Abducted Christian missionaries’ families issue stirring statement to Haitian captors even as they threaten to execute Americans: ‘We are giving forgiveness’



Family members of the 17 Christian missionaries who were abducted in Haiti earlier in October are speaking out to their loved ones' captors with a moving message of grace.

What are the details?

On Christian Aid Ministries' website, family members of the kidnapped missionaries — five of whom are children — are pleading with a Haitian gang, 400 Mawozo, which is believed to be behind the abduction, to safely return their loved ones.

The gang demanded a $17 million ransom in connection with the return of the missionaries.

In a statement on its site, the parent of one of the hostages wrote, "We are interested in the salvation of these men and we love them."

"As a family, we are giving forgiveness to these men," another parent added. "We are not holding anything against them."

Another supporter — who is not affiliated with the hostages — shared a prayer for freedom on the organization's page.

The plea read, "I have a beautiful mind picture — that of thousands, likely millions of believers joining hands around the globe, their prayers ascending as a sweet incense to the Father of mercies. It matters not so much what denomination, or race, or culture ... we are all joined in one common heart-rending plea ... Lord, have mercy. Show yourself mighty and strong. ... We plead that all involved in this situation may remain faithful to the cause of Christ and that ultimately your most high name may be glorified. Amen."

What else is there to know about this?

Last week a man identified as Wilson Joseph, leader of the gang, appeared on video claiming that the gang has no qualms about killing the missionaries if the hefty ransom isn't paid.

In a viral video, the man said, "I swear by thunder that if I don't get what I'm asking for I will put a bullet in the heads of these Americans."

Spokesperson for Christian Aid Ministries Weston Showalter said that the missionaries are from Amish, Mennonite, and other Anabaptist communities.

"They continue to band together and support each other with prayers and encouragement during this difficult time," Showalter said in a statement. "It's amazing how times of difficulty have a way of bringing people together."

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Biden administration is "relentlessly focused" on the hostages and their safe return and said that a team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. State Department has been dispatched, who have been in constant contact with the Haitian National Police.

Haiti Gang Leader Threatens to Kill 17 Kidnapped Missionaries www.youtube.com

(H/T: Faithwire)

Haitian gang demands $17 million ransom for kidnapped Christian missionaries: report



The gang that claimed responsibility for kidnapping 17 American and Canadian Christian missionaries is demanding $1 million for each victim's release, according to a Tuesday CNN report.

The outlet reported that members of the powerful 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped the missionaries after a visit to a Croiz-des-Bouquets orphanage on Saturday.

What are the details?

Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel told CNN in a statement that the kidnappers are demanding a sum totaling $17 million for the group's release.

The victims, volunteering for Christian Aid Ministries, include five men, seven women, and five children.

Quitel added that the missionaries are being held "somewhere outside of Croix-des-Bouquets," a Port-au-Prince-area suburb that is under the gang's control.

"The gang has locations where they usually keep their hostages so that they can feel the hostages are safe," Quitel added. "They feel comfortable keeping them there. ... The kidnappers have been warned about harming the hostages and what may be the consequences for them [if that were to happen]. But they are not swayed by those warnings."

Haitian police negotiators and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working together to advise the missionary group on how to proceed.

The FBI is also assisting Haiti officials in the investigation.

"The FBI is part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to get the Americans involved to safety. Due to operational considerations, no further information is available at this time," an FBI spokesperson told CNN for its reporting.

On Sunday, Dan Hooley — former field director for Christian Aid Ministries in Haiti — said that all of the kidnapping victims were believed to have been in one vehicle.

"A couple of fellows right away messaged the director and told him what was going on," Hooley said at the time. "And one of them was able to drop a pin, and that's the last thing (the organization) heard until the kidnappers contacted them later in the day."

Hooley added that the missionaries were well aware of the risks associated with their work in the impoverished area.

"These are very dedicated people, people that have risked their lives, they knew the dangers that they were in, or at least were aware of what could happen, I'm sure," he explained.

What else?

On Sunday, USA Today reported, "At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti's National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH."

"Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions — including food insecurity and malnutrition — all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation," the report added. "An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti."

16 American missionaries kidnapped by gang in Haiti, Ohio-based Christian ministry says



A group of Christian missionaries — 16 Americans and one Canadian — were kidnapped in Haiti, a U.S. ministry said.

The group of seven women, five men, and five children were abducted during a trip to visit an orphanage on Saturday, the Christian Aid Ministries based in Berlin, Ohio, said in a statement.

"This is a special prayer alert," the one-minute message from the ministry said, according to NBC News. "Pray that the gang members would come to repentance."

"Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected. Pray for those who are seeking God's direction and making decisions regarding this matter," the ministry said in a statement.

"As an organization, we commit this situation to God and trust Him to see us through," the ministry continued. "May the Lord Jesus be magnified and many more people come to know His love and salvation."

The statement ended with Psalm 91:1,2,11, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust...For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

Christian Aid Ministries said it was working with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti to help facilitate a safe return for the kidnapped missionaries.

A U.S. government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.

"The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State," the spokesperson said.

A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. is in contact with Haitian authorities to attempt to resolve the case, Time reported.

The 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped the missionaries in Ganthier, a community east of the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haitian police inspector Frantz Champagne told The Associated Press.

The gang — whose name roughly translates to 400 "inexperienced men" — was blamed for kidnapping five priests and two nuns earlier this year in Haiti. The 400 Mawozo gang controls the Croix-des-Bouquets area, and are known for kidnappings, carjackings, and extorting business owners, according to Haitian authorities.

Haitian gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to more than $1 million, authorities have said.

USA Today reported, "At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti's National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH."

"Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions — including food insecurity and malnutrition — all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation," BINUH said in its report last month. "An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti."