The Editor,

We were deeply saddened to read of Mang Channo's death in your March 8 edition.

We were friends of Channo and had spent many enjoyable times with him.

He confided in us as he struggled with the decision between staying with the Post

or returning to World Vision.

We remember him as alternatively happy and outgoing, then serious and melancholy,

seemingly taking upon himself the weight of Cambodia's problems.

Thank you for the piece that you wrote about him. It was a fitting memorial to a

good and honorable man.

We would however like to point out one inconsistency in your editorial. You rightly

identified Channo as a Christian and then went on to express a non-Christian prayer

for him in the last paragraph: "Finally, we would like to pray that Channo be

born again in Than Boromasok, or the happy world that our religions award a person

who has done good deeds - like he deserves."

As a Christian, Channo did not expect to be awarded a place in Than Boromasok on

account of his good deeds.

A Christian believes that no amount of good living is sufficient to bridge the gap

between sinful man and holy God, a feat which can only be accomplished by faith in

Jesus Christ.

Channo's good deeds were not done in hopes of gaining entrance to heaven, rather

they flowed from the knowledge that God had already prepared a place for him there.

Far from being mere theological hair-splitting, this is the distingushing feature

of the Christian faith and is the hope that drew Channo to Christ.

Granted, you did not claim that these non-Christian beliefs were those of Channo

- only your own - but in honor of Channo's life and faith we felt compelled to clarify

the distinction.

As mentioned, overall we found you tribute to be an accurate and appropriate memorial

to a beloved friend.

Like you we will miss him dearly. Cambodia has lost one of her better sons.

- Michael and Srey Heim Roberts, New York.