A dozen missionaries kidnapped for two months were reportedly released unharmed on Thursday, Christian Aid Ministries has reported.
The Christian mission organization, based in Berlin, Ohio, updated the status of the remaining missionaries Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with thanks for answered prayers.
“We glorify God for answered prayer—the remaining twelve hostages are FREE! Join us in praising God that all seventeen of our loved ones are now safe. Thank you for your fervent prayers throughout the past two months. We hope to provide more information as we are able,” the statement said.
BREAKING: Christian Aid Ministries says the remaining 12 hostages in #Haiti have been freed. We are awaiting additional information. Their statement below: pic.twitter.com/nn51edKPr2
— Manuel Bojorquez (@BojorquezCBS) December 16, 2021
The organization had posted an update on Wednesday that noted, “Tomorrow it will be two months since our difficult journey began. As we stated one day after the crisis began—As an organization, we commit this situation to God and trust Him to see us through. May the Lord Jesus be magnified and many more people come to know His love and salvation. We again want to affirm our commitment to trust God to guide us.”
“I have no words about this sore trial, about what you face,” wrote a supporter. “But I really care, and I am praying for you today.”
The group of 17 Christians, which included missionaries and their family members, were taken hostage in October in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince by the 400 Mawozo gang. One Canadian missionary was listed among them, while the remaining 16 missionaries were Americans serving in Haiti.
The kidnappers originally sought $1 million for each hostage or a total of $17 million.
Prior to the release of the last 12 missionaries, five missionaries were released at two other times. The most recent release included three hostages released on December 5.
“We are thankful to God that three more hostages were released last night. Those who were released are safe and seem to be in good spirits. As with the previous release, we are not able to provide the names of the people released, the circumstances of the release, or any other details,” Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement on December 6.
The agency also provided an update following the release of the initial two missionary team members on November 21.
“We have learned that two of the hostages in Haiti were released. We praise God for this! Only limited information can be provided, but we are able to report that the two hostages who were released are safe, in good spirits, and being cared for,” the November 21 statement said.
According to the Miami Herald, “The first two of the hostages were released in late November, followed by three more missionaries on Dec. 5. After they were freed, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. was continuing to work at the highest levels with the Haitian government and Canada ‘to do everything we can to see to it that the remaining hostages are released as soon as possible.’”