An elderly pastor who was kidnapped earlier this month by armed men dressed as Haitian National Police officers has reportedly been released.
The 79-year-old pastor’s ransom had been paid, but then his captors refused to release him.
A ransom of $300,000 was paid in exchange for his release and another member of his congregation.
The Christian Aid Ministries group is calling for prayer for the 17 missionaries who were kidnapped in Haiti on Oct. 16 to be brought home safely after the gang leader recently threatened to murder them all if they don’t pay 17 million.
Abducted Missionaries’ Families Offer forgiveness to kidnappers.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Amid Deadly Uncertainty Family members of the 17 missionaries abducted in Haiti earlier this month continue to hold out hope as the potentially deadly situation stretches into its tenth day.
Christian Aid Ministries, the nonprofit organization with whom the missionaries are affiliated, said the days since the October 16 abduction have been filled with “many tears and thousands if not millions of prayers.”
“We are interested in the salvation of these men and we love them,” one father of one of the hostages said in reference to the kidnappers who took his child.
Another parent added, “As a family, we are giving forgiveness to these men. We are not holding anything against them.”
As time passes, the families love and forgiveness for the kidnappers, and hope for the missionaries to return safely.
Police believe the 400 Mawozo gang is behind the abductions. The group, which started out as petty thieves, has become one of Haiti’s most feared and evil gangs.
Last week in a video on social media, the gang will kill the missionaries if the payment of one million dollars for each missionary isn’t paid.
In the video, a man identified as Wilson Joseph 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.”
Weston Showalter, a spokesman for Christian Aid Ministries said the families involved are from Mennonite, Amish, and other Anabaptist communities.
“They continue to band together and support each other with prayers and encouragement during this difficult time,” he said “It’s amazing how times of difficulty have a way of bringing people together.”
Amish believe that God is in control, no matter what the outcome is, and believe you need to pray for the kidnappers for their salvation. Amish believe you must forgive as the Bible teaches.
Pray for these missionaries and their families.
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Many who claim to be Christians and go to church have a problem when it comes to forgiving. If you read the New Testament there are many scriptures about forgiving.
To understand how Amish forgive read Amish Grace by Donald B. kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, David L. Weaver-Zercher.
It’s about how the Amish community at Nichel Mines, Pennsylvania in October 2006 of the shooting of 10 schoolgirls and how the Amish forgave the shooter and his families. It’s a must read for all church people.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Read more at: https://www.transformedbythetruth.com/17-missionaries-including-children-kidnapped-in-haiti/
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