BERLIN, OHIO (AP) — Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for.
Officials with the Christian Aid Ministries, the Ohio-based agency that the captive missionaries work for, detailed their journey to safety in a press conference Monday. A total of 17 people from the missionary group — 12 adults and five minors — were abducted Oct. 16 shortly after visiting an orphanage in Ganthier. The group included 16 Americans and one Canadian.
The group thanked Christians across the world for their prayers for the missionaries and extended forgiveness to the hostage-takers.
"Our desire is that you and all who hear or read this statement may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Savior, the Son of God, and the Prince of Peace," the group said online Friday. "Jesus died for all so that all can be saved."
Relatives of some of those affected are Reno County residents.