[Note: Names are withheld in order to protect the identity of our correspondents.]

Hi there, as a Homeschooler in the UK I would like to completely dissociate myself from the views expressed by various UK Home Ed groups and individuals regarding your [visit] to the UK. I am ashamed at the intolerance and Xenophobia which has been displayed and would like to apologise for all the heart-ache and inconvenience which will have been caused. We are not all like that!

I would like to encourage you. I am British. I feel like one of the only people in the country (although I know I’m not) who is tremendously saddened by the proceedings of this last week. You guys have opened yourselves, and been willing to come and encourage us. But, sadly it has all gone horribly wrong. I have never seen an argument about child discipline and or abuse quite like it in my 3 years on the homeschooling forums here. The strength of feeling is incredible.

I pray for you as you seek God’s wisdom at this time. Please understand that there are those of us who would love to meet you, and enjoy some shared times of mutual blessing and encouragement about HOMESCHOOLING if nothing else. I have emailed the Pearl family trying to encourage them too …

If you can get here without attracting the media and the rest of the hooligans who seem intent on grinding you to pieces, you will have a lovely time.… May God bless you for your kind intentions to come and bless our people. May He protect you as you travel, and give you an abundance of wisdom while you talk to folks.

I also think that a lot of this is also due to the fact that we are Christians living out our faith and this also provokes many people to hostile feelings.… I want to let you know of my continued support it what ever way I can and that my home and resources are at your disposal. I have always feared persecution and have led a pretty sheltered life but I know that these things will have to be faced by Christians and we must cling to our Father God and rely on him completely.

I’m sooooo sorry to hear about all the trouble with the UK tour! And I’m saddened to hear that you and the younger three children may not be joining us. As a mother I can understand the decision, but it is disappointing just the same. I was soooo looking forward to meeting you and getting a chance to serve you and your family! We will still look forward to meeting Paul and Paulie and Amelia, but the loss of the rest of the group will certainly be felt.

It is especially disturbing that it had to happen under such ‘nasty’ circumstances! … We have decided it would be best for all to find another venue though and that way on the day they can’t find us to cause any trouble. We have been so excited about this tour and the GREAT things we felt God was going to do during it! It is disappointing that things have had to be scaled down, but I still believe God will do great things! Please be encouraged (I know that sounds strange!) I believe that the enemy doesn’t waste this much effort at causing a disruption to the plans of God’s saints, unless those saints are treading hard on his toes!!!!

Please keep up the terrific work of your magazine! You are a lifeline to so many lonely and struggling homeschool families all over the world. You have blessed me and my family soooo much and I have been able to use my often dog-eared copies to encourage the few other homeschoolers around me!… We’ve got your back-in prayer.

I really am so sad for you all, and feel ashamed by the behaviour of many Christians over here, judging without the facts. I pray that you will all have a wonderful revelation of our Lord Jesus in this, despite the outward looking rather bleak.

There will be many, like me, in utter support of you. TOS, this last year has touched many UK families, I think this is just the beginning. You have already blessed the UK more than you know.

We are praying for you all that this situation can be resolved. PLEASE don’t cancel your trip! We NEED you to come! I believe that this is an attempt by the enemy to stop this trip! And we all know when he works this hard at disruption it is usually because he is scared!!!! I am sure that the Lord intends GREAT things from this trip or else there would be very little opposition! We will continue to stand with you in prayer that the enemy will not win this one!! With continued LOVE and SUPPORT …

I feel so bad that pressure and bullying tactics has caused us to cancel the public meetings. HOWEVER we are completely serious about having the Suarez family in our home to do their presentation within our house, to a few invited guests. As I said this issue is just NOT going to go away, until the secular guys think that they have won a victory.

I know that we shall be very disappointed if the Suarez family decided not to come. One of the reasons we offered hospitality was because we, as a family, had benefited sooo much from the magazine. We felt that by meeting them we could share their vision.

I also wanted to say how cross I am with the attitude of some homeschoolers in this country with their behaviour to your visit and the Pearls. I don’t agree with everything that the Pearls do but overall I think they have a good ministry. You have to get the meat and spit out the bones. I would love to meet you but can’t get to any of the venues. Your magazine is great. I suppose it is true that when we stand with God’s word, it is then we get attacked by Satan. I will be praying for you.

Many of the comments, [I have seen] concerning your visit have been quite positive, although it’s fair to say the general Christian Home Education scene seems quite divided over the issue. As you will know, there has been even more discussion on at least a couple of other lists, not Christian in character, which has amounted to what, even with the judgment of charity, can most accurately be called a witch-hunt. It hasn’t been a pretty sight.

Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you that at least some Christian Home Educators would not have a problem with your visit, and I personally hope that it is still possible for it to go ahead—in some form. May the Lord bless your ministry to His glory.

From our point of view, we feel that we should not bow to threats and bullying and we are happy to continue with our support in what ever capacity you need us…. I really hope you all find peace and Gods will about what is the right course of action and please be assured of our continuing support.

Despite such awful accusations etc, you guys didn’t think ‘Forget this’, we’ll put our effort where it is welcomed’. No, you hung on in there with us. That is an entirely new thing for UK/USA homeschooling relationships. It said loud and clear that you guys are with us in it, You’ve no idea the encouragement this is.

I just want to encourage you all that you must, must still go on with the tour despite threats etc, … We expect persecution and truly believe that as disciplining our children is not illegal, this lot won’t have any ‘dust to kick about’. So please continue as you were doing with the tour.

I believe TOS is a great resource for helping people to see their calling as parents and educators of their children – in every aspect of life. I believe your publication can play a vital role in helping people understand the excellence we are called to in raising children that will be testimonies and example in this dark part of the world.