I went to sleep. About midnight there was a knock at the window and a policeman inquired if I needed help. I explained my dilemma and grinning he pointed to a sign about 50' away saying, "See the sign? That points the direction to the nearest phone. If you look about 100 yards further on, there is an emergency phone!" British police are VERY polite and nice, they called a tow truck and got me on my way to a garage.

The 'reclaimer', a tow-truck to the Yanks, got me to a garage in Weston-Super-Mare and eventually to a grand hotel, The Grand Atlantic. Very nice, very expensive, but what the heck, I'm on vacation. Got up in the morning, had a leisurely breakfast and reclaimed the car (at the expense of my hoped-for trip to Holland and Bette's). Made it to Crewkerne and Leonard's home. Had a very good visit, covered some old times and some new times.

Leonard introduced me to a book, Feet of Clay by A. Storr. For people looking at cults and leaders and causes, it's a must read. Leonard introduced me to a couple of pubs with very good food, and we saw a good bit of Lyme Regis and Charmouth if I remember correctly. Leonard also has a very nice garden, I enjoyed some jelly resulting from Leonard's gardening efforts later at Renatus'.

Wednesday, I bid Leonard good-bye and headed back to Hereford. Spent some time poking around Hereford taking pictures and in general having a good time. Visited with Dot and got to know Cledwin. A definite advantage to going to the U.K. in the off-season of KIT is that one can really get to know people.

The weekend saw us all off to Nottingham and the National Rowing Championships. There I met the Hereford Cathedral School's 'BAAD' boys team of Ben Andrews and Andrew Davies and their families. The Davies introduced me to English cider (Nancy also to my amuse-amazement) and the Andrews compared English farming to U.S. farming.

After visiting with Dot Ellison and family and wandering around Hereford for a few days we decided to move on and see what Shrewsbury and the surrounding area was like. Matt Ellison was in North Africa doing some humanitarian work at a mission hospital as I understood it. I was sorry to miss him as it would be interesting to swap war stories of working in Third World countries. Penny, Tamantha, Hugh and Tristan were gracious hosts and I learned the hard way about Penny's 'short walks' to places like the Devil's Seat, Bishops Castle and various Manor Houses, Castles and ruins. They were short walks OK, but the problem was that they tended to be vertical. My old bod ain't in that kind of shape, although by the end of the week I was more fit than I have been in several years!

While Tammy was showing Nancy the night life of Shrewsbury and Nancy was shocking the staid English by actually swimming in the river Severn and jumping from bridges(?), I rambled off to visit with the Hollands around Swindon. I missed out on a barbecue. In my predictable manner, I 'detoured around Swindon seeing the countryside at night'. In short I got lost and John had to come rescue me. I did manage to get in on the end of it, though! The next morning, I went with Matt while he picked up some furniture from Oxford.

I am continually surprised by the ex-hofers. Matt, with linguistic adroitness, shattered many of my 'firm beliefs' and I am still trying to put all in perspective. Matt, in a very quiet but verbally overwhelming presentation illustrated that by not understanding the wording of another person's statement one reacts emotionally to what one thinks, rather than analyzing the real issue of what is. Many of us, including me, have reacted to the Society of Brothers for what was done or not done to us. This has clouded the ability to understand the issues, creating problems between the ins and the outs. I am still mulling that over and trying to put it in perspective.

I continued on to Pete's and spent the night and had a pleasant evening with Pete, Pete's wife and daughter, John and his wife. Pete and his wife had just returned from a medical conference held in Scotland. Pete appeared to have had a very positive response to the conference. Pete's daughter reminds me in many ways of Ruth Baer, very intelligent and very forthright and a budding artist.

The following day I was able to visit with Leslie and Gertrude Holland. It is always a pleasure visiting with the Hollands. They are what are known as 'good people' in my circles, warm and make one feel very 'at home'. Leslie showed me some of the art work he had done. I am continually amazed at the talent and abilities of the ex-hofers. Matt and his wife are 'managing' The Old Shaw Farm, a sort of retreat/meeting center/seminar location at Swindin. It is actually an old 'working farm' that has been surrounded by the suburbs. Matt and all are attempting to keep it in the 'natural' setting. It is well worth visiting if one is in the U.K.

Returning to Shrewsbury, the Ellisons took Nancy and me to an old ruin that at one time had been a Roman Bath(?). There was a castle there and a troupe of entertainers who, we thought, were going to present a reenactment of the King Arthur and the Knights. The entertainment was geared more for the under-six-year-olds but we had a good time exploring the ruins. Nancy took a last dip in the Severn and then we headed for Ben Cavanna's at Tolworth.

By this time I was getting adept at cruising around and we made the trip very nicely. Even has time to stop and explore the Warwick Castle. Nancy took many pictures of the wildlife around the Castle, including the Red Knight. We arrived at Tolworth just as Ben was getting off work and we found a local Chinese take-out and over dinner began the first of many very good conversations. The first evening at Ben's indicated how much ahead of the U.S. the U.K. is with respect to counseling people who have problems interacting positively in society.

As Ben was working, Nancy and I commuted to London for sight-seeing and the tourist gig. We visited the Planetarium and the Zoo. Nancy spent her afternoon feeding the pigeons at Trafalgar Square. We found a few old interesting pubs to have lunch. One thing I found as a general rule, the food in the pubs is very good and reasonable. In the evenings, I had a chance to talk with Ben at some length.

One evening one of the ex-B'hofers stopped in for a chat. It was interesting because this person is not an active participant in KIT correspondence and was one of the people who never went to another hof while in the Society. A very pleasant and interesting person, this ex-hofer. Another perspective was presented and added to the broadening of my understanding of the diversity of people who were drawn to or associated with the Society of Brothers prior to the Ostrom's association with the Society.

Ben had previous plans for the weekend so Nancy and I took a trip to France, actually making it into the town of Calais. We visited a museum there and did some shopping and returned to Ben's that evening. Next day Nancy and I finally made it to Renatus' and visited with him. Actually, Nancy had been pestering me because she wanted to see the movie Men In Black and was afraid she would miss it (it came out in the States the week we left and would not be showing when we returned). As luck would have it, a local theater w