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Thursday, March 1, 2001

Marie O'Hara
Bolivar, MO 65613

Lynda Thompson
Credit and Collections
Empire District Electric Company
Joplin, MO


Dear Lynda Thompson,

For your reference, I have enclosed a fax which I had
sent to Mr. Jim Hill, the executive director of the Missouri
Baptist Convention
on Thursday, February 22, 2001.

Due to the unexpected circumstances described in
the letter to Mr. Hill, I was not able to proceeded with
my scheduled conversation with SBU President, Dr.
C. Pat Taylor
on this last Friday, February 23, 2001.

In addition, SBU's corporate attorney, Mr. Gary Lynch,
required outpatient surgery last week, though, as I
understand, he is now recovering well.

Thus, I was not able to initiate my conversation with
SBU President Dr. Taylor last week.

Because a portion of my contestation with Southwest
Baptist University
involves its dealings with Empire
District Electric Company
(specifically my electrical
billing and community assistance), I thought that it
was advisable to inform you of this delay.

Over the past week, however, I have received rumblings
that the various Southwest Baptist University and
Missouri Baptist Convention officials have not had
time to burrow through the thousands of pages of my
three sets of sworn interrogatories and production
documents in order to properly ascertain the situation.

I can understand that ... but I must bring to their attention
the glaring fact that I have been waiting literally years for
them to do so.

While I would not wish to intrude upon their potluck
dinners ...

At this point, I have to ask: How much of our lives
are we expected to give so as not to inconvenience or
disrupt the social, political, and financial agendas
and schedules of those who feel they are above the
laws of both man and God?

How much longer are we expected to wait?

If necessary, I will wait on GOD -- without complaint --
my whole life if ... it be His will to do so.

But, these men and women are NOT God -- nor were
they operating and acting (at least in many of these
matters) on His behalf.

I understand that many of those who have become
intertwined in this complex situation are fearful, confused,
ashamed, and disheartened.

I have compassion for each of those involved.

I have given -- and will unhesitatingly continue to give --
each of them mercy.

But, Mercy is a mockery without the true exercise
of Justice ... as much as Justice is incomplete and
void without the wisdom and compassion of Mercy.

I will contact Southwest Baptist University and the
Missouri Baptist Convention again tomorrow, Friday,
March 2, 2001.


I believe that there is a common, solid, perhaps even
fruitful, ground in the midst of this abysmal quagmire
... if only the participants are willing to seek it.

I do not wish to trundle into the brambles of previous
events, thereby savaging old wounds, ripping open new
ones, and further embrangling us in the morass of the
particulars of the past.

My intention is to limit this conference to only that which
is intrinsically essential to effectuating an immediate, just,
merciful ... and responsible resolution.

I will contact you again late next week to keep you
apprised of the situation.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.


Sincerest Regards,


Marie Ann O'Hara


cc Glen Blake,
Empire District Electric Company,

Ozark, Missouri
Fax: (417)-582-1317

cc Customer Service Representative, June
Empire District Electric,

Ozark, Missouri
Fax: (417)-581-7560

cc Customer Service Representative,
Empire District Electric Company,

Joplin, Missouri
Fax: (417)-625-5144



 ~~~~~~Marie's Letter's Letters to Empire District Electric Company~~~~~~
click here

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

 ~~~~~~Marie's Letters to the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees~~~~~~

First Letter:  A Pledge Before God
February 12, 2001
~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Return to Welcome Page
click here

~~~~~~*~~~~~~ 

Second Letter:   A Prayer for Peace
Tuesday, February 13, 2001

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Marie's Letters to the Officials of the Missouri and Southern Baptist Conventions

Letter to Mr. Jim Hill,
Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention

Thursday, February 15, 2001 about 7:30 am
~~~~~~*~~~~~~

An Excerpt From:
So What About the Money:
A Conversation Among Friends  
             
~~~~~~*~~~~~~     

Wounded Hearts:
"Questions of the Heart"Petition Website

 ~~~~~~*~~~~~~   

~~~~~*~~~~~
~*~How Can I Help?~*~
Revised on Christmas Day of 2000
and
Sunday, February 4, 2001
~~~
~~*~~~~~