[Editor’s note: The following undated letters are courtesy of the California Historical Society Peoples Temple collection, MS 4123 box 7: member correspondence. They consist of random letters written during the summer of 1977 from Jonestown residents to friends and family still in the United States. The original spelling has been retained throughout.
[These letters were transcribed by Heather Shannon. The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.]
Undated Edith Bogue Letter to Danny Marshall
Danny Marshall
Dear Danny
Hi Father loves you. Me to. I’m writing from the Freedom Land three cheers for Father. It really is a land of freedom. I rejoice and give thanks to Father each day actually a dozen times a day I’m so thrilled to be here. Its wonderful to see seniors and children free and happy. No worry about walking our streets at night in Jonestown no worry about people screaming names at you here. I mean this is Fathers land We got houses all over the place We got shower houses to. Everything you can think of is here provided by Father. We even got electricity in our rooms. showers toilets kitchen. We got people to cut hair, cook, bake and do they cook & bake for real. It is really good
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food. I hope Nettie [Jones] gets here. She will get well if she does. Give Vicky [Marshall] and the girls my love – your mom to. tell them how very lovely it is here. beyond words Fathers love just flows over you all day long its so peaceful. Well Danny I’ll close for now Remember Father loves and needs you very much.
Love ya
Edith Bogue
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Letter to Dale Parks from Liane Harris
6-24-77
[handwriting: doodle of a young man smiling and looking to the side]
Dear Uncle Dale,
Everyone down here says & sends their hello’s – (Cliff, Michelle, Martin, Jay & Joyce)
There is so many people I want to write and of course you’re one of them. I’ve never been anywhere where there is such love, freedom and satisfaction.
Everyone who first comes down from the states always has a pale, fragile, bloated look. Clifford [Gieg] is one who had changed even since I had been gone. now he’s slim and because of the healing effects of father, the sun and exercise, he has lost his bloatness and is extreemly healthy. We just built a new modern kitchen inside a week and
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Clifford was one of the main ones in doing the woodwork. Ellie’s personality is that of a changed person. Her attitude has sweetened and her smile comes often. (and she makes great banana cake) Joyce has lost weight and is getting darker. She works not only as a nurse but also in the kitchen. her, Liz, Helen and the Griffiths have cooked, some meals you wouldn’t believe. If mom will let you – maybe you can read some of the decriptions of the food we eat like papaya, turnover, marble fudge cake, crepe suzetts, balangi, milo, barbeque chicken, chilli, Lazanya, fried fish, Baked macaroni and cheeze. I know I just keep talking about the
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food but wow – I’ve never eaten as good as I do now. Martin [Amos] is really growing – physically, emotionally and darker. If you have time drop me a note I’d really like to hear from you. Give my love to Christa [Amos]. Encourage her to write and tell me what and how she’s doing.
I’m a teacher here – Martins in my class. Right now we’re haveing recess between language arts and math. The children are in the playground they made themselves with teather balls, trapeze and rung set, rolling barrell, balence beams (steady and unsteady) jungle gym. The children constantly use their imagination – just recently they built a truly hut. It was so cute and very
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well built. They are creative and constantly have some production going whether its wood carving or coconut carving (when it drys it looks like an old man) or making cups out of bamboo or something. That’s what happens when children are not repressed by T.V. They have a constant facination for nature and enjoy looking up all types of information and recearch in the dictionaries and encyclopedias. Such growth I’ve seen from these children who have been rescued by Father from a concreat jungle.
Father’s Love,
Liane [Harris]
P.S. Write!
To Dale Parks
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Undated letter from Jerry Wilson to wife Shirley
Dear Shirley
How are you and the children doing I am doing fine and I am working hard to get you and the family over here. We are working from sun up to sun down. And please tell terry and Tonia to come back (because father said to us if some of your relitives don’t make it you will just have to live with that). When I read your letter and PJ and mans letters it made me cry and cry and cry because I miss all of you very much and I wish I was there with all of you. Please tell all the kids I said that I love them and I said Hi? Shirley I miss you Pat, Wanda, Tonia, terry, Kenneth, Nadean, mama, Keica, trinadett, Gumall, man, Jondeshay, Shiron, Saleata, Gleniel, Deshon, I am sorry if I missed eneybody. Please keep writting me and please send some pictures and try to get James Baisy back. Shirley everytime I think of you and the family I cry because I miss you and the family so much. tell Thelma and Heny and Vita I miss them too. tell all my friends I said Hello and I miss them and tell them to write me. I miss you I miss you miss you!
P.S. Shirley and Pat remember the time we whent to terry’s house And we had a ball together that night and I will
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never forget that night. Ho? Yea Father saved me. We were off loading the boat we had big 100 lb bags of flower and nails, 500lb of fish chicken feed on the dump truck and the truck was going fast and the dump truck ran off of the road a it turned over and I jumped off of the back of the truck and the truck was falling over on me and I call fathers name and I was abut to walk back on the road without a scrach I don’t no how that big dump truck miss me because it was fall right on me but thank Father that the big dump truck did not cruch me. tell Mary and Janet to be cool and don’t be no fool?
Ha! Ha!
[words are written all over page, including margin]
Your son Love love love
Love?
Jerry Wilson
Love
Love’s all
I miss all of you
I miss all of you
I miss all of you
I miss all of you
I miss all of you
I’ve got a tan now I am two tone top is dark bottom is Light
Love [smiley face]
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Letter from Barbara [Last Name Unknown] to Ronnie James
Ronnie, Hello
How have you been? I’ve been trying to decide wether I should write you for about a week now. You’re one of the few people I even think about, and I miss you the most. I’ll be so glad when you get here.
Davis Solomon was the first person that I met officially while on our way from Georgetown to Jonestown. He seemed to know my whole history, and the first thing he asked me was how you are, how much he hears you’re changing, and then he started telling me about the times you, he, and some others had in the valley how he used to go over to your house and cook lobsters, and the wrist band he made you with your initials on it. He said he would teach me karate until you got here, but you will probably be here before he gets the chance because he drives the boat back and forth from Jonestown to Georgetown, bringing our people here.
Practically everybody here keep asking me wether you’re going to be coming soon, and that I’ve had some drastic effect on you that has caused you to change. We seem to be a legend here
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Tell Sabastian [Sebastian McMurry] hello and that I haven’t lost my temper yet. Before I left, he told me that if I could stay out of trouble a month he would recommend me as an AG.
Most of my time is spent working. I work with about 4 other people in the banana field. We cut down bananas and clear the bushes with cutlasses. When you first get here, you get to choose the kind of work you want to do mas most of the time. When you come you will probably be working on the construction crew. Everything will be so different when you get here, because there won’t be any tension and I’ll be glad when you get here. Well this is all I guess. Tell Bonnie Beck I’ll be writing her soon. I know you don’t like to write, but if you don’t I’m never going to write you again. Maybe you’ll be lucky and get a chance to come before I start expecting a letter from you. Hope to see you soon
Love
Barbara
Ronnie James
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Undated letter from Jerry Wilson to unknown brother
Dear Man
That is good you have learned karate keep practiccing and some day you will be the best I the world and Leann how to flip and tell Kenneth to say cool Ho! Ya
I am building a house for me you Kenneth and Terry, and I’ll never for get the fun me and you had together.
One of your big brothers
Jerry Wilson
I miss you very much
P.S. Write me back
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Undated letter to Clara Johnson from son, Thomas William Johnson III
Clara J
Dear Mom and Elaese
How are things comeing along. mother had nice meetings and talent get together some sang some danced. In agreculture we are storeing food, such as beans, potatos, flour and rice. More and more housing is being beuilt. I heard Janice, Jo Ann and Joyce are doing fine in school glad to hear that Im reading more now on Guyana and South America remember the book you bought me on south Amereca I read that one to news weeks and time I likes to redd also now Im reading a book on parts to brain and on cultures. on the glitar am studying jazz 9th cords and 7th cords I really thank father for this opportunity Ill be glad when everyone can get down here soon down here you can be createtive.
Peace and love
from father
Tommy
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Gloria Carter Letter to Rodriguez family, July 1977
[smiley face drawn with red pen]
7-12-77
Dear Terry, Lisa, Aurora, and Mom and Goyo,
Well I don’t know when you’ll get this letter or if you’re still in Santa Barbara, but I’m doing well here. The weather is nice here – you can wear shorts and a light shirt day or night and never worry about being cold.
I’ve seen very few white people here – The majority are mixed races.
Where I live – in Georgetown – there are cows, ducks, and sheep that graze out on the road – you go into the market and you find many open stalls of all different kinds of things, lots of people, people on bikes,
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To Aurora Rodriguez and kids
in wagons with horses, cows and sheep around, cars and buses – The streets are very busy. Most people have bikes or walk and go by bus –
I thank Father for bringing me here – only a few more weeks and I’ll be a new mom. I feel very well – I haven’t gained alot – although the food is good and the fruit too. Bananas, papaya, mangos, oranges, and many other different things –
You kids better be good!
By for now – one day Father, Mother and the Family will all be here – take care –
Father loves you,
Gloria Carter
[smiley face in red pen]
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Undated letter to family from Peter Wotherspoon
[Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ letterhead]
Dear Mary, B., N., E., D., C.
I’m lying on my belly on the roof of the Marcie (Cudjoe). We are just entering the Kytuma River after travelling all night over the ocean from Georgetown entering the Mora Passage and the Purima River. The banks on either side are covered [ink switches from blue to red] with thick bush vegetation too thick to penetrate for with our eyes. Mike and I have been playing speed chess and enjoying a delicious hot chocolate malt drink called “milo.” The “Marcie” has been loaded with 150 new mattresses so we’ve had supreme comfort all the way. As we head up river, I notice it is much cooler than Georgetown, just the opposite of what we expected. Mike’s been taking pictures, including one of Larry and William playing chess. The jungle is very still and I haven’t spotted any wildlife yet. The roar of the Marcie’s engines cover many of the jungle sounds. We had a very smooth crossing over the ocean with only a few getting green around the gills. They all feel better this morning and now that we are in the river the boat is not rocking at all. We’ve passed many indians, (or “Nationals” as they are known as here) in dugouts paddling down the river. One group of young men had a 25 ft motorboat and cicled us at high speed to show off for the “Yankee” girls. The trees are full of lime green bromeliads (air plants. We spotted a little grey and black tree sloth like the one we saw in the movie on South American jungle animals. High in the trees are colonies of ants looking like giant grey wasp’s nests. Huge vultures sail serenely like bird kites just over the hundred foot tree tops.
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2
Every now and then the thick curtain of trees and shrubs is broken to reveal the thatched huts and cleared land of a family of Nationals. The walls and roofs are thatched with palm leaves or more correctly “Truly” leaves. The riverbanks resemble the everglades of Florida with bright colored flowers and mangrove (sp?) roots on the tree bottoms. The river is a beautiful brown color I describe as “Mug’s Old Fashioned Root Beer.” Julie Cordell says it looks more like Coca-Cola. As [ink switches back from red to blue] we approach Port Kaituma the banks of the river have encroached within 20 ft. on each side. The variety of leaves trees and flowers is uncountable through for the most part animal life remains well hidden, warmed by the boat’s engines. The songs of jungle birds pierces even the motor’s noise. Instead of jungle floor, the water extends deep into the foliage green leaves. Vines some with other vines and leaves twined around them, extend from high in the trees down to the water. The river here is about 20 ft. deep. Larry spotted a little waterfall in one of the recesses. We rounded a bend and the bank cleared to reveal an Amer indian settlement. At each home are two or three dugouts with rock wildly in our wake. There are many children swimming and boating and the take special delight at the waves we create as we pass. It feels like we’re in a huge float in a parade with the Nationals waving and smiling from their houses and docks and us waving and smiling back from the boat. William spotted a grey and black little monkey darting through the trees. I just spotted a belted kingfisher bird just as if he flew out of a picture book. A couple of them black birds, that look like cranes flew across our bow. Twice, huge butterflies with dazzling iridescent blue-green wings flew above our deck.
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As we near Kaituma, the banks are only seven feet away in places and we can reach out to touch the branches. There is a deep peace here, a free peace, a harmonic peace that is barely ruffled by the chugging boat. Port Kaituma is now in sight. Long buildings of corrugated aluminum, mining loading structures and dwellings sit in the emerald circle of the rainforest. We approach the dock ready and eager to see our loved ones of Jonestown and begin our new lives in the heart of Socialism.
[ink switches back from blue to red pen] Hope you are all well. Remember what you guys promised before I left. Don’t let me down, OK? Hurry up and get down here. It’s beautoful here. I’ll write you soon and tell you all about it.
Hope you’re on the way,
Pete [Wotherspoon]
Please share this letter especially any notes to different people.
P.S. Tell Ken, Tom wants crossbows!
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[red pen]
To Braun, Nicky, Erris, Chris and Danny,
The following are items I suggest you bring down with you if you have room in your trunk:
Boots (rubber not combat)
Tennis shoes
Bandanas
Casettes
Record player, records
Blankets or sleeping bag (forget coats)
Candles
Masking tape, glue
Thongs with stretch strap
Toiletries
Paper, pen, pencils, permanent markers
T-shirts
One dress shirt and dress pants for Georgetown
Plenty of socks and underware.
Batteries
Chess set (the main indoor game here)
Sharpening stone
Scissors
Toilet paper
Plenty of talcum powder
Belt
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Undated letter from Chris Cordell Letter to Joyce
Dear Joyce,
Well what’s up sister? Been being good to yourself and others too? Well I hope so that will be one thing more to help get you all here, besides the money raising projects, and the work. Which I just know you are helping out with. Father was here for a while and in our short meetings he told us of how bad it was getting all over the world especially the U.S. Boy, you people back there are in trouble if you don’t all harmonize now and get together and work so that all of you can get over here sooner.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve been staying out of trouble and working like everyone else here is doing. It’s really beautiful to see people work the way we do here in this freedomland. There are no words to express my feelings about this place. I guess you will just have to see for yourself the splendor and beauty, and the freedom of this country. It’s nothing like the U.S. at all. I know you will just love it here as much as I go and be joyful all the time too because the climate and everything here makes it impossible to be sick or have any kind of problems. Hope to see all of my rainbow family soon. Take good care of yourself and help in every way you can to help get our people over here. Bye for now. Write back o.k.?
Father Loves You,
Chris Cordell
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Letter from Sharon Amos to Sylvia [likely Grubbs], August 1977
8-3-77
Sylvia,
It was great hearing from you. Steph and Kelly arrived safely (of course). They came into Jonestown Monday.
Would you see if the medical charts have been sent? We need them. Also – could you see if Darlene Newman (Ronnie’s mom) could get his medical reports from the Dr. He has kidney disease but I have no idea what type or what treatment he should be receiving.
Also – there is a list of medical supplies we need which I mailed to Debbie Blakey. Would you make sure something is being done about them.
The place must be getting fairly empty. Every day we hear of more and more people coming. The boat arrives with people and leaves right away to pick up more. The nursery is completed. It looks
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very nice. The seniors made and hung curtains today.
More people will be arriving here tomorrow evening. The names are never given to anyone. That way everyone [sentence not completed]
The children are having a talent show right outside by the window of the nurse’s office. Annie [Moore] and I are straining to see (hanging out the window.)
Well, write again and send it with someone. Hope to see you soon. The people here never know whether or not to write. People are arriving so rapidly.
Sharon [Amos]
P.S. Could you check on my mail? It was to go to 998 Divisadero at Pat Hess’s apartment number. Doxsee changed the address but some of my peds magazines may have gone there?
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This is list of medical supplies needed –
- Tine tests – Bay Area Surgical Supply Co.
- isomil powder
- triaminic
- file folders
- labels
- sutures – 3-0 silk, 4-0 ethalon
- surgical blades – size 10, 12
- hemoglobinometer
- baby food grinder
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Undated letter to Ronnie James from Shanda James Oliver
P.O. Box 893
Georgetown, Guyana
S.A.
RONNIE JAMES
Dear Ronnie,
Hi. I’ve gotten your message about Silvia signing for Andrew to come. I miss that guy? Did Mama get my letter? How did she feel? What is she saying? Ronnie I want you to try and get these things for me. Make sure you get ready also. Bring jeans light jean for yourself as many as possible It’s very warm here. I’ve gotten darker already. Talk to pop’s get money from him to buy me someth [page cuts off] Today I’m going into the interior by boat. I hear the boats really nice. Oh yes bring short pants. They be a pleasure. Hey I know you’ll like it. Tell everyone hi. But get ready Ronnie. You always say you want to be last. If they tell you to leave in 2 hrs. You had better be ready. I also have a note for you to give Bruce’s mom. Here is a list of things to bring or send to me. Please send and mark all articles to Shanda Olive[r]
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Send:
2 cackies [khakis] jeans – 27 waist L any length
T-shirts – sleeveless and shortsleves
For shirts go to shirtworks, ask Robin or Kim where to find it
Very cheap tops $2 and $3
I need the cackie jeans mostly not ben’s for me
Lan lay oil and baby oil for body
Scarfs – (ones like archie mama) see Robin for help
Underwear cotton
Get 1 pr of Sandals $2.88 at National Dollar Stores, Rainbow bottom
Ronnie try to send these things in a suitcase written for:
SHANDA OLIVER
Please write or call for me on the Radio. I’ll be standing by and waiting for response.
Please follow through.
Love, together in a Soc. cause comrade
Shanda Oliver
your sister
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Undated note to Beverly Oliver from Shanda James Oliver
To Bruce’s mom,
Bruce and I are doing fine he misses you alot. He said send him some ducketts. How’s Howard? Hope he’s fine. I’ll be talking to you on the radio. Bruce said send:
35×24 cackies [khakis] pants
large vaseline
large ultra sheen
lan lay oil (for body)
jogging tennis shoes 9.99 (at National Dollar Store)
Please send these things as soon as possible.
Please write back. Also tell Howard thanks for the watch supply we got it. Bruce needed it too. He still tinkers on watches here.
See you later
Shanda OIiver
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tell mama summer dresses only $6.00 at Good Stuffy in City [?] j
See [illegible word] on that
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Undated Note to Robert Rankin from Marie Rankin
1.
Hi dearest:
You are really going to love it here – we will be so happy. Tell the children I received there messages and I hope that all of you come in the next move – I really, really miss every one of you. Tell Haz hello, and tell her – she will love it here too. The building crew needs you so you can be should of a place to work
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2.
here. Bob this is real important for you to do – get my tape recorder from there and bring it with you when you come. and I need some hair grease Haz knows what kind maybe 3-5 jars and some arm and hammer baking soda – 5 large boxes – and we need a good AM-FM radio – solid state there are some groovy stations here in English and Spanish, and we can hear Cuba with a good radio so
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3.
tell Haz to help get these items and you bring them when you come. Its the rainy season here but it’s nice – our country side is beautiful you should be here – I am becoming a good rain forecaster. the Indians taught me how to guage its coming. There’s so many things to learn it will blow your mind – all the new things to learn and be creative with – Thank Father for loving us to give us this great opportunity to be. and we are free
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4.
we give thanks daily of this freedom and hope Father has provided here. Be good and write me soon and send the pictures O.K. – Thanks!
I know you will like this small gift – this tablet from the Guyana school system. You need some hi high rain boots to work in here so had better bring them with you. My health is good and that rash is going away so tell Haz that.
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5.
Bring a few ink pens and paper too and white socks. I need 3 black size 36 B bra’s when you come I hope you understand to try and bring these things with you. Thank you I haven started the fish project yet but maybe by the time you all come I will have time. Tell Peter to pack my books and ship them I need most of them for my proposal. Tell Blanche hello and hurry home. and tell Nickie to bring the reel to reel if
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possible. And tell Che Che to be sweet. Wabby says hello to Haz and you, Nickie and Che-Che. Rev. Edwards says hello and hurry up and get here to help with these houses were building. I know its going to be grand when you get here I really miss you. Tell A.J. hello for me and Toi and Fannie. We are pioneers here and its glorious and fun. I know you’ll love it here. Well lunch is almost over
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and I have it get back to work again be good and hurry home. I love you and all our children and Haz.
Thank Father for loving care –
Marie Rankin
P.S. Superise I wrote and didn’t call I know Haz is happy about that – but don’t forget that AM-FM radio and an alarm clock that weather proof.
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Undated Note to Sylvia Grubbs from Judith Ijames
Grubbs
Sylvia:
Please try to pack and send the box full of glass syringes and needles that were in the closet in the hall outside my room. You might ask Norman if they’ve been moved. He also has the key. We got your note. Sharon was sure glad to see Stephanie. We are never told who is coming so it is always a nice surprise. It’s really beautiful here. I couldn’t believe how much Kevin had grown and how much weight a lot of people have lost. Becky Beckman is really amazing and Liz and Poncho. I’ve only been
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here a little over a week and already I’ve lost 7 pounds. Diane Casanova’s lost 10. It’s not because you don’t have enough to eat either. The food is good and there’s plenty of it. It is just good nutritional food and not a bunch of preservatives. Anyway you’ll see soon, when we see you. Take care. Thanks for all your help. I know Father appreciates it. See you soon.
Father’s love from Judy
Also see if you can get a large supply of suture material like Ethilon or something for skin suture. several dozen.
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Undated note from Shawanna Soloman to brother
1
Here Little Brother:
How’s things there in the beautiful land of promise? it sure was good to hear your voice, hope to be able to talk to you again real soon. We on this end sure do appreciate the great work you all are doing there thanks to father, one never know just how blessed they are until they live here then go where every one is treated like they are human beings. I almost feel as if I have been there (Joestown) in person and have heard so many good reports from different one’s that have been there. I am so glad father found us in time, and so very glad that we are chosen to be a part of the new world. And you for being one of the ones that help really start the foundation, that cut tree’s etc, set different kinds of food to help feed a starving world. that in it self made one feel good. but none of this could have been passable had it not been for Father Jim. I [illegible word] church, Lillie and Freddie they are during just fine, Chuck is. Married also now he has a little boy Maxzee. So you are next in line, Joe, Chuck, and Ben
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2
all are married, Ben dont have any children as of yet, you see how sweet Joe’s body is (Jakdri) he’s a nother Leslie Chuck’s baby look like both Shirley and Chuck. But there is still time for you (smile). Oh yes, father also saved til too Sundays in a row one Sunday from a stroke the next from being hit by a car, being left, paralized and I can’t even begin to tell the things he has saved us from Chuck’s Shirley was saved from something But I don’t know what you can bet it was her life saved. We are a truly blessed people to have such a leader as we have, no place else will you and anyone else fine no one that will go thru, such hell to save his people, to find a place of safety for us, its not easy I bet. And he keep on during great things for us, in spite of us. he is always there before a have a chance to call him, in truth, justice of love. What more can we ask for? So I am just thankful that we are here in the number. So keep up the good works we on this end salute you. Father love you
Shawanna Salomon