Arrested! (2000)

Excerpt from the draft of "Apostle to the Pygmies – The Doctor Jerry Galloway Story"

January 14, 2001

Dear Mom,

I sent this letter to Bonnie (Sister Mary Blaise) as I thought you might be upset when you read it, and I didn't want you to read it alone. I had a new experience in my missionary life. The government security agency arrested me on December 29, and I was a prisoner until January 13. I never feared being harmed, nor did I fear for my life. My only fear was expulsion from the Congo and what would happen to my Botoa brothers and sisters, especially my dear students.

On December 21, I received a message from Kiri that the administrator of the territory (A.T.) and an ANR (a government security agency) agent were coming to see me. They arrived in the afternoon and went to Dr. Bakoko's house. At about 5:00, they arrived at the mission with Dr. Bakoko. I escorted them into the living room. After we sat down, they gave me two radio messages from the ANR in Kinshasa. The first one, dated December 12, asked the ANR agent to spy on my activities. The second one, dated December 13, instructed the ANR agent to arrest me and bring me to Kinshasa.

They did not give a reason, and they wouldn't tell me anything. The agents asked for my passport and permission to inspect my room. They collected letters, pictures, my camera, video camera, radio, and videotapes. They also gathered my tent, .22 bullets, my .22 rifle, raincoats, and many things for the students. They put all the stuff in boxes, saying it was evidence. They put the boxes in a spare bedroom, locked the door, and kept the key. Dr. Bakoko was upset and afraid. I left to go and tell Fr. Paul and Fr. Daniel what was happening.

Note: Jerry wrote a letter each week to his mom (center) and dad (far right). His mom and his sister, Bonnie (Sister Mary Blaise), typed and sent out each letter. Also pictured are his brother Bill and sister-in-law, Sonya.