April 1, 1998 Wednesday Evening 9 P.M.

Dear Family,

Talked to Phonsawan this morning about 9 A.M. and we discussed the lawyer and the appeal process, his fees, his conditions, and then she and John David went to see him. I called the lawyer in Vientiane at 3 P.M. He told me very clearly that this was a very dangerous political case, it involved a serious violation of criminal law, and I was not to contact him or call him as it was too dangerous for him. He would deal only with Phonsawan. His tone was upset but polite and in a hurry to hang up which I did after he agreed that he would handle the appeal for all ten prisoners.

Vientiane folks called about 4 P.M. They had just received the 10 page court document and faxed it to us while Thomas & Kindy Kweekul were here. The document is 1 1/2 pages of names and ages, 7 pages of court records about PIP and our activities, and 1 1/2 pages of sentencing. Thomas sped read it laughing (all in the Lao language), but the rest of us will have to wait for the English translation before we enjoy it. The praying samlor driver is an important piece of evidence in our abuse of the Lao government. Rumors in Vientiane say that Lao businessmen are now calling the Lao government urging them to resolve the crisis that is stopping MFN (Most Favored Nation) and impacting business.

About 3:30 P.M. a long time American resident of Laos with connections at very high levels of the Lao government called. Agencies in Vientiane had asked him to broker the PIP prisoner situation that is impacting Lao/USA relations. He has been in contact with Lao officials that quickly needed a current list of prisoners in Thatdam jail and he called me in Udorn, Thailand to get it. We'll see where this goes.

Faxes are being sent tomorrow to set up appointments in Vientiane April 21st for Bill McDonough and Tommy Allison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health. The outcome of those meetings will determine the future of PIP in Laos and have a great impact on our ability to maintain contact with the Lao Christians.

Closing thought for tonight is this quote from Wendy Chamberlin, the American Ambassador to Laos. She sent this March 31st in response to a fax from Jerry. "Yesterday, I called on a high ranking official who assured me that a more positive solution is in the offering, which will become apparent once a sentence is rendered upon appeal. While I can only fervently hope that all Christians will be freed at that time, I can say for certain that the Lao know full well that is our position. I suspect the substantive charges will remain. We continue pushing for full release from incarceration and consult often with the Lao to let them know there will be problems as long as a single Christian is in jail." HURRAY FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! We trust in Him who rules in the affairs of man but its great to have Uncle Sam pulling for the Laos 10.

God bless,
Ken & Jean