WINGS Note: This letter addresses the Church’s imbalance of power and respect between perpetrators and victim-survivors. The original letter from Aaron Farough follows at the end.
Good Afternoon Mike,
I’m writing to you today because I feel very moved to initiate a conversation that I believe is very important. I had planned to reach out to you re Aaron Farough prior to the letter that Aaron wrote; which was sent out on Aaron’s behalf by the senior worker in his field. However, that letter has been the push I needed to reach out to you sooner rather than later.
I’ll apologise right off the bat for the length of this email, which I know will be long. I’d suggest grabbing a cup of coffee and making yourself comfortable before sitting down to read this one. But please do stick with me through it. This isn’t something that I do often or have ever done before, but God has laid such a strong conviction on my heart to reach out to you and I cannot ignore that.
I think that a good place to start would be by going through Aaron’s letter. There are some specific parts of the letter that I would like to address. But before I begin, I would ask you to pay careful attention to the language that Aaron has chosen to repeatedly use in this email. He intentionally casts himself as the victim by using words like, “costly”; “lost everything”; “lowest of days”; “hard lesson”; “life lasting scars”. He is doing his very best to elicit sympathy – a pattern that I have seen over and over with perpetrators.
I understand that I am speaking rather frankly here. However, I feel that it is required given the circumstances. I don’t want to leave any room for confusion or misunderstanding. I trust that you understand that this frankness is not intended as a personal attack but rather, an attempt to initiate a conversation with you.
In warning: I will be discussing highly sensitive and upsetting information. I wouldn’t be sharing this information with you if I didn’t find it to be necessary considering the circumstances. That being said, as I know that it can be very difficult and potentially triggering to read what I have written below, please take breaks if needed.
Aaron begins the email by stating, “shame and pride and guilt are just some of the things that make a person want to disappear from off the earth without a trace”.
Do you know who else has experienced shame and guilt? The victim-survivors of sexual abuse in this community. Do you know who has shamed them; who has told them that they are the ones responsible for being sexually abused? It is the people within this Fellowship – the workers and the friends; the “servants” and the “saints”. Now I’m not saying that every worker and every one of the friends have exhibited this kind of behaviour, of course not. However, there are far too many to count that have behaved in this manner; it has become far too common of a response. It is a shared experience that survivors within the Fellowship have had; being shamed and being blamed. This community has prioritised the comfort and well-being of perpetrators over victim-survivors for decades. The perpetrators within this community have been repeatedly protected; not the victim-survivors. The email sent on behalf of Aaron is an example of that continuing to happen.
Do you know what else makes a person want to disappear from the face of the Earth? Being a victim of sexual assault, especially within a community that does not support or stand by you. And I mean this in the most literal sense when I quote Aaron’s statement, “disappear from off the earth without a trace”. Victim-survivors are SUICIDAL right now. I cannot overemphasise the seriousness of the situation. On the Wednesday night evening of Duncan convention, when a group of the friends and workers were gathered together singing hymns, I was on the phone connecting a suicidal ex-worker and survivor with emergency care services. That is the reality that I am living in. It is the reality that many people in this community are choosing to ignore, because they don’t want to “lose their focus”. But I would ask you, how would prioritising the care of the victim-survivors of sexual abuse over those who have perpetrated abuse be considered “ungodly” or “taking God out of the equation”? To me, it is simple and straightforward. After all, is that not what God taught through His Word and the life of His Son? To show care for the vulnerable? The needy? The brokenhearted? It is clear to me that care and consideration should be shown to those who have survived abuse within this community. Period. Full stop.
Aaron states that God’s plans for him to be “sinful and rebellious” have been “costly”.
Firstly, it is inappropriate for Aaron to redirect the attention onto himself and use language that elicits sympathy. The focus should be on what HE has DONE and the risk that HE poses to others, rather than how HIS actions have caused HIM to suffer consequences.
He either does not understand or is trying to avoid mentioning how COSTLY the impact of his actions have been on victim-survivors of sexual abuse (both the children featured in the content he viewed and the survivors in this community that are constantly being triggered by perpetrators like him). The consequences that Aaron has faced, pale in comparison to the impact that a sexual perpetrator’s actions have on the victim-survivor(s); they PALE in comparison to what those children in the content that Aaron viewed have endured. Secondly, it quite frankly blows my mind to read of Aaron describing his CRIMINAL OFFENCES as “sinful and rebellious” behaviour. That language is dismissive and purposefully vague. It attempts to minimise the seriousness of what he did; not to mention that by classifying it as part of God’s plans for him, Aaron is trying to escape the responsibility that belongs on HIS shoulders. There is a difference between sin and committing criminal offences of a sexual nature. No one is perfect. We are all guilty of sin. But we are NOT all guilty of PEDOPHILIC behaviour.
Aaron later states that when he “disobeyed”, he “lost everything” and became a “living example”. He is once more attempting to elicit sympathy, present himself as the victim, and minimise what he’s done by using purposefully vague language. What did he lose? Whose fault is that? What is it that he’s referring to when he says that he disobeyed?
I have attached the “Reasons for Sentence” court document that details Aaron’s sentence to this email. The ninth page of the sentencing report states, “Apart from Mr. Farough’s loss of his status as a minister and the loss of the congregation members, Mr. Farough has not suffered other losses. Mr. Farough has not suffered from any financial consequences, as he was able to go back to his former occupation. He has been able to get married, and he has been able to patch things up with his family and friends” [23]. How many survivors can testify to suffering as few losses as Aaron has? The self-involved language that Aaron repeatedly uses is not only incredibly insensitive, but it’s also a very revealing and disturbing display of his lack of remorse.
I refuse to believe that Aaron accessing and distributing violent imagery and videos of children being RAPED was part of God’s plan for him to become a “living example”. There are plenty of examples in the Bible to look to – Aaron is fully and independently responsible for his actions. The choices he has made have helped NO ONE; they have only caused harm. I didn’t need a “living example” to show me that finding sexual pleasure in viewing footage of children being SEXUALLY VIOLATED is wrong; or that committing criminal offences will result in a criminal record; or that committing a sexual offence will place you on the Sex Offender Registry.
Aaron states that he “feel[s] as one who has offended even those considered to be the little ones”. He IS one of those. HIS actions brought these consequences.
Aaron Farough is a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER. That is a label that the law has applied to him, based on choices that he freely made. That is who is petitioning to be in meetings. That is who has failed to apologise to the families whose homes he has stayed in; committed crimes in. That is who refuses to acknowledge the children being VIOLENTLY SEXUALLY ABUSED in the content that HE created a demand for.
Aaron states that he is “thankful” that “since failing in [his] struggle, [he has] never looked for solutions like Judas did”. For transparency’s sake, I would like to rewrite the first part of that sentence to more accurately and honestly state what he’s referring to, which is:
“Since searching for images and videos of CHILDREN being SEXUALLY ABUSED and RAPED; finding and watching this content; I then distributed it on to others”. In the pre-sentence hearing, the Crown confirmed that the children in the videos and images were as young as FOUR YEARS OLD, with the oldest child being only TWELVE years old. Each and every child in those images and videos was female and was naked. A naked adult male performed various sexual acts against those female children; and in some of the images and videos, the children were restrained by their arms as they were assaulted.
There is a huge difference between pornographic content that features consenting adults – and child pornography that shows unconsenting children being violently sexually abused. It is the latter that Aaron accessed, possessed, viewed, and distributed to others. It is the latter that Aaron kept on his cell phone for two years after the investigation first began [5]. It is the latter that Aaron received sexual gratification from; the latter which contained footage of CHILDREN being VIOLENTLY RAPED. Aaron received pleasure from watching CHILDREN being SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. Read that once more. Let it sink in.
These offences are not victimless crimes. When a person accesses and distributes this kind of content, a demand is created for it to be produced; or more transparently, a demand is created for children to be raped. Aaron contributed to the sexual exploitation of children by accessing and distributing child pornography; criminal charges of which he has been convicted and found guilty. It is NOT a “natural progression” to move on from viewing pornography to viewing child pornography. It is NOT a symptom of “boredom”. It is NOT a symptom of “human nature”. It is NOT content that a person views out of “mere curiosity”. Each statement is one which Aaron has made in an attempt to excuse and shirk responsibility for what he did. What it IS, however, is a symptom of a serious illness that requires professional treatment and proactive measures to be taken.
In terms of the second part of that sentence, if the best person that an individual can compare themselves to in an effort to come off favourably is Judas, I don’t know if that’s something to celebrate.
Aaron states that he apologises to those that “feel” that he has hurt and betrayed them. He HAS hurt us. He HAS betrayed our trust. The impact of his actions are widespread and permanent.
AND I would like to point out that this email was not sent to the friends in the Northern Vancouver Island field; the field that he laboured in while committing these offences. Aaron never apologised to the couple who had to view the photo of his genitals in order to identify their bedspread in the background and confirm that he had been staying in their guest room at the time of the offence; the families whose homes were visited by the police because he used their IP address to access child pornography; or (to the best of my knowledge) any of the many homes that he spent time in, in the Northern Vancouver Island field. He could have sent out an apology at any point over the past three and a half years since his arrest; or even over the past year and a half since his sentencing.
Aaron stayed in MY home on multiple occasions for lengthy periods of time. In fact, when his parents came to visit him, they stayed in MY home. He spent his break in MY home. My family never had the “privilege” of receiving anything that resembled an apology from Aaron. The families on Vancouver Island opened their homes to him. We fed him. We housed him. We TRUSTED him.
I reached out to the brother workers in Aaron’s field and expressed that I felt that the email should have been sent from Aaron directly, rather than from a worker on Aaron’s behalf. I find it cowardly behaviour on Aaron’s part to have sent that letter through someone else. If he wanted to, it would have been easy for him to contact any of the families on Vancouver Island directly and send them an apology. Furthermore, it has been terribly triggering for survivors within this community to see a brother worker sending out an email on behalf of a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER. It has been devastating to many of us. Because by a worker sending this email on Aaron’s behalf, this has become a ministry-endorsed apology. It has communicated to the friends that Aaron has the full support of the ministry behind him.
Is that a statement that you are comfortable with, Mike? Are you comfortable to be known as a man that will support perpetrators over victim-survivors? I’ve CC’d Merlin Affleck in on this email too, and I’ll ask you, Merlin. Are you comfortable being known as a man that will stand behind perpetrators before you will stand behind the victims? These are important questions to consider; and Aaron is presenting you with an opportunity to answer them and to clearly state where you stand. This is important information to communicate as individuals in positions of leadership within this community.
That being said, I will ask you both once more. Are you supporting Aaron? Are you standing behind Aaron? Will you stand behind a man who sought out footage of CHILDREN being RAPED? Who received sexual gratification from watching CHILDREN being RAPED? I’m capitalising and bolding these words because I’m trying to do everything I can to convey the seriousness of this to you both. I would ask that you seriously consider and reflect on these questions. Who are you supporting? Who are you standing behind? Because at this moment, it is certainly not evident or clear that you have chosen to stand behind the victim-survivors. This is not one of those situations where you can sit on the fence. It’s not possible to stand behind the victim-survivors and the perpetrators at the same time. They are standing in completely different places.
I would assume that you both agree that there is no one, apart from Aaron, who will make the difference in Aaron’s salvation. There is nothing that you can do, Mike, that will impact where someone else will spend eternity. There is nothing that Merlin can do; nothing that any individual person can do that will impact the salvation of someone else. We will each stand alone before God in the end. Our salvation is not dependent on others. Aaron’s salvation is between him and God. There is no place for you there. That being said, do you know where there IS a place for you? How you CAN make a difference? That place is where the victim-survivors are; there is opportunity for you to make a difference there. They have been standing alone for far too long. They are the ones who have been cast aside in this community; not the perpetrators. They are the ones who are in need in this community; not the perpetrators. They are the ones who you owe a DUTY OF CARE to in this community; not the perpetrators.
Aaron calls this a “hard lesson” that he is “thankful” for. I don’t think the children who were RAPED in the images and videos that he pleasured himself to, can say the same thing.
Aaron states that he has “life lasting scars”. I would ask that you take a moment and consider the victim-survivors when you read that. I would ask you to consider the scars that they will carry for the rest of their lives; scars that they did nothing to receive. This is from the sentencing report: “The evidence establishes that Mr. Farough accessed, possessed, and transmitted material that is not only inherently wrong, but material that is extremely harmful to children, which harm can last a lifetime” [30]. Aaron calls the resulting consequences of his freely made choices, “scars”. The perpetrator is the active participant when sexual abuse takes place. The perpetrator causes the sexual abuse to take place. It is never the child. It is never the victim-survivor.
Aaron states that these scars are “from what I have done to you and to myself”. Who is the “you” that he is referring to? Perhaps “you” refers to the friends in his current field, assuming that’s who the email was sent to? Or perhaps the friends in the wider Albertan area? I would ask you where his concern is for the victims; for the children. You won’t find it.
Aaron brought up the law in regards to his “problem” in this email. For transparency’s sake, I would like to highlight a couple points that you may be unaware of. This is information that is documented in the attached PDF.
Firstly, Aaron stated that there are no restrictions placed on him, regarding who he is around and where he goes. It’s true that his one-year probation order has ended. However, Aaron does have restrictions that are to remain in place for a period of FIVE YEARS from the date of sentencing. Pursuant to Section 161 of the Criminal Code of Canada, Aaron is prohibited from “seeking, obtaining, or continuing with any volunteer position or employment that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards a person under the age of 16 years old” [57]. It seems that he failed to remember this when stating “I have no restrictions on who I am around or where I go”. His decision to (falsely) bring up his lack of restrictions strikes me as an indication that he feels entitled to be present in meetings. Is this the behaviour of someone who is truly remorseful and repentant?
Secondly, the psychologist that provided Aaron’s psychiatric assessment report had his licence suspended after being found guilty for inappropriate misconduct of a sexual nature with underage girls. Zac Rhodenizer was working as a counsellor at a High School and it was within that role that he entered into prohibited inappropriate relationships of a sexual nature with at least two fifteen-year-old students. This is the man that deemed Aaron “low-risk”. Do you think that he would be an appropriate and reliable individual to provide counselling to Aaron or to provide a professional opinion on Aaron’s psychological state? I certainly don’t.
I have a copy of the Hearing Tribunal held to discuss Rhodenizer’s misconduct and the details are available there – that’s where I’ve gotten my information from and I’m happy to forward that on to you if you would like, Mike. That includes you too, Merlin.
Thirdly, if Aaron violates the terms and restrictions that have been placed upon him as a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER in Canada, it is up to him to come forward and alert his Probation Officer. Were you aware of that? Do you think Aaron is likely to do that? This is a man who, in his own words, was “caught”. He did not come forward. It was forced upon him when he became aware of the investigation and the pending charges. If Aaron repeats what he has done before – which is statistically highly likely, especially given the lack of remorse that Aaron exhibits – it will be up to him to come forward and disclose that information to his PO. It took a sting operation by the RCMP to bring this information to light the first time. I wouldn’t trust Aaron to bring it to light the second, third, fourth, or fifth time. If you do trust him to do that, then you have been successfully groomed and manipulated by him.
Everyone has a clean criminal record until they commit a crime. Everyone is a “person of prior good character” until they commit an offence; until they abuse a child.
I’d like to include this paragraph from R. v. Large 2020 BCPC 216, as I find it incredibly important and effective in explaining the seriousness of child pornography offences:
The phrase “child pornography” dilutes the true meaning of what these images and videos represent to some degree. The term “pornography reinforces the perception that what is occurring is consensual and a mutual experience between the viewer and the actor. These are not actors. It is not consensual. These are images and videos of child sexual abuse.
The downloading, sharing and production of these images and videos is a pervasive social problem that affects the global community and its children. Each time an image is viewed, the child is victimised.
The problem is so pervasive that police are required to triage and pursue only those with extensive collections or those involved in dissemination. One judge describes it as a virtual firehouse spewing depraved and disturbing images across the internet. In addition to the ever-increasing supply, changes in technology make fighting its growth increasingly challenging. The images themselves are becoming more aggressive, to whet the depraved appetite of those that view them – the fresher and more extreme, the better. Mr. Large, himself, acknowledged how over time it got to the point where the images were not even arousing him anymore.
Because of the harm to children, the repulsiveness of the crime, and the challenges in detecting and prosecuting these matters, the primary objectives of sentencing are denunciation and general and specific deterrence. When these objectives are paramount, the primary focus must be on the offence or the offender’s conduct, rather than on the offender. Although factors personal to the accused and rehabilitation remain essential, they necessarily take on a secondary role in the analysis.
Finally, I know that Aaron has been attending meetings in person and I’d like to leave you with a few thoughts to mull over –
I believe that attending meetings is a privilege, it is not a right. Let me compare it to driving a car. It is a privilege to drive a car. But it is not a right. If at any point, you make a choice that endangers others or violates a law, then your driver’s licence will be revoked and you will no longer enjoy the privilege of driving.
Aaron should NOT be attending meetings in person. I don’t see any reason why he cannot phone in to meetings instead. I believe that God can reach us wherever we are, and that there is nothing that can prevent Him from working within us if we are willing. Would you agree, Mike? I find that to insinuate otherwise, is to place limitations on the work that God is able to do.
If Aaron is truly repentant and remorseful, then he would remove himself from meetings. He would acknowledge that he has a serious problem that requires professional intervention and treatment; and removing himself from in-person meetings is a necessary step in demonstrating that remorse. In situations like these, actions are necessary – words alone are insufficient.
It would be showing Aaron brotherly kindness to remove him from a situation that could provoke him and risk the victimisation of future persons. He stated it himself; he didn’t realise how “powerful” his nature is. It is wrong to place him in an environment that would grant him access to children – and this includes ANY weekly fellowship meetings. Even if each and every person in Aaron’s fellowship meeting(s) is a legal adult, has been asked and has agreed to meet with him, it is still NOT okay for these reasons:
1) They are likely unaware of the full and complete details of Aaron’s criminal offences; details that I would argue are important if one is to contemplate the “seriousness” of his crimes.
2) If they are people that feel comfortable enough to meet with a sex offender, I find that to be a massive red flag that provides insight into their understanding of perpetrators – or the lack thereof.
3) There may be survivors in the meeting that do not feel comfortable or safe in disclosing that to the workers in their field, and may be triggered by Aaron’s presence in the meeting. It is an unfair and uncomfortable position to put anyone in – to ask them whether they’re willing to meet with a PREDATOR or not – let alone a victim-survivor. And for obvious reasons, there will always be survivors that you will be unaware of; that have not come forward or that have chosen not to disclose that to you.
4) Each person in that meeting will be connected to a child. Aaron will work hard to groom them, gain their trust, and gain access to that child through that person.
I am unaware of whether or not you have educated yourself on the psychological characteristics of a perpetrator or how manipulative they can be in grooming those around them. But for the sake of those that are CC’d in, I’ll briefly highlight this … Not only do perpetrators groom their victim(s), but they groom the entire community. That is how a perpetrator gains unhindered access to their victim(s); they will first groom and gain the trust of the people within the community. They are highly motivated individuals. They will work very hard to gain access to their victim(s) – which in Aaron’s case, would be children. He will GROOM and MANIPULATE and USE people to get what he wants; and if I had to make an educated guess, it would be that Aaron is pushing (or will soon be pushing) to attend gospel meetings.
It is no revelation that perpetrators are incredibly manipulative. Aaron is NOT unique. He is not a special case or an exception to any rule. He will do whatever is necessary to gain the trust of the people around him; to put them at ease and to make them feel comfortable. And that includes you, Mike. Aaron will be working hard for your favour. He will be working hard to stay in your good graces.
How many of the perpetrators that have been revealed over the past year have been a surprise to you? How many have you trusted? Looked up to? Laboured with? Loved? Have many have you considered to be respected “pillars” in this community? It is impossible to identify a perpetrator. That’s the sad truth and I wish it were different, but it’s not. However, what we can be grateful for in this particular case, is that we have FACTS; a documented legal record to refer to and base future decisions on.
Aaron is a high-risk individual. He is a convicted SEX OFFENDER. That is a fact. He is likely to reoffend, especially if given the opportunity – which is what allowing him to attend meetings in-person is doing.
It is for these reasons that I ask that Aaron Farough have his meeting attendance privileges revoked.
I understand that this email is blunt. I haven’t written this with mal intent or a “bad spirit” – and I certainly don’t identify as an “enemy of the truth”. In fact, I care deeply for this community and I want the meetings to be a safe place for everyone – that is why I’ve taken it upon myself to write this email. That being said, I believe that being honest and transparent is long overdue, and much needed given the circumstances.
I know that this letter is uncomfortable to read. But discussing the sexual abuse of children should be. It’s when you are no longer uncomfortable that there is a problem. It would be inappropriate if I were to gloss over such a serious issue. There are some things that require an uncomfortable amount of honesty, and this is one of those things.
I have been deeply disturbed by the abuse that has continued to be perpetuated. There have been too many people that have failed to protect the vulnerable; too many people that have instead protected and enabled perpetrators. There have been too many people that have been enablers and facilitators of abuse.
This is a community that YOU owe a duty of care to, Mike. And you too, Merlin. Whether either of you would like to acknowledge it or not, the seats that you sit in are seats of responsibility. In the spirit of transparency, I have CC’d in the staff in AB and BC. I find this necessary as Aaron Farough laboured in both British Columbia and Alberta, and is now residing in the latter.
I am speaking plainly because I know only too well that Aaron can present himself to be somebody else. The perpetrators within this community are not strangers to us; we have known them personally. This means that it is imperative to be sensitive and conscious of the biases we hold. Aaron Farough laboured with you. He spent preps with you; conventions with you; special meeting rounds with you. For some reading, you were companions with Aaron. That means that there are biases you hold that you need to be aware of. It is an advantage for the perpetrator(s) when they have had a prior personal relationship with you. They will use that prior relationship to get what they want. If you aren’t careful, it will make it much easier for the perpetrator(s) to groom and manipulate you.
There will always be an Aaron. He is not special. He is not different from any other perpetrator. The ministry will have to continue to deal with perpetrators as victim-survivors continue to bravely come forward. Therefore, although this email is focused on Aaron’s case, the contents of it will apply to perpetrators (those that are known and those still unknown) in British Columbia; Alberta; in precisely every last province in Canada; and in every single country where this Fellowship has had a presence. Aaron is simply one more perpetrator who is providing you with the opportunity to clarify where you stand. Is it with the perpetrators? Or is it with the victims?
I am clearly communicating where I stand, and I would implore each of you to do the same. It shouldn’t be difficult or scary to stand with victim-survivors. It shouldn’t be a struggle to condemn the SEXUAL ABUSE that is being – and has been – perpetuated by people within this community. It is a demonstration of kindness – to both perpetrators and victim-survivors – to acknowledge the issue; as without acknowledgement, there can be no forward steps taken towards healing.
For those of you that are active field workers, I understand that the authority that you have is limited. However, the perpetrators that are in your field(s) have now become your responsibility. I want you to know that I genuinely feel for those of you that are in the work and are under an immense amount of pressure right now. And I recognise that the burden that has been placed upon you is unfair. Nevertheless, as the law is fallible, there will be some things that will be left in the hands of the field workers. It is up to each of us to do what we can to protect the vulnerable, which often involves going above and beyond what is legally required of us. I have often thought of the Good Samaritan over the past year; and what he was willing to do to help a complete stranger that others had passed by.
I would ask you to consider what Jesus would do. Jesus spoke up for the vulnerable; for the sick; for the needy. I have heard too often that this is an “issue” to be left at God’s feet. I agree that there are burdens that are not ours to carry. And I agree that God is well able to do what needs to be done. That being said, God works through His people. We are tools in His hands. I feel that God has laid a very strong conviction on my heart; which is to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent future persons from being victimised. It’s the same spirit that has led me my entire life; the same spirit that has brought me untold peace and comfort. That’s what has led me to send you this email, Mike. It’s what has moved me to CC in the staff in both provinces, as this letter is addressed to each of you too.
I’m aware that speaking up has often been equated with being disrespectful; especially when addressing those in leadership. However, I would hope that you would encourage people to approach you with their concerns – particularly if they involve the safety and wellbeing of others.
As I previously asked who the “you” was that Aaron referred to in his email, I will clarify that I am addressing you, Mike. And you, Merlin. But in addition, I’m speaking to each one of you reading this. If you are presently in the work, you are occupying a position of authority; whether you asked for it or not, that’s the reality. We each occupy spheres of influence, but there are some that have more influence in this community than others. For those of you that have aligned yourselves with victim-survivors, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those of you that are broken-hearted, I pray with you in mind often. For those of you that are heavily burdened, I would encourage you to let peace be your guide.
I sincerely hope that you receive this email in the spirit in which I have written it and I would ask that you please respond, as I am genuinely attempting to reach out to you. I felt an immense amount of peace when I sent a slightly modified version of this email to the workers in Aaron’s field earlier this week. I trust that pressing send on this email will do the same.
Respectfully, Chaylene Reid
Chaylene has an undergraduate degree in English and Sociology and in her final year of Law School. She is also the Advocate Program Coordinator for AFTT.
WINGS Note: Local worker Brady Anderson forwarded the following letter on behalf of Aaron Farough.
Date: 2024-09-16
To:
Subject:Long overdue
As the Subject reads, so are the contents of this letter to each of you.
Shame and pride and guilt are just some of the things that make a person want to disappear from off the earth without a trace. However, God had other plans for me when I was sinful and rebellious but they have been costly! I was trusted by so many of you because of what the Life of Jesus does in our hearts. I laboured among you to encourage that and to try to understand it myself. When I disobeyed, I became a living example of how quickly I lost everything I had in a just a moment. I feel as one who has offended even those considered to be the little ones and am worthy of the millstone about my neck. I’m thankful that in my lowest of days, since failing in my struggle, that I’ve never looked for solutions like Judas did, but understand the path that got him there. I apologize to each of you who have been hurt and feel that I have betrayed you of your trust.
I am thankful that in this hard lesson, God has been merciful! I was a fool to think in my mind that I would never sin to the level of crossing what is unlawful or immoral. That confidence is gone and I realize now, how powerful my nature is when I resist the help of God and his will. I will have some life lasting scars from what I have done to you and to myself. I’m thankful that I was caught and have time left in life to repent, feel the sorrow and change my ways. I live with regret but I trust that God can help me move forward. I know and trust that God can heal your hearts too.
The law has been accurate in handling my offence and has helped bring my problem to a definite head. The Law states that I will be a registered offender for another 19 years. I have no restrictions on who I am around or where I go in my community or others. I report annually where I work/live and at any time I travel abroad.
By the mercy of God, I have been established in a little home, with a caring wife, and an amazing fellowship of friends to meet with. I’m not getting what I deserve, because it should be nothing, but my heart is full and I am humbled.
Sincerely, Aaron Farough
WINGS for Truth 