Wednesday March 25, 1998 Midnight

Dear Family,

Phonsawan's voice was steady and not shaking when she called this evening. We were at the Hat Yai airport in southern Thailand, just getting ready to board the plane to Bangkok. She told me to get a pencil and write down the list of prisoners in the Thatdam jail. She began to name the men, ended up with eight, and then said they were sentenced today to three years in prison. I had to ask her to repeat what she said, I couldn't believe the sentence. Three years? Here is the summary of the prison sentences announced by the judge of the Vientiane Court.

THREE YEARS IN PRISON:
1. Khun Sy, the home owner and patriarch of the Phonkheng congregation.
2. Chane, Khun Sy's son, married and PIP employee
3. Bounlerth, Khun Sy's son, Phonsawan's husband, John David's father, PIP employee
4. Geat, married, father of three, PIP employee from Naborn
5. Galgaruengsuk, married, father, farmer from Naborn
6. Khamsaweang, father of Marie and husband of Vilaphone, from Thakhet
7. Khongmany, husband of Dalavey, two children, from KM 8, PIP employee
8. Phengxay, husband of Somsuk, PIP employee

TWO YEARS IN PRISON, REDUCED SENTENCE TO ONE YEAR

1. Khammieng, father of Chansaw, farmer from Naborn
2. Duangmanee, 20 year old single daughter of Khun Sy

ONE YEAR IN PRISON, REDUCED SENTENCE TO TWO MONTHS

1. Khamphin, widow of royalist army general
2. Vienkham, mother of teen daughter
3. Khampho, widow

The families have 15 days to appeal the sentences. The families finally for the first time in 55 days were allowed to talked to the prisoners. Those with 3 year sentences will be removed to another prison, the others will probably remain at Thatdam. They were charged with crimes against the country of Lao PDR and found guilty of creating division among the Lao people, accepting foreign funds to promote religion, and were treated like Benedict Arnold type criminals. The names of Jerry & Meg Canfield and Ken Fox were referred to numerous times by the judge in reference to using deliberate devious methods to undermine the respect and authority of the Laotian government. Even the question and answer about the samlor driver talking to God and the Prime Minister was quoted in court as being disrespectful to Lao authorities.

We have not begun to recover from the news and have yet to plan what to do. The rumors that the embassy in Vientiane heard that sentences would be light in response to pressure from the American Embassy, American congressmen, and thousands of letters, emails, and telephone calls was obviously wrong. We have cancelled our plans for the balance of this week to remain in northern Thailand and will return Thursday to Udorn to resume contact and communications closer to Vientiane. We hope to have a report to you soon on the steps to take during the 15-day appeal period.

We continue to trust God to strengthen Phonsawan, Dalavey, Somsuk, Tick, Chansaw and the dozens of other wives, children, and family that are crushed by the decision today. Please pray for all of us to have the wisdom and love of Jesus as we react to a worldly government repeating the persecutions in the book of Acts.

God bless,
Ken & Jean
Chiang Mai, Thailand