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Posted Sunday, September 2, 2001 about 3:00 am


Saturday, September 1, 2001 about 9:00 am

From: Marie Ann O'Hara
Bolivar, MO


To: Pastor Dr. Ray Leininger
First Baptist Church of Bolivar


Dear Dr. Leininger:


Were you going to assist me with the payment of the electric bill,
or shall
I look elsewhere?

If I seek assistance from other sources, this will implicate other
obligations
and commitments -- commitments which will exclude
options which are
currently available.

I hear you saying one thing, but you are still doing another --
at least, from
what I can infer from my limited perspective.

Although this propensity is certainly not exclusive to you alone
by any means; nevertheless, I ask you: Is it just and righteous that
I should be compelled
to imperil and jeopardize my health, well-
being, and life continually to accommodate this inclination?


Again, I will need to know as quickly as possible: Will you assist
with the
payment of the electrical bill?

Though perhaps this is only wishful thinking, I would like the
payment, if
possible, to be made in the name of a church or
church organization.


I know that this breakthrough would be hailed on the Donation
website
with suitable fanfare and celebration -- probably involving
singing hamsters
danc ... I mean, leaping for joy (hamsterdance.com).
[Note:  Baptists frown upon any kind of dancing.]

Dr. Leininger, you ... we ... have and audience.

Do not shame all of us by refusing again to answer my plea.

If you do plan to help, please leave either a receipt or a check
(payable to Empire District Electric Company) in a sealed envelope
on the door of my residence.


If you were apprehensive that the envelope might be carried away
by the
wind or weather, please punch a single hole in the envelope
and tie it to
the screen door handle with a string or rubber band
[Note:  This is what Empire District Electric Company did when
they delivered the letter on August 29, 2001.
]


For your reference, I have enclosed a copy of the arrangements
which
I made with Empire District Electric Company on Wednesday,
August 29,
2001
.

Please honor my appeal, and do not link this assistance to any
other
form of obligation or commitment (either yours or mine).
If you will
consider for a moment, you will see the wisdom of
this request.


Therefore, please do not knock, tarry on the doorstep, or include
any
other item or document with this donation envelope.

I ask that you act quickly and with a pure heart, mind, and spirit --
without
hedging, dissembling, or double-minded intent.

I will not make this request letter known publicly yet and will wait
until
5:00 pm this evening before taking any other action.

However, I will graciously and immediately acknowledge the receipt
of
any donation.

I have another matter to discuss with you and will contact you
tomorrow
morning ... but for now, I ask that you hear and respond
to my plea.



Kindest and Sincerest Regards,



Marie Ann O'Hara

Attachement:
Letter to the Public Service Commision and Empire District Electric Company
Wednesday, August 29, 2001


(Copies sent to several other pastors and friends.)

Dr. Leininger has not responded ...

A Third Letter to Dr. Ray Leininger,
Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bolivar